‘Best If Used By’ labels will reduce food waste, USDA says
8 years, 3 months ago

‘Best If Used By’ labels will reduce food waste, USDA says

Associated Press  

PORTLAND, Maine — The U.S. Department of Agriculture says food sellers who use product dating labels should switch to the phrase “Best If Used By” to help reduce confusion and food waste. “This new guidance can help consumers save money and curb the amount of wholesome food going in the trash,” said Al Almanza, USDA deputy under secretary for food safety. ___ MANY LABELS FOR FOOD One reason food expiration labels are so confusing for consumers is that there aren’t many strict federal standards for them. U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree, a Maine Democrat who has put a focus on reducing food waste, said she is encouraged by the USDA’s move.

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History of this topic

Confused by 'best by' or 'use by' labels? The FDA wants your input to reduce food waste
3 months, 2 weeks ago

Confused by 'best by' or 'use by' labels? The FDA wants your input to reduce food waste

NPR  

Confused by 'best by' or 'use by' labels? The FDA wants your input to reduce food waste toggle caption Dorisj/Getty Images The can of chickpeas in the pantry has a "best by" date that passed two weeks ago. "It's not only leading to food waste, but it's also causing people to waste a lot of money," says Emily Broad Leib, …

California bans food ‘sell by’ dates. Will it save you money without getting you sick?
3 months, 4 weeks ago

California bans food ‘sell by’ dates. Will it save you money without getting you sick?

LA Times  

The new law bans food items from carrying “Sell by” labels. An old state law suggested putting dated labels on foods to help consumers know when their food has gone bad, instead of confusing, grocer-focused “sell by” labels. The new law bans food items from carrying “sell by” labels, which can prompt people to throw out food that is still …

California to ban ‘sell by’ and ‘best before’ labels
6 months ago

California to ban ‘sell by’ and ‘best before’ labels

The Independent  

The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. The state is the first to ban food …

Is the food in the fridge still good? California wants to end the guessing game
6 months ago

Is the food in the fridge still good? California wants to end the guessing game

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy California wants to help end …

The difference between best-before and use-by dates, and how rigid are they?
6 months, 1 week ago

The difference between best-before and use-by dates, and how rigid are they?

ABC  

When you glance at the date stamp on your food, do you pay attention to whether it says "best before" or "use by"? But Food Standards Australia New Zealand research shows 22 per cent of us misunderstand best-before dates, and 33 per cent misunderstand use-by dates. "Foods labelled with a use-by date should not be consumed and can't legally be …

TRUTH in Labeling Act would heighten the warning for shoppers
6 months, 2 weeks ago

TRUTH in Labeling Act would heighten the warning for shoppers

Salon  

With rising rates of obesity in the U.S. and increasing attention being paid to the health harms of processed foods, it's clear that far more could be done to help consumers make healthy food choices. If passed, it would require U.S. food manufacturers to add a second nutrition label to the front of product packages, in addition to the ones …

Scrap expiry dates – and say hello to the revolutionary smart food packaging of the future
9 months, 4 weeks ago

Scrap expiry dates – and say hello to the revolutionary smart food packaging of the future

The Independent  

Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about …

Food expiration dates don’t have much science behind them — a food safety researcher explains
1 year, 8 months ago

Food expiration dates don’t have much science behind them — a food safety researcher explains

Salon  

Humans get sick with listeria infections, or listeriosis, from eating soil-contaminated food, undercooked meat or dairy products that are raw or unpasteurized. For example, a food producer may survey consumers in a focus group to pick a "use by" date that is six months after the product was produced because 60% of the focus group no longer liked the taste. …

Opinion: Is your fridge filled with ‘expired’ food? Here’s why you shouldn’t throw it away
1 year, 10 months ago

Opinion: Is your fridge filled with ‘expired’ food? Here’s why you shouldn’t throw it away

LA Times  

If on digging through your fridge you find food stamped with a phrase such as “Enjoy by,” “Best before,” “Expires on” or “Sell by” followed by a date that has passed, you might think it’s time to throw it away. Assembly Bill 660 would require food sold in California to use one of only two types of standardized labels: “BEST …

What exactly are "best by" dates — and how do they contribute to food waste?
2 years, 5 months ago

What exactly are "best by" dates — and how do they contribute to food waste?

