Food Date Labeling Act of 2025

This act sets one clear, national way to show date labels on food, when companies choose to use them. It creates two kinds of labels: a quality date for best taste and a discard date for safety. If used, the label must say “BEST If Used By” for quality or “USE By” for discard, with the calendar date shown in a clear format; short forms (“BB” or “UB”) are allowed on very small packages . Labels must be easy to read and placed where shoppers can see them. Companies may add “or freeze by,” and may use QR codes, smart labels, or similar tech alongside or instead of printed phrases . Using these labels is voluntary; the rule only applies if a company chooses to put these dates on the package.

The act tells federal agencies to teach consumers what these phrases mean and to write detailed rules within two years. It applies to food labels made two years after the law is passed. It does not cover infant formula. States cannot require different wording or ban sales or donations just because a quality date has passed, but they may ban sale or donation after a discard date. If a label uses these dates but breaks the rules, it can be treated as a misbranding violation under federal food, meat, poultry, and egg laws .

• Who is affected: Food makers and sellers; shoppers who read date labels.
• What changes: Standard phrases and date formats; clear placement; option to add “or freeze by” and to use QR/smart labels; consumer education; enforcement for noncompliance .
• When: Agencies issue education and rules within 2 years; the new labeling rules apply to food labeled 2 years after the law is enacted .