The codes on canned goods help reveal their freshness.
Image Credit: d3sign/Moment/GettyImages
While there is no standard system for coding canned foods, many companies use similar codes to track their products. Learning to read the most commonly used codes that refer to dates helps ensure your canned foods are fresh and safe to eat. Some canned foods include a noncoded "use by" date stamped on the can or label. For those that don't, you can often find a coded date stamped on the top or bottom of the can.
Step 1
Look at the first number or letter of the code. Numbers 1 through 9 often represent the months January through September, in order. The letter "O" usually stands for October, "N" represents November and "D" stands for December on many cans. Some companies list the month after the date, so look elsewhere in the code for letters as well.
Step 2
Match letters other than "O" and "N" with months by assigning each month, January through December, a letter from "A" to "L" in alphabetical order. Some companies use this form of coding to represent months. Be careful when interpreting these codes if you need to be sure about the month. "D" could stand for April or December, depending on the coding system used by the manufacturer.
Step 3
Decipher numbers to determine the day and year. Many companies use a two-digit number following the first number of the code for the date and a one-digit number for the year. The year number is usually the last number of the year. For example, 2011 would have a year number of 1.
Step 4
Determine the Julian date that would correspond with the code if the numbers don't make sense in the context of month, date and year, or if you know the manufacturer uses Julian dates in its codes. The Julian date is the day of the year. For example, Jan. 1 would be 1 and Feb. 10 would be 41 if a Julian date is used.
Check your canned food products for a toll-free number or website if you’re not sure about the code on the can or the date by which you should use the product. Some companies mix up the date format by listing the year or the date first instead of the month, so if you’re in doubt, it’s best to ask the source. Most manufacturers offer a telephone number or website for consumers with questions about the expiration dates of their products. Most canned foods are safe to use for two years from the date of purchase, even if you can’t read the code on the can and can’t find a “use by” date on the product. Store your canned food at a moderate temperature to ensure freshness. The Canned Food Alliance recommends storage temperatures no higher than 75 degrees Fahrenheit.
FAQs
Locate your can's Julian date
The last 5 numbers in that sequence will be your Julian date calendar code. In the example photo provided, the numbers are “24820.” The first three numbers identify the month and day, and the last 2 numbers identify the year this product was canned.
How do you read the date code on canned food? ›
Locate your can's Julian date
The last 5 numbers in that sequence will be your Julian date calendar code. In the example photo provided, the numbers are “24820.” The first three numbers identify the month and day, and the last 2 numbers identify the year this product was canned.
What do the numbers on canned food mean? ›
Some manufacturers list day, month, and year of production, while other companies reference only the year. These codes are usually imprinted on the top or bottom of the can. Other numbers may appear and reference the specific plant manufacturing or product information and are not useful to the consumers.
How do you read date codes on food products? ›
This often appears as codes that consist of a series of letters and/or numbers applied by manufacturers to identify the date and time of production, appearing as MMDDYY. For example, "112922" would be read as November 29, 2022.
How do you check expiration date on can goods? ›
Labels On Cans
Canned foods don't have an expiration date. Rather, the two main labels you'll find on cans include the “best-by” or “use-by” date.
What is the Julian date on canned food? ›
It represents the number of days elapsed since the beginning of the calendar year. For example, a Julian date of 031 represents January 31st and a Julian date of 365 represents December 31st. The Julian date usually represents the date the product was manufactured or packaged.
How do you read numbers on cans? ›
Many companies use a two-digit number following the first number of the code for the date and a one-digit number for the year. The year number is usually the last number of the year. For example, 2011 would have a year number of 1.
How do you read a production date? ›
The production date is a four-digit sequence representing when the product was manufactured. In our example, 0822 is the production date. This information is typically expressed in month-year or year-month-day format. So, in our example, the production date would be August 2022.
What are the different types of date codes? ›
In general, there are two types of date codes: open and closed. Understanding these two types of date codes can help you determine what products to use when, reducing unnecessary food waste.
How to read a batch code date? ›
Y = Year MM = Month DD = Day S = Batch Series that day of this product I = Product Designation 1 – Original manufacture 2 – Repacked 3 – Relabeled 4 – Reworked 5 – Shelf Life extended For example, the batch number 8090418 indicates that this batch was made in the year 2020 (0), on the ninth month September (09) and on ...
The batch code consists of 6 digits and utilizes the Julian Date, the last digit of the year of manufacture, the production line, and the production shift. Example: 036521 036 = The thirty sixth day of the year, in this case February 5th.
How do you read manufacture codes? ›
The first two numbers stand for the year, while the last three numbers represent the day of the year. For example, if the code was 11322, you would know that the food was manufactured on the 322 day of 2011, or November 22nd, 2011.
Can you eat 40 year old canned food? ›
According to the United States Department of Agriculture, canned contents are safe to eat as long as the can is in “good shape.” The Canned Food Alliance agrees, citing 100-year-old canned food that was recovered from sunken ships and tested microbiologically safe.
What canned food has the longest shelf life? ›
The longest-lasting canned foods are canned meat 4-30 years, followed by canned vegetables 3-8 years, canned beans 3-6 years, canned fish 3-6 years, canned rice 2-6 years, canned broth 3-5 years, canned soups 2-4 years, and lastly canned fruits which only last around 1-2 years.
What is the expiration date code on canned foods? ›
Canned foods have codes stamped into their lids that contain numbers or a combination of numbers and letters. Part of the code is for manufacturing reference and the other numbers and letters indicate the month and year the product was packaged.
How long is canned food good for after date on can? ›
It's typically safe to eat food that's past its expiration date, with a few exceptions. If the can in question contains a higher-acid food such as tomatoes, fruits, pickles, sauerkraut, or a food in a vinegar-based sauce, the USDA recommends discarding these items after 18 months from date of purchase.
How much past expiration date for canned food? ›
Canned Vegetables, Meats, and Soups
Low acid canned goods like vegetables, canned meats, and soups should be eaten within 2-3 years past their expiration date.
What is the format for Del Monte expiration date? ›
It is displayed in a regulated format including the year, month, and day. Unrefrigerated products (sold on the shelf) : The package is stamped with an ink jet code indicating the date before which the product should be consumed to get the maximum benefit from its qualities. For example, 20140313 means March 13, 2014.
