How Do You Read the Expiration Date on Canned Food?

Reading the expiration date on canned food is important if you want to make sure that your food is safe to eat. Unfortunately, many people don’t know how to interpret the cryptic codes found on cans and packages of food. Here’s what you need to know about reading canned food expiration dates and ensuring that your canned goods are still safe to consume.

What Is the Expiration Date? An expiration date isn’t necessarily a “use-by” date, although it can be. It is simply a date by which the manufacturer recommends that you consume a product in order to ensure maximum freshness and flavor. In some cases, an expiration date may be printed on the product; in others, it may be stamped on the can or package.

How Do You Read the Date? The way you read an expiration date for canned foods will depend on how it is printed or stamped. If it is just a date, such as “12/20/2020,” then this means that the food should be consumed before this date for maximum freshness and flavor. If there is a code instead of a date, such as “MFG 12/20/2020,” then this means that the food was manufactured on December 20th of 2020 and should still be good until the end of that year.

Are Canned Foods Still Safe After Their Expiration Date? In most cases, yes. Canned foods can last for several years after their expiration date if they are stored properly. However, if there are signs of spoilage (such as bulging cans or bad odors), then it is best not to consume them.

Conclusion:

Reading the expiration date on canned foods can help you ensure that your food is still safe to eat. The way you read an expiration date will depend on how it is printed or stamped; if there is just a date, then this means that the food should be consumed before this time; if there is a code instead, then this means that the food was manufactured on this day and should still be good until its listed end-date. In most cases, canned foods can last for several years after their expiration dates when stored properly; however, if there are signs of spoilage they should not be consumed.