Are date labels like Use By or Best By federally mandated for all meat products?

• A. No. Federal law does not require date labels on all meat products; dating is typically a retail policy and not a federal safety requirement, though some states or retailers may require it for quality control.
• B. Yes, all meat products must carry Use By dates.
• C. Only export products require date labeling.
• D. Date labels are illegal.

Answer: (A)

Date labeling on meat isn’t a federal safety requirement for all products. In the United States, federal labeling rules overseen by the USDA FSIS focus on essentials like the product name, inspection mark, safe handling instructions for raw or partially cooked meat, net weight, and the producer or manufacturer information. Date labels such as Use By or Best By are not mandated across the board; they are typically a retail policy used to manage quality and inventory. Some states or retailers may require dating for quality control, and exporters may have labeling needs to meet destination country requirements, but there isn’t a universal federal mandate that all meat products carry date labels. So, if you see a date on some meat, it’s usually for quality or retailer management rather than a federal safety requirement.