Bill > SB546

This bill establishes new requirements for food and milk product labeling in Maryland, aiming to clarify the meaning of date labels for consumers. Beginning July 1, 2027, manufacturers, processors, and retailers will be prohibited from selling food items manufactured on or after that date with the phrase "sell by" on their labels; instead, they must use specific terms to indicate either a "quality date," meaning the food's quality may decline but it's still safe to eat, using phrases like "best if used by" or "best if used or frozen by" (or "BB" for small items), or a "safety date," indicating when the food should be consumed or frozen, using phrases like "use by" or "use by or freeze by" (or "UB" for small items). Similar labeling requirements will apply to Grade A milk products, with the same date terminology and prohibitions on "sell by" dates, though exceptions exist for certain milk products sold directly to consumers or in bulk shipments. The bill also mandates that the Maryland Department of Health, by July 1, 2027, create and post on its website educational materials explaining the meaning of these quality and safety dates to inform the public, and the department will adopt regulations to implement these changes.

Budget and Finance

https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/SB0546?ys=2026RS