‘Sell By’ Dates Will Be Changed To Stop People From Wasting Food

The Grocery Manufacturers Association and the Food Marketing Institute has announced they will be making some big changes to date labels on packages. 

According to the GMA, more and more people are confused by the dates labeled on food products. Currently there are more than 10 different date labels on packages including Sell By, Expires On, Best Before, etc.

The new initiative will use only two standard phrases: BEST if used by describes product quality, where the product may not taste or perform as expected but is safe to use or consume. USE by applies to the products that are highly perishable or have a food safety concern over time and should be consumed by the date listed on the package.

Retailers and manufacturers are encouraged to begin with this phrasing by summer of 2018. The change is in hopes people will stop wasting food. I think this is a wonderful idea as my family looks just for the date on products. Let me know in the comments below what you think of the change.