How to Read Expiration Dates on Diabetic Supplies
We buy sealed diabetic supplies for cash. We do not sell supplies.
To read expiration dates on diabetic supplies, find the hourglass symbol on the box label. The date next to it is the use-by date, and it's often written year first, like 2027-03-31. Don't confuse it with the factory symbol, which shows when the item was made.
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This page is general information, not medical or legal advice. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about your own care.
Once you know where to look, you can check a whole closet of boxes in a few minutes. Here's how.
Where are expiration dates printed?
The date is on the printed label on the outside of the box. It sits next to an hourglass symbol. That symbol comes from ISO 15223-1, a standard for medical device labels.
The FDA lets makers use these standard symbols on labels. So you'll see the same hourglass on sensors, pods and strips from different brands.
Here's where to look on common supplies:
- Dexcom G7 and Stelo. The label on the outside of the sensor box.
- FreeStyle Libre. The label on the carton. The FDA notes the serial number is on the bottom of the applicator or carton.
- Omnipod. The label on the pod box.
- Test strips. Both the box and the vial.
How do you read the date format?
Most labels print the year first, then the month, then the day. Here's how to read the common styles:
| Printed as | Means |
|---|---|
| 2027-03-31 | March 31, 2027 |
| 2027-03 | March 2027 |
| 31-03-2027 | March 31, 2027 (day first, less common) |
Read the numbers slowly. A date like 2027-04-03 is April 3, not March 4. Reading it wrong can make you think you have a month more, or less, than you really do.
If you're not sure how to read a short date, check the maker's insert or ask your pharmacist. When in doubt, treat the date as the earlier of the two ways you could read it. That keeps you on the safe side.
Some labels are tiny. A phone camera helps. Take a photo, then zoom in on the screen to read the numbers.
Which symbol isn't the expiration date?
The factory symbol trips people up. It shows the date the item was made, not the date it expires. It looks like a small building with a roof line.
Other symbols you may see:
- REF. The catalog number for the exact product.
- LOT. The batch number.
- SN. The serial number for that one item.
- Thermometer. The storage temperature range.
Our guide on finding the REF, LOT and expiration date shows each one on a label.
Why do expiration dates matter?
For your health, the date is when the maker stops standing behind the product. The FDA warns that expired test strips can give incorrect results. Wrong results can lead someone to take too much or too little medicine.
It's easy to think a few weeks past the date doesn't matter. But the date is the maker's limit. After it, the maker no longer says the product will work the way it should.
For selling, the date is one of the first things a buyer checks. More time left usually means a better offer. Expired items can't be sold at all. We don't buy them.
So check dates before you list or offer anything. It saves you and the buyer time.
Strips may also have a second date to watch. Many brands say to use a vial within a set time after you open it. Your package insert tells you if yours does.
Box date vs item date
Each sealed item inside usually has its own label. But don't open a sealed box just to check.
If you're selling, go by the outer label. If two boxes have different dates, photograph each one. A buyer needs the date for every box.
If you're using the supplies, check each item's date when you open it. If the dates don't match, use the earlier one as your guide. It's rare, but it's worth a quick look.
A real-life example
Say you open your supply closet and find 15 boxes. Some are sensors, some are pods and some are strips. You have no idea which ones are still good.
Grab a pen and a notepad. Pick up one box at a time and find the hourglass. Write down the product and the date, then put the box in one of three piles: good, expiring soon, and expired.
Take a photo of each label as you go. It takes a second, and it means you won't have to dig the boxes out again later.
When you're done, the expired pile goes aside. The "expiring soon" pile gets used or sold first. And you now have a list you can update each time a box comes in.
How do you keep track of dates?
A few habits keep dates from sneaking up on you:
- When a new box comes, write the date on the front in big numbers with a marker. Don't cover the label.
- Put the newest boxes at the back of the shelf.
- Use the oldest boxes first.
- Check your supply once a month.
A shared note on your phone works well if more than one person handles supplies. Everyone can see what's on the shelf and when it expires.
If you have extras you won't use, decide what to do with them early. Our guide on extra diabetic supplies lays out the options.
Keep reading
Questions
Which symbol shows the expiration date?
The hourglass. The date next to it is the use-by date.
How do I read 2027-03 on a label?
It means March 2027. If you're not sure what it means for your product, check the maker's insert or ask your pharmacist.
Is the factory symbol the expiration date?
No. The factory symbol shows when the item was made. Look for the hourglass instead.
Do you buy expired supplies?
No. We only buy sealed supplies that are still before the date on the box.
Have supplies with good dates?
Once you've checked the expiration dates, sealed boxes with time left can still help someone. We buy sealed, unexpired CGM sensors, Omnipod pods and test strips, and we never charge a fee. Send a photo of each label for a free quote.