Food Safety And Quality Labeling

The bill encourages each food manufacturer to affix a label indicating an elevated risk date on each product that poses a high level of risk to an individual who consumes the food product after the elevated risk date. On and after July 1, 2023, food that is offered for sale with such a label must:

• Display the elevated risk date preceded by the phrase "USE BY" unless the executive director of the department of public health and environment (department) promulgates rules establishing a different phrase; and
• Express the date by the first 3 letters of the month, followed by numerals designating the calendar day and year, or by the numerical calendar month followed by numerals designating the calendar day and year.

On and after July 1, 2023, if a food manufacturer or retail food facility includes a quality date on a food product, the quality date must be:

• Displayed preceded by the phrase "BEST IF USED BY" unless the executive director promulgates rules establishing a different phrase; and
• Expressed by the first 3 letters of the month followed by numerals designating the calendar day and year, or by the numerical calendar month followed by numerals designating the calendar day and year.

The bill requires the department to make publicly available on its website information indicating the distinction between elevated risk dates and quality dates on food labels.

The executive director may promulgate rules to implement the new labeling requirements.

(Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced.)