bake - April 2017 - 14

USE BY, BEST BY
food safety

EXPIRES ON

BETTER IF USED BY

BEST BEFORE
Code Uniformity

In a new industry-wide effort to reduce consumer confusion

common wording, with widespread adoption urged by the

about product date labels, food manufacturers and retailers

summer of 2018. Broad industry adoption of this new voluntary

have joined together to adopt standard wording on packaging

standard will occur over time so companies have ﬂexibility to

about the quality and safety of products. Food safety experts

make the changes in a way that ensures consistency across

praise efforts to achieve more accurate labeling.

their product categories. "Our product code dating initiative
is the latest example of how retailers and manufacturers are

"Food processing facilities, restaurants, and retailers, as well
as consumers, will beneﬁt from this change," says Jill Carte,
category manager of food safety at DayMark Safety Systems,
manufacturer of grab-and-go food labeling terminals that help
the foodservice industry quickly and efficiently produce labels.
"Food costs could potentially be driven down by more accurate
labeling, which will also reduce food waste."
Currently, more than 10 different date labels on packages, such
as Sell By, Use By, Expires On, Best Before, Better if Used By or
Best By - can result in confused consumers discarding a safe or
usable product after the date on the package.

"Clarifying and standardizing
date label language is one of the
most cost effective ways that we
can reduce the 40 percent of food
that goes to waste each year in
the United States."
Emily Broad Leib, director, Harvard Law School Food Law and Policy Clinic

A new voluntary initiative streamlines the myriad date labels
on consumer products packaging down to just two standard

stepping up to help consumers and to reduce food waste," says

phrases. "BEST If Used By" describes product quality, where

Pamela Bailey, GMA's president and chief executive officer.

the product may not taste or perform as expected but is safe
to use or consume. "USE By" applies to the few products that

Product date labeling changes may result in reduced consumer

are highly perishable and/or have a food safety concern over

food waste, but clearing up this confusion is just one of several

time; these products should be consumed by the date listed on

ways to combat the issue moving forward. Almost 80 percent

the package - and disposed of after that date.

of consumers look at expiration dates before purchasing baked
goods, according to research by Corbion.

The new initiative for common phrasing is led by the Food
Marketing Institute (FMI) and the Grocery Manufacturers

About 44 percent of food waste sent to landﬁlls comes from

Association (GMA), two major trade associations for retailers

consumers, and statistics show that addressing consumer

and consumer products manufacturing. Retailers and manu-

confusion around product date labeling could reduce total

facturers are encouraged to immediately begin phasing in the

national food waste by 8 percent. 

14 < APR 2017 | bakemag.com
http://www.bakemag.com
bake - April 2017

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