How to Determine the Age of a Product: The Truth About Bar Codes
Learn why bar codes cannot indicate a product's age and discover where to find manufacturing dates.
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No, you cannot determine the age of a product from the bar code. Bar codes mainly store information such as the product's manufacturer's identification number and item number. To find out a product's age, look for manufacture or expiration dates on the packaging or contact the manufacturer for more details.
FAQs & Answers
- Can I find the expiration date on the bar code? No, bar codes do not typically contain expiration dates. These dates are usually printed elsewhere on the packaging.
- Where can I find the manufacture date of a product? The manufacture date is often printed on the packaging, or you can contact the manufacturer directly for details.
- What information does a bar code provide? A bar code generally contains the manufacturer’s identification number and item number, but not the product age.
- How can I tell if a product is expired? Check the packaging for an expiration date or use the manufacture date to estimate the freshness of the product.