Legislation To Reduce Food Waste Reintroduced In Congress

The Food Date Labeling Act was recently reintroduced in both the House and the Senate. Supporters of this bipartisan legislation says it is designed to end confusion regarding food freshness. The Act would standardize certain labeling in hopes of reducing food waste nationwide. Dan Newhouse, chair of the Western Caucus, said it is absurd that confusing labeling practices are allowed to continue, especially with so many Americans suffering from food insecurity.

"There is a literal hodgepodge of different terms used on food products to try to express something about their freshness or when they expire."

Newhouse is also the co-chair of the Bipartisan Food Recovery Caucus and helped reintroduce the bill.

"We waste approximately 40% of the food that's produced in this country, which is a huge financial cost."

That cost is estimated around $161 billion annually. It's estimated that roughly 90% of Americans throw out perfectly safe food prematurely. Meanwhile, more than 38 million Americans, including 12 million children, are food insecure.

According to the proposed legislation, rather than relying on whatever term a producer decides to use, such as "sell by," "use by," "freshest on," or "expires on," the Food Date Labeling Act would establish just two labels. "BEST If Used By" communicates to consumers that the quality of the food product may begin to deteriorate after the date. "USE By" would communicate the end of the estimated period of shelf life, after which the product should not be consumed. 

The legislation would also allow food to be sold or donated after its labeled quality date to help those in need.

Click Here to read the Food Date Labeling Act in its entirety.

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