Prof. Howard Weiss raises an interesting issue that can save consumers and companies money.
Most discussions of OM focus on creating products and services. However, Chapter 5 of your Heizer/Render/Munson textbook reminds us that product design also includes developing packaging to prevent damage and ensure safety. One packaging issue that is important is the date labels found on food products.
A report on food waste found that more than 50 different date labels are used on packaged foods sold in the U.S. The types of labels can be classified as
| Label Type | Example |
| Quality | Best By |
| Safety-Oriented | Discard After |
| Production and Packaging | Pack Date |
| Storage and Handling | Freeze By |
| Freshness-Focused | Fresh Until |
| Retail and Inventory | Last Date of Sale |
| Specialty Product | Harvest Date |
The use of these labels is largely unregulated. With the exception of infant formula, federal law does not require manufacturers to place date labels on food products. Further, manufacturers are generally free to choose whichever terminology they prefer. This lack of consistency often leads consumers to discard perfectly safe food, increasing household costs and contributing to unnecessary food waste.
Recognizing this problem, California became the first state to standardize food date labeling with a law that just went into effect and applies to all food products sold within the state. Products sold outside the state are exempt. The law is aimed at reducing food waste and lowering greenhouse gas emissions.
The expected benefits are substantial. Standardized labels should reduce consumer confusion, preventing the premature disposal of safe food and eliminating an estimated 70,000 tons of food waste annually in California. Consumers and retailers should also realize significant economic savings through reduced waste, while fewer discarded food products will lower methane emissions from landfills and benefit the environment.
These regulations have important implications for manufacturers, processors, and retailers. Companies selling products in California must comply with the new requirements by requiring packaging redesigns that use only the standardized “Best If Used By” and “Use By” labels and prohibiting “sell by” dates. Employees will require training and must also be able to explain the new system accurately to customers. Finally, inventory management systems and stock rotation procedures must be updated to ensure products are handled according to the new labeling standards.
Classroom Discussion Questions
- How can you tell if food is safe after its “Use or freeze by” date?
- Does your state have laws regarding packaging labels?