Food Date Labeling Act of 2023

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.

The Food Date Labeling Act of 2023, also known as Bill 118 hr 3159, is a piece of legislation currently being considered by the US Congress. The main purpose of this bill is to establish a standardized system for date labeling on food products in order to reduce confusion and food waste.

Under this proposed legislation, food products would be required to have a uniform date labeling system that clearly indicates whether the product is at its peak freshness, or if it is past its expiration date and should be discarded. This system would include labels such as "best if used by," "use by," and "sell by" to help consumers understand when a product is still safe to consume.

The Food Date Labeling Act of 2023 aims to address the issue of food waste by providing consumers with clear and consistent information about the freshness and safety of their food products. By reducing confusion around date labeling, this bill seeks to encourage consumers to make more informed decisions about when to consume or discard food items, ultimately leading to less food waste in households and businesses across the country. Overall, the Food Date Labeling Act of 2023 is a bipartisan effort to improve food safety and reduce food waste by establishing a standardized system for date labeling on food products. If passed, this legislation has the potential to benefit both consumers and the environment by promoting clearer communication about the freshness and safety of food items.