The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) have issued a joint Request for Information (RFI) regarding food date labeling, which includes terms such as "Sell By," "Use By," and "Best By." The agencies are seeking insights into industry practices, consumer perceptions, and the potential impact of date labeling on food waste and grocery costs.
The RFI poses questions about which products carry date labels, the criteria for selecting specific phrases, and how consumers interpret these labels. It also explores whether consumers are confused by date information—particularly if they believe it pertains to safety rather than quality—and its influence on shopping or discarding decisions. Additionally, the RFI investigates any connections between date labels, food waste, and household expenses.
Jim Jones, FDA Deputy Commissioner for Human Foods, highlighted that confusion over various date labeling terms contributes to approximately 20% of home food waste. He stated, "We are looking forward to gathering valuable information to determine how date labeling can make it easier for consumers to know whether a food is still good to eat and avoid food waste."
USDA Under Secretary for Food Safety Dr. Emilio Esteban emphasized the importance of understanding how these labels are determined and their effect on consumer behavior: “Through this Request for Information, we hope to learn more about how those date labels are determined and whether they confuse consumers and lead to needless food waste.”
This initiative is part of broader efforts under the National Strategy for Reducing Food Loss and Waste and Recycling Organics released in June 2024 by the FDA, USDA, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The strategy aims to cut national food loss and waste by 50% by 2030.
Public comments on updating federal date labeling requirements have urged standardization due to varied phrases like "Sell By," "Use By," and "Best By" causing consumer confusion. Both agencies currently recommend using "Best if Used By" as a quality-based label but do not prohibit other truthful phrases.
Stakeholders have 60 days to respond to one or more of the 13 questions posed in the RFI. Details on submitting comments can be found in the Federal Register.
Under President Biden's administration, USDA continues efforts toward transforming America's food system with initiatives focused on resilient local production, fair markets, access to nutritious foods, climate-smart practices, infrastructure investments in rural areas, and promoting equity within its workforce.
For further details about USDA initiatives visit www.usda.gov.
