The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) have announced a joint Request for Information (RFI) to gather data on food date labeling practices. This initiative seeks to understand industry practices, consumer perceptions, and the potential impact of date labeling on food waste and grocery costs. The RFI includes questions about the criteria for selecting date labels, consumer interpretations, and the relationship between date labels and household expenses.
The FDA and USDA aim to use the information collected to inform future policy decisions and consumer education campaigns. The agencies are responding to the National Strategy for Reducing Food Loss and Waste and Recycling Organics, which aims to cut food waste by 50% by 2030. The USDA estimates that the average family of four spends at least $1,500 each year on food that ends up uneaten, and the EPA estimates that, in 2019, 66 million tons of wasted food were generated in the food retail, food service, and residential sectors, with most of this waste (about 60%) sent to landfills. The strategy highlights the significant role that date labeling plays in food waste, with estimates suggesting that confusion over date labels contributes to 20% of food waste in homes.
FDA Deputy Commissioner for Human Foods Jim Jones emphasized the importance of understanding consumer perceptions to help reduce food waste.
“It has been estimated that confusion over the multitude of different date labeling terms on food products accounts for about 20% of food waste in the home. The information collected will help us understand consumers’ perceptions of terms like ‘Sell By,’ ‘Use By,’ and ‘Best By,’” said Jones. “We are looking forward to gathering valuable information to determine how date labeling can make it easier for consumers to know whether food is still good to eat and avoid food waste. The FDA is committed to doing all that we can to support informed and sound decisions that are good for U.S. consumers.”
