Federal regulators are taking important steps to simplify food labeling, aiming to clear up confusion surrounding terms like “Sell By,” “Use By,” and “Best By.” If you’ve ever stood at the grocery aisle, scratching your head about what these terms really mean, you’re certainly not alone. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) have recognized this issue and are now involved in a collaborative effort to get to the bottom of it.
Recently, the two agencies launched a Request for Information (RFI) seeking insights about the practices and preferences behind food date labeling. They’re not just asking for opinions—they want to gather research results, industry practices, and consumer perspectives, examining how date labels may affect food waste and grocery costs.
Interestingly, the RFI opens the floor to questions about which products carry these date labels, the criteria behind choosing such phrases, and perhaps most critically, how consumers interpret these dates. Consider this: many people mistakenly assume these dates reflect food safety instead of mere quality, which can lead to perfectly good food being tossed out.
The agencies aim to collect data on how these labels influence both shopping habits and disposal decisions, all of it tied to household expenses. The USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) and the FDA play dual roles of oversight across the U.S. food supply, ensuring labels are accurate and not misleading. Understanding the public’s perception can guide policies and educational campaigns focused on reducing food waste.
The gravity of the situation is staggering; according to Jim Jones, the FDA’s Deputy Commissioner for Human Foods, confusion over date labeling might contribute to about 20% of household food waste. “The information collected will help us understand consumers’ perception of terms like ‘Sell By,’ ‘Use By,’ and ‘Best By,’” Jones noted.
But it’s not just about saving money; it’s about making sure fewer resources are wasted unnecessarily. “We want to make it easier for consumers to know if food is still good to eat,” Jones added.
Dr. Emilio Esteban, the USDA Under Secretary for Food Safety, also chimed in, emphasizing how food labels hold valuable information for consumers. He expressed optimism about the RFI’s potential to clarify how these dates are determined and whether they lead to confusion and food waste.
This initiative forms part of the National Strategy for Reducing Food Loss and Waste and Recycling Organics, which the FDA, USDA, and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) unveiled earlier this year. The USDA estimates families throw away about $1,500 worth of food annually, exacerbated by public uncertainty about date labels. These dates don’t necessarily indicate safety; many foods remain safe to eat past these labels, yet consumers often err on the side of caution.
Between 2019 and 2020, the EPA reported the U.S. produced over 66 million tons of food waste spanning retail, service, and residential sectors. Disturbingly, about 60% of this waste ended up dumped in landfills, which is neither environmentally sustainable nor economically wise.
The overarching goal of these combined efforts is clear: cut food waste by 50% by 2030. Achieving this could not only soften the ecological footprint associated with food disposal but also alleviate costs for American families.
What are food manufacturers saying about all this? Feedback from over 9,800 comments received by the USDA and FDA following the draft National Strategy revealed strong consumer sentiment advocating for standardized date labeling. Commenters voiced concerns about the hodgepodge of phrases used to describe expiration dates, fearing it contributes to unwanted food waste.
Both the FDA and USDA currently recommend the “Best if Used By” label, indicating the date reflecting peak quality rather than safety. Still, these agencies can’t prohibit companies from employing wildly different terms if they remain truthful and not misleading.
Stakeholders have 60 days to respond with comments relating to the 13 questions raised by the RFI, paving the way for potential regulatory changes. This could lead to more coherent guidelines affecting millions of shoppers.
Between their aspirations to update federal date labeling requirements and public demand for clarity, the future of food labeling looks set for transformative changes. Such adjustments would not just hold manufacturers accountable for clearer product information but also empower consumers to make informed choices about their food purchases, potentially diminishing the staggering volume of unnecessary food waste.
So next time you find yourself pondering those confusing label terms, know you’re not alone—and soon you might have clearer answers!
