(A) "Quality assurance period" means the period of time following the completion of normal manufacturing, processing, and packaging procedures during which a food product subjected to normal conditions of exposure will maintain conformity with all of the characteristics normally associated with the food product and will provide the benefits for which the food product is normally purchased. Food product characteristics include, but are not limited to, taste, texture, smell, nutritional value, and reaction value with other food products if used as an ingredient with other food products.
(B) "Sale date" means the date by which the manufacturer, processor, or packager of a packaged food product recommends that the food product be sold for consumption based on the food product's quality assurance period.
(C) "Packaged perishable food product" means perishable food products packaged in consumer packages.
(D) "Perishable food product" means a food product, determined by the manufacturer to have a quality assurance period of thirty days or less.
(E) "Consumer package" means a packaged food commodity that is customarily produced or distributed for sale through retail sales agencies or instrumentalities for consumption by individuals or use by individuals for the purposes of personal care or in the performance of services ordinarily rendered in or about the household or in connection with personal possessions.
(F) "Nonconsumer package" means any packaged food commodity other than a consumer package, and particularly a package intended solely for industrial or institutional use or for wholesale distribution.
Last updated February 6, 2024 at 9:37 AM