Expiration dates can be a major source of confusion for consumers. Many companies use different expiration date formats. Some don’t even bother with an expiration date at all!
This blog post will discuss how expiry dates affect your product’s shelf life, the importance of using the same format for every product you sell, and why it is important to give customers as much information as possible about your products.
The expiry date is important for various types of products, especially food and drugs. When you see these dates on food and medicine products, they often specify the period you shouldn’t use or consume the product anymore. Why? Because there might be some risks to your health if consumed past this date.
Expiry dates on credit cards and other non-food products have similar principles. These dates denote the validity of the cards. After the expiry date, you can no longer use the card past the expiry date unless you renew or acquire a new credit card.
Best Before Date Vs. Use by Date
The “best-before date” is frequently associated with food labeling rules in general. The repercussions of this marking obligation have been debated numerous times.
Many consumers believe it refers to the “use-by” date. Due to this confusion, a significant amount of food is unnecessarily destroyed. The best-before date does not automatically lower the product’s value or render it unsuitable to consume when it is reached.
Some producers even go one step further and use the product’s expiry date as a marketing strategy. The “use by” or “best before” dates are used in this instance to create an appearance of freshness, uniqueness, or exclusivity concerning their products.
The use-by date is a “safety” mark and must not be confused with either the best-before or expiry date. In perishable products, food poisoning increases when food is not stored correctly.
Even if the food has an expiry date printed with a handheld expiry printing machine, it can become dangerous to eat after that point in time, especially when improperly handled or kept at temperatures above 27 degrees Celsius for too long.
The “use-by” date is mandatory only on prepackaged products, which are considered critical for health. This means that most foods, including meat and dairy products (except for infant formula), do not need this marking.
Moreover, the use-by date is an “alert” to consumers. It indicates the end of a product’s period of peak quality by referring to microbiological criteria rather than organoleptic properties like taste or smell.
Different Types of Date Markers
You can choose from different types of expiry date printers. The specific uses may vary depending on your business needs. Ultimately, the price also differs.
Continuous Inking (CIJ)
With CIJ, businesses can print dates on a wide range of substrates. Often, these inks used in CIJ are food-safe. They are especially applicable for product packaging with direct contact with ingestible products.
A CIJ printer is the most configurable choice, utilizing inks that may be applied to almost any substrate. These machines are popular for their flexibility.
Inline Inkjet Printer
It is a hot stamping-like machine that can print on any material, even those that are curved. This makes the printing process more flexible and efficient, as other options are only applicable for flat surfaces. As an example, this inline inkjet printer would be ideal in packaging where cardboard boxes need to have codes printed right onto them so they can be identified.
Large Character InkJet Printers
These printers have high-resolution output. They are simple to set up and use, providing a cost-effective alternative to pre-printed boxes or labels. Cardboard box, porous surface,s high-adhesion ink to ensure the printed bar codes remain legible even after heavy usage.
Thermal Transfer Overprinters
These machines are ideal for solvent-free coding and are cost-effective with few consumables. It can function effectively in either fast-moving or intermittent manufacturing processes. The TTO’s distinct design delivers a straightforward and user-friendly operation. This machine is ideal for date coding on various substrates, including plastic films, flat packaging, corrugated boxes, cutlery, and other food-safe materials.
Laser Coders
These date coding machines are one of the most reliable, versatile, and cost-effective marking technologies available. They provide indelible marks for the most highly regulated industries and ones with strict dimensional standards. Laser coders are a fantastic selection for high-speed date stamping because they are precise.
Handheld Expiry Date Printer
The expiry date printer machine has been created to address challenges in different industries and applications where reliable marking is essential. Its rugged design makes it a great fit for many businesses that need an intuitive and easy-to-use product.
It is designed with performance and durability at its core. This portable device can print up to 1000 cycles on a single charge and comes with an ergonomic handle for added comfort.
The handheld expiry date printing machine is ideal for food-related applications such as marking packaging cases, pallets, or even take-away boxes. It can be used by anyone who needs the freedom to print labels at any time without having to rely on a power source.
The date expiry printing machine is easy to use and can be operated by anyone, even those with little experience in this area of work, as it only takes a few seconds for each label.
