SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC News) — New York lawmakers have passed legislation aimed at reducing food waste and consumer confusion by eliminating certain “sell by” expiration date labels on food products. The measure now heads to Gov. Kathy Hochul, whose signature is required before it can become law.
The bill would standardize food date labeling by phasing out “sell by” dates on certain products and replacing confusing terminology with clearer labels intended to help consumers better understand food freshness and safety.
What’s the real difference between “best if used by,” “sell by,” “best by,” or even “enjoy by” dates on the food you buy at the grocery store?
Well, many people in Syracuse aren’t exactly sure.
Syracuse resident Dan Umstead says confusion over those labels often leads people to throw away food that may still be safe to eat.
“I know people that if they see the date and it’s just up to the date, they automatically assume, ‘Oh, if I wait till tomorrow, I’m going to get sick,'” Umstead said.
If you buy something on or before its “sell by” date, you should still have time to eat it. But for some shoppers, those labels can be enough to make them think twice.
“There are times when I’ll go into a store and the ‘sell by’ date is actually past. So I’ll let the store know that apparently the stuff is still good, but I just feel uncomfortable if I’m getting something beyond that date,” Umstead said.
Supporters of the legislation say that discomfort highlights a larger problem. They argue the current labeling system can be misleading, causing consumers and retailers to discard food unnecessarily.
Scott Pearson is the manager of Syracuse Cooperative Market in Westcott, and said businesses often throw away products once a date has passed, regardless of whether the food is still usable.
“A lot of bigger stores and companies and things like that will just toss stuff that’s gone out of date,” Pearson said.
Food waste advocates say that can have consequences beyond grocery store shelves. Food that could otherwise be donated or consumed often ends up in landfills, where it can contribute to environmental problems.
Pearson says his organization works to keep usable food out of the waste stream whenever possible.
“I feel like anyone should be bummed out by the idea of food getting wasted. There’s a lot of people who need food. Which is why, you know, anything that goes past date on our shelves that we can’t sell anymore, we donate to a local food bank,” Pearson said.
If signed by Hochul, the legislation would bring New York in line with efforts across the country to simplify food date labeling and reduce avoidable food waste.
At the end of the day, many agree the best solution may be a simpler, more consistent labeling system.
Johnathan Carlson, a customer at the Syracuse Cooperative Market, believes consumers would benefit from fewer date-labeling terms.
“If manufacturers are required to use date labels, it’d be better to have just one standard label, like ‘best if used by,'” Carlson said.
The bill now awaits action from Hochul. If signed into law, supporters say the change could help consumers make more informed decisions about the food they buy while reducing waste across the state.
VIDEO TRANSCRIPT: New York lawmakers approve bill to simplify food date labels, minimize waste
Evan Harrington: New York lawmakers are looking to change expiration labels on food products.
Simon Johnstone: Our reporter Augie Walters is live at the Syracuse Cooperative Market with more. Augie?
Augie Walters: Thats right guys, we always see in the grocery store food labels on the products that we are purchasing whether it’s milk or whether it’s meat. But what we are learning is that there is actually confusion about those food labels. Here in the state of New York and specifically in Westcott behind me, the confusion is leading to perfectly good food being put to waste. What’s the real difference between “best if used by,” “sell by,” “best by,” or even “enjoy by” dates on the food you buy at the grocery store? Well, many people in Syracuse aren’t exactly sure.
Dan Umstead: I know people that if they see the date and it’s just up to the date, they automatically assume, oh, if I wait till tomorrow, I’m going to get sick.
Walters: If you buy something on or before its “sell by” date, you should still have time to eat it. But for some shoppers, those labels can be enough to make them think twice.
Umstead: There are times when I’ll go into a store and the sell by date is actually past. So I’ll let the store know that apparently the stuff is still good, but I just feel uncomfortable if I’m getting something beyond that date.
Walters: The problem is simple: the current labeling system can be confusing. And that confusion is contributing to a significant amount of food waste.
Scott Pearson: A lot of bigger stores and companies and things like that will just toss stuff that’s gone out of date.
Walters: That means food that could still help feed people often ends up in the trash. And when it’s disposed of improperly, it can also have a negative impact on the environment.
Pearson: I feel like anyone should be bummed out by the idea of food getting wasted. There’s a lot of people who need food. Which is why, you know, anything that goes past date on our shelves that we can’t sell anymore, we donate to a local food bank.
Walters: At the end of the day, many agree the best solution may be a simpler, more consistent labeling system.
Johnathan Carlson: If manufacturers are required to use date labels, it’d be better to have just one standard label, like “best if used by”.
Walters: If Governor Kathy Hochul decides to sign the bill that has been proposed, New York will become the second state, along with California, to eliminate all “sell by” expiration date labels, and replace them with “best by” or “best used by” ones instead. Guys?