USDA Issues Guidelines on “Use By” Food Labels

ST. CLOUD -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture has released new guidelines on food labeling. It's a move to change the manufacturers' wording which has caused some consumers to throw out perfectly good food.

The USDA is recommending switching from "sell by" and "use by" dates to "best if used by".

Food Safety Extension Educator Suzanne Driessen says many consumers feel those labels refer to when spoilage occurs, but she says it's more about taste.

Driessen says the only "use by" dates that affect food safety are for infant formula and baby food. Otherwise, she says use your senses to determine if food is starting to spoil.

The USDA estimates that 30% of all food is thrown out uneaten. Their goal is to reduce food waste by 50% by the year 2030.