The Harvard Law School Food Law and Policy Clinic (FLPC) has submitted comments to USDA FSIS and FDA, urging federal standardization of food date labels to reduce food waste, improve food recovery, and streamline industry practices. Concerns stem from the current inconsistent state-by-state regulations, which contribute to:
- Consumer Confusion: Varying date label phrases lead to misunderstanding, unnecessary disposal of edible food, and potential health risks.
- Supply Chain Issues: Non-standardized labels create logistical complexities for businesses.
- Financial Burdens: Inconsistent regulations increase costs for businesses, food recovery organizations, and food-insecure families.
FLPC’s Recommendations:
- Federal standardization of date labels, allowing only “BEST If Used By” (quality) and “USE By” (safety) labels.
- Funding or facilitation of national consumer education campaigns to promote understanding of these standardized labels.
FLPC emphasizes that federal standardization, coupled with consumer education, is crucial to decrease food waste, support vulnerable populations, and reduce unnecessary costs across the food system.
Read the full comments.
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