| Markets | United States of America |
| Organization | The Daily INTAKE |
| Topic | Sustainability, labelling |
On December 7, U.S. Representatives reintroduced the bipartisan Food Date Labeling Act in both the House and Senate (H.R. 6167; S.3324). The bill is designed to end consumer confusion around food date labeling and increase the consumption and donation of safe, edible food. According to its sponsors, the Act will reduce food waste by standardizing date labels on food products. The Food Date Labeling Act will establish date labeling language that clearly differentiates between quality and safety: “best if used by” communicates that the qualify of the food product may begin to deteriorate after the date, and “use by” communicates the end of the estimated period of shelf life, after which the product should not be consumed. Under the legislation, food manufacturers will decide which food products carry a quality or discard date. The legislation will also allow food to be sold or donated after its labeling quality date.
