NYC Milk Code Dating

New York City Health Code Regulation 111 that required a special “When offered for sale in NY City” date on milk products has finally been repealed, effective October 29th, 2010. This old-fashioned rule ignored modern technology and required milk products to have dates that were much shorter than the actual shelf life of the product.

Now, manufacturers can date the products the same way as all other similar products are dated. The dates on milk products will now represent the last day of sale recommended by the manufacturer of the product. These dates are determined by shelf life tests done by the manufacturer as a part of quality control procedures at dairy plants.

After 10/29/10, code dating of all milk carton products sold in NYC will be regulated by the NY State Dept of Agriculture & Markets. Currently there are no minimum or maximum milk code dating requirements in NY State. This is called “Open Dating.”

Like all refrigerated products, in order to stay saleable and usable until the manufacturer’s sale date, the products must be rotated as needed and kept under refrigeration at the appropriate temperature.

Please contact your sales representative or our office if you require any further information.