Food Date Labeling Act of 2023

The Food Date Labeling Act of 2023 standardizes the language used on food labels for "quality dates" (indicating when food quality may decline) and "discard dates" (indicating when food should no longer be consumed). If a manufacturer includes a quality date, it must be preceded by "BEST If Used By" (or "BB" for small labels); discard dates must use "USE By" (or "UB" for small labels). The law requires these labels to be clear, conspicuous, and placed on packaging, while allowing manufacturers to decide whether to include dates on specific products. It excludes infant formula from the requirements and mandates USDA and HHS to provide consumer education about the labels within one year of enactment.