Senate bill would standardize food date labels to two federally defined phrases
In committeeS. 2541Latest action
Sponsor: Richard Blumenthal · Senator · CT
AIDecoded by AI · checked against the recordRead the official text
Official title: Food Date Labeling Act of 2025
119th Congress
Topics: Health care
Introduced:
Read the official bill on Congress.govIn plain words
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S 2541 would require food makers who print dates to use only "BEST If Used By" or "USE By," replacing today's inconsistent labels.
55-second read · 4 questions answered below
What does this do?
S 2541 establishes a national standard limiting food date labels to two phrases: "BEST If Used By," indicating the food remains safe but may decline in quality after that date, and "USE By," indicating the food should not be eaten after that date. Companies are not required to print any date, but if they do, they must use one of these two phrases. Infant formula is excluded and keeps its existing rules.
Who does it affect?
Food manufacturers and grocery stores must update their packaging within two years of the law passing. Everyday shoppers, and state governments whose own label regulations would be partially preempted, are also affected.
Why does it matter?
States would be barred from creating their own versions of the two label phrases and from prohibiting the sale of food solely because it has passed a "BEST If Used By" date, though they could still restrict sale or donation of food past a "USE By" date. The federal government would be required to run public education campaigns explaining the meaning of both phrases.
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Read the official bill on Congress.govMake the call
Where does it stand?
- IntroducedJul 30, 2025
- Senate committeeYou are here · Jul 30, 2025
- Senate vote
- House
- The president's desk
Right now: a Senate committee is reviewing it. If the House changes it, it goes back to the Senate before reaching the president.
Latest action: — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.