- Product Expiration Date Code
- Expiration Code Check
- How To Check Product Expiration Date Code
- How Do You Find The Expiration Date On A Lot Number
Renewal up to Expiration date = $100.00 (Please see note above regarding renewals impacted by COVID-19. I agree to the ISA Coach's Code of Ethics. Cosmetics Wizard helps you to check the production date and expiration date of your makeup and beauty products from their batch codes. Expiration dates can be hard to locate on a product and even more challenging to decipher. Currently, the United States does not have a regulated or standard. FINAL PROTECTION FROM ABUSE ORDER Extended Order Amended Order IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA NO. PLAINTIFF First Middle Last Plaintiff s DOB Name (s) of all protected persons. Vettam comedy. Expiration helps users keep track of any product with an expiration date including food. Color code allows for simplification of expiration date.
UPDATE: 5 March 2020
Here’s a related discussion about the importance of easy to view date codes in this CNBC special report. The video is queued to 7m 38s and provides an explanation as to why it’s important to have easily visible expiration dates.
UPDATE: 5 September 2015
Well, it took over a year, but the expiration date code visibility issue described below has finally been resolved. Over the past year, we’ve continued buying the Mary’s Gone Crackers products, eating them and contemplating when they might respond to our multiple emails. We never received a response, but apparently our message got through because they now have a much easier to read, darker, stronger imprint for their expiration date code. Take a look at the photo below. Hurray! Another victory.
Initially, rather than fixing the problem, Mary’s Gone Crackers put up a statement on their FAQ page about the date code because so many people were asking where it was.
Below you’ll find the article we originally posted in August 2014.
[The article below was originally published on 20 August 2014. Numerous emails and contact form submissions were made to the Mary’s Gone Crackers website, but the company refused to comment publicly on this issue.]
Poor Expiration Date Labeling Practices
Manufacturers are tempted to print expiration dates in small, hard to find, and difficult to read fonts and colors. Sometimes an expiration date is written in a code that the consumer must lookup and decipher. The motivation behind such practices is to increase sales by having products sold after their expiration date instead of being pulled from shelves.
Worst Possible Example
The company Mary’s Gone Crackers* has gone a step further with their product expiration labeling. It simply doesn’t exist — at least not printed on the outside of the package where a grocer or consumer can easily see it. This ensures that the grocer won’t pull the product from the shelves after it expires, and consumers will buy it assuming it’s fresh even after it has expired.
Visuals
If you look closely, in just the right light (you need some glare to see it) you’ll find the date lightly embossed in the top of the box. It’s barely perceptible as you can see in the photos below.
Only when you get home from the grocery store, and open the package perhaps days later, will you possibly notice that the expiration date is printed in small type on the clear bag. Of course, you’ll only notice that if you’re looking for it and pull the entire cracker bag out of the box and look for something printed on the clear plastic.
Negative Impact Assessment
While there may be short-term sales resulting from these practices, the long term impact is negative:
- Vendor Impact. Consumers will begin to feel cheated by their grocer, or worse, they will conclude the store management isn’t doing their job or is intentionally being negligent by selling off out-of-date foods.
- Manufacturer Impact. Consumers who don’t think to vigilantly check the expiration date on food will taste a product, and conclude that they don’t like the flavor. They will assume that’s how the product always tastes, and won’t think to check to see if it’s expired.
- Consumer Impact. The impact for the consumer is that they will have lost some money, essentially they’ve been cheated and swindled by the system. They will also, unfortunately, come to an incorrect conclusion about some products that, had they been fresh, would have been quite delicious.
Action Points
Product Expiration Date Code
- Consumer Action. For the brands you care about, write companies and insist that they print the manufacturing date and expiration date clearly on the outside of packaging in an easily readable format.
- Vendor Action. Ensure that your customers aren’t purchasing outdated products, because when they do, it reflects very poorly on your competence and intentions. For brands you’d like to carry, write companies and insist that they print the manufacturing date and expiration date clearly on the outside of packaging in an easily readable format. Commit to not selling products that don’t include clear labeling.
- Manufacturer Action. When it comes to transparency and marketplace ethics, be a leader rather than a deceiver. Make sure that all your products are clearly labeled.
