IEH Academy Webinar

The Future of Food Date Labeling in the U.S.

Food date labeling plays an important role in food safety, quality management, and consumer communication, yet it remains one of the least harmonized areas of U.S. food regulation. Unlike many labeling requirements, food date labels are shaped by a combination of voluntary guidance, state-level requirements, and evolving federal policy rather than a single federal standard.

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Webinar Recording

Description

This webinar will review the scientific principles underlying shelf-life determination and the regulatory context surrounding food date labeling in the United States. Topics include the distinction between quality-based and safety-based date labels, factors that influence product shelf life, and current FDA and USDA perspectives. The session will also address recent legislative and policy developments, including federal and state efforts aimed at improving consistency in food date labeling practices.

Benefits and Learning Objectives:

Distinguish between quality-based and safety-based food date labels and their intended use
Understand the scientific principles that drive shelf-life determination
Examine microbiological, chemical, and physical factors affecting product stability
Review current FDA, USDA, and state-level approaches to date labeling
Evaluate potential impacts of proposed federal and state harmonization efforts

Topics Covered:

Overview of food date labeling practices in the U.S.
Quality-based versus safety-based date labels
Scientific factors influencing shelf life, including microbiological and chemical considerations
Intrinsic and extrinsic product characteristics affecting date determination
Federal regulatory perspective, including FDA and USDA roles
State-level initiatives and emerging legislative efforts
Practical implications for industry compliance and risk management

Who Should Attend:

Food safety and quality assurance professionals
Regulatory and compliance personnel
Product development and shelf-life specialists
Retail and foodservice quality managers
Professionals responsible for food labeling, shelf-life validation, or risk assessment

Webinar Length

1 hour with Q&A to follow.

The webinar will include a 10-minute Q&A session where attendees can ask questions related to the The Future of Food Date Labeling in the U.S.. This interactive portion is designed to offer personalized guidance and facilitate the sharing of practical insights among participants.

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Meet the Instructor

John Allan

John Allan joined IEH as Vice President of Technical Services in 2024. He holds a B.S. in Microbiology and an M.S. in Food Science and Technology from the University of Georgia, as well as a degree in Medical Technology/Clinical Laboratory Science from Georgia State University. Mr. Allan is also a certified Lead Instructor for Preventive Controls for Human Foods through the Food Safety Preventive Controls Alliance (FSPCA).

With over 26 years of experience in food safety and regulatory affairs, Mr. Allan has extensive expertise in advising food companies on compliance and inspection-related issues, particularly in food safety and quality standards. Before joining IEH, he led dairy food safety initiatives at the International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) and held various leadership roles at the American Frozen Food Institute, the National Yogurt Association, ASI Food Safety Consultants, and the Codex Alimentarius Commission Secretariat at the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization. He also made significant contributions to the PulseNet Foodborne Outbreak Electronic Surveillance Network at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Throughout his career, Mr. Allan has developed and implemented industry positions and advocacy strategies that have influenced federal and state policies, as well as international standards. He has also held leadership roles on the Board of Directors of 3-A Sanitary Standards, Inc., the National Conference on Interstate Milk Shipments (NCIMS), and the International Dairy Federation (IDF), further reflecting his depth of industry knowledge. At IEH, Mr. Allan will leverage his deep expertise to strengthen food safety practices, drive forward-thinking regulatory solutions, and support the advancement of industry standards.

Let's get in touch

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