Very puzzled!!

[gailey]

what does the e stand for beside amount contained on the back of bottles?

[SteveD]

It means that the volume or weight of the contents are as stated plus or minus a certain amount:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Estimated_sign

[nickmo]

And there is also a symbol on some packaging that it seems few people understand that tells you that the contents should be used by a specific time once opened.

Easiest way to describe is a circle at an angle above another circle with a number inside. The number is the number of months that the contents should be used before spoiling. You see this on toothpaste tubes for example.....

[SteveD]

This is what nicmo is referring to (open the link and scroll down):

http://www.colipa.com/site/download.cfm?SAVE=2 1099&LG=1

[SteveD]

Sorry, - "nickmo".

[pastafreak]

The symbol represents an open pot-ie of makeup or cream, the number represents the time period (from opening) in which the contents should be used.