In a busy kitchen, knowing when food was prepared and when it must be used is essential. Clear date labels help restaurants, cafés, hotels and catering companies rotate stock, reduce waste and stay ready for food safety inspections.
What is a date label gun?
A date label gun (also called a price or labelling gun) prints a date, code or price onto a small adhesive label and applies it in one click. It is faster than writing labels by hand and much easier to read.
Why food businesses use date labels
- Stock rotation (FIFO) — first in, first out; older items are used first.
- Less waste — staff can see what needs to be used soon.
- Inspection readiness — food safety inspectors expect stored food to be clearly labelled with preparation and use-by dates. Check the current requirements of your local municipality.
- Consistency — every item is labelled the same way.
Single-line vs double-line guns
- Single-line — prints one line, e.g. a date or price.
- Double-line — prints two lines, e.g. “PREP 05/10” and “USE 07/10”. Ideal for kitchens.
Choosing the right labels
- Standard paper labels — dry storage and shelves.
- Two-line price/date labels — show prep date on one line and use-by date on the other.
- Coloured labels — use a different colour for each day of the week.
- Spare ink rolls — keep one ready so printing stays clear and readable.
Best practice for kitchen labelling
- Label every container as soon as food is prepared.
- Include the item name, prep date and use-by date.
- Use colour codes so staff can check at a glance.
- Check labels daily and discard expired items.
- Train every shift on the same system.
Date label guns and labels in the UAE
SOL Trading supplies two-line price and date label guns (FIS, Atlas), label rolls and ink rolls for restaurants, hotels and shops across the UAE.