Salon  

Whether you're a strict follower of best by/use by/expiration dates or you merely shrug off any printed numbers and instead rely on your own senses of sight and smell, there is something undoubtedly suspect about the entire process. A 2021 Food Date Labeling Act notes that safety issues come under "use by," while food quality issues go by "best if …

Keep it or toss it? ‘Best Before’ labels cause confusion
2 years, 5 months ago

Keep it or toss it? ‘Best Before’ labels cause confusion

Associated Press  

As awareness grows around the world about the problem of food waste, one culprit in particular is drawing scrutiny: “best before” labels. Unlike “use by” labels, which are found on perishable foods like meat and dairy, “best before” labels have nothing to do with safety and may encourage consumers to throw away food that’s perfectly fine to eat. To tackle …

Sainsbury’s to remove ‘use by’ dates from own-brand yoghurts to cut waste
2 years, 7 months ago

Sainsbury’s to remove ‘use by’ dates from own-brand yoghurts to cut waste

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Sainsbury’s is to remove ‘use …

How removing expiry date labels from food products could prevent huge waste
2 years, 7 months ago

How removing expiry date labels from food products could prevent huge waste

Hindustan Times  

Before ending up on a European supermarket shelf, an avocado has effectively emitted 1.3 kilograms of carbon into the atmosphere. This has prompted Waitrose to join a growing number of food retailers in removing date labelling, such as the “use-by” or “best-before” date, from some fresh food items in an attempt to reduce household food waste. Almost 60% of western …

What is the difference between ‘use by’ and ‘best before’ dates?
2 years, 8 months ago

What is the difference between ‘use by’ and ‘best before’ dates?

The Independent  

Sign up to IndyEat's free newsletter for weekly recipes, foodie features and cookbook releases Get our food and drink newsletter for free Get our food and drink newsletter for free SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Supermarkets are ramping up efforts to reduce food waste in …

M&S removes ‘best before’ dates from fruit and vegetables to reduce food waste
2 years, 8 months ago

M&S removes ‘best before’ dates from fruit and vegetables to reduce food waste

The Independent  

Sign up to the Independent Climate email for the latest advice on saving the planet Get our free Climate email Get our free Climate email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. According to WRAP’s guidance on “best before dates”, published in April 2020, many food items that are past they’re …

M&S removes ‘best before’ dates from fruit and vegetables to tackle food waste
2 years, 8 months ago

M&S removes ‘best before’ dates from fruit and vegetables to tackle food waste

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Marks & Spencer is to …

Co-op to scrap use-by dates on own-brand yogurts
2 years, 11 months ago

Co-op to scrap use-by dates on own-brand yogurts

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. The acidity of yogurt acts as a natural defence …

Sell fresh uncut produce loose and without best before dates, food waste charity says
3 years, 1 month ago

Sell fresh uncut produce loose and without best before dates, food waste charity says

The Independent  

Sign up to IndyEat's free newsletter for weekly recipes, foodie features and cookbook releases Get our food and drink newsletter for free Get our food and drink newsletter for free SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy UK retailers should sell fresh uncut fruit and vegetables without …

Sell fresh uncut produce loose and without best before dates, report recommends
3 years, 1 month ago

Sell fresh uncut produce loose and without best before dates, report recommends

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy UK retailers should sell fresh …

20 pledges for 2020: How labelling and storing your food can help to avoid coronavirus panic buying
5 years ago

20 pledges for 2020: How labelling and storing your food can help to avoid coronavirus panic buying

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. WRAP says that keeping our refrigerators at the proper …

To Reduce Food Waste, FDA Urges 'Best If Used By' Date Labels
5 years, 10 months ago

To Reduce Food Waste, FDA Urges 'Best If Used By' Date Labels

NPR  

To Reduce Food Waste, FDA Urges 'Best If Used By' Date Labels Enlarge this image toggle caption zoranm/Getty Images zoranm/Getty Images The Food and Drug Administration sent a letter to the food industry on Thursday, urging companies to get behind the initiative to standardize the use of the phrase "best if used by" on packaged food labels. Yiannas says confusion …

Tesco REMOVES 'confusing' best before date labels from fruit and veg
6 years, 10 months ago

Tesco REMOVES 'confusing' best before date labels from fruit and veg

Daily Mail  

Tesco has become the first major supermarket to remove 'confusing' best before date labels from fruit and vegetable products to help reduce food waste. Tesco has revealed it will remove 'best before' guidance dates from 70 fruit and vegetable products to try and help people reduce food waste The decision follows a recent campaign by the National Federation of Women's …

