When purchasing products, you may come across the symbols for MFG date and EXP date on the packaging, but you may not fully understand their significance. In this article, we will explore the meaning of these symbols and other important information found on product packaging.
1 What is the MFG date?
The MFG date, short for Manufacturing date, indicates the date when the product was produced. Typically, the MFG date is printed alongside the EXP date on the packaging, providing consumers with information about the production date, month, year, and expiration date of the product.
2 What is the EXP date?
The EXP date, short for Expiry date, indicates the expiration date of the product. It is often printed together with the MFG date on the lid or bottom of the product packaging.
However, some products may only display the MFG date without specifying the exact date. Instead, they may indicate the number of months the product can be used from the production date. Therefore, it is important for consumers to pay attention to both symbols before purchasing a product.
3 Other symbols on product packaging
In addition to the MFG date and EXP date symbols, you may also come across other symbols on product packaging, such as:
BBE/BE/BB symbol
This symbol, abbreviated from Best Before, has a similar meaning to EXP. However, it does not specify the exact expiration date. Instead, it indicates the shelf life of the product.
PAO symbol
The PAO symbol, short for Period After Opening, indicates that the expiration date of the product should be counted from the date of opening. This symbol is often displayed on box-type products. However, some products may not clearly indicate the PAO expiration, in which case the expiration date of the product is 3 years from the opening. Additionally, some PAO symbols may be written as 6M, 12M, 36M, with M denoting months, indicating the PAO is 6 months, 12 months, or 36 months.
Use-by symbol
This symbol is often found on products with a short shelf life. It provides information on how to store and use the food appropriately to avoid expiration.
Sand clock symbol
When you see this symbol on the packaging, it indicates that the expiration date of the product is less than 30 months.
Abbreviated month symbol on the product
This symbol represents the English abbreviation for the month. For example, August is represented as AUG.
Triangle symbol
This symbol indicates that the packaging of the product is made from recycled materials, signifying an environmentally friendly choice.
Through this article, we have provided information about the MFG date, EXP date, and other symbols commonly found on product packaging. We hope you find this information useful for making informed choices when purchasing products.
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