AUGUSTA, Maine - Maine Rep. Chellie Pingree and Connecticut Sen. Richard Blumenthal have introduced identical bills aimed at reducing the confusion around food labels.
Pingree says a lot of food is wasted because people are not sure whether a food is still edible.
"People see all these different labels, 'best if used by, sell by,' all these other things, and they don't know what it means," she says. "We are just looking for those two possible labels that say 'expires on,' if it is food you really have to worry about, or 'best if used by.' "
Pingree jokes she was going to call her bill the domestic harmony act because it will help reduce family arguments over whether some food in the fridge is still all right to eat, or needs to be thrown away.
She says the improved labeling will also help food banks know that a food product being donated is still safe to eat.
