Undated (KELO AM) - Where did your dairy product come from? That slice of cheese on your burger or that glass of milk could be local or come from across the country.
You can break the code. All you have to do is look on the carton for the code, then go on line and find out.
Dairy plant codes are assigned by the USDA. The first part of the code is a two digit number assigned by state in alphabetical order. The numbers go from 01 to 56. The last set of numbers, after a dash, is the individual plant. A typical plant number would be similar to 46-138, or 55-53 (actual numbers).
The code is usually near the sell by / use by date, but can be anywhere on the carton. You can then go to www.whereismymilkfrom.com to find where the product was packaged.
If you are wary of store brands, you could be in for a surprise. Many of them are packaged at the same place as the name brand.
By the way, the first code given is right here in Sioux Falls, the second is in Richland Center, Wisconsin.
Enjoy that, yogurt, butter, cheese or glass of milk this holiday weekend!