where is the expiration date on oscar mayer bacon

Where Is The Expiration Date On Oscar Mayer Bacon? The Complete Guide

Bacon is a breakfast staple in many households. The savory, smokey flavor is hard to resist. But with so many types of packaged bacon on the market it can be tricky to locate the expiration date especially on popular brands like Oscar Mayer.

As avid bacon lovers, we did some investigating on where to find the expiration date on Oscar Mayer’s bacon products. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll share what we learned so you can keep enjoying delicious Oscar Mayer bacon safely.

Why Finding The Expiration Date Matters

First, let’s review why locating the expiration date on packaged bacon actually matters. After all, bacon keeps for a while in the fridge, right?

While properly stored bacon can retain quality for some time, it does eventually spoil Rancid or spoiled bacon can cause unpleasant stomach issues if consumed So checking the expiration date helps ensure you are cooking up and eating only fresh, safe bacon.

The date can give you a good benchmark of when to use the bacon by. But it doesn’t necessarily mean the bacon will instantly go bad the day after the printed date. You still need to rely on your senses too. If properly stored bacon passes the expiration date but still looks, smells, and feels normal, it is likely still fine to cook up.

On the flip side, if bacon develops an off smell, sticky texture, or unusual coloration, it should be discarded – even if the printed expiration date hasn’t arrived yet. So consider the expiration date as guidance rather than an absolute measure of whether bacon is good or not.

Where To Find The Expiration Date

Unlike some bacon brands that clearly display expiration or sell-by dates on the front of the package, Oscar Mayer does things a bit differently.

Oscar Mayer prints a product code on their bacon packaging that contains expiration date information, rather than listing the actual date.

You’ll need to look on the backside or bottom of the package near the nutrition label. Check for a code that starts with a letter followed by some numbers.

Here is what each part of the Oscar Mayer bacon product code means:

• The letter at the start of the code represents the month the bacon was made. A=January, B=February, etc.

• The first digit or two after the letter indicates the day of the month.

• The final digits represent the year.

So for example, a product code of “A1522” would indicate the bacon inside was made in January, on the 15th day, in 2022.

Knowing this code system helps you quickly decode the packaged date so you can determine the expiration timeframe.

How Long Does Oscar Mayer Bacon Last?

Now that you know where to find the expiration date coding on Oscar Mayer bacon, let’s discuss how long the bacon actually lasts. This depends on a few factors:

• Unopened vs opened package – Sealed, unopened Oscar Mayer bacon lasts longer than bacon that has been opened.

• Refrigerated vs frozen – Properly frozen bacon keeps significantly longer.

• Cooked vs raw – Raw Oscar Mayer bacon retains quality longer than pre-cooked bacon.

Here are some general Oscar Mayer bacon shelf life guidelines based on different scenarios:

• Unopened refrigerated Oscar Mayer bacon lasts up to 7-10 days past the printed date code.

• Opened Oscar Mayer bacon should be used within 5-7 days.

• Oscar Mayer bacon frozen while raw can last up to 6 months in an airtight container.

• Frozen, pre-cooked Oscar Mayer bacon keeps for 3-4 months.

• Cooked Oscar Mayer bacon lasts 3-5 days in the fridge.

Again, your senses reign supreme when judging whether bacon is still OK to cook up, regardless of elapsed fridge or freezer time. If the raw bacon passes the sniff test and looks and feels normal, it should be good for cooking.

Tips For Storing Oscar Mayer Bacon

To get the most mileage out of your Oscar Mayer bacon, proper storage is key. Here are some bacon storage tips:

• Immediately store Oscar Mayer bacon in the fridge or freezer after bringing it home from the grocery store. The cold temperature helps slow bacteria growth.

• Keep Oscar Mayer bacon in its original packaging until you are ready to use it. The sealed packaging protects against air exposure that can accelerate spoilage.

• Once opened, rewrap Oscar Mayer bacon tightly in plastic wrap, wax paper, or an airtight container. This prevents drying out.

• Store Oscar Mayer bacon on a fridge shelf rather than in the door, which can lead to temperature fluctuations.

• Wrap Oscar Mayer bacon in portions you’ll use up within 3-5 days so you aren’t repeatedly opening the package.

• Don’t store Oscar Mayer raw bacon next to fresh produce that could absorb the smokey odor.

• Bacon fat turns rancid faster than the meat. Store Oscar Mayer bacon fat separately in the fridge in an airtight container.

• When freezing Oscar Mayer bacon, use an airtight freezer bag or container. Portion into amounts you’ll use at one time.

Following these tips can prolong the shelf life of your Oscar Mayer bacon so you can enjoy it at its peak yumminess!

How To Tell If Oscar Mayer Bacon Has Gone Bad

Despite proper storage, Oscar Mayer bacon will eventually go bad. Here are some signs to watch out for so you know when it’s time to say farewell to that package of bacon:

• Slimy or tacky texture – Fresh Oscar Mayer bacon feels smooth and retains some bounce. Bad bacon develops a sticky, gummy, or slimy texture.

• Discoloration – Good raw bacon is pink to deep red. Off-color splotches, grey areas, or a dull faded hue indicate spoilage.

• Weird smell – Oscar Mayer bacon gives off a subtle meaty, smoky aroma when fresh. Rancid or sour odors mean toss time.

• Mold – Tiny spots of mold, fuzzy growth, or dry white film on Oscar Mayer bacon signals it’s done. Don’t try to salvage moldy bacon.

• Expired date code – If the date code indicates the Oscar Mayer bacon is too old, don’t chance it. Toss it even if it looks OK.

Trust your senses. If Oscar Mayer bacon smells funky, looks weird, or feels slimy, it’s not worth getting sick over. When in doubt, throw it out.

Safely Enjoying Oscar Mayer Bacon

Nothing beats the flavor that Oscar Mayer bacon contributes to dishes like classic BLTs, loaded baked potatoes, or hearty breakfast sandwiches. Now that you know how to locate the expiration date and can identify signs of spoiled bacon, you can keep enjoying Oscar Mayer bacon safely.

Be sure to handle raw Oscar Mayer bacon properly and cook it thoroughly before eating to reduce the risk of foodborne illness. Keeping open packages tightly wrapped in the fridge and freezing extras means less waste. So you can have tasty Oscar Mayer bacon ready when a bacon craving strikes!

What are your favorite tips for storing and using Oscar Mayer bacon? Let us know!