Food labels: How to read and decipher the fine print
7 years, 8 months ago

Food labels: How to read and decipher the fine print

ABC  

Food labels are the only thing we have to tell us what we're actually buying in those shiny, colourful and well-marketed processed food packets. Nutritional panel Percentage labelling General identifying information Allergy and intolerance information Date marking Ingredients list Weights and measures information Additives Directions for use and storage Legibility requirements Country of origin Nutrition and health claims They also …

For Food Manufacturers, 'Sell By' Labels May Have Reached Their Expiration Date
8 years, 1 month ago

For Food Manufacturers, 'Sell By' Labels May Have Reached Their Expiration Date

NPR  

For Food Manufacturers, 'Sell By' Labels May Have Reached Their Expiration Date Enlarge this image toggle caption Ryan Eskalis/NPR Ryan Eskalis/NPR Two of the most influential groups in the food industry are asking companies to change those pesky "expiration" or "sell by" labels on packaged food. Sponsor Message Enlarge this image toggle caption Ryan Eskalis/NPR Ryan Eskalis/NPR The Grocery Manufacturers …

Food safety expert explains when we should pay LESS attention to sell-by dates
8 years, 6 months ago

Food safety expert explains when we should pay LESS attention to sell-by dates

Daily Mail  

Most of us rigorously check the sell by dates on foods before we place them into our trolleys at the supermarket. Londa Nwadike, a food safety expert at the University of Missouri, says even the best dates are just guidelines - and it's important to use your common sense. Out of a mistaken concern for food safety, 91 per cent …

Al Capone’s Brother May Have Invented Date Labels For Milk
8 years, 7 months ago

Al Capone’s Brother May Have Invented Date Labels For Milk

Huff Post  

Keystone via Getty Images Mobsters aren’t often associated with food safety ― or safety of any kind, really. She said her grandfather’s efforts to put date labels on milk earned him the nickname “Bottles.” “My grandfather went to Springfield, Illinois, totally on his own and he lobbied the milk industry to start putting the date that they bottled the milk …

Another Thing Millennials Say They Understand But Totally Don’t
8 years, 8 months ago

Another Thing Millennials Say They Understand But Totally Don’t

Huff Post  

Thomas Barwick via Getty Images Kids these days. People under 30 say they understand the country’s confusing food date labeling system, but many of them don’t correctly follow the guidance those labels are supposed to offer, according to a new HuffPost/YouGov poll. While people shouldn’t eat food that has gone bad, few of the date labels on foods indicate when …

How You Can Help America Waste Less Food
8 years, 8 months ago

How You Can Help America Waste Less Food

Huff Post  

There are no federal laws dictating how expiration dates should be set or marked on food products -- which basically leaves manufacturers and retailers to figure it out themselves. Experts say making the country’s perplexing date labeling system easier to understand could help prevent hundreds of thousands of tons of food from being wasted each year. Congresswoman Chellie Pingree explains …

You’re Probably Throwing Away ‘Expired’ Food That’s Totally Fine To Eat
8 years, 8 months ago

You’re Probably Throwing Away ‘Expired’ Food That’s Totally Fine To Eat

Huff Post  

The date on your carton of milk may be less helpful than you think. Nearly 20 percent of food waste in people’s homes is caused by the confusing date labeling system, according to Niki Charalampopoulou, managing director of Feedback. Proponents of clearer date labels say they’re a much needed mend to a food system that churns out gobs of waste. …

Column: The date on the milk carton says it’s expired, but is it?
8 years, 10 months ago

Column: The date on the milk carton says it’s expired, but is it?

LA Times  

Think how many times you’ve checked a carton of milk or wedge of cheese in your fridge and saw that it had passed the date on the package. “Most people think expiration dates tell you when food is spoiled or unsafe,” said Dana Gunders, a senior scientist at the Natural Resources Defense Council. “There’s no good reason for not fixing …

Expiration Dates For 23 Types Of Food
12 years, 2 months ago

Expiration Dates For 23 Types Of Food

Huff Post  

We've all had our moments of incredulity regarding expiration dates. But this haphazard method of determining how safe our food products are to eat could have dangerous side effects, or, at the very least, the occasional upset stomach. According to The Boston Globe, a whole lot of Americans believe that consuming foods after their expiration date is unsafe -- three …

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