Bill > H2205

This bill aims to standardize the date labeling of food products in Massachusetts. It introduces two types of date labels - a "quality date" that indicates when the quality of the product may begin to deteriorate, and a "safety date" that indicates the end of the product's estimated shelf life after which it may pose a health risk. The bill requires the Massachusetts Commissioner of Public Health to establish guidelines for determining these dates and mandates that food labelers use the uniform phrases "best if used by" for quality dates and "expires on" for safety dates. The bill also prohibits restrictions on the sale or donation of food after the quality date has passed, unless there are safety-based reasons. This is intended to reduce food waste by standardizing date labeling and clarifying the meaning of these dates for consumers.

Health and Social Services

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/193/H2205