Production date refers to the date and time when the goods have completed all the processes on the production line, been inspected and packaged into finished products that can be sold in the market. At present, most enterprises are gradually unifying the production date and batch number of products. In addition, the current mandatory national standard GB 7718-201General Rules for the Labeling of National Food Safety in prepackaged foods clearly defines the production date (manufacturing date): "The date when food becomes the final product."
Shelf life usually refers to the period during which prepackaged foods can maintain its quality under the storage conditions specified in the label. During this period, the product is completely suitable for sale and maintains the unique quality that does not need to be explained or has been explained in the label. The shelf life of general food involves not only the single dimension of time, but also the storage environment of food, so the shelf life of food should be analyzed in the specific storage state.