Do you throw your food away based on "best before" dates? 🥫⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ The labels are drawing scrutiny as food waste awareness grows around the world.⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ Date labels were adopted by manufacturers in the 1970s to answer consumers’ concerns about product freshness. But there are no federal rules governing them, and manufacturers are allowed to determine when they believe their products will taste best.⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ Since 2019, the FDA has recommended they use the labels “best if used by” for freshness and “use by” for perishable goods. But the effort is voluntary, and the language on labels continues to vary widely, from “sell by” to “enjoy by” to “freshest before.”⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ A survey released in June by researchers at the University of Maryland found at least 50 different date labels used on U.S. grocery shelves and widespread confusion among customers.⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ To tackle the problem, major U.K. chains like Waitrose, Sainsbury’s and Marks & Spencer recently removed “best before” labels from prepackaged fruit and vegetables.⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ Read more at the link in bio.