Bill > HB410

This bill, effective October 1, 2026, aims to standardize food labeling by clarifying the meaning of date labels and establishing new requirements for food manufacturers, processors, and retailers. It defines "quality date" as a date indicating when food quality may decline but the food is still safe to eat, and "safety date" as a date by which perishable food should be consumed or frozen. The bill prohibits the use of the phrase "sell by" on food labels for items manufactured on or after July 1, 2028, and instead mandates the use of "best if used by" for quality dates and "use by" for safety dates, with abbreviations allowed for small packages. It also requires the Maryland Department of Health to develop and post educational materials about these date labels by July 1, 2028, in collaboration with the University of Maryland Extension and food donation organizations, and to adopt regulations to implement these changes, while excluding infant formula, beer, malt beverages, and dietary supplements from these specific labeling requirements.