Podcast Summary
Rules around food expiration dates vary greatly: Different regions have distinct regulations on food expiration dates, leading to unnecessary food waste for grocery stores.
Food waste is a significant issue in the grocery industry, particularly for perishable items like red meat and milk that have expiration dates. For store owners like Corey Thompson, trying to sell these items before they expire can be a challenge, leading to food being thrown away or discarded. This phenomenon is known as shrink, and it's an inevitable part of running a grocery store. However, the rules and expectations around food expiration dates can vary greatly from place to place. For example, in Montana, the state requires milk to be sold within 12 days of pasteurization, which is half the industry standard. As a result, stores are forced to throw away fresh milk before it has a chance to be sold, adding to the overall food waste. This not only impacts store owners but also contributes to a larger issue of food waste and sustainability.
Sell-by dates on food labels are guidelines for optimal freshness, not hard expiration dates: 40% of food waste in the US occurs due to sell-by dates at the grocery store level, consumers should use their senses to determine food freshness
The sell-by dates on food labels, such as milk, are not hard expiration dates. Instead, they are guidelines for optimal freshness. In Montana, for instance, these dates are considered throw-away dates, and grocery stores cannot sell milk past its sell-by date. This practice leads to significant food waste, with 86% of consumers reportedly throwing away food based on these dates. Food manufacturers voluntarily add these dates, and they can be confusing for consumers. Food expert Emily Brodleb emphasizes that around 40% of food waste in the US occurs at the grocery store level due to these dates. Therefore, it's essential to understand that these dates do not necessarily mean the food is no longer safe to consume. Instead, consumers can use their senses and judgment to determine the freshness of their food.
Uncertainty around food expiration dates leads to confusion and food waste: Food expiration labels contribute to consumer confusion and unnecessary food waste due to inconsistent and arbitrary date requirements.
The complexity and confusion surrounding food expiration dates contributes significantly to food waste in the United States. With numerous phrases like Best Buy, Used By, Sell By, and Expires On, consumers are left uncertain about the meaning of these labels and may unnecessarily discard food based on misinterpretation. This issue arose as people started buying more food from grocery stores instead of farms, leading to a demand for clearer information about food's freshness and age. Initially, closed dating codes were used, which meant nothing to consumers, but by the 1970s, open dating became the norm. However, which foods received a date requirement was arbitrary, leading to inconsistency and continued confusion. Manufacturers, wanting to protect their brand and ensure consumers eat food at its best, have contributed to the proliferation of various expiration date labels. Ultimately, the inconsistency and confusion surrounding food expiration dates result in unnecessary food waste and added costs for consumers.
Food date labels and their regulations differ greatly: Trust your senses for most foods, but check dates for prepared, milk, cheese, raw fish, and in Montana for milk only due to specific regulations.
Food date labels and their regulations vary greatly from state to state, with some requiring strict adherence to dates and others having no requirements at all. This inconsistency suggests that these dates may not be primarily based on food safety. Emily, a food safety expert, advises that for most foods, using your senses to judge freshness is a reliable alternative. However, there are exceptions, such as prepared foods, milk, cheese, and raw fish, where dates should be checked. Montana, specifically, has a unique regulation called "milk control," which enforces a 12-day sell-by-date for milk. This rule, originally implemented in the 1980s, is based on milk freshness rather than safety. Despite advancements in pasteurization technology, the rule remains in place. In essence, food date labels are not always about safety, and consumers should trust their senses when possible.
Montana's Milk Sell-By Rule Benefits Local Dairies: Montana's 12-day milk sell-by rule drives demand for local milk, acts as a de facto subsidy, and shields the industry from out-of-state competition, resulting in 100% Montana-sourced milk.
Montana's milk sell-by date rule, which requires a 12-day window for selling milk within the state, has inadvertently created a significant advantage for local dairies and processors. This rule leads to increased demand for milk, benefiting the roughly 45-50 dairy farms in the state. Additionally, it acts as a sort-of subsidy, as out-of-state milk producers face logistical challenges in selling their milk in Montana due to the 12-day window. As a result, almost 100% of milk in Montana comes from Montana sources. This rule, which was not initially intended to be a subsidy, effectively shields the local industry from outside competition.
Montana's 12-day sell-by-date rule: Protecting farmers, increasing prices: Montana's 12-day sell-by-date rule protects local dairy farmers from oversupply but can lead to higher milk prices and limited competition due to transportation costs for out-of-state milk. Advancements in technology may make the rule obsolete.
The 12-day sell-by-date rule in Montana has both positive and negative effects on the dairy industry and consumers. On one hand, it protects local dairy farmers by ensuring they have a consistent buyer for their milk, preventing a potential oversupply situation. On the other hand, it can lead to higher milk prices due to limited competition and increased transportation costs for out-of-state milk. Additionally, the rule may no longer be necessary as advancements in technology allow milk to be stored and transported more efficiently, reducing the need for local processing. The rule also has historical significance, as it was once beneficial for both dairy manufacturers and grocery stores, allowing them to easily swap out expiring milk for fresh supplies. However, with the closure of local processing plants producing cottage cheeses, sour cream, and ice cream, the benefit of the rule has diminished. Ultimately, the impact of the 12-day sell-by-date rule on milk prices and availability depends on various economic factors and industry developments.
Montana's strict milk sell-by rule leads to food waste: Montana's 12-day sell-by rule for milk results in food waste and disposal of good milk. Clear labels like 'best if used by' and 'used by' could reduce confusion and waste.
Montana's 12-day sell-by rule for milk led to food waste and the disposal of perfectly good milk. Greg Hertz, a dairy farmer and state lawmaker in Montana, has been trying to change this rule since 2015. Despite his colleagues' support in other areas, they have not backed him on this issue due to their allegiance to the dairy farming industry. The rule prevents retailers from selling milk after 12 days, and even donating it was against state law. Hertz believes that grocery stores should not have to make a choice between breaking the law and wasting milk. The consensus among various stakeholders, including food experts and federal food agencies, is that using clear labels such as "best if used by" and "used by" would reduce confusion and food waste.
Understanding Expiration Dates: Preventing Food Waste: Being aware of 'best by' and 'used by' dates can help prevent food waste and ensure optimal freshness, while rescuing expiring items from grocery stores can reduce waste and benefit those in need.
Understanding expiration dates, whether it's for mayonnaise or milk, can help consumers make informed decisions about their food. In the discussed podcast, the speaker shared an experience of rescuing expiring milk from a grocery store, emphasizing the importance of selling or consuming such items before they go to waste. The podcast also touched upon the concept of "best by" and "used by" dates, explaining that while "best by" indicates optimal freshness, "used by" signifies the last day the product is recommended for consumption. The podcast episode was produced by James Snead, and applications for the next Planet Money internship were encouraged. The episode concluded with a shoutout to Feeding San Diego, an organization that rescues food from grocery stores to reduce waste and help those in need. Overall, the podcast episode highlighted the significance of being aware of expiration dates and the importance of preventing food waste.
