What was the sole purpose of the initial "closed" dating systems used by manufacturers?
Answer
To manage inventory and track stock rotation internally.
Before consumers began demanding visible dates, the food industry relied on internal mechanisms for managing stock freshness, known as "closed" dating systems. These systems utilized numerical codes that were generally indecipherable to the general public. Their primary and exclusive function was operational: enabling manufacturers and retailers to efficiently manage inventory, monitor stock levels, and ensure proper stock rotation by guaranteeing that the oldest items were moved to sale or use before newer stock, thereby minimizing internal losses due to spoilage.
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