What's happened
The debate over date labels for food has sparked California’s new two-label standard, clarifying quality versus safety. Experts say most labels indicate peak freshness, not safety, and most consumers waste food due to confusion.
What's behind the headline?
Quick take
- The debate centers on whether date labels mislead consumers into discarding edible food.
- California’s law attempts to reduce waste by simplifying labels to two clear categories.
- Nationally, there is no uniform federal standard, leaving labels state-by-state and by manufacturer.
What this means for readers
- Expect fewer confusing terms on products sold in California and potentially in other states as states look to align with the new model.
- Consumers should rely on smell, appearance, and safe storage practices rather than the date alone for safety questions.
Forecast
- If federal action follows California, more states could adopt a similar two-label approach, cutting waste and reducing consumer confusion.
How we got here
California has enacted a law standardizing food date labels, banning “sell by” dates and requiring two labels: “Best If Used By” for quality and “Use By” for safety. This comes amid a lack of federal standardization nationwide, with baby formula as an exception. Experts nationwide say the labels are about freshness, not safety, and consumer waste remains high.
Our analysis
The Independent, AP News report on U.S. food date labels and California’s new two-label law; Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health 2019 study on consumer waste; Rutgers University food safety expert Donald Schaffner quoted in both sources; University of Maryland researchers on label variety.
Go deeper
- Will other states adopt California’s two-label system?
- How should households adjust shopping and storage practices given the new labels?
- What remains unclear about the safety aspect once a product passes its label?
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