Food Date Labeling Act of 2025

Summary

Food Date Labeling Act of 2025 This bill establishes uniform requirements for quality and discard date phrases (e.g., best by and use by ) placed voluntarily on food labels. Specifically, if a food is labeled with a quality date (i.e., the date after which the quality of the item may deteriorate), the label must include the phrase BEST If Used By or the abbreviation BB . Similarly, if a food is labeled with a discard date (i.e., the date after which the item should not be consumed), the label must include the phrase USE By or the abbreviation UB . Abbreviations may be used only if an item’s packaging is too small to fit the full phrase. Quality and discard dates must be written in a single, easy-to-read font and placed in a prominent location on an item’s label or package. The phrase or freeze by may be added after a quality or discard date phrase where appropriate. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Department of Agriculture (USDA) must promulgate regulations to carry out these provisions and ensure that the uniform phrases are standardized across all food products. HHS and USDA may specify alternative quality and discard date phrases through regulations. The bill specifies that no state or local government may enforce a requirement related to quality and discard date phrases that differs from the requirements of the bill. The bill does not apply to infant formula, which is subject to separate labeling requirements under current law.

Summary from the Congressional Research Service. How we handle summaries

Where it stands

Assigned to a committee for review.

House Committee on Agriculture · U.S. House of Representatives

Also referred to House Committee on Energy and Commerce · U.S. House of Representatives.

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Cosponsors

Related bills

• S. 2541Food Date Labeling Act of 2025Identical bill

As identified by Congress.gov.

Full history

1. Jan 13, 2026

   In committee

   Referred to the Subcommittee on Nutrition and Foreign Agriculture.

   U.S. House

2. Jan 13, 2026

   Referred to committee

   Referred to the Subcommittee on Nutrition and Foreign Agriculture.

3. Jan 13, 2026

   Referred to committee

   Referred to the Subcommittee on Nutrition and Foreign Agriculture.

4. Jan 13, 2026

   Referred to committee

   Referred to the Subcommittee on Nutrition and Foreign Agriculture.

5. Oct 8, 2025

   Introduced

   Introduced in U.S. House

   U.S. House

Read the record

• Read on Congress.gov (opens in a new tab) The official record on Congress.gov.