Citing the need to help curb food loss and waste, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has announced new guidance that encourages food manufacturers and retailers to use the phrase “Best if Used by” on date labeling. Infant formula is the only product currently subject to mandatory date labeling under federal law. Date labeling for other food and beverage products is voluntary, and the variety of “Sell by” and “Use by” phrasing used to describe quality dates has apparently led to the early disposal of products that are still safe to consume. See FSIS News Release, December 14, 2016.

 

Issue 626

About The Author

For decades, manufacturers, distributors and retailers at every link in the food chain have come to Shook, Hardy & Bacon to partner with a legal team that understands the issues they face in today's evolving food production industry. Shook attorneys work with some of the world's largest food, beverage and agribusiness companies to establish preventative measures, conduct internal audits, develop public relations strategies, and advance tort reform initiatives.

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