Update: 22 August 2014
It’s been two days since we first contacted Mary’s Gone Crackers. There’s been no response from the company about this issue. Most companies will at least send out an automated “thanks for contacting us” message or perhaps have an actual customer service representative send a more personal message. We’ll continue to update this post as news unfolds.
Update: 13 October 2014
Negative Impact Assessment
While there may be short-term sales resulting from these practices, the long term impact is negative:
- Vendor Impact. Consumers will begin to feel cheated by their grocer, or worse, they will conclude the store management isn’t doing their job or is intentionally being negligent by selling off out-of-date foods.
- Manufacturer Impact. Consumers who don’t think to vigilantly check the expiration date on food will taste a product, and conclude that they don’t like the flavor. They will assume that’s how the product always tastes, and won’t think to check to see if it’s expired.
- Consumer Impact. The impact for the consumer is that they will have lost some money, essentially they’ve been cheated and swindled by the system. They will also, unfortunately, come to an incorrect conclusion about some products that, had they been fresh, would have been quite delicious.
Action Points
Product Expiration Date Code
- Consumer Action. For the brands you care about, write companies and insist that they print the manufacturing date and expiration date clearly on the outside of packaging in an easily readable format.
- Vendor Action. Ensure that your customers aren’t purchasing outdated products, because when they do, it reflects very poorly on your competence and intentions. For brands you’d like to carry, write companies and insist that they print the manufacturing date and expiration date clearly on the outside of packaging in an easily readable format. Commit to not selling products that don’t include clear labeling.
- Manufacturer Action. When it comes to transparency and marketplace ethics, be a leader rather than a deceiver. Make sure that all your products are clearly labeled.
Update: 22 August 2014
It’s been two days since we first contacted Mary’s Gone Crackers. There’s been no response from the company about this issue. Most companies will at least send out an automated “thanks for contacting us” message or perhaps have an actual customer service representative send a more personal message. We’ll continue to update this post as news unfolds.
Update: 13 October 2014
It’s been 54 days since we first contacted Mary’s Gone Crackers. There’s been no response and no corrective action. We’re contacting them again today via their website with a link to this article. We’ll continue to update this post as news unfolds. One local grocer, who unknowingly had stale products on their shelf, seems to view this product expiration labeling practice as a liability. They no longer carry Mary’s Gone Crackers products.
Update: 2 December 2014
We’re still waiting to hear back from Mary’s Gone Crackers about this issue.
Conclusion
Unfortunately, the company remained obstinate and non responsive; completely ignoring our many efforts to communicate with them, and seemingly unwilling to correct this problem.
Due to the difficulty consumers were having finding the date code on their packaging, the question of “Where is the expiration date?” became so common that Mary’s Gone Crackers put it on the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page of their website as shown below (click the image for a larger view). This is like spending the time and money to put up a road sign that says “bump” rather than just fixing the bump.
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IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER
* While their practice of hiding expiration dates inside of packaging is deplorable, Mary’s Gone Crackers as a company seems to be exceptional and their products are amazing. So, consumers and vendors should not give up on this company. We’re going to put pressure on them to improve their labeling practices. Until then, you may want to open product boxes in the store (prior to driving home) just to make sure the product is fresh. Simply look for the expiration date printed on the clear inner packaging if you’re unable to read it on the outside of the package.
Check your cosmetics!
Cosmetic products which shelf life is less than 30 months must be marked with “Best before” date according to common regulations in the most of the countries. Such products can no longer meet safety requirements as soon as expiry date has been passed. It’s not mandatory to have such labeling for the cosmetic products which shelf life exceeds 30 months. Most of such products should not be harmful even after the expiration; but they can change smell, color, texture or simply become useless. Purchasing such product could mean wasted money.
How can this be avoided? It looks so easy: you just need to find the expiration date or “Period After Opening” sign on the cosmetic product packaging. Unfortunately, cosmetics and perfume brands eventually do not indicate the production or expiration date in the clear, human-readable form. Instead, a product is marked with a batch code or a lot number, which is convenient to the company, but does not provide any information to a beauty product consumer. Even worse, some online shops remove any additional labels which contain information about the country where the product was manufactured as well as expiration date.
Cosmetic calculator
Cosmetic calculator helps you to determine the manufacture date of cosmetics or perfume by the batch code or lot number, and provides general information about product shelf life.
