Experts warn that discarding food after the expiration date can be unnecessary and wasteful.

A growing concern regarding food waste in the United States has surfaced as consumers frequently dispose of products based on date labels without understanding their implications. Research indicates that many Americans discard items like milk or yogurt simply because the specified date on packaging has elapsed, despite the fact that these items may still be perfectly safe to consume.

The lack of federal regulations governing date labels—apart from baby formula—aggravates this issue, leaving consumers perplexed by terms such as “Best Before,” “Best By,” “Best If Used By,” “Enjoy By,” and “Sell By.” These labels generally indicate freshness rather than food safety, leading to missed opportunities to reduce waste.

In an effort to address this confusion, California has implemented legislation requiring food manufacturers to limit date labels to two specific terms: “Best If Used By” for indicating peak quality and “Use By” for denoting safety. This initiative signifies the first attempt by any U.S. state to standardize food labeling, aiming to assist consumers in making informed decisions while shopping.

Statistics reveal that over 80% of consumers dispose of food that approaches the date label. A study by the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health highlights the impact of misleading labeling, with experts clarifying that these dates primarily reflect quality rather than safety. According to food safety specialist Donald Schaffner, the labels are determined by manufacturers based on expectations of when a product will taste its best.

Moreover, research by the University of Maryland shows that there are over 50 different date labels in use across the country. These diverse labels contribute to consumer confusion regarding how long food items remain edible. Food scientist Rachel Zemser reinforces the idea that products like canned goods and shelf-stable items can often remain safe to consume long past their labeled dates, emphasizing the importance of using sensory evaluation—such as smell and taste—before discarding items.

Safety concerns largely relate to perishable goods such as meat, poultry, and fish. These should be stored correctly to extend their shelf life, with extra care necessary to avoid potential spoilage. As part of an educational effort, the FoodKeeper app, developed by the USDA, Cornell University, and the Food Marketing Institute, empowers consumers to identify the freshness of various food products.

Meanwhile, New York State is considering similar measures to standardize food date labels, reflecting a growing movement to enhance consumer understanding and curb waste across the nation. With only infant formula mandated to carry expiration dates, individuals are encouraged to exercise their judgment when determining food safety, relying on visual and olfactory cues to assess quality.

With heightened awareness and clear guidance, consumers can learn to reduce unnecessary food waste while advocating for more transparent labeling practices across the industry.