The Bipartisan Food Recovery Caucus has re-introduced the Food Date Labeling Act sponsored by Rep. Chellie Pingree (D-ME) and Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA) in the House and by Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) in the Senate.

The objective of the legislation is to standardize and clarify food date labels with the intent of reducing food waste.  It is estimated that in the U.S. 500,000 tons of food waste enters landfills each year with a high proportion still edible but discarded close to or exceeding a specified “Use By” date.

The United States Public Interest Research Group is supporting the bill, noting that “Consumers want and deserve accurate and useful information about the food they purchase.”