Please notice that the given shelf life period is common and not applicable for all of the products. You should carefully read the recommendations for each particular product (provided directly on the container, printed on the packaging, or published on company’s web site) and follow them.
Warning: occasionally calculation results can be incorrect.
Algorithms used for production date calculation are partially based on the information published on official websites, and partially on the information privately provided by consultants and resellers. Unfortunately we can’t guarantee and do not guarantee that such information and algorithms based on it will always be actual, complete and error free.
That’s why we recommend contacting the company or its authorized agents directly to get the complete and exact information on your product.
What is batch code?
Expiration Code Check
The batch code allows manufacturers or suppliers identifying the batch in which the product was produced. If the product is not made in a batch, then the code should enable the date and place of manufacture to be identified.
Where can I find the code?
The code is usually printed directly on the bottom of the container or somewhere near it; you can also try to find it on the product packaging.
A couple of examples, Bourjois and Guerlain batch codes:
How To Check Product Expiration Date Code
Which brands are supported?
Currently the following brands are supported:
Adidas, Adolfo Dominguez, Aerin, Aesop, Agatha Ruiz de la Prada, Ahava, Alessandro Dell'Acqua, Alba Botanica, Alfaparf, Almay, Alpha Hydrox, Alfred Sung, Alterna, American Beauty, Amway, Anastasia Beverly Hills, Andalou Naturals, Andrelon, Angel Schlesser, Anna Lotan, Anna Sui, Annick Goutal, Antonio Banderas Fragrances, Aramis, Argital, Armand Basi, Artistry, Aquolina, Arnaud, Astor, Aura Cacia, Avalon Organics, Aussie, Aveda, Aveeno, Avon, Axe, Azzaro, Badgley Mischka, Banana Boat, Bare Escentuals, Bath & Body Works, Baldessarini, Balenciaga, Balmain, BCBGMAXAZRIA, Beautycycle, Babe Laboratorios, Benefit Cosmetics, Bentley Fragrances, Beyonce, Bioderma, Biosilk, Biotherm, Bliss, Blumarine, Bob Mackie, Bobbi Brown, Bottega Veneta, Borghese, Boucheron, Bourjois, Brelil, Britney Spears, Bruno Banani, Brylcreem, Bubchen, Bumble and bumble, Burberry, Burt's bees, Bvlgari, CAC, Cacharel, Calvin Klein, Camay, Canmake, Carmex, Carolina Herrera, Caron, Cartier, Carven, Catrice, Celine Dion, Cerruti, Chanel, Cezanne, Charmzone, Chevignon, CHI, Chicco, Chloe, Chopard, Christian Dior, Christina, Christina Aguilera, Clairol Professional, Clarins, Clean & Clear, Clinique, Coach Fragrances, Coffret D'or, Collistar, Comme des Garcons, Coppertone, Cosme Decorte, Covergirl, Crabtree & Evelyn, Creed, Curel, Custo Barcelona, Cyclax, Davidoff, David Beckham, DDF, DHC, Darphin, Diesel, Dolce & Gabbana, Donald Trump Fragrances, Donna Karan, Dove, Dr.Ci:Labo, Dr.Jart+, DSQUARED2, Dunhill, e.l.f. (Eyes Lips Face), Elemis, Elite Models, Elizabeth Arden, Elizabeth Taylor, Embryolisse, Emilio Pucci, Erborian, Escada, Esprit, Essence, Estee Lauder, Etro, Eve Lom, Everyday Minerals, Faces Cosmetics, Faconnable, Faith Hill, Fekkai, Fendi, Ferragamo, Fissan, Flirt!, Fresh, Fruit of the Earth, Gai Mattiolo, GA-DE Cosmetics, Gap, Garnier, Gehwol, Geoffrey