The FDA’s recent announcement about the 2022 Food Code might seem like dry regulatory news, but it holds significance for how consumers approach food waste. For years, Americans have tossed billions of pounds of food based on misunderstood labels like “best by” and “sell by” dates, throwing away billions […]
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The FDA’s recent announcement about the 2022 Food Code might seem like dry regulatory news, but it holds significance for how consumers approach food waste. For years, Americans have tossed billions of pounds of food based on misunderstood labels like “best by” and “sell by” dates, throwing away billions of dollars along with perfectly safe food. Now, regulators are taking steps to change that.
Food waste in the US is a massive issue, with an estimated 30 to 40 percent of the nation’s food supply discarded each year. According to the USDA, this equates to around 133 billion pounds of food, valued at $161 billion. Families bear the brunt of this loss, with the average household of four losing between $1,500 and $3,000 annually to uneaten food. Much of this waste stems from confusion over date labels, which most consumers believe indicate food safety. However, as food safety expert Donald Schaffner from Rutgers University explained to NPR,
“All of those dates are really there for food quality. They aren’t there for safety.”
Towfiqu Barbhuiya
Label confusion costs more than just dollars
The FDA and USDA report that 84 percent of consumers toss out food occasionally based on date labels, and 37 percent do it most of the time. Misunderstanding the difference between “best by” and “use by” leads many to err on the side of caution, wasting money and resources unnecessarily. Food policy expert Emily Broad Leib of Harvard Law School highlights the stakes, stating, “It’s not only leading to food waste, but it’s also causing people to waste a lot of money.”
These habits contribute to food waste’s environmental toll. Once discarded, food becomes the largest category of material in US landfills, producing methane, a greenhouse gas 80 times more potent than CO2. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, food waste accounts for about eight percent of global greenhouse gas emissions.
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Toa Heftiba
What do these labels really mean?
To reduce confusion, the FDA and USDA have been pushing manufacturers to voluntarily adopt the phrase “best if used by” to signify quality rather than safety. Research shows this terminology is more likely to be correctly interpreted by consumers. While some companies have embraced it, others still use a mishmash of terms that vary by state. For example, California recently enacted a law standardizing food date labels, aiming to eliminate “sell by” dates entirely in favor of terms like “best if used by” and “use by.” This move is expected to save 70,000 tons of food annually.
Currently, federal law only mandates date labels for infant formula, as nutrient content can degrade over time, potentially endangering infants. For other foods, understanding date labels comes down to consumer education. Broad Leib advocates for federal standardization, noting, “The plethora of date label phrases being used contributes to consumer confusion.”
Practical tips for reducing food waste at home
Consumers can play a critical role in combating food waste by learning to interpret labels correctly and relying on sensory judgment to determine food safety. Canned goods, for example, can be edible years after best by dates, as long as there are no signs of rust or bulging. Bread that’s gone stale can be toasted or repurposed into stuffing or breadcrumbs, Schaffner advises. Similarly, refrigerated products such as oat milk, yogurt, or cheese may be edible past their best-by dates as long as mold isn’t present.
Small changes make a big difference
In addition to label awareness, minor adjustments in shopping and cooking habits can significantly reduce waste. Planning meals, freezing surplus ingredients, and embracing leftovers are simple strategies. Apps like Too Good To Go allow consumers to purchase surplus food from local retailers at discounted prices, preventing perfectly good food from ending up in the trash.
The FDA’s recent updates to the Food Code and its efforts to standardize date labels are vital steps in tackling the national food waste crisis. However, for real change to occur, consumers must become active participants. By demystifying date labels and making mindful choices at home, families can save money, reduce environmental impact, and ensure food ends up on plates rather than in landfills.
“The key message is that something doesn’t go from perfectly safe to completely toxic as soon as it passes that date,” Schaffner said.
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