Docket HopperPart I · Bills · 119th H.R. 4987
H.R. 4987 · 119th CongressAgriculture and Food

Food Date Labeling Act of 2025 has not moved since its introduction on Aug 15, 2025, with cosponsors split almost evenly between the parties

Sponsored by Pingree, Chellie D-ME · 10 cosponsors: 6 Democrats, 4 Republicans
IntroducedAug 15, 2025
Reported—
Passed one chamber—
Passed both—
Law—
What it changes · CRS summary

Written by the Congressional Research Service [2]. 251 words.

Food Date Labeling Act of 2025 This bill establishes uniform requirements for quality and discard date phrases (e.g., best by and use by ) placed voluntarily on food labels. Specifically, if a food is labeled with a quality date (i.e., the date after which the quality of the item may deteriorate), the label must include the phrase BEST If Used By or the abbreviation BB . Similarly, if a food is labeled with a discard date (i.e., the date after which the item should not be consumed), the label must include the phrase USE By or the abbreviation UB . Abbreviations may be used only if an item’s packaging is too small to fit the full phrase. Quality and discard dates must be written in a single, easy-to-read font and placed in a prominent location on an item’s label or package. The phrase or freeze by may be added after a quality or discard date phrase where appropriate. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Department of Agriculture (USDA) must promulgate regulations to carry out these provisions and ensure that the uniform phrases are standardized across all food products. HHS and USDA may specify alternative quality and discard date phrases through regulations. The bill specifies that no state or local government may enforce a requirement related to quality and discard date phrases that differs from the requirements of the bill. The bill does not apply to infant formula, which is subject to separate labeling requirements under current law.

Context
Committees
House Agriculture Committee
House Energy and Commerce Committee
Policy area
Agriculture and Food: 14 of 2,036 bills became law, 113th–118th (0.7%)
Sponsor
0 of 109 bills enacted since 2013
Text versions
1: introduced in house · 1,570 words
Latest action
Jan 13, 2026: Referred to the Subcommittee on Nutrition and Foreign Agriculture.
Records
Congress.gov · Bill text
Exhibit 1Passage odds band at each stage, rated when the bill reached it [4]
Related bills · 1

Each bill appears once, under its strongest link. 1 in all.

Identical or companion · 1

See this link on the network map →

Exhibit 2Articles naming the bill per day, last 90 days, US sources [3]