What are daily dot labels?
Daily dots are labels that are stuck on individual food packaging to indicate the day that food will pass its use-by date.
As opposed to the standard expiry date labels, daily dots are brightly colour-coded stickers that clearly display the day the food should be used or sold by so staff and inspectors can tell instantly without having to read each individual label.
They allow you to practice safe food rotation, including the First-In, First-Out method which prioritises selling or serving food that was prepared first to prevent food waste.
The law on food stock rotation
Food stock rotation is a legally-required practice for refrigerator and freezer storage systems. Daily dot labels are used in this sense to indicate how long an unopened container can remain before adding similar stock to storage.
Refrigerators with doors must stock no more than two containers high. Deep freezers and chest freezer units must stock no more than four containers high.
Daily dots are used to comply with these food rotation guidelines by keeping the newest supply close to eye level and instantly recognisable.
What are the benefits of daily dots?
Improved inventory organisation
While it can take a while to introduce and will likely demand an entire day or two to bring up existing stock to the new labelling system, once implemented, daily dots can make a huge difference to your business’s organisation.
Not only will it make it easier for staff to check use-by dates, but the colour coordination will mean it will take just moments to order the soon-to-expire food items towards the front and the others behind it.
Helps to reduce food waste
One of the most important things to food businesses in the new year will be reducing food waste. As more attention is directed towards the climate crisis and the poverty crisis, food businesses are under observation for how well they deal with food waste.
The first step is to reduce it all together and the second is to assess the most effective way to deal with it – such as donating to a food bank or shelter.
Provides greater control on kitchen costs
Rotating food on a constant basis ensures that food will not go to waste before it is due to. This saves on kitchens buying more food than is necessary and contributing back to food waste statistics and business loss.
Have more confidence in your food items
Daily dots also help you to know that the food you’re serving your customers is as good-quality as it ought to be. You don’t need to worry about the old food that’s been sitting back there for a while turning out to be bad.
Prevents and mitigates foodborne illnesses
It’s crucial to keep food properly stored and rotated regularly. Daily dots are designed to keep the inventory process as easy for your staff as possible so you can be sure your food is safe.
Tips for applying daily dots
1. Fill out any necessary information on the daily dot label. Some labels are simply a coloured day, other labels have spaces for names, dates, and use by information.
2. Label all containers at eye level or next to a visible indicator (e.g. bar code sticker or date label). This makes it obvious to any staff looking for the daily dot.
3. Apply the daily dot immediately upon the product’s arrival in stock rotation.
Cooksmill supplies the best and brightest in catering facilities with every product you’ll need to equip and run the food service business you love. Our cosmopolitan ranges cover every food style and culture from haute cuisine to takeaway services.
We source top-quality catering products from leading suppliers in kitchenware, tableware, cleaning, clothing, appliances, and disposables based entirely on your feedback and our in-depth experience within the industry. At Cooksmill, we’re always updating our offers to give you exactly what you need.
Key Benefits of Daily Dot Labels
- Improved inventory organisation
- Helps reduce food waste
- Provides greater control on kitchen costs
- More confidence in food quality
- Helps prevent foodborne illnesses
How to Apply Daily Dot Labels
Steps for implementing daily dot labels in a catering business.
Step 1: Complete label information
Fill in any required information such as item name, preparation date and use-by date.
Step 2: Place labels visibly
Apply labels at eye level or beside a visible identifier so staff can easily locate them.
Step 3: Label stock immediately
Apply the daily dot as soon as the item enters stock rotation.
FAQ (Quick Takeaways)
Question: What are daily dot labels?
Answer: Daily dot labels are colour-coded food labels used to indicate when food should be used, sold or rotated, making stock management easier and supporting food safety procedures.
Question: Why are daily dot labels used in catering businesses?
Answer: They help staff identify food age quickly, support first-in-first-out stock rotation, reduce waste and improve food safety compliance.
Question: How do daily dot labels reduce food waste?
Answer: Colour-coded labels make it easier to identify products that should be used first, helping prevent food from expiring before use.
Question: Can daily dot labels help prevent foodborne illnesses?
Answer: Yes. By improving stock rotation and ensuring food is used within safe timeframes, daily dot labels help minimise food safety risks.
Question: What information can be written on daily dot labels?
Answer: Depending on the label type, businesses may record item names, preparation dates, use-by dates and staff information.
How to shop for daily dot labels
If you are thinking of adding daily dots to your kitchen routine of if you already have a stock rotation system in place Cooksmill has you covered. We have a large range of colour coded daily dots labels to suit your needs. We have round labels, square labels, dissolving labels, and labels where you can write your own day. Shop today and get fast courier delivery on all orders.
