WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Senator Rick Scott announced the introduction of the bipartisan Food Date Labeling Act, legislation aimed at eliminating confusion around food expiration labels and reducing food waste nationwide. The bill would establish two clear, standardized labels: “Best If Used By” for quality and “Use By” for safety, in an effort to help American families avoid unnecessary food disposal, save consumers money, boost food donation efforts, and reduce environmental harm caused by food waste.

Senator Rick Scott said, “Families across the country are working hard to take care of their families, make good decisions, and put food on the table. The last thing they need to deal with are confusing food date labels that are leading to perfectly good food being thrown away, wasting money and resources. This bipartisan bill offers a clear, straightforward solution to help consumers make smarter choices, reduce food waste, and support food donation efforts. I’m proud to work with my bipartisan colleagues to make our food system more transparent, efficient, and affordable for every American family.”

Senator Richard Blumenthal said, “Current food date labeling practices are arbitrary and outdated—all too often leaving consumers confused about when products are safe to eat and encouraging them to throw away perfectly good food. Our commonsense legislation brings clarity to consumers by standardizing the food labeling system. With rising food prices, the Food Date Labeling Act will help shoppers save money and help our nation reduce unnecessary food waste.”

Congresswoman Chellie Pingree said, “Each year, 90% of Americans throw out perfectly safe food simply because the date labels were confusing. With food prices on the rise, that kind of waste can take a significant toll on a family’s finances. The broader impacts, on both the environment and the economy, are massive. That’s what makes this bill such a game-changer: By making food labels less confusing and standardizing how companies determine certain dates, we can dramatically reduce food waste—while saving families money and keeping perfectly good food out of landfills.”

Congressman Dan Newhouse said, “Every year, an estimated 40 percent of the food production in the U.S. goes to waste, with inconsistencies in food labeling as a driving factor. This legislation reforms food labeling practices, saves consumers money, and ensures we make the most of out the high-quality products we enjoy every day.”

Renee Albrecht, representative of the Zero Food Waste Coalition, said, “Confusing date labels drive up food waste and grocery bills for American families. With around 50 different terms in use, it’s no wonder people end up tossing perfectly good food. The bipartisan Food Date Labeling Act cuts through that confusion with clear, standardized labels – saving consumers money and keeping more food out of landfills. We’re grateful to Representatives Pingree and Newhouse and Senators Blumenthal and Scott for championing this commonsense fix that’s good for wallets and waste reduction.” 

Dana Gunders, president, ReFED, said, “Today, people are throwing perfectly good food away because they misunderstand food date labels. Eliminating this confusion will save consumers and businesses money. It's a win-win and we're thrilled to see more bipartisan and industry support for this policy than ever before.”

Pete Pearson, vice president food - Food Loss and Waste, World Wildlife Fund, said, “In the US, it’s estimated that 30-40 percent of our food supply is lost or wasted. When we waste food, we waste all the underlying inputs used to produce it, including land, water, and energy resources. In this context, preventing food waste represents a critical act of conservation. The Food Date Labeling Act along with nationwide consumer education will heighten awareness on food waste and help us all adjust behaviors at home. This is a win-win for consumers’ wallets and the environment.” 

Susanne Lee, faculty fellow, Sen. George J. Mitchell Center for Sustainability Solutions, University of Maine, said, “Our wasted food research at UMaine's Senator George J. Mitchell Center for Sustainability Solutions clearly supports national data showing that the vast majority of consumers - estimated at over 80% - are confused by food date labels leading them to throw out perfectly good and edible food. In Maine, confusing food date labeling results in approximately 10% of all wasted food or approximately 36,000 tons annually. This needless waste of good, edible food is especially concerning at a time when Feeding America data shows 1 in 5 children in Maine go hungry. In addition, this waste squanders Maine's precious resources - fresh water, energy, soil and labor - which are used to produce food that is ultimately thrown away. We thank Congresswoman Pingree for her perseverance and hard work to end this date label confusion and the estimated $7 billion in food wasted nationally each year. We also appreciate the bi-partisan action behind this legislation to end this waste of our valuable food resource.”

Greg Williams, director of public policy & affairs, Agri-Cycle, said, “As a Maine-based food waste hauler focused on climate solutions, we see firsthand how unclear date labels cause confusion for consumers and businesses alike — contributing to 4.25 million tons of surplus food every year, much of which ends up in landfills or incinerators. Standardizing date labeling through the Food Date Labeling Act is a commonsense, bipartisan step that could reduce 2.23 million metric tons of CO2e annually, according to ReFED. We’re proud to support this initiative and grateful for Congresswoman Pingree’s leadership in driving climate-smart food policy that supports Maine’s economy and the environment.”

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