Washington is at the center of a significant examination as the US Food and Drug Administration and the US Department of Agriculture dive deep into food date labels. These labels, often used by producers and manufacturers and interpreted by consumers, are now under the microscope. The joint request for information issued last week focuses on terms like “sell by,” “use by,” and “best by.” The agencies aim to gather more insights into industry practices, consumer perceptions, and the impact on food waste and grocery costs.

Unraveling the Mystery of Food Date Labels

Industry Practices and Preferences

Currently, on a voluntary basis, the food industry is recommended to use the term “Best if Used By.” This quality-based label indicates when quality may start to decline but the product can still be consumed. However, current federal regulations don't prevent the use of other date labels if they are truthful and not misleading. The FDA and USDA seek to understand the criteria used by the industry to determine these dates and terms. It is estimated that confusion over different date labeling terms accounts for about 20% of food waste in homes. This information will help consumers make more informed decisions and avoid unnecessary food waste.

The FDA is committed to supporting informed decisions that benefit US consumers. By understanding consumers' perception of these labels, they can work towards making it easier for people to know if a food is still good to eat. This initiative shows the agencies' dedication to addressing a significant issue in the food industry.

Consumer Comprehension and Shopping Decisions

Food date labeling has been a topic of debate for years. Regulators and food industry stakeholders are constantly trying to find the right phrasing to indicate when a product's quality starts to wane and when it can be safely eaten. The RFI asks about how consumers understand date label information. Do they think the dates show when the food is safe, or do they actually indicate quality? And do these labels affect shopping decisions or the decision to discard food?

Understanding consumer behavior in relation to food date labels is crucial. It can help reduce the premature discard of wholesome and safe food. The information gathered from the RFI may lead to future policy decisions, guidance, or consumer education campaigns to address this issue.

Response to the National Strategy

The RFI comes in response to the National Strategy for Reducing Food Loss and Waste and Recycling Organics. The USDA estimates that the average family of four spends at least $1,500 each year on uneaten food. In 2019, the food retail, foodservice, and residential sector generated 66 million tons of food waste, with about 60% going to landfills. The National Strategy aims to halve food loss and waste by 2030 to reduce environmental impact and cut costs for US families.

Since the release of the draft National Strategy, the FDA and USDA have received over 9,800 comments calling for an update of federal food date labeling requirements. Commenters have highlighted the confusion caused by different date terms and the resulting early disposal of safe food. The 60-day comment period for the RFI provides an opportunity for stakeholders to contribute to this important discussion.