How to read heinz expiry dates, according to heinz customer service

Sample code (on tomato juice): LTE 2446 0549

LTE = customer service said that it's not important for expiry date.

244 = days from the start of a given year, this product was manufactured.

6 = year, so 2016.

0549 = how many days from the manufactured day is best-by.

In plain english: On Sept 2, 2014 (jan 1, 2014 + 244 days) this item was manufactured. The product is best consumed by July 4, 2015 (jan 1, 2014 + 549 days).

Ex 2: heinz chili style

L6K 0496 22:38

L6K = ignore

049 = jan 1 + 49 days

6 = 2016

22:38 time of manufacturing.

Best by date missing. It doesn't have a best by date and heinz didn't think it was strange. I guess it's good for a while?

The representative said they use the julian calendar if that means anything to anyone. I looked it up and it didn't help.

Disclaimer: it was a confusing call but i took notes on what the representative said. For best results call them yourself before eating the item and let me know if they say something different. I'll edit this post if needed.