This bill establishes standards for food date labeling in New Jersey and mandates the Commissioner of Health to create a public education program and guidelines related to food safety. It introduces two types of date labels: a "quality date," which indicates when food quality may begin to deteriorate but is still safe for consumption, and an "elevated-risk date," which signifies a high level of risk associated with consuming time/temperature control for safety food after a specified date. The bill specifies that quality dates must be labeled with the phrase "BEST if Used By," while elevated-risk dates must use "USE By." Retail food facilities are not liable for manufacturers' labeling failures and can sell or donate food past its quality date, but cannot do so after the elevated-risk date.

Additionally, the bill amends existing regulations for fluid milk products, requiring them to be labeled with a quality date instead of a sell-by date. It allows the Department of Health to designate additional foods as time/temperature control for safety foods and mandates that this information be posted on the department's website. The public education program will aim to clarify the meanings of date labels and educate consumers on proper food handling and safety. The act will take effect one year after enactment, unless a federal food labeling standard that preempts it is adopted.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 24:10-57.23