Use By Date: How far in the future can it be?

[Jwan]

Hi All

I am in the process of designing some new packaging, and was wondering, how far in the future can I have the Use By Date? The Chinese companies that create packaging require orders of at least 10,000.

Last time, I ordered 10,000 and now the use by date is getting close, so once I go over the date, they'll go to the bin, I would have lost around £700 because of that.

The product is a type of tea, so if you store it in a cool, dry place, it lasts for years without a problem.

Any help, insights and advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you.

 

[fisicx]

Why not do what everyone else does and print the use by date when you put the tea in the packaging?

If this isn’t possible, you need to assure the regulators that your tea is still drinkable and safe years from now.

 

[Jwan]

I thought companies that did that, had massive filling operations and machinery that can handle printing the packages as they move on a belt.

My operation is very small, I hand fill the packages and seal them myself using a heat sealer, I haven't seen a way to print the use by date onto the package.

 

[fisicx]

Use one of these: https://www.ebay.co.uk/bhp/self-inking-date-stamp

 

[Root 66 Woodshop]

Surely if it lasts for years, then you can ask the company to put a date on that you think is acceptable, i.e. if you say it can last 3 years put January 2021 on it... within your details of the product state the correct storing method, then it's up to the person who purchases it surely to have stored it correctly?

Personally, I'm not a tea fan, the missus is she practically lives on the stuff...

The product is a type of tea, so if you store it in a cool, dry place, it lasts for years without a problem.

 

[Mr D]

Hi All

I am in the process of designing some new packaging, and was wondering, how far in the future can I have the Use By Date? The Chinese companies that create packaging require orders of at least 10,000.

Last time, I ordered 10,000 and now the use by date is getting close, so once I go over the date, they'll go to the bin, I would have lost around £700 because of that.

The product is a type of tea, so if you store it in a cool, dry place, it lasts for years without a problem.

Any help, insights and advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you.

Once opened how long would it last?

One of the tea companies I looked at recently has a shelf life of over 3 years. The packaging may have something to do with it - have come across others with different packaging with shorter shelf life.

 

[Jwan]

@ficicx, I don't think those would work, after stamping, one can wipe the ink with a finger. The packaging is plastic with a matte finish. It isn't paper.

@Haunted Worlds what if I don't sell 10,000 in 3 years? I mean I can make it 8 years into the future, if stored correctly it would be fine, but I am not sure if that is a smart thing to do.

 

[IronBob]

Two points come to mind...
1. As above label the date when packaging. Get the main 10,000 product labels printed with no date and stamp your own
2. Don't throw product away for the sake of a 0.10p label.

 

[IronBob]

Or get smaller runs of date labels printed to stick on, or emboss the date/find a stamp that will work on your material

 

[Root 66 Woodshop]

@ficicx, I don't think those would work, after stamping, one can wipe the ink with a finger. The packaging is plastic with a matte finish. It isn't paper.

@Haunted Worlds what if I don't sell 10,000 in 3 years? I mean I can make it 8 years into the future, if stored correctly it would be fine, but I am not sure if that is a smart thing to do.

If the bags/packaging is see through could you not just add a small piece of paper with the date stamped on it?

 

[fisicx]

@ficicx, I don't think those would work, after stamping, one can wipe the ink with a finger. The packaging is plastic with a matte finish. It isn't paper.

Hove you tried? There are all sorts of inks you can get for plastics. If you ask the suppliers I bet they can point you towards a suitable product. Or you could use stickers, labels and whole range of other ways to add the date. Having it printed on the source packaging isn't good. Especially as you may have to alter the use by date because of legislative changes.

 

[Jwan]

Thanks, I just assumed that ink would always rub off. I'll send around a few emails.

 

[alan1302]

Thanks, I just assumed that ink would always rub off. I'll send around a few emails.

You get printed plastic so can't always rub off!

 

[P19Johnson]

Have you thought about trying to source another company to create your packaging so you could order a smaller amount to get to grip with your demand?

Also, maybe do some market research into what the demand for your product what be and base the quantity you order off that if you already haven't done so

 

[obscure]

Hong Kong has different ingredients labelling laws than other countries. Firms that import food products just stick a sticky label over the existing ingredients list. You can do the same. Just leave an empty space on the package and add a sticky label with the relevant date.