If you’ve ever bought canned food, you’ve likely noticed that there are codes printed on the top or bottom of the can. But what do those codes mean?
Those codes are called “pack dates” or “best by” dates, and they provide information about when the food was canned and how long it should remain safe for consumption. Although canned foods don’t really expire, it is important to know when they were packed so that you can make sure that the contents are still safe to eat.
Canned Food Codes
The code on a canned food product usually consists of a series of letters and numbers. The first part of the code usually indicates when the product was packed.
For example, a code of “20210101” would mean that the product was packed on January 1st 2021. The second part of the code indicates either how long the product will remain safe for consumption or when it should be consumed by.
Understanding Food Expiration Dates
It is important to note that expiration dates are not always an indication of whether or not a food is still edible. Expiration dates are generally set by manufacturers as a guide for how long their products will remain at peak quality; after this date, the food may start to lose its flavor and texture but still be safe to eat for some time afterwards.
Best By Dates
“Best by” dates give an indication of when a product should be consumed by in order to get the best flavor and texture from it. This date is usually set at least one year after the pack date, so if a product has been stored correctly then it should still be edible after this date has passed. However, if you notice any signs of spoilage then it should be thrown away regardless of its expiration date.
Conclusion
Canned food codes indicate when a product was packed and how long it should remain safe for consumption. It is important to note that expiration dates are not always an indication of whether or not a food is still edible; instead they indicate when a product should be consumed by in order to get maximum flavor and texture from it. After this date has passed, the food may still be safe to eat provided that there are no signs of spoilage.