This bill creates a new voluntary certification program run by the USDA to help reduce the amount of food that gets wasted in America. Businesses, farms, restaurants, schools, and local governments can join this program if they meet certain standards for reducing food waste, donating extra food to nonprofits, or finding alternative uses for food like turning it into animal feed or compost.

Here's how it works: The USDA will set up the rules for who can participate and what they need to do to get certified. Then the USDA will approve accreditation bodies (preferably colleges and universities that specialize in food waste) to oversee third-party certifiers who actually inspect and verify that participating organizations are following the program requirements. The USDA will maintain a public list of all approved certifiers so people know who to trust.

Once a business or organization gets certified, they can use a special label to show customers they're committed to reducing food waste. The USDA will also promote these certified participants on its website and at events to give them recognition and help them stand out. Finally, the USDA, FDA, and EPA will work together and update their existing agreement to make sure all three agencies are coordinating their efforts on food waste reduction across the country.

Reduce Food Loss and Waste Act of 2025

Durbin, Richard J.

Reduce Food Loss and Waste Act of 2025This bill directs the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to establish a voluntary Food Loss and Waste Reduction Certification Program in order to reduce food loss and waste, increase donations of excess food to certain nonprofit organizations, and increase the use of alternative disposal methods for food (e.g., redirection to animal feed and composting).Specifically,&nbsp;USDA must establish criteria for the certification of eligible participants (e.g., state or local governments, corporations, farms or food producers, retail grocers, restaurants, and schools).USDA must also establish criteria for recognizing accreditation bodies to accredit third-party certifiers to review and certify program participants.&nbsp;Preference in accrediting third-party certifiers must be given to institutions of higher education that have expertise in food loss and waste reduction.&nbsp;USDA must maintain on a publicly available USDA website a list of (1) recognized accreditation bodies, and (2) accredited third-party certifiers.Further, USDA must establish a voluntary label that certified program participants may use to indicate that they are certified. USDA must also promote certified participants on the USDA website and through&nbsp;events.Finally, USDA, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) must revise a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed on December 17, 2020, and relating to cooperation and coordination on food loss and waste.&nbsp;USDA must&nbsp;implement this bill in coordination with the FDA and the EPA and in accordance with the revised MOU.