Gateway to Government Food Safety Information

1-888-674-6854

U.S. Department of Agriculture Taped messages on food safety.

www.fda.gov

U.S. Food and Drug Administration

www.mealtime.org

The Canned Food Alliance - various food information.

www.gmaonline.org

Grocery Manufacturers Association - various information including food safety by the Association of Food, Beverage and Consumer Products Companies.

www.agriculture.state.pa.us

PA Department of Agriculture - various industry information, products, recalls and food safety information.

www.affi.com

American Frozen Food Institute - various frozen food industry information.

www.nrdc.org/food/expiration-dates.asp

National Resources Defense Council

Q: What Do Can Codes Mean?

A: Cans must exhibit a packing code to
enable tracking of the product in interstate commerce. This enables manufacturers to rotate their stock as well as to locate their products in the event of a recall. These codes, which appear as a series of letters and/or numbers, might refer to the date or time of manufacture. They aren’t meant for the consumer to interpret as “use-by” dates. There is no book which tells how to translate the codes into dates.
(U.S. Department of Agriculture)

Q: What Is The Return Policy?

A: Our Goal is to make shopping a great experience for you. To keep our products affordable for all customers, the return policy is in effect:

Sales of cosmetic items (Makeup, nail polishes, etc) are considered final and are not eligible for return.

All other sales, if there is something wrong with the item, it must be returned within 5 days of purchase with receipt showing date of purchase. Empty bags/boxes are not eligible for refund.

We stand behind our products.

We accept Cash, Visa, MasterCard and Discover.

Credit, Debit and EBT card transactions must be over $5.

Frequently Asked Questions - Product Dating

Q: What is Product Dating?

A: There are two main types of product
dating, “open dating” and “closed dating”. Open Dating uses a calendar date as opposed to a code on a food product.
Common examples include “Sell by”, “Best if used by” and “Use by.” Open dating is not a safety date. It is commonly found on perishable foods such as meat, poultry, eggs and dairy products. Occasionally, canned goods and boxed goods will display an “open” or calendar date. These are “best if used by” dates for peak quality. These are the manufacturer’s recommendations for
maximum freshness and nutrient value, not safety dates. Closed Dating or Coded dating generally refers to a manufacturer’s code stamped on the product. These codes typically appear on shelf stable products such as canned and boxed foods. Some manufacturers stamp the date the product was manufactured or packaged. Some use a product code that is not able to be deciphered. Essentially food manufacturers use no standardized dating codes on
products.
(US & FL Department of Agriculture)

Q: Are Retailers Allowed to Sell
Products Beyond the Date on the Package?

A: Yes, as long as a product is wholesome, a
retailer may legally sell grocery items including
fresh or processed meat and poultry products
beyond the date on the package.
(Adapted from Food Marketing Institute information)
(Exceptions to this would include baby food, fluid milk)

Q: What is a Product’s Shelf Life?

A: This varies depending on the type of
product. Many processed and packaged foods are shelf stable, which means that they do not require refrigeration until opened. These items are often referred to as non-perishable for these reasons. Their shelf life is evaluated in terms of the quality of the product. Food quality deals with taste, texture, color and
nutritional value. Since the storage time for shelf stable foods is a quality issue and not a food safety concern, the FDA does not require an expiration date.
(Adapted from National Food Processors
Association information & FDA Food Safety)

Q: Is Dating Required by Federal Law?

A: Except for infant formula and some baby
food, product dating is NOT required by
Federal regulations.
(US Dept. Of Agriculture)

Q: How Long Does Canned Food

Remain Edible and Retain Its Nutritional Content?

A: Canned food has a shelf life of at least
two years from the date of processing.
Canned food retains its safety and
nutritional value well beyond two years, but it may have some variation in quality, such as a change of color or texture. Canning is a high-heat process that renders the food commercially sterile. Food safety is not an issue in products kept on the shelf in moderate temperatures (75 degrees Fahrenheit and below). The acid content of the food and the lining of the can are important factors in a product’s quality and
appearance after long periods of storage.
(Adapted from mealtime.org., Canned Food Alliance
and The National Food Processors Association)

Q: What About Frozen Foods?

A: Once a perishable product is frozen at
proper temperatures, it does not matter if the date expires because food kept frozen continuously is safe indefinitely. Sharp Shopper freezes perishable items before the date on the package which extends the life. Packaging is important to the quality and appearance of frozen foods. Products exposed to air can develop “freezer burn” which does not affect the safety of the product, but can impact taste and quality.
(Adapted information from FL Dept. Of Agriculture)

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