We sell entire trailer loads of soda (by the case) each week. Given this high rate of turnover, we rarely have issues with product going out of date in our warehouse (the occasional exception being specialty products that are in lower demand, particularly diet products in bottles, which carry a much shorter life span than can sodas).

However, we often field questions about product shelf life from concerned customers, particularly due to the complex ways in which some manufacturers choose to stamp their products. Unfortunately, there is no consistent standard. Some manufacturers stamp a sell-by date, while others stamp a born-on date. Some expiration dates are easy to read, while others appear as complex codes that need to be deciphered and can easily be misinterpreted.

The codes are subject to change, but here is our latest attempt at a summary guide:

7-Up/A&W Cans: Manufacture Date

7-Up and A&W brand cans are stamped (typically on the bottom of the can) with a manufacture date in MM DDD Y format. Shelf life is typically considered to be 9 months for regular sodas and 3 months for diet sodas.

12 337 0 = Manufactured December 2010

Canada Dry Cans: Manufacture Date

Canada Dry brand cans are stamped (typically on the bottom of the can) with a manufacture date in MMDDDY format. A second line of codes identifies the Time and Plant Code. Shelf life is typically considered to be 39 weeks for regular sodas and 13 weeks for diet sodas.

09 253 8 = Manufactured September 2008

Coca-Cola Cans: Sell-By Date

Coca-Cola brand cans are stamped (typically on the bottom of the can) with a sell-by date in MMMDDYY format. There are additional codes included with the stamp that have nothing to do with dating.

MAR3009 = Sell-By March 30th, 2009

Coca-Cola Bottles: Sell-By Date

Coca-Cola brand bottles are stamped (typically on the cap) with a sell-by date in MMDDYY format, and stamped (typically on the neck) with a sell-by date in MMMDDYY format. There may be additional codes included with the stamp on the neck that have nothing to do with dating.

021609/FEB1609 = Sell-By February 16th, 2009

Pepsi Cans: Sell-By Date

Pepsi brand cans are stamped (typically on the bottom of the can) with a sell-by date in MMM DD YY format. There are additional codes included with the stamp that have nothing to do with dating.

JUL 27 09 = Sell-By July 27th, 2009

Pepsi Bottles: Sell-By Date

Pepsi brand bottles are stamped (typically on the cap) with a sell-by date in MMMDDYY format, and stamped (typically on the neck) with a sell-by date in MMM DD YY format. There may be additional codes stamped on the neck that have nothing to do with dating.

APR0609 = Sell-By April 6th, 2009

Also see our previous post: How To Read Sunkist Soda’s Expiration Code

Of course, Coffee Distributing Corp. carries dozens of sodas from a variety of manufacturers in a multitude of package sizes, and we can special-order just about anything that we don’t typically stock. It is impossible to provide a comprehensive listing of beverages, nor can we guarantee that manufacturers won’t change their dating conventions. You are always welcome to contact our Customer Service Department with questions. If we deliver outdated product in error, our policy is to take it back and offer a complete refund.

Not yet a CDC customer? We provide next-day delivery to offices, stores, and restaurants throughout the New York Metro area. Learn more about the products we carry and contact us today to learn more about how to open an account!