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With their cryptic words, numbers, and symbols, food packaging can often seem like a mystery. While many shoppers only glance at the expiration date and nutritional facts, there’s more to discover by decoding the symbols on the packaging. As Taste of Home explains, understanding the three-digit code on every egg carton can assist you in choosing a fresher product.
The Julian date of your eggs is typically printed near the Sell By date on the carton. This three-digit number shows the day the eggs were packed. For instance, a date of 001 indicates the eggs were packed on January 1st, while higher numbers represent later days of the year, up to 365, which corresponds to December 31st.
The Julian date provides more insight than the Sell By date alone. While expiration dates and Sell By dates can sometimes be misleading, the Julian date offers a precise measure of how long the product has been in its packaging. Even though food can last past its expiration date, or spoil before it, the Julian date helps you ensure you're buying the freshest option.
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Even if you aren't aware that March 19 is the 78th day of the year without doing the math, the Julian code still serves a purpose. Typically, the higher the number, the closer it is to the current date and fresher the product is. However, when shopping at the start of the year, eggs from December of the previous year might still be on the shelves. During that time, lower Julian dates are more reliable for freshness.
The freshness of the food at the grocery store can often be determined by the packaging. If you want your bread to stay fresh for longer, it's important to understand what the colored tags on bread bags actually mean.
