Oscar Mayer is one of the most popular and trusted bacon brands in America. Their crispy bacon is a staple breakfast food for many households across the country. But like any perishable food, it’s important to check the sell by date to ensure you’re cooking up bacon that’s fresh and safe to eat.
When buying Oscar Mayer bacon, you may be wondering—where exactly is that sell by date printed? Knowing where to look can ensure you don’t accidentally purchase bacon that’s past its prime.
In this detailed guide, we’ll explain everything you need to know about locating the sell by date on packages of Oscar Mayer bacon.
What is the Sell By Date?
Before jumping into where it’s located, let’s briefly go over what the sell by date actually means
The sell by date is the recommended date for retailers to sell the product by It offers guidance for how long the bacon should be displayed on grocery store shelves.
It’s important to note the sell by date is not the same as an expiration date. Bacon may still be safe to eat for a period of time after this date as long as it has been properly stored.
The sell by date does provide a helpful baseline for knowing when your package of bacon is freshest. But use your best judgment along with the date to determine if your bacon is still good.
Where to Find the Date on Oscar Mayer Packages
For original Oscar Mayer bacon, the sell by date is prominently printed on the bottom right corner of the front of the package.
If you flip the package over, you’ll notice an overlapping flap covers the bottom right corner. Simply lift the flap to reveal the date underneath.
For their lower-sodium offerings like Oscar Mayer “Center Cut” bacon, the date is printed on the back of the package towards the top.
Their turkey and chicken bacons also have the sell by date on the back of the package.
Essentially, Oscar Mayer prints the date either on the bottom right corner of the front or the upper section of the back of the package. Take a few seconds to check both sides if you don’t see it right away.
Decoding the Format of the Date
Oscar Mayer prints the sell by date in a clearly labeled, standard format so you know exactly what you’re looking at.
The date will include the words “Sell By” or “Best if Used By” followed by the month, day, and year.
For example:
Sell By:JUN 12 2020
This lets you easily discern that the bacon should be sold by June 12, 2020.
Some packages may shorten the month to just two or three letters to conserve space. But the day and year will always be there in numeric digits.
Following Storage Guidelines for Freshness
To get the most out of the sell by date on your Oscar Mayer bacon, be sure to store it properly. Keep your bacon refrigerated at 40°F or below until you’re ready to cook it.
An unopened package stored in the fridge should last 5-7 days past the sell by date before the quality starts to decline.
Once opened, use the bacon within a week. Eat cooked bacon within 4-5 days.
For longer storage, freeze bacon up to two months past the sell by date. Thaw in the refrigerator before using.
With proper refrigeration and freezing, you can enjoy tasty Oscar Mayer bacon well beyond that sell by date on the package.
What to Do if You Can’t Find the Date
In rare cases, the date may be missing or obscured on a package of Oscar Mayer bacon. If you can’t locate it on the front or back of the package, here are some tips:
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Feel the package – Bacon with a sell by date that has passed will feel slimy or sticky. Fresh bacon feels firm.
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Smell the bacon – Rancid bacon gives off a sour, unpleasant odor.
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Look at the color – The bacon should be reddish-pink. Brownish, grayish or greenish hues may indicate spoilage.
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When in doubt, toss it out – Don’t risk eating bacon if you’re uncertain about the sell by date.
Following the above guidelines along with thoroughly checking for the sell by date can help ensure your bacon stays fresh and delicious.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to some common questions about Oscar Mayer bacon sell by dates:
How long will the bacon last after the sell by date?
With proper refrigeration, Oscar Mayer bacon should last 5-7 days past the sell by date before quality loss becomes noticeable.
Can you freeze bacon to extend the sell by date?
Yes, freezing can prolong the shelf life of bacon for 1-2 months beyond the sell by date. Freeze prior to the date for best quality.
Is the sell by date the expiration date?
No. The expiration date is when the product should no longer be consumed. Oscar Mayer bacon may still be good to eat for a period of time beyond the sell by date.
What should you do if bacon smells bad before the sell by date?
If your bacon has a rancid or sour odor, you should discard it, even if the date hasn’t passed yet. An unpleasant smell means it has likely spoiled.
How can you tell if bacon has gone bad?
Signs of spoiled bacon include a change in color, slimy texture, and sour or rancid smell. Discard bacon with any of these characteristics.
The Bottom Line
Being able to find the sell by date is key to determining the freshness of your Oscar Mayer bacon. Make sure to check the bottom right corner of the front, or upper back of the package.
Use the date as a guideline along with proper storage techniques to get the most out of your bacon. With the right handling, you can safely enjoy delicious Oscar Mayer bacon 7+ days past that date printed on the package.
Curing Process and Ingredients
Curing is a technique applied to bacon that serves two purposes: enhancing flavor and extending shelf life. As part of the curing process, Oscar Mayer bacon usually has things like salt, sugar, and sodium ascorbate in it. Salt acts as a preservative by inhibiting bacterial growth, while sugar balances the flavor. Sodium ascorbate, a form of vitamin C, helps preserve color and assists in the curing process. Other preservatives, like sodium nitrite and sodium phosphates, keep the cured bacon safe by stopping the growth of bacteria that cause botulism and keeping it fresh.
After curing, packaging is the next line of defense in preserving bacons freshness and safe consumption. Oscar Mayer Naturally Hardwood Smoked Bacon is often found in vacuum-sealed packages. Vacuum-sealing takes the air out of the package, which limits the oxygen that could speed up spoilage by helping microbes grow. This way of packaging bacon makes it last much longer in the fridge; it stays fresh for up to two weeks after being opened and up to one week after being unopened.
Proper storage is vital for maintaining the safety and quality of Oscar Mayer Naturally Hardwood Smoked Bacon. People who want to know how long bacon will last should pay attention to the label’s instructions for refrigeration, freezing, and how to store it.
Identification of the Product
Oscar Mayer is a well-known brand that makes different kinds of bacon, each with its own storage time and way of being cooked. The next section goes into great detail about the Oscar Mayer brand and the different kinds of bacon it sells.