Importance of Using an Expiry Date Printer
Some businesses don’t use an expiry date printer because they don’t realize how important it is. Remember, expired products can hurt the company’s reputation. Furthermore, it can also cause people to get sick or even die. This post will discuss some reasons why expiry date machines are so important for your business!
Government Regulatory Compliance
The expiry date machine is important for any business that ships products. It allows you to print out an expiration label onto a roll of paper. You can easily apply the label to your product packaging. This will guarantee compliance with FDA and USDA guidelines. Additionally, this makes it easier than ever before to ship fresh produce, which can be a challenging task on its own.
This machine will help you print out expiry dates, batch numbers, and lot codes with ease. The coding machine will save time and money because it’s easy to use and cost-effective for small businesses. In fact, the expiry date machine will allow you to print out expiry dates onto any type of packaging material.
Batch Printing with Ease
The expiry date printer is also important because it can be easily used by hand or on a tabletop. The machine has paper roll sizes that range from two inches wide up to twelve inches in width! This allows companies to print expiry date stickers onto the packaging material of any size so that products are always compliant.
You can also choose to have your expiry labels printed directly onto the paper stock. This mass printing is perfect for bulk orders! These expiry label printers accept a wide range of custom sizes to meet FDA and USDA requirements easily. The handheld expiry printer can also print out expiry dates in black and white or in color.
Wrap up!
If your products have an expiry date, it’s important to use the same format for every product with an expiry date printer. Also, provide as much information as possible on how long items are good for. We hope this article was informative and got you thinking about your business practices regarding expiration dates! If you’re interested in learning more or working with us to help ensure all of your products stay fresh longer, contact one of our experts today!
FAQs
What is the key difference between a 'best-before date' and a 'use-by date' on food products?
The key difference is that a ‘best-before date’ relates to the product’s peak quality, such as taste or smell, and does not automatically mean the food is unsafe after this date. A ‘use-by date’ is a safety mark used on perishable products, indicating the point after which the food could become dangerous to eat.
The guide mentions several types of printers. Which one is best for printing on curved or uneven surfaces?
For printing on materials that are curved or have uneven surfaces, the guide recommends an Inline Inkjet Printer. It is described as a hot stamping-like machine that offers the flexibility to print effectively on surfaces that are not flat.
Why are laser coders a good choice for highly regulated industries?
Laser coders are a fantastic selection for highly regulated industries because they provide indelible, or permanent, marks. The guide notes that this precision and durability are essential for meeting the strict dimensional and traceability standards often found in these sectors.
What is the main advantage of a Thermal Transfer Overprinter (TTO)?
The main advantage of a Thermal Transfer Overprinter is that it is a solvent-free coding solution that is cost-effective and uses very few consumables. Its design is also straightforward and user-friendly, making it suitable for both fast-moving and intermittent production.
The guide highlights a 'handheld expiry date printer.' What is its primary benefit for a business?
The primary benefit of a handheld printer is its portability and freedom. It is designed to be intuitive and easy to use, and because it can run on a single battery charge for up to 1,000 cycles, it gives users the freedom to print labels at any time without needing a power source.
How does using a proper expiry date printer help a business comply with government regulations?
Using a proper printer is important for compliance as it allows a business to easily and accurately print the required expiration labels, batch numbers, and lot codes onto their product packaging. This ensures that the products meet the guidelines set by authorities like the FDA and USDA.
For printing high-resolution barcodes on cardboard boxes, which type of printer is most suitable?
For high-resolution output on porous surfaces like cardboard boxes, the guide recommends Large Character Inkjet Printers. These machines are cost-effective and use high-adhesion ink to ensure that barcodes remain legible even after heavy usage.
What makes a Continuous Inkjet (CIJ) printer a particularly flexible option for printing dates?
A CIJ printer is a highly flexible choice because of its configurability and ink compatibility. The guide notes that these machines are popular because they can be set up to print on almost any substrate, including food packaging that has direct contact with ingestible products.
Can we correct/ remove a wrongly printed date?
Yes, if you use the inkjet printer, you can use alcohol or special cleaning liquid to remove the word