Food Date Labeling Reform Could Reduce Waste and Cut Costs

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) have jointly issued a Request for Information (RFI) concerning food date labeling practices. This includes terms such as “Sell By,” “Use By,” and “Best By.” The RFI aims to gather insights into current industry practices, consumer perceptions, and the potential implications of date labeling on food waste and grocery costs.

Specifically, the agencies are interested in understanding which products carry date labels, the criteria used to determine the phrasing and dates, and how consumers interpret these labels. Of particular concern is whether consumers misinterpret date labels as indicators of food safety rather than quality, and whether this confusion affects their purchasing or food disposal decisions. Additionally, the RFI seeks to explore potential links between date labeling practices, household expenses, and food waste reduction.

Commentary by YourDailyFit Columnist Alice Winters

The FDA and USDA’s joint Request for Information (RFI) on food date labeling comes at a critical juncture in addressing food security, waste reduction, and consumer education. Food date labeling may seem like a minor issue, but its ripple effects span economic, environmental, and public health dimensions.

A Look at the Core Issue: Label Confusion

The persistent consumer misunderstanding of terms like “Sell By,” “Use By,” and “Best By” highlights the inadequacies of existing food labeling standards. Research has consistently shown that many consumers view these dates as a definitive indicator of food safety, leading to premature disposal of perfectly edible products. This misconception inflates food waste at the household level and exacerbates the broader issue of resource inefficiency in food production.

Clarifying these labels is no small task. The FDA and USDA must contend with industry resistance to standardization due to the variability in product shelf life and quality degradation rates. While terms such as “Use By” could be reserved for products with actual safety concerns, items with quality-based expiration dates might better benefit from a phrase like “Best If Used By.” Industry input will be crucial to determining whether such shifts are feasible and effective.

Economic and Environmental Impacts

Food waste driven by label confusion is not only an environmental issue but also a financial burden. The average household incurs hundreds of dollars annually in avoidable food waste—a figure particularly significant given rising grocery prices. Reducing waste through improved labeling could provide immediate financial relief to consumers while also reducing the environmental footprint associated with overproduction and waste management.

Further, from an industry perspective, standardizing date labels could simplify supply chain management and mitigate the risk of regulatory penalties due to ambiguous labeling practices. However, it is critical that these changes do not disproportionately impact smaller producers, who might lack the resources to overhaul their labeling systems.

Behavioral Economics and Consumer Perception

The RFI’s exploration of consumer behavior in response to date labels is both timely and necessary. Behavioral economics plays a pivotal role here: subtle changes in language can significantly influence consumer decision-making. For example, “Use By” communicates urgency, while “Best If Used By” conveys quality without implying immediate risk.

Educational campaigns must accompany any regulatory changes to ensure consumers understand the distinctions between terms. Public health organizations, retailers, and manufacturers should collaborate on this front, leveraging modern platforms like social media for widespread reach.

A Push for Sustainability

This initiative also aligns with global sustainability goals. The United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 12.3 targets a 50% reduction in per capita global food waste at retail and consumer levels by 2030. Simplified, uniform date labels could be a powerful tool in reaching this objective. However, their impact will depend on harmonized implementation across national and international markets, especially given the interconnected nature of the global food supply chain.

Conclusion

The FDA and USDA’s RFI reflects a growing recognition of the complexities surrounding food date labeling and its broader implications. A thoughtful, evidence-based approach is critical to crafting policies that serve consumers, producers, and the environment alike. By addressing confusion, minimizing waste, and promoting sustainability, this effort has the potential to transform a seemingly mundane issue into a cornerstone of modern food policy.