All cans should be identified with a Best if Used By date. For maximum flavor and freshness, we recommend use by that date.

The Date Code for products produced in the United States is most often printed on the bottom of each container to provide the following information:

The first letter indicates the manufacturing facility: V
The first two numbers indicate the month it was processed: 02
The second set of two numbers indicate the day it was processed: 05
The last number indicates the year it was processed: 7
Example: Date Code printed is V02057
Interpretation: Produced on February 5, 2007

Prior to April 2006:
The information is typically found on the bottom of our can (in one or two lines). The code reads as follows:

* The first two letters indicate the type of product (white chicken, white and dark chicken and etc.).

* The third digit identifies the container size.

* Following a blank, digits five through eight identify the time the can was sealed (HH:MM).

* The first number after the slash indicates the year the can was produced

Beginning in April 2006, all pouches should be identified with a Best if Used By date. For maximum flavor and freshness, we recommend use by that date.

Coding After April 2006:
The Date Code for products produced in the United States is most often printed on the front of the pouch in the bottom left corner to provide the following information:

The first letter indicates the manufacturing facility: V
The first two numbers indicate the month it was processed: 02
The second set of two numbers indicate the day it was processed: 05
The last number indicates the year it was processed: 7
Example: Date Code printed is V02057
Interpretation: Produced on February 5, 2007

Prior to April 2006:
The information is typically found on the back of the pouch. The code reads as follows:

* The first four numbers identify the time the pouch was sealed (HH:MM).

* The next number indicates the year the pouch was produced

Under optimum cool dry storage conditions, we would expect a minimum 3-year shelf life for our canned poultry products. The shelf life of all canned products can vary depending upon the handling and storage of containers. It is advisable to be sure and rotate the canned products on kitchen shelves using the oldest containers first. We have found that under normal conditions our product is still good much beyond three years.

Under optimum cool dry storage conditions, we would expect a minimum 2-year shelf life for this shelf stable product.

Our poultry meat products contain only cooked meat, salt, water and broth generated by the cooking of the meat. There are no other added ingredients containing either dairy or gluten sources. MSG is not added to our canned poultry products.

During storage, the poultry meat in shelf stable cans and pouches will develop a pink to reddish color due to the lack of oxygen in the sealed container. The pink color is most noticeable immediately after opening the product. The color fades to a typical cooked chicken color after exposure to room air for 10-15 minutes.

Our poultry products are fully cooked and ready to eat. Our cans and pouches are filled with cooked meat. These containers are sealed and processed under pressure to sterilize the product.

Valley Fresh canned chicken products are found in the canned meat aisle. Our chicken products are available nationally in all major supermarkets and mass merchandisers.

Yes.

No. Valley Fresh uses sea salt which is not iodized.