FDA: Most Date Labels Are Not Based on Exact Science
According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Americans (including consumers and the food industry itself) throw out $161 billion worth of food every year. Part of the problem, says the agency, is confusion over the meaning of dates on packaged foods.
To alleviate the confusion, FDA has announced they are supporting a food industry effort to standardize the use of the term “Best if Used By” on its packaged-food labeling if the date is simply related to optimal quality — not safety. Studies how that “Best if Used By” conveys to consumers that the product does not have to be discarded after the date displayed on the package--if the product is stored and kept properly.