37% of food waste in the US comes from individual households, and 20% of that is due to consumers not understanding the dates on food labels. Open dating, a system still used today, was introduced in the 1970s to provide customers with information about optimum freshness. However, these dates are rarely backed by scientific evidence and are often set early to ensure customers taste the food at its best. Many foods are safe to eat far beyond their labeled dates, and the USDA recommends eating or freezing meat within days of purchase. To avoid food waste, experts suggest laws requiring standardized phrases on food labels, removing date labels on produce, and incentivizing grocers and restaurants to donate unsold food. Ultimately, the best way to prevent food waste is to use your senses to assess freshness.