From Confusion to Action: Your Role in Reforming Food Date Labels
In our quest to create a more sustainable world, we often overlook a tiny yet significant culprit of food waste: date labels on our food. Those small stamps reading “Best by,” “Use by,” or “Sell by” may seem helpful, but they’re often misunderstood, leading to millions of pounds of perfectly edible food being tossed in the trash. This summer, I dove into the world of food date labels, understanding the confusion many consumers face and advocating for change.
The Date Label Dilemma
When you see a date on your food package, what’s your first thought? If you’re like most people, you might assume it’s an expiration date – a hard deadline after which the food becomes unsafe to eat.
In reality, most date labels are not about food safety at all. They’re typically manufacturers’ suggestions for when the product is at its peak quality. This misunderstanding leads to a staggering amount of waste. Studies estimate that confusion over date labels contributes to about 20% of consumer food waste, translating to roughly 398,000 tons of food waste each year in the US alone!
Decoding the Labels
To combat this waste, it’s crucial to understand what some of these labels actually mean:
- “Best by” or “Best if used by”: This indicates when the product will be at its best quality. The food is still safe to consume after this date, though it may not be at peak flavor or texture.
- “Use by”: Similar to “Best by,” this is the manufacturer’s estimate of when the product will be at its best quality.
- “Sell by”: This is aimed at retailers for inventory management and isn’t meant for consumers at all. Products are often good for days or even weeks after the “sell by” date.
Unfortunately, there are over 60 different date labels on shelves across the US, meaning that understanding the most common won’t matter when you encounter new language. That’s why you should…
Trust Your Senses
Instead of relying solely on date labels, use your senses to determine if food is still good:
- Look for signs of spoilage like mold or discoloration
- Smell the food – off odors are a good indicator that food has gone bad
- When in doubt, give it a taste. A small taste won’t make you sick, and it’s the best way to determine if food has spoiled.
Advocating for Change
While understanding date labels is crucial, real change requires action at a policy level. This is where advocacy comes into play, and there’s exciting progress on this front.
As a Congressional Hunger Center Zero Hunger Intern partnered with FoodRecovery.org for the summer, I participated in the Zero Food Waste Coalition’s Hill Day and the Gen Z Food and Hunger Summit. During both of these events, and through subsequent advocacy efforts, I came to better understand legislation revolving around food date labels.
In May 2023, a significant step forward was taken with the introduction of the Food Date Labeling Act. This bicameral, bipartisan act, introduced by Senator Blumenthal (D-CT) and Representatives Newhouse (R-WA) and Pingree (D-ME), aims to revolutionize how we approach food labeling in the United States.
Key Points of the Food Date Labeling Act:
- Primary Goal: The act seeks to end consumer confusion around food date labeling and ensure Americans do not discard safe, usable food unnecessarily.
- Standardized Labels: It proposes standardization for the already voluntary date labeling system with two primary labels:
- “BEST If Used By” for product quality
- “USE By” for a product’s shelf life
- Increased Food Donations: The act clarifies that foods past their quality date may still be safely sold or donated, potentially increasing the amount of food available for those in need, building off existing legislation like the Bill Emerson Good Samaritan Food Donation Act and the Food Donation Improvement Act.
- Consumer Education: FDLA mandates USDA and FDA guidance and outreach on the meaning of date labels, ensuring that consumers are well-informed about what these labels truly signify.
- Economic Impact: If passed, this bill is projected to drive $3.55 billion in economic revenue, demonstrating that reducing food waste can have significant economic benefits.
How You Can Support This Initiative:
- Stay Informed: Keep up to date with the progress of the Food Date Labeling Act and other related legislation through the bill tracking feature on Congress.gov or by subscribing to the Food Systems Collaborative Food Policy Debrief.
- Contact Your Representatives: Reach out to your local representatives and express your support for the Food Date Labeling Act. Your voice matters!
- Spread Awareness: Share information about this act and the importance of standardized food labeling with friends, family, and on social media.
- Lead by Example: Implement proper food date label understanding in your own life and teach others about it.
By advocating for clearer, standardized food date labels, we can make a significant impact on reducing food waste. The Food Date Labeling Act is a crucial step towards a more sustainable and less wasteful food system. Your support and advocacy can help turn this proposal into reality, benefiting both our communities and our environment.