Apr 13, 2010  How do you read the expiration dates on 7-UP and their products? It's not like Coke and Pepsi where it reads the exact date. 7-Up has some code. How do you read that code?

• Julian Expiration Codes List
• How To Read Expiration Codes On Cans
• How To Read Expiration Code On Tobacco

Quick Answers How do I read the expiration date, or code dating, on a label? First, it is important to decide what type of code date is on the package as each manufacturer may use a date that means something different. For example, some products are coded with a 'use by' date which means the product's quality and safety can only be guaranteed until this date. Other manufacturers have a 'sell by' date indicating that after this date, stores should not sell the product.

Still other products have a 'best by' date which means the product's quality can only be assured until this date. And there are also products that use a 'made on' date, or a date that indicates when the product was produced.

Julian Expiration Codes List

How To Read Expiration Codes On Cans

Once you know what type of date is on the package (use by or sell by, etc.), the next step is to identify what the code date means. Many code dates are based on a Julian calendar. This means that January 1st equals '1' and the last day of the year, Dec 31, is '365.' The year can be represented a variety of ways depending on how the manufacturer chooses to list it. There may also be parts of the code the manufacturer uses to track products.

How To Read Expiration Code On Tobacco

For instance, extra letters and numbers may be included in the code to represent the specific location, plant, or month the product was made in. There are many possible code date combinations and systems so if you are unsure how long a product should be kept, it is always best to contact the manufacturer.