“Best By,” Not “Bad After”: Why Food Date Labels Deserve Greater Attention 

IFIC has a long-standing history of conducting consumer research on nutrition and food safety, including Americans’ use of food labels to advance public health and inform regulatory efforts. The IFIC Spotlight Survey, Americans’ Perceptions Of Food Date Labeling, continues that tradition. The survey was conducted in response to a joint Request for Information (RFI) from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The agencies seek to understand consumer perceptions of date labeling and its potential impact on food waste. 

Food Date Labeling & Food Waste Implications 

Food waste is a significant and growing issue in the U.S. At the same time, food prices continue to outpace overall inflation, placing additional strain on Americans—particularly those with limited resources. Currently, 8.4% of U.S. households report low food security and 5.1% report very low food security. That’s nearly 47.4 million people, including over 12 million older adults, without reliable access to food. 

In 2019, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reported that 66 million tons of food were wasted, making it the largest category of material in municipal landfills. Importantly, much of that discarded food was still safe to eat. According to the USDA, misunderstanding food date labels contributes to an estimated 20% of household food waste. 

In short, improving consumer understanding of food date labels can: 

These outcomes are not just meaningful—they are urgently needed.  

Consumers Read Food Date Labels As Safety Versus Quality Indicators 

At the heart of this issue is a critical, often overlooked distinction: the difference between food quality and food safety. Understanding that nuance could be the key to reducing waste and maximizing access to safe, nutritious food.  While food is perishable and may lose freshness over time, that does not necessarily mean it’s unsafe to eat. 

Food date labels are intended to signal when food quality may begin to decline—not when it becomes harmful to consume. Yet, according to the latest IFIC Spotlight Survey, only 48% of Americans correctly interpreted terms like “Best by,” “Best if used by,” and “Use by” as referring to quality. Nearly a third (29%) believed these labels signaled potential safety risks, and 17% believed the date indicated when food must be discarded. 

As is often the case, belief influences behavior. Just over half (54%) evaluate food that has surpassed its “Best if used by” date before tossing it. But, notably, more than one in three Americans (36%) reported discarding food without assessing it once the “Best if used by” date has passed. 

Generational patterns emerged as well. Adults aged 18–45 years were more likely to treat date labels as expiration deadlines, while those 65+years were more likely to evaluate the food before discarding it—possibly due to greater food handling experience and/or a stronger focus on thrift. 

Label Clarity Builds Consumer Confidence & Trust  

Confusion isn’t the only issue—there’s also a lack of trust. Nearly one in five (19%) Americans reported low or no confidence in the accuracy of date labels, and just 29% expressed high confidence. 

This signals a broader crisis in label credibility. In nutrition communication, consistency and clarity are key—and standardized labeling could not only improve consumer understanding and reduce waste, but also build trust. 

In our survey, Americans weighed in on the food date labeling approach they would most like to see across all packaged food and beverage products. Of the options provided, the greatest proportion of respondents favored “Best if used by” (21%), followed by “Use or discard by” (16%), “Expires by” (15%), “Best quality if used by” (14%), and “Discard by” (11%).  

Knowledge Is Power (And Savings) 

For two decades, the IFIC Food & Health Survey has shown that price consistently ranks just behind taste as a top driver of food choices. With food costs remaining high, helping consumers better understand date labels can be a practical strategy to stretch grocery budgets and cut down on avoidable food waste. 

While food waste affects all households, its impact may be greatest for those with limited financial resources—where every dollar and every bite counts. Improving label literacy benefits everyone, but especially those facing food and nutrition insecurity. 

A Clear Path Forward Includes Education 

As the FDA and USDA weigh consumer input, one thing is clear: once a standardized label term is adopted, it must be accompanied by education. Helping Americans understand the difference between quality and safety, and encouraging them to assess food before discarding it, could go a long way in reducing waste and promoting food and nutrition security in America. 

Read IFIC’s comments to FSIS and FDA here.