By Jamie Martin
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) have initiated a joint effort to gather public feedback on food date labeling practices.
This initiative, which utilizes a Request for Information (RFI), aims to clarify the usage of labels such as “Sell By,” “Use By,” and “Best By” on food products.
The agencies are interested in learning how these terms affect consumer behavior, particularly in terms of food waste and grocery shopping decisions.
Jim Jones, FDA Deputy Commissioner for Human Foods, emphasized the importance of this initiative, stating, “It has been estimated that confusion over the multitude of different date labeling terms on food products accounts for about 20% of food waste in the home.
The information collected will help us understand consumers’ perception of terms like ‘Sell By,’ ‘Use By’ and ‘Best By.’”
The FDA and USDA's collaborative effort also ties into broader federal goals such as the National Strategy for Reducing Food Loss and Waste and Recycling Organics.
This strategy, endorsed by multiple federal agencies, aims to cut food waste by half by 2030, significantly lowering the environmental impact and economic costs associated with food disposal.
The public's feedback is crucial for shaping future policies and consumer education campaigns intended to minimize premature food discard.
This initiative is not just about improving food label transparency but also about making food systems more sustainable and reducing unnecessary costs for U.S. families.
The deadline for submitting comments is set for 60 days from the announcement, with all stakeholders encouraged to participate.
Photo Credit: usda
Categories: National