The FDA sent out a letter aimed at the food industry with a focus on preventing food waste by encouraging the use of "best if used by" dates, instead of "expiration" dates.

They also wanted to let the public know that much of the current labeling is misleading and most foods can still be safely consumed after the "expiration" date even if taste quality has diminished. This effort falls in-line larger agenda by the FDA to significantly cut down on America’s food waste problem.

According to the letter, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA’s) Economic Research Service estimates that 30 percent of food is lost or wasted at the retail and consumer level. This means Americans are throwing out approximately 133 billion pounds of food worth $161 billion each year that doesn't have to go to waste.

 

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