In an effort to reduce food waste, the federal government is hoping to encourage meat and dairy producers to all use the same phrase: “Best If Used By.” 
 
 This afternoon, the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) issued new guidance on labeling for the foods regulated by the agency [PDF], and making the case for the “Best If Used By” phrasing. “FSIS is changing its guidance to recommend the use of ‘Best if Used By’ because research shows that this phrase is easily understood by consumers as an indicator of quality.” 
 
 The USDA estimates that 30 percent of food is lost or wasted at the retail and consumer level. Then there’s “Use By,” which is intended to imply that this is the last date on which a product will be at its peak freshness, but which may be misinterpreted as an indication that a product is not safe after that date. The FSIS says “Use By” should be reserved for infant formula — the one food for which the USDA does have a date-labeling requirement — where the date is indeed intended to be an indicator of the product’s safety. The use of different phrases to describe quality dates has caused consumer confusion and has led to the disposal of food that is otherwise wholesome and safe because it is past the date printed on the package,” according to the FSIS.
– The USDA wants Americans to know it's probably fine to eat that yogurt hiding in the back of the fridge. Consumerist reports the agency released new guidance Wednesday asking meat and dairy producers to do away with the various "sell by" and "use by" dates they put on their packaging in favor of a universal "best if used by" date. The USDA says that wording isn't quite so confusing to consumers, who may not understand that most foods are still safe to be eaten well after the date on the package. It's part of the agency's attempt to cut down on food waste. The USDA estimates about 30% of all food is thrown away by stores or consumers before being eaten, according to Food Safety News.