Instant Cappuccino

     I have a bad habit that I put everything into drawers that isn't necessary right now, like pamphlets, pens, nail clippers, erasers and so on. Consequently, I always mess up the drawers.
     When I cleaned up my drawers today, I found a package of instant cappuccino, which is shown in the picture. I don't remember how it got in my drawer. French words are written on the package and it might be a souvenir from my wife's business trip. I checked the number of its bar code. It starts with 38 as you can see in the picture. I transcribed the code from a website for reference.

Country Code & Country
0 ～ 9     U.S.A. & Canada
20 ～ 29  For retailer use
30 ～ 37  France
38.0    Republic of Bulgaria
38.3    Republic of Slovenia
38.5    Republic of Croatia
38.7    Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina
40 ～ 44.0  Germany
45      Japan
------ Skip ---------
49      Japan
50      Great Britain

     Where is the number 38? Was this product made in Bulgaria or the former Yugoslavia? Or, is the number wrong? Though French words are written on the package, should it have read Bulgaria? Anyway, the manufacturer is reliable and it's not from China. I decided to drink it. I never trust products from China.
At that time, I found the number "02/2009". It must show the recommended use-by date. It apparently exceeded its best-before date. What should I do? It was carried all the way from the back side of the earth. I tried it and it tasted good.

(Vocabulary)
transcribe  ～を転記する
Bulgar  ブルガリア
Republic of Slovenia  スロベニア共和国
Republic of Croatia  クロアチア共和国
Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina ボスニア・ヘルツェゴビナ
the former Yugoslavia  旧ユーゴ
(recommended) use-by date  賞味期限
read (vt)
〔文字などを〕読む、〔書かれている内容を〕読み取る
〔文などを～であると〕解釈する、理解する
〔記号や楽譜などを〕読む、読み取る
exceed its best-before date  賞味期限を過ぎる

Comments

[Abhishek]

I did not know about the bar codes indicating the country of origin. Very interesting--Thank you!