How to read the Best before dates or batch codes
Friday, November 03, 2023
Most of our shelf-life information is in the following format: YEAR/MONTH/DAY. BB stands for "best before" and MA stands for the french equivalent "Meilleur Avant". For example, an expiry date on a Nestlé product can be BB/MA 2023 OC 31.
The following are the Canadian bilingual month abbreviations used for Nestlé expiration date coding.
January: JA April: AL July: JL October: OC
February: FE May: MA August: AU November: NO
March: MR June: JN September: SE December: DE
Some of our products, such as our products imported from other countries or our mini bars may contain the Julian Calendar method. For products not sold individually and we only list the best before date on the external, parent packaging. Reading a product with the Julian calendar involves understanding the format and decoding the information encoded within it. Here's a general guide on how to read a product using the Julian calendar:
1. Identify the Julian Date Code: Look for a series of numbers on the packaging that represents the Julian date. The Julian date is a numerical representation of the day of the year, ranging from 001 to 365 (or 366 in a leap year).
2. Determine the Year: The first digit(s) of the Julian date code typically represent the last digit(s) of the year.
3. Interpret the Remaining Digits: The remaining digits in the Julian date code usually represent the day of the year. For example, if the SKU has "215" as the Julian date code, "15" represents the 15th day of the month (August 3rd).
For example, for a box of Perugina Baci, if your box is 92310848.
• 9 - 9 is the last digit of the year of production, meaning 2019
• 231 - The next three digits refer to the 231st day of the year, meaning August 19
• 0848 - This is the factory code and let us know where the product was manufactured.
These chocolates were made on August 19, 2019.The shelf life of Perugina Baci is 9 months, so the product is Best Before May 19, 2020 (9 months after the production date).
By understanding the Julian calendar and decoding the SKU, you can determine the approximate manufacturing or packaging date of a product, which can be useful for inventory management, quality control, and tracking product freshness.
If you are having troubles locating the expiry date or have any questions, one of our Consumer Ambassadors would be happy to help you.
What to do if the batch code is smeared?
If the best before date on a product is smeared and illegible, it is important to take the following steps:
1. Assess the Product: Inspect the product carefully to ensure there are no visible signs of spoilage, damage, or unusual odors. If the product appears to be compromised or unsafe, it is best to discard it to prioritize safety.
2. Contact and Provide Additional Information: Should you have any additional details, such as the product's batch code, manufacturing date, or any other identifying information. This information can help assess the product's freshness and safety.
3. Prevent Future Issues: To avoid similar situations in the future, store products properly, away from excessive heat, moisture, or direct sunlight. Additionally, check the best before dates before purchasing products to ensure they are legible and provide sufficient shelf life.
Remember, the best before date provides guidance on the product's quality and freshness, but it does not necessarily indicate safety. If the best before date is smeared and you have concerns about the product's safety or quality, it is always better to err on the side of caution and discard the product if unsure.