Us Congress Senate Bill SB1484

Us Congress 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 5/9/23
• Refer: 5/9/23

Caption

Food Date Labeling Act of 2023

Impact

The bill's implications on state laws include preempting state or local requirements that are different or in addition to the established federal standards for food labeling. This means that no state can impose its own unique labeling requirements, enhancing consistency across food products at the national level. SB1484 is geared towards not only consumer clarity but also to support food donation programs by allowing for the sale or donation of food past a quality date, thereby minimizing food waste.

Summary

SB1484, titled the 'Food Date Labeling Act of 2023', aims to establish uniform requirements for quality dates and discard dates on food labels. This legislation intends to standardize how these dates are presented to consumers, with phrases such as 'BEST If Used By' for quality dates and 'USE By' for discard dates. By doing so, it hopes to reduce consumer confusion regarding food freshness and safety. The bill emphasizes the importance of clear labeling in helping consumers make informed decisions about food consumption.

Contention

While the bill seeks to establish clear labeling guidelines, there may be contention regarding the balance between federal and state regulations. Some stakeholders might express concerns about the loss of local authority to impose stricter food safety standards. Additionally, questions arise about how the bill's implementation will affect smaller food producers who may struggle to comply with the new standardization requirements, raising points about fairness and the potential impact on local businesses.