Product Type: All
Stage: Production & Harvesting, Distribution & Marketing, Consumption
Problem: Consumer confusion and waste due to non-standardized “sell by” and other expiry labeling
Solution: Standardize food label dates

1. Date labels on food packaging are non-standardized across producers and can include “sell-by,” “best-by,” “use-by,” “best before,” and other terms which typically indicate the beginning of degraded aesthetic quality rather than food spoilage.
   
2. Consumers misinterpret these date labels and occasionally dispose of and waste still-fresh food. This activity is estimated to account for about 20% of wasted safe, edible food in the United States.
   
3. There is a lack of national or government regulation of food date labeling to indicate directly perishability. A regulatory push or pressure from retailers could influence food producers and manufacturers to standardize date labeling with consistent, shared terms that directly indicate date of perishability.
4. Examples of action include pending United States legislation such as the Food Recovery Act, pending as of 2016, which recommends a standard “Best if Used By” date label with a “Manufacturer’s Suggestion Only” disclaimer. Additionally, items with food safety risks from spoiled consumption are required to have an additional “Expires On” date.