Four grocery store food label dates and their meanings, according to the USDA:
Coded or closed dates: Numbers and letters used by the manufacturer to indicate product packing day and time
The FDA lets manufacturers sell most food past these dates, except baby formula.
The FDA lets manufacturers sell most food past these dates, except baby formula.
Food makers aren't compelled to list these dates; they can choose to do so.
If it helps, the FDA knows these labels are confusing and wants the food sector to use “Best if used by.”
Expiration dates on packaging can help you avoid disease because looks and smells can be deceiving—smelling the milk carton is not an exact science.