California food‑label simplification fuels waste concerns in the US and Italy

California has reduced the number of permitted food‑label statements to two, a move the U.S. Food and Drug Administration says contributes to almost 20 % of food waste in the United States. The change prompted a review of how consumers treat "use‑by" and "best‑before" dates.

In Italy, the same European Union labeling rules apply, but national legislation imposes fines of €5,000 to €40,000 for selling products past their declared dates. Unlike U.S. retailers, Italian sellers face steep penalties, which may explain why the Italian retail sector often removes goods weeks before the printed date. Proposals such as Germany’s plan to drop the "minimum durability date" for pasta and rice have sparked debate, highlighting differing national approaches to food‑waste mitigation. Initiatives like the Too Good To Go app’s “Often good beyond” label are already circulating in the market.

The combined regulatory shifts underscore a growing focus on reducing food waste while balancing consumer safety and commercial liability in both countries.