The welter of product date labels, ranging from “Sell By” to “Use By” to “Expires On,” would be reduced to two standard phrases under a voluntary initiative by foodmakers and grocers. The new phrases would be “BEST If Used By,” to assure product quality, and “USE By,” to prevent perishable foods from going bad before use.
The Grocery Manufacturers Association and the Food Marketing Institute said the two new phrases would replace the 10 different date labels now on packaging. Adoption of standard phrases would reduce food waste, they said. The trade groups urged widespread adoption by summer 2018.
The industry said food waste could be reduced by 8 percent if there were less confusion over the meaning of the date labels. An estimated 40 percent of food produced in the United States is wasted.
Maine Rep. Chellie Pingree applauded the industry proposal as a way to prevent wastage due to “confusing, inconsistent and sometimes misleading food date labels.” Pingree said she plans to reintroduce a bill to standardize date labels on food packages. The legislation does not mandate labeling.