The EPA estimates one-third of food produced in USA is never eaten and food waste accounts for 24% of material sent to landfills. Food waste is the major contributor of methane from landfills.

There are a variety of food date labels used and it can be confusing when deciding “keep it or toss it?”

According to the Wall Street Journal, “The Harvard Food Law and Policy Clinic found 84% of consumers throw away food when it reaches a date printed on the label.”

In general, the following are food labeling definitions for packaged foods:

• Expiration Date: Indicates when a food product should no longer be consumed.
• Best if Used By/Before Date: Indicates when a product will be the best flavor or quality. It is not a purchase or safety date.
• Sell-By Date: Tells the store how long to display the product for sale for inventory management. It is not a safety date.
• Use-By Date: Recommends the last date to use a product while at peak quality. It is not a safety date except when used on infant formula.
• Freeze-By Date: Indicates when a product should be frozen to maintain peak quality. It is not a purchase or safety date.

Read Expiration Dates are Meaningless at the Center for Health law & Policy Innovation website.