European date coding format

Hi Everyone, 

I'm looking for some guidance on European date coding. 

We get some products that are imported that require a best by date. The problem is the best by date is in the European format and is causing our facility and customers to think the product is already expired and its not. 

 

The company we import from is telling us the regulations wont allow them to date code their product in the US format. I cant find regulations or guidance on this so if anyone can help that would be great!

 

Thanks

Weebus

 

 

Hi Weebus

General information regarding date coding from Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 below.

I cant find any information about format of the date, maybe someone else will know

hope that helps

Article 24

Minimum durability date, ‘use by’ date and date of freezing

1.   In the case of foods which, from a microbiological point of view, are highly perishable and are therefore likely after a short period to constitute an immediate danger to human health, the date of minimum durability shall be replaced by the ‘use by’ date. After the ‘use by’ date a food shall be deemed to be unsafe in accordance with Article 14(2) to (5) of Regulation (EC) No 178/2002.

2.   The appropriate date shall be expressed in accordance with Annex X.

ANNEX X

DATE OF MINIMUM DURABILITY, ‘USE BY’ DATE AND DATE OF FREEZING

1.

The date of minimum durability shall be indicated as follows:

(a)

the date shall be preceded by the words:

—

‘Best before …’ when the date includes an indication of the day,

—

‘Best before end …’ in other cases,

(b)

the words referred to in point (a) shall be accompanied by:

—

either the date itself, or,

—

a reference to where the date is given on the labelling,

If need be, these particulars shall be followed by a description of the storage conditions which must be observed if the product is to keep for the specified period;

©

the date shall consist of the day, the month and possibly, the year, in that order and in uncoded form.

However, in the case of foods:

—

which will not keep for more than 3 months, an indication of the day and the month shall be sufficient,

—

which will keep for more than 3 months but not more than 18 months, an indication of the month and year shall be sufficient,

—

which will keep for more than 18 months, an indication of the year shall be sufficient,

(d)

subject to Union provisions imposing other types of date indication, an indication of the date of minimum durability shall not be required for:

—

fresh fruit and vegetables, including potatoes, which have not been peeled, cut or similarly treated; this derogation shall not apply to sprouting seeds and similar products such as legume sprouts,

—

wines, liqueur wines, sparkling wines, aromatised wines, and similar products obtained from fruit other than grapes, and beverages falling within CN code 2206 00 obtained from grapes or grape musts,

—

beverages containing 10 % or more by volume of alcohol,

—

bakers’ or pastry cooks’ wares which, given the nature of their content, are normally consumed within 24 hours of their manufacture,

—

vinegar,

—

cooking salt,

—

solid sugar,

—

confectionery products consisting almost solely of flavoured and/or coloured sugars,

—

chewing gums and similar chewing products,

2.

The ‘use by’ date shall be indicated as follows:

(a)

it shall be preceded by the words ‘use by …’;

(b)

the words in point (a) shall be accompanied by:

—

either the date itself, or,

—

a reference to where the date is given on the labelling,

Those particulars shall be followed by a description of the storage conditions which must be observed;

©

the date shall consist of the day, the month and, possibly, the year, in that order and in uncoded form;

(d)

the ‘use by’ date shall be indicated on each individual prepacked portion.

3.

The date of freezing or the date of first freezing as referred to in point 6 of Annex III shall be indicated as follows:

(a)

it shall be preceded by the words ‘Frozen on …’;

(b)

the words referred to in point (a) shall be accompanied by:

—

the date itself, or,

—

a reference to where the date is given on the labelling,

©

the date shall consist of the day, the month and the year, in that order and in uncoded form.

3.   In order to ensure a uniform application of the manner of indicating the date of minimum durability referred to in point 1© of Annex X, the Commission may adopt implementing acts setting out rules in this regard. Those implementing acts shall be adopted in accordance with the examination procedure referred to in Article 48(2).

Hi Everyone, 

I'm looking for some guidance on European date coding. 

We get some products that are imported that require a best by date. The problem is the best by date is in the European format and is causing our facility and customers to think the product is already expired and its not. 

 

The company we import from is telling us the regulations wont allow them to date code their product in the US format. I cant find regulations or guidance on this so if anyone can help that would be great!

 

Thanks

Weebus

 

Hi Weebus,

 

IMEX exporters always apply the date codes as required at destination ? Unless the product was pre-produced for local usage, ie someone's having you on ?

 

I deduce you are saying that you are unable to read the date ?

 

Maybe you could post the mystery coded date ?? (not using day of the year by any chance, ie 1-365 ?) + country of origin (afaik the coding system  can  vary within Europe)

 

I doubt that European consumers have much higher IQs than those in USA.

Hi Weebus,

 

You must be referring to the date format as put out by ISO 8601. Its used in may countries around the world.

 

I have attached a 2004 version for you.

 

Tamale