What is the shelf life of these products if the jar remains sealed?
All of our products will maintain their quality and be safe to eat for 2 years after date of production. After opening, it is recommended that all products be refrigerated and consumed within 90 days.
How can I tell when my jar of a Something Special product was made?
There is a code located on the side or top of lid. The last three digits represent the Julian date. The Julian date is the day of the year with Jan 1 indicating the 1st day of the year and December 31st as the 365th day of the year. Another example is February 22 is the 53rd day of the year so the last three digits of our code would be 053. The number before the Julian date is the last digit of the year of production i.e. 7053 would mean that the product was produced on the 53rd day of 2007 or February 22, 2007.Click here to see a sample of the Julian date chart
All products produced after May 1st 2008 will have new
best before coding on the lids. View Sample »
How can the sealed jar of antipasto be safe at room temperature for so long?
The stability of the antipasto is the result of a number of factors.
• Gourmet Antipasto is boiled which destroys enzymes and bacteria that normally spoil fresh food.
• After all ingredients have been added the pH of the Gourmet Antipasto is below 4.0, which prevents the growth of sporeforming bacteria that are not destroyed at boiling temperatures.
• Gourmet Antipasto is filled into the jars at very high temperatures. As the gourmet antipasto cools a vacuum is formed and the lid seals itself from the outside environment. This prevents any external contamination.
• Gourmet Antipasto is boiled which destroys enzymes and bacteria that normally spoil fresh food.
• After all ingredients have been added the pH of the Gourmet Antipasto is below 4.0, which prevents the growth of sporeforming bacteria that are not destroyed at boiling temperatures.
• Gourmet Antipasto is filled into the jars at very high temperatures. As the gourmet antipasto cools a vacuum is formed and the lid seals itself from the outside environment. This prevents any external contamination.
