New York Food Label Law Could Eliminate 'Sell By' DatesNew York l

It's happened to all of us.

You're making dinner and start checking the dates on everything in the fridge. The chicken says "sell by" yesterday. The yogurt says "best if used by" last week. The milk says "use by" tomorrow.

So what's still good to eat, and what belongs in the trash?

If you're not sure, you're not alone. Many people aren't sure what those labels mean and New York lawmakers want to change that.

A New Food Label Law Could Be Coming

The New York State Legislature has approved a bill that would make food labels easier to understand.

If Governor Kathy Hochul signs it, food companies would use just two date labels:

Use By - The food may not be safe to eat after this date.
Best If Used By - The food may not taste as fresh, but it is usually still safe to eat.

The bill would also get rid of "sell by" labels on food packages. Lawmakers say "sell by" dates are meant for stores, not shoppers.

Why Is This Important?

Many people throw away food because they think the date means it has gone bad.

But that is not always true.

A "best if used by" date is about quality, not safety. The food may not taste quite as good, but it can often still be eaten.

Supporters of the bill say families throw away about $60 worth of food each week because of confusing labels. With clearer labels, lawmakers hope families will waste less food and save money at the grocery store.

Helping Families Save Money

Many shoppers assume every date on a package is an expiration date. In reality, some dates are only meant to indicate freshness, taste, or texture.

That confusion doesn't just impact family budgets.

It also means grocery stores and distributors may be less likely to donate food that is still safe to eat because of concerns about public perception. The hope is that more food can be donated to food banks instead of being thrown away.

Food banks say many foods are still safe to eat after a quality date has passed.

Helping the Environment

Food waste is also a problem for the environment. When food is thrown away and ends up in landfills, it creates gases that can harm the environment.

The Environmental Protection Agency says more than one-third of food in the United States is never eaten.

Supporters believe clearer labels could help reduce that waste.

What Happens Next?

The bill is now waiting for Governor Hochul's decision.

If she signs it, New York would become only the second state in the country to ban "sell by" labels for shoppers. The new rules would start six months after the governor signs the bill.