Two criteria

Not less than each nutrient

On this page14

The first criterion Which is not a spoilage test Each nutrient, not the product When consumed is the timing As set forth on its label is the reference Which means a conservative declaration buys a longer date Not less than is a floor And the container is implicated through loss Which connects to the compounding property's third word Light is the one our shelf speaks to And the clear majority is a pantry convenience And oxygen is the other loss path Two criteria, two different container consequences References

When consumed, contain not less than the quantity of each nutrient.

The first criterion

When consumed, contain not less than the quantity of each nutrient, as set forth on its label.

Which is not a spoilage test

It is a potency test. The question is whether the nutrients declared are still there in the declared amount.

Each nutrient, not the product

So the criterion is met only if every declared nutrient holds up. One that degrades faster than the others sets the date.

When consumed is the timing

Not when opened and not on the date. At the point of consumption, after preparation.

As set forth on its label is the reference

The declared quantity, which the maker chose. So the criterion compares the product against its own label.

Which means a conservative declaration buys a longer date

And is a real tension inside the scheme, since the declaration and the date are set by the same party.

Not less than is a floor

More is fine. The criterion is one-directional, which is why overage is the ordinary formulation practice.

And the container is implicated through loss

A nutrient that oxidizes, or that is lost to light, is a nutrient the container failed to protect.

Which connects to the compounding property's third word

Absorptive. A container that takes something out of a product leaves it under strength, and that is the same failure in a different scheme.

Light is the one our shelf speaks to

52 of the 176 containers are clear and 44 are white, with 20 amber, 16 black and 24 natural. So the protective options exist.

And the clear majority is a pantry convenience

Seeing what is in a container is the reason clear is the commonest single color on this shelf, and it is the opposite of protective.

And oxygen is the other loss path

109 of the 176 containers are PET, which is a reasonable oxygen barrier, and 45 are polypropylene, which is a poorer one. The material decides that half.

Two criteria, two different container consequences

Nutrient loss through light and oxygen, and clumping through moisture. The liner and the wall answer one each.

References

21 CFR 107.20(c) requires on the label of an infant formula a "Use by ______" date, "the blank to be filled in with the month and year selected by the manufacturer, packer, or distributor of the infant formula on the basis of tests or other information showing that the infant formula, until that date, under the conditions of handling, storage, preparation, and use prescribed by label directions, will: (1) when consumed, contain not less than the quantity of each nutrient, as set forth on its label; and (2) otherwise be of an acceptable quality (e.g., pass through an ordinary bottle nipple)." Nothing on these pages states what other federal date labeling requirements exist or do not exist. law.cornell.edu

The Davis Pack Supply catalog, measured 19 October 2026. 421 rows: 176 containers and 245 closures. 125 to 7,571 mL with a median of 473. 109 PET, 45 PP, 20 HDPE and 2 glass. 129 jars, 24 tubs and pails, 23 bottles. 83 PET single wall jars, 18 PP single wall jars, 16 PP round tubs, 6 double wall round base jars, and 5 each of plastic square grip containers, double wall straight base jars, PE wide mouth containers and PET packer bottles. 52 clear, 44 white, 24 natural, 20 amber, 16 black, 11 blue, 7 green, 1 dark amber. Necks: 75 at 89-400, 31 at 70-400, 25 unrecorded, 9 at 110-400, 7 at 53-400, 5 at 120TT, 4 at 120-400, 3 at 100-400. Closures: 174 continuous thread polypropylene lids, 29 metal or aluminum CT caps, 16 dome lids, 11 round tub lids, 5 sealing discs, 3 plastic round pail lids, 2 phenolic, 1 plug seal lid, 1 metal lug or twist cap, 1 tamper evident lid. Buyability, a snapshot: 105 of 176 available, 71 not; 72 quote only; 18 full case only, with case packs from 16 to 3,150 and a median of 208.

Written from 21 CFR 107.20(c) and from the catalog as it stood on 19 October 2026. Nothing here says what other federal date labeling requirements exist, how long any leftover keeps, or whether any container is microwave, dishwasher or oven safe: a published temperature range is not one of those statements and only a manufacturer can make them. The temperature range field is published on all 176 containers in this group and takes four values, of which only one, on two containers, spans a freezer and an oven.