Beene, Gianfranco Ferre, Giorgio Armani, Giorgio Beverly Hills, Giovanni Cosmetics, Givenchy, Gloria Vanderbilt, Goldwell, Good Skin, Green People, Gucci, Guess, Guerlain, Guhl, Guinot, Guy Laroche, H2O+, Halle Berry, Halston, Hanskin, Hazeline, Head & Shoulders, Helena Rubinstein, Herbacin, Herbal Essences, Hermes, Hipitch, Hugo Boss, Impress, Inglot, Isabella Rossellini, IsaDora, Issey Miyake, It Cosmetics, Jacques Bogart, Jane Iredale, Jason, Janssen Cosmeceutical, JC de Castelbajac, Jean Patou, Jean Paul Gaultier, Jennifer Lopez, Jergens, Jessica Simpson, Jesus Del Pozo, Jil Sander, Jill Stuart, Jimmy Choo, Jo Malone, Joe Blasco, John Frieda, John Masters Organics, Joop!, Jovan, Juicy Couture, JUJU, Juliette Has A Gun, Justin Bieber, Kanebo, Kaaral, Kao, Karl Lagerfeld, Kenneth Cole, Kenzo, Kenzoki, Kerastase, Kiehl's, Kilian, Kiton, KMS California, Korff, Korres, Kose, KVD Vegan Beauty, L'Artisan Parfumeur, L'Angelica, L'Oreal, La Colline, La Mer, La Prairie, La Roche-Posay, Lab Series, Lacoste, Lakme, Lalique, Lancaster, Lancome, Lanvin, Laura Biagiotti, Laura Mercier, Lee Stafford, Lierac, Lirene, Liz Claiborne, Lunasol, Lux, Lolita Lempicka, MAC, Macadamia, Maison Francis Kurkdjian, Make Up Factory, Make Up For Ever, Malin+Goetz, Mandarina Duck, Mariah Carey, Marc Ecko, Marc Jacobs, Marni, Mary Cohr, Mary Kay, Masaki Matsushima, Matis, Matrix, Mavala, Max Factor, Maybelline, MD Formulations, Mentholatum, Methode Jeanne Piaubert, Michael Kors, Milbon, Missha, Missoni, Mizon, Molton Brown, Mont Blanc, Moschino, Murad, Narciso Rodriguez, NARS, NYX, NailTek, Naomi Campbell, Natori, Natura Bisse, Natural Instincts, Nautica, Neutrogena, Nice 'n Easy, Nicki Minaj, Nikos, Nina Ricci, Nioxin, Nivea, Nu Skin, Nutrilite, Nuxe, Ojon, Olay, OPI, Oriflame, Origins, Orlane, Orofluido, Osiao, Paco Rabanne, Palmer's, Paloma Picasso, Pantene, Parfums De Marly, Paris Hilton, Paul Mitchell, Paul Smith, Payot, Penhaligon's, Perricone MD, Pert, Peter Thomas Roth, Philosophy, Phyto, Pierre Cardin, Pond's, Prada, Prescriptives, Puma, Pureology, Queen Helene, Queen Latifah, Radox, Ralph Lauren, Redken, Rejoice, REN, Repetto, RevitaLash, Revlon, Rexona, Rihanna, Rimmel, Roberto Cavalli, Roberto Verino, RoC, Rodan and Fields, Rossmann, S.T. Dupont, SK-II, Safeguard, Salerm, Sanoflore, Sans Soucis, Sarah Jessica Parker, Schwarzkopf, Sean John, Sebastian Professional, Sensai, Sephora, Serge Lutens, Shakira, Shiseido, Shu Uemura, Sibu Beauty, Simple, Sisley, Smashbox, Skin79, SkinCeuticals, Skinfood, Slava Zaitsev, Sleek MakeUP, Sofina, Sonia Rykiel, St Ives, St. Tropez, Stella McCartney, Stila, StriVectin, Styx, Sunsilk, Swarovski, Syoss, Talika, Taylor Swift, Ted Lapidus, Thalgo, The Face Shop, The Ordinary, Thierry Mugler, Tigi, Tom Ford Beauty, Tom Tailor, Tommy Hilfiger, Tony Moly, Too Faced, Tory Burch, Tous, TRESemme, Tri-Peptox, True Religion, Trussardi, Ungaro, Urban Decay, Uriage, Usher, Valentino, Van Cleef & Arpels, Vaseline, Venus, Vera Wang, Vichy, Victoria's Secret, Victorio & Lucchino, Vidal Sassoon, Viktor & Rolf, Vivienne Westwood, Versace, VO5, Wella, Yves Rocher, Yves Saint Laurent, Zadig & Voltaire, Zara, Zirh, Чистая Линия.
How Do You Find The Expiration Date On A Lot Number
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