User Guide - Date Marking
User guide to Standard 1.2.5 - Date Marking of Packaged Food
July 2001
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This guide is intended to help manufacturers decide whether food should be date-marked with a 'best-before'or a 'use-by'date. The date marking provisions are set out in Standard 1.2.5 - Date Marking of Packaged Food in the new Code. The standard applies to packaged foods with a shelf life of less than two years.
The intention of date marking is to provide a guide to consumers on the shelf life of a food in terms of food quality. This means the length of time a food should keep before it begins to deteriorate. In some circumstances, date marking may also indicate how long a food can be expected to remain safe.
Food Standards Advice
If you are a food business or an individual who manufactures, processes, caters or handles food and require assistance in understanding the requirements of the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code then consult one of our Standards Advisors. The Advisors can be contacted at local call rates on:
- Tel 1 300 652 166 (Australia only)
- Tel 0 800 441 571 (New Zealand only)
- Email: advice@foodstandards.gov.au . ( Australia and New Zealand)