CODEX STAN 1-1985 General Standard for the Labelling of Prepackaged Foods
1. SCOPE
This standard applies to the labelling of all prepackaged foods to be offered as such to the consumer or for catering purposes and to certain aspects relating to the presentation thereof.
2. DEFINITION OF TERMS
For the purpose of this standard:
“Claim” means any representation which states, suggests or implies that a food has particular qualities relating to its origin, nutritional properties, nature, processing, composition or any other quality.
“Consumer” means persons and families purchasing and receiving food in order to meet their personal needs.
“Container” means any packaging of food for delivery as a single item, whether by completely or partially enclosing the food and includes wrappers. A container may enclose several units or types of packages when such is offered to the consumer.
For use in Date Marking of prepackaged food:
“Date of Manufacture” means the date on which the food becomes the product as described.
“Date of Packaging” means the date on which the food is placed in the immediate container in which it will be ultimately sold.
“Sell-by-Date” means the last date of offer for sale to the consumer after which there remains a reasonable storage period in the home.
“Date of Minimum Durability” (“best before”) means the date which signifies the end of the period under any stated storage conditions during which the product will remain fully marketable and will retain any specific qualities for which tacit or express claims have been made. However, beyond the date the food may still be perfectly satisfactory.
“Use-by Date” (Recommended Last Consumption Date, Expiration Date) means the date which signifies the end of the estimated period under any stated storage conditions, after which the product probably will not have the quality attributes normally expected by the consumers. After this date, the food should not be regarded as marketable.
