Decoding Expiration Dates on Johnsonville Sausage Packaging

For over 70 years, Johnsonville sausage has been a staple at backyard barbecues and tailgates across America. The company’s bratwursts, Italian sausages, breakfast links and more can be found sizzling on grills from coast to coast. But to enjoy Johnsonville sausage at peak freshness and avoid food safety risks, it’s important to check the expiration date on packages before cooking up a tasty sausage feast.

Where exactly is the expiration date located on Johnsonville sausage packaging? How long do unopened packages last? What about after opening? This guide will explore all the ins and outs of decoding expiration dates on America’s favorite sausages.

Before diving into expiration dates, it helps to understand the different types of sausage produced by Johnsonville. The company makes:

• Bratwursts – From original to cheddar and cheese-filled, these plump sausages are perfect for buns.

• Breakfast Links & Patties – Maple flavored and other varieties ideal for breakfast tacos or sandwiches

• Italian Style Sausages – Spicy and sweet Italian sausage crumbles and links.

• Smoked & Fresh Sausage – Andouille chorizo, hot links keilbasa, and more.

• Poultry Sausage – Chicken apple sausage, jalapeño cheddar turkey sausage, and more.

• Burger Patties – Sausage burger patties in original, Italian, and breakfast varieties.

With this range of products, it’s useful to learn how to identify expiration dates on any Johnsonville package

Why Checking Expiration Dates Matters

Reading expiration dates might seem trivial, but it’s an important food safety step. Eating spoiled or contaminated sausage can cause serious foodborne illness. Bacteria like salmonella, listeria, and E. coli thrive in expired, improperly stored meat.

Symptoms of foodborne illness include vomiting, stomach cramps, diarrhea, fever, and more severe long-term complications. Children, pregnant women, elderly adults, and those with weakened immune systems have higher risks for severe illness.

Checking ‘use by’ and ‘sell by’ dates can prevent these risks and help avoid nasty cases of food poisoning. Date codes also indicate freshness and highest quality.

Locating the Expiration Date on Packages

For unopened Johnsonville sausage:

• The expiration date is printed on the bottom or back side of the package.

• It’s next to other key info like ingredients, safe handling instructions, and nutrition facts.

• Look for a date preceded by terms like ‘Use By’ ‘Sell By’ or ‘Best Before’. This indicates the last date it should be consumed.

• Sausage can be safely eaten for several days after the ‘sell by’ date, as long as it was refrigerated properly.

• ‘Use By’ dates mean don’t consume past that date for food safety.

For opened packages:

• Write the date opened on the package with marker.

• Sausage links last 5-7 days refrigerated. Sausages like brats and patties last just 3-4 days.

• Discard any sausage with an off smell, sliminess, or discoloration even if within date.

Reading the Johnsonville Date Codes

Johnsonville uses imprinted date codes on packaging to track products. Here’s how to decipher them:

• The first digit(s) indicate the production plant location.

• Next are numbers for the day, month, and year. For example:

  • 05314 would be May 31, 2014

  • 11025 would be October 25, 2011

• Letters after the date (AB1, BB3 etc.) are internal batch codes.

So a full code might read:

3 05314 AB1

This means the sausage was produced on May 31, 2014 at Plant #3 in batch AB1.

Sausage Shelf Life & Expiration

How long does unopened Johnsonville sausage last?

• Refrigerated at 35-40°F:

  • Fresh sausage links: 12-14 days

  • Cooked/smoked sausage: 6-8 weeks

  • Raw ground sausage: 1-2 days

• Frozen at 0°F: Up to 2-3 months in freezer for most varieties

How long after opening?

• Refrigerated: 3-7 days

• Frozen: 1-2 months

Trust refrigeration times, not just dates. Discard early at any signs of spoilage.

Storing Sausage to Maximize Freshness

Proper storage preserves freshness and delays expiration. Tips for refrigerating Johnsonville sausage:

• Keep sausage sealed in original packaging until ready to use.

• Place packages on a shelf, not in the door where temperature fluctuates.

• Ensure refrigerator temperature is set to 40°F or below.

• Use opened sausage within 3-5 days and opened ground sausage within 1-2 days.

For freezing:

• Double wrap in plastic wrap or place in airtight bags, removing as much air as possible.

• Freeze immediately after purchasing for longest lifespan.

• Portion into desired serving sizes so you can thaw only what you need.

Frequently Asked Date Code Questions

Here are some common questions about reading and understanding Johnsonville’s date codes:

Q: What if a product says ‘sell by’ – can I still eat it after that date?

A: Yes, you can still safely consume Johnsonville sausage for a period after the ‘sell by’ date, provided it was properly refrigerated. As a general rule, eat within 5 days.

Q: How can I tell if sausage has spoiled before the expiration date?

A: Signs of spoiled sausage include off odors, sticky or slimy texture, and discoloration. If you notice these, throw it away regardless of printed date.

Q: Why are date codes so confusing to read?

A: Johnsonville uses numeric date codes for internal tracking. But they always provide clear ‘use by’ or ‘sell by’ dates for consumers too, often on the front of packaging.

Q: Do frozen foods have expiration dates?

A: Yes, frozen sausage should be discarded by the ‘use by’ date indicated. Freezing prolongs lifespan but doesn’t make foods last indefinitely.

The Bottom Line on Johnsonville Expiration Dates

Finding and reading expiration dates on Johnsonville sausage ensures you safely consume the company’s juicy brats, smoky links, zesty patties and other varieties at their freshest. Although date codes look complex, just focus on the prominent ‘use by’ or ‘sell by’ language accompanying a date.

Storing sausage properly in the fridge or freezer based on dates and disposal guidelines prevents waste and minimizes risk of foodborne illnesses. Sausage expiration varies widely across different varieties, so always defer to indicated dates, storage instructions and your senses when deciding to consume or discard Johnsonville’s tasty sausages. With the right knowledge, you can grill, pan-fry and enjoy America’s favorite sausages safely.