It seems like you can’t turn on the TV without hearing about another case of food sickness. It’s almost as if there’s a new outbreak every week. If it’s not the lettuce, it’s the chicken; if it’s not the product, it’s a dating error.

As our society continues to grow and improve our culture of food safety, it’s becoming more important than ever to take some time and invest in your relationship—your relationship with food safety, that is. Take our advice, this is one date you don’t want to stand up.

We’ve all heard the expression “too many cooks in the kitchen,” but what happens when you have a restaurant to run and need “all hands on deck?” One person might spend the morning cutting and prepping the veggies for the day, while another might be cooking breakfast orders.

When things aren’t carefully monitored and labeled, it can be a huge issue. Ready-to-eat food shouldn’t be held for longer than seven days, as it can begin to grow hazardous bacteria in that time. If it’s not labeled, kitchen employees can’t be sure when it was prepped.

Not only will proper labeling keep your customers safe and help you continue to serve quality food, but you’ll also reduce food waste and keep your restaurant kitchen running smoothly. Date coding keeps everyone informed and aware of which products need to be used first and which are ready for disposal.

2"x3" DuraPeel Item/Date/UseBy Labels help ensure your inventory is properly stored and the food you’re serving is of the highest quality.

Our labels are designed to make food dating clear and easy to follow with color-coded days of the week, highlighted “Use By” sections, and dedicated space to record key information like prep date, shelf life, and employee initials. Bilingual text helps reduce confusion and supports safer communication in multilingual kitchens.

Creating a strong food safety culture starts with clear communication and consistent labeling practices. Dating has always been an important aspect of many cultures — and we’re making a clear case for its importance in food safety culture, too.