When it comes to cooking bacon, nothing beats the flavor and quality of Hormel Black Label Bacon. This beloved bacon brand offers several varieties including Original and Lower Sodium thick-cut bacon, Turkey Bacon, Canadian Bacon, and Fully Cooked bacon. With multiple types of packaging across the product line, consumers often wonder – where is the expiration date located on Hormel Black Label bacon packages?
In this article, we’ll break down the different types of date labeling found on Hormel Black Label bacon and where to find the expiration date or “use by” date.
Overview of Date Labeling on Food Packages
Before diving into Hormel Black Label specifics, it’s helpful to understand the overall landscape of date labeling on food products. The U.S. does not have a standardized system for expiration dates. Dates are voluntary, and terminology varies widely among manufacturers. Common date phrasing includes:
- Sell By – Recommended date for retail sale
- Best By – Recommended for best quality
- Use By – Last date recommended for use
- Expires On – Final date product should be consumed
- Freeze By – Last date to freeze for quality
- Closed dates – Coded dates for manufacturer use
For perishable products like bacon, “Use By” and “Expires On” indicate the last day the product should be eaten for food safety.
Locating Expiration Dates on Hormel Black Label Bacon
Now let’s look at where to find expiration dates on the various types of Hormel Black Label bacon packaging:
Raw Thick Cut Bacon
The thick cut raw bacon sold in the rigid vacuum sealed plastic packaging features the expiration date in two places:
- On the front near nutrition facts as “Use or Freeze By”
- On the back near the top as “Expires”
Fully Cooked Bacon
The fully cooked bacon pouches display the expiration date in the top right corner as “Use By”.
Microwaveable Bacon
The microwaveable bacon tray packages list the expiration date along the top as “Use By”
Canadian Bacon
The Canadian Bacon chub packaging has the expiration date on the front label near the bottom labeled as “Use or Freeze By”.
Turkey Bacon
The turkey bacon cardboard packaging has the expiration date on the back of the package at the top labeled “Best By”.
Bacon Bits
The plastic jars of bacon bits have the expiration date on the lid labeled as “Best By”.
Single Serve Packets
The single serve fully cooked bacon packets have the expiration date printed along the top labeled “Use By”.
Frozen Precooked Bacon Slices
The frozen pouch of precooked bacon slices lists the expiration at the front top as “Best By”.
Oven Ready Bacon
The Oven Ready bacon tray features the expiration date on the inside top labeled “Use By”.
While date labeling may vary slightly across packages, Hormel Black Label always clearly prints the expiration date, so you can easily locate it.
Following Expiration Dates for Food Safety
It’s important to follow the labeled expiration date on Hormel Black Label bacon to ensure safety and quality. Once opened, be sure to use the bacon within 5-7 days.
Don’t be afraid to reach out to Hormel directly with any questions on reading expiration dates. Their knowledgeable consumer care team can provide guidance for any of their products.
With Hormel Black Label Bacon, you can feel confident cooking up delicious bacon dishes while having full visibility to the expiration date. Just refer to the package indications to locate the date and cook bacon to crispy perfection!
Trust Your Senses
Last but not least, people who buy food should always read the directions on the package and use their best judgment.
“Use all of your senses, especially eyes, nose and touch. “If something doesn’t look, smell, or feel right, it’s better to throw it away than to have a bad experience with it,” Carlson said.
An additional way to make sure a food item is safe is to call the number on the package. “We’re here to help. People can call us, email us, or message us on social media if they have questions about a product. ” Anderson added. “We’ll have the answer. ”.
What does it all mean? This quick reference guide is a good way to figure out code dates, even though the formats may be different from one product to the next.
- Sell By Date: This date tells the store how long to keep the item on display for sale. You should buy the product before that date. You should always follow the directions on the package and use your own judgment to decide when to eat the food.
- Best by Date: This date is suggested for the best taste or quality. It is not a purchase or safety date. These words are usually used for things like chips and sodas that lose their taste and texture long before they become unsafe to eat.
- Use by Date: This is the last day that the product should be used to get the most out of it. This date was set by the company that made the product.
- Date It Ends: This is the last day you can use a product. These words are often used on foods that go bad quickly, like milk and eggs. These are goods that might not be good after that date. This term is also used on infant formula, which is one of the few things the federal government makes you put an expiration date on.
- Use or Freeze By Date: Some items can be frozen to make them last longer. This date tells you the last day you can either prepare the food or freeze it. For the most part, things can be frozen for up to six months, thawed in the fridge for two to three days, and then cooked.
- Dates That Are Closed or Coded: “Closed dates” or “coded dates” are markings on the package that the maker can use. These aren’t meant to be used by consumers, so they might be hard to figure out or look like a random string of numbers and letters. Different companies use different ways to code these on packages, but these dates can sometimes tell you more, like when the product was made. Most of the time, these codes come with one of the date descriptions above. L18325: “L” stands for lot code, “18” for the year made, and “325” for the day of the year made.
More Advice From Our Experts
This article was featured in Issue VI of Inside Hormel Foods magazine. Click here to read these one-of-a-kind collections of stories, recipes, and features about our employees and the different parts of our company. They come in a beautifully designed digital viewer just for you.
HOW TO BAKE HORMEL BLACK LABEL ORIGINAL BACON ON A NON STICK BAKING PAN
Does Hormel Black Label Bacon need to be refrigerated?
It has been fully cooked for your convenience, making it ready to eat immediately. Hormel Black Label Fully Cooked Bacon does not require refrigeration until after opening, making it a great option to stock up for camping food or to store in the pantry. With a great smoky taste, it’s also gluten-free.
Does Hormel sell fully cooked bacon?
You can enjoy our fully cooked bacon hot or cold without the hassle of cooking in a pan. Our 2.52-ounce box of smoked bacon with 9-11 slices comes in a resealable pouch to keep in your refrigerator for freshness. Do they sell pre-cooked bacon? Hormel Black Label Fully Cooked Bacon has the great taste of regular bacon without the mess.
How long does Bacon last after expiration date?
The expiration date on the package is a good estimate of how long the bacon will retain its quality. If the package is unopened and stored properly, pre-cooked bacon can last for up to a week past the expiration date. However, once the package is opened, the bacon should be consumed within 4 to 7 days.
Why is Hormel Black Label Bacon called Black Label?
In fact, one gets the sense that Hormel slapped the moniker “Black Label” onto its bacon because the branding sounds deluxe and fancy. In truth, Hormel Black Label Original Bacon is unspectacular in almost every way, except for the saltiness which is the most prominent, up-front flavor.
How long can you eat pre cooked bacon if unopened?
If your pre-cooked bacon has a “sell by” date, it can still be consumed up to a week after the date listed if the package is unopened and stored properly. However, once the package is opened, the bacon should be consumed within 4 to 7 days.
How long does Bacon last in the freezer?
Wrap individual portions in paper towels to cushion them and prevent freezer burn. Place the wrapped portions in a zip-top bag and label with the date. Pre-cooked bacon can last up to three months in the freezer, but it’s best to consume it within one month for optimal taste and texture.