With 40 percent of all food in the U.S. ending up in the trash lawmakers hope simplifying expiration dates could help consumers understand their food’s true age Legislation filed last week in both the Senate and House would set up nationwide standards for food expiration-date labeling Most foods are labeled with dates saying when the food should “sell by,” or tell you “best if used by,” “best before” and “expires by." The difference between the dates and when the food is actually unsafe to eat could range from days to years, it usually refers to when the food is at its best quality
