Reading Date Codes
Lundberg Family Farms uses two basic code-dating formats because production equipment varies between departments and across our product lines. We continuously upgrade equipment so eventually all products will be dated consistently in the format seen in whole grain rice bags: time-day-year. We offer this guide as a key to understanding our code dating systems. All products are marked with the date of the manufacture using the "Julian" dating system. Most Lundberg products have a shelf life of one year from the date of production. Rice chips have a shelf life of 10 months. Proper handling and storage is recommended for maximum freshness.
Julian Dating System: Example: 01501. This is a production dating system. Reading from right to left, the first two right-hand digits are "01" which is year 2001. "015" is day 15 of the year. Therefore, this product was produced on January 15, 2001. There are two basic formats:
1 and 2 pound bags, 8 oz. Pouches, One Step Entrees, Hot Rice Cereal, Rice Pudding, Quick Brown Rice, Risotto, and Sweet Dreams Brown Rice Syrup
Time-Day-Year - example - 22:5306301 - 01 is the year, 063 is the day of the year, and 22:53 is military time (24 hr clock) = 10:53 PM. Production date is March 4, 2001 at 10:53 PM.
Bulk Bags - 25 lb, Brown Rice Pasta, and Rice Cakes
Day-Year-Shift - example - 06301B - "B" is the 2nd shift (4:30PM to l: 00 AM for example), 01 is the year, and 063 is the day of the year Production date is March 4, 2001 on the "B" shift.
Exception products:
Drink Rice
This has "Best Before" open code dating. The date is stamped on the top of the box. The shelf life is one year and should be used before the date printed on the box. Example: 11SEP02 = September 11, 2002
Rice Chips
This has "Best Before" open code dating, and also has the Julian Dating System below the "Best Before". The shelf life is 10 months. Example: 00603 = January 6, 2003.
RiceXpress
These products have an open date code, Best Before date. The code date is stamped on the back, lower left portion of the package. The Best By date is the 1st code printed in the series of codes and is 1 year from manufacture date. It is formatted as 01JAN07. (January 01, 2007)
Proper Rice Storage
Rice should be stored in a cool dry place - below 55 degrees is recommended. At this temperature, it should keep for many months. A freezer is also fine.