USA: Guidance on Date Labeling

The US Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is preparing a Guidance on Date Labeling to Reduce Food Waste.The aim of the guidance is to reduce food waste through encouraging food manufacturers and retailers that apply product dating to use a “Best if Used By” date label instead of “Sell-by” or “Use-by”. The use of different statements to describe quality dates has caused consumer confusion and has led to the disposal of food that is safe. USDA estimates that 30% of food is lost or wasted at the retail and consumer level.The revised guidance was issued for comments on December 14, 2016. FSIS will accept comments for 60 days.More information