# Food Date Labeling Act of 2023

Right now, food packages use different date labels that can be confusing. You might see "sell by," "best by," "use by," or "expires on" dates, and there's no federal standard for what these actually mean. This bill would fix that problem by creating one consistent labeling system across the entire country so consumers and stores know exactly what the dates mean.

The bill would require all food manufacturers to use just two clear date labels: "Best if Used By" for quality (meaning the food will taste best before this date, but it's usually still safe to eat after) and "Use By" for safety (meaning you shouldn't eat it after this date because there's a real food safety risk). This replaces the current patchwork of confusing labels that vary by state and company. The goal is to reduce food waste—people throw away perfectly good food because they misunderstand what the dates mean—while also protecting people from actually unsafe food.

For shoppers, this means you'll finally have a clear, consistent way to understand food labels no matter what brand you buy or which state you're in. For grocery stores and food companies, it means they'll need to update their labeling practices to follow the new federal standard, though many already use similar systems. The practical effect is less wasted food in your trash can and fewer people accidentally eating spoiled food, while also giving manufacturers and retailers a single set of rules to follow instead of managing different requirements in different states.

Food Date Labeling Act of 2023

Blumenthal, Richard

Food Date Labeling Act of 2023 This bill establishes requirements for the format of quality date and discard date labels on food packaging. Specifically, the bill requires the quality date on a food label (i.e., the date after which the quality of the item may deteriorate) to include the phrase BEST If Used By or the abbreviation BB. Similarly, the discard date on a food label (i.e., the date after which the item should not be consumed) must include the phrase USE By or the abbreviation UB. Abbreviations may only be used if the full phrase does not fit on the label. The Department of Health and Human Services and Department of Agriculture may specify alternative phrases through regulations.