Basics of Date Coding

Expiration dates are the best-known and most commonly used date codes in manufacturing, and they’re typically presented in a few different configurations depending on preference and standard. There’s also a difference between “best by” and “best before,” but we won’t dive into the legalities of said codes.

Both codes let retailers and other businesses know the day, month, and year at which the product should be pulled from the shelves. They also inform consumers when the product becomes unsafe for use or consumption.

These are similar to expiration date codes; pack dates aren’t mandatory or regulated across various industries. The exception to this rule is the packaging date of infant formula, which is mandated by FDA regulations.

Still, it’s important to note there are some industries, such as manufacturers of dairy products, beer, poultry, and eggs, that voluntarily provide this information because the freshness of the product is directly related to the quality of goods.

Lot/batch codes aren’t aimed at consumers but at manufacturers. They’re often unique combinations of letters and numbers put on products for record-keeping and inventory purposes.

Lot numbers allow companies to perform faster quality checks, determine expiration dates, and even issue recalls when necessary. The form of the code depends on how the information is useful to and interpreted by the manufacturer of particular goods.

According to the food accident information notification network produced by the Japan Food Industry Association, 19% of food accidents were due to mistakes in the displaying of expiration dates.

• 1
  Display mistakes
• 2
  Mixing of foreign objects
• 3
  Expiration date mistakes
• 4
  Other
• 5
  Defective packaging

Furthermore, among all the errors caused by expiration date mistakes, 81% were caused by the date being displayed incorrectly. In another 16% of the cases, printed text was missing in whole or in part.

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  Incorrect date printed
• 2
  Missing printed text
• 3
  Other

Additionally, advanced date coding printers offer precise and consistent print quality, as well as compatibility with numerous printing substrates and often with numerous ink types. And while the initial costs of these devices might be higher, they’re often more cost-effective in the long run.

Despite the fact that a date code is a small aspect of the manufacturing process, it is commonly a choke point for production. A reliable and high-speed CIJ printer is critical to maximizing production.

It’s also important to mention that many of these printers integrate with other manufacturing and packaging systems, which enables a more automated and streamlined production and labeling process.

Inspection device linking with just a LAN cable

With a KEYENCE inkjet printer, the expiration date or the manufacturing date can be updated automatically. This prevents setting mistakes during date printing, which make up 81% of all expiration date mistakes.

The MK-G Series inkjet coder can be easily linked to a print inspection device by connecting a LAN cable. There is no need to create software, a time-consuing task, which greatly reduces the installation cost.

KEYENCE vision system provides peace of mind in the rare case that printed text is missing. The device ensures unacceptable products are not released in th event printed details are missing or incorrect, providing an extra layer of reliability.