Method of managing expiration dated product inventories

A method of managing inventories of expiration dated products, utilizing a portable programmable electronic code reading device with a keypad for inputting data, a display for displaying data, memory, and data storage, includes the steps of reading a product identification code for a set of product units with the same identification code and same expiration date, entering the expiration date into the device, associating the product identification with the expiration date and storing the associated information in a database, and stocking the product units in inventory. A date is entered into the device to initiate a query of the database for product expiration dates within a preselected range of days from the entered date, generating a sequential listing of product identification and associated expiration dates within the preselected range, enabling a user to check inventory for the presence or absence of product units with the displayed expiration date or dates.