Senate bill · S. 2541 (119th Congress)
Food Date Labeling Act of 2025
U.S. Senate
Sponsor: Richard Blumenthal (U.S. Senator for Connecticut, Democratic)
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From Congress.gov and official rosters. This record was last updated Sep 8, 2026. About our data
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.
- Introduced
- In committee
- Up for a vote
- Passed one chamber
- Passed
- Enacted
Committee
Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions · U.S. Senate
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Cosponsors
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Read on Congress.gov (opens in a new tab)- Democratic4
- Republican1
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Related bills
As identified by Congress.gov.
Full history
- Mar 9, 2026
Introduced
Introduced in U.S. Senate
U.S. Senate
- Jul 30, 2025
Introduced
Introduced in Senate
U.S. Senate
- Jul 30, 2025
In committee
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
U.S. Senate
- Jul 30, 2025
Referred to committee
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
- Jul 30, 2025
Referred to committee
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
Read the record
- Read on Congress.gov (opens in a new tab) The official record on Congress.gov.