How to Read the Expiration on Dolly Madison Zingers

Zingers are Twinkies' much-younger cousin. Both are manufactured by Hostess.

According to the Hostess website, Zingers are a cream-filled snack cake brand manufactured by Interstate Bakeries Corporation (IBC). Hostess Zingers are snack cakes with both icing and a cream filling. Three flavors are available: devil's food cake with chocolate icing, vanilla cake with vanilla icing and vanilla cake with raspberry icing topped with coconut flakes. The products are available packaged as three-cake packs and in larger family-sized multipacks. Zingers' popularity and ingredients probably preclude having to worry about an expiration date, however, this information is prominently displayed and easily located.

Instructions

1. Look on the front of the family-size box in the top far right corner. The last day a store is allowed to sell this product is printed on the top right with the month and date, such as "JUL 21," for example.

2. Look on the front of the three-cake-size package in the bottom far right corner. The last day a store is allowed to sell this product is printed on the bottom right corner with the month and date, such as "APR 14," for example.

3. Call Hostess customer service at 800-483-7253 if you have additional questions.

Tips & Warnings

• A product's "shelf" or sale-by date is not necessarily its expiration date. However, the item is usually best if purchased before this date.

• As warned by the FDA, never purchase any food items or products with packaging that appears to be tampered with.

References

• Hostess Cakes: Zingers
• Flickr: Zingers Multi-Pack Photo
• Loony Stuff: Hostess Zingers 3-Cake Pack

Resources

• Food and Drug Administration; Consumer Food Resources
• Hostess Cakes: Online Contact Form