What Does P Mean in Expiry Date? Decoding Product Labels

December 21, 2025 •

4 min read

According to research, a significant percentage of food waste is caused by consumer confusion over date labels, with many people misinterpreting manufacturing dates as expiration dates. Deciphering the 'P' on a product can clarify its freshness and help prevent unnecessary discards.

Quick Summary

This guide explains the difference between the production date, often marked with 'P', 'PRO', or 'PRD', and the actual expiry or use-by date on packaged goods to improve consumer understanding.

Key Points

'P' means production date: On food and other product packaging, 'P' or 'PRO' typically stands for the production date, indicating when the item was made, not when it expires.
Focus on Use-By dates: The most important date for consumer safety is the Use-By date, especially on perishable items, as it indicates when the food becomes unsafe to eat.
Best-Before is for quality: The Best-Before date is about optimal quality, and food is often safe to eat past this date, though its flavor or texture may decline.
Production codes are for tracing: Manufacturers use production dates and batch codes for internal quality control and to trace products during a recall, not to indicate consumer expiration.
Always check the full label: Always look for 'EXP', 'E', or a clearly marked 'Use By' or 'Best Before' date, as it will be separate from the production date.
Storage is key: The validity of any date mark depends on following the storage instructions on the package, such as 'keep refrigerated'.

What is the Difference Between a 'P' Date and an Expiry Date?

It is a common misconception that the letter 'P' followed by a date on a product package stands for 'perishable' or the expiration date. In most cases, however, the 'P' (or 'PRO' and 'PRD') is an abbreviation for the production date. This marks the day the product was manufactured or packaged, which is distinct from its shelf-life indicator.

For consumers, the most important dates are the Use-By date, which relates directly to food safety, and the Best-Before date, which pertains to product quality. A product may have both a production date and a separate use-by or best-before date, and it is crucial to read the entire label to understand its full meaning. The manufacturer includes the production date for internal tracking purposes, not as a deadline for consumption.

The Purpose of a Production Date

Manufacturers use production dates and associated codes (often called batch or lot numbers) for several key reasons:

Traceability: In the event of a product recall, manufacturers can quickly trace specific batches of products back to their origin and pull them from the market.
Quality Control: By tracking production dates, companies can identify quality issues that may arise during a specific manufacturing run.
Stock Rotation: Retailers and distributors use the production date to ensure proper stock rotation, selling older products before newer ones to minimize waste.

Decoding Common Date Labels

Beyond the production date, there are other date markings that provide crucial information about a product. Understanding these terms is essential for making informed decisions about consumption.

Use-By Date (EXP or E): This is the most critical date for food safety. Found on perishable items like meat, dairy, and ready-to-eat salads, it indicates the last day the food is safe to eat. After this date, the food could contain harmful bacteria, even if it looks and smells fine.
Best-Before Date (BBE): This date relates to product quality, not safety. After the best-before date, the product may lose some of its flavor, color, or texture, but it is generally still safe to consume. This is common for frozen, canned, or dried foods.
Sell-By Date: Primarily used by retailers for stock management, this date helps stores know when to pull products from the shelves. It is not a safety date for consumers.

Comparison: Production Date vs. Use-By Date

To highlight the key differences, consider the following table:


Feature	Production Date ('P' or 'PRO')	Use-By Date ('EXP' or 'Use By')
Purpose	Internal manufacturer and retailer tracking, traceability, and quality control.	Consumer safety and shelf-life indication for perishable goods.
Consumer Relevance	Low relevance for immediate consumption; provides context for product age.	High relevance; signifies the critical deadline for safe consumption.
Safety Implication	No direct safety implication for the consumer, assuming proper storage.	After this date, consuming the product can pose a health risk due to microbial growth.
Storage Conditions	Assumes the manufacturer's controlled conditions from creation until shipment.	Depends on proper storage by both retailer and consumer (e.g., refrigeration).

Global Variations in Product Codes

Packaging codes and date formats can differ significantly across different countries and regions. For instance, a four-digit Julian date code is used in some parts of the world, where the first digit represents the year and the remaining three the day of the year. An example is '5273', which would mean the 273rd day of 2025. The specific format for dates (e.g., DD/MM/YYYY vs. MM/DD/YYYY) also varies. Always look for accompanying letters like 'P' or 'EXP' to provide context, or consult the manufacturer's website if a label is unclear.

Here are some common terms or codes to be aware of:

L or Lot: A lot number, used by manufacturers to track specific batches or groups of products made under similar conditions.
MFG: An abbreviation for the Manufacturing Date, meaning the same as 'P'.
CAD: Found on Mexican food products, it is shorthand for 'Caducidad', meaning expiration.
PAO (Period After Opening): An icon showing an open jar with a number followed by 'M' (e.g., '12M'), indicating how many months the product remains good after being opened.

Conclusion: Prioritizing Food Safety Over Production Dates

In summary, the letter 'P' on a product label almost always signifies the production date, not the expiration date. While a production date is an important piece of data for manufacturers and retailers for traceability and inventory management, consumers should focus on the Use-By or Best-Before date to determine a product's safety and quality. For perishable items, strictly adhering to the Use-By date is a critical safety measure. For non-perishables, the Best-Before date is a guide for optimal quality, and using your best judgment based on sensory cues (smell, appearance, taste) is often acceptable. To reduce confusion and food waste, always read labels carefully and prioritize the dates that matter for your health. For further guidance, reliable resources like the Food Standards Agency can provide authoritative information on date marking.

Frequently Asked Questions

A production date indicates when a product was manufactured or packaged, whereas an expiration or 'use-by' date specifies the last day a product is considered safe for consumption.

Yes, for products with a 'Best Before' date, consumption after this date is generally safe. The date indicates when the product is at its peak quality, so it might have a reduced flavor or texture afterwards.

The letter 'E' on a product label often stands for 'Expiration' or 'Expiry Date'. This date is the safety guideline for consuming the product.

Some items with a long shelf life, such as certain canned or frozen goods, may only have a production date, as the product can remain safe for years if stored properly.

A batch or lot number is a unique code used by manufacturers to track specific groups of products for traceability. It is often combined with production dates but is not an expiry date.

To maximize a product's shelf life, you must follow the storage instructions on the label, such as 'keep refrigerated' or 'store in a cool, dark place'.

No, the 'sniff test' is not a reliable method for determining the safety of perishable foods with a use-by date. Harmful bacteria can be present without producing any noticeable smell.