Quick summary: Confusion over food label dates leads the average American to discard over 700 dollars of edible food annually, with 73% of consumers wrongly assuming these markers indicate safety rather than quality. This widespread misunderstanding contributes to up to 40% of the national food supply going uneaten, placing an immense financial burden on households and exacerbating food insecurity. Clarifying public policy around labelling standards and improving consumer education are essential steps towards reducing waste, supporting household well being, and fostering more sustainable consumption habits across all generations.
Americans throw away an average of $728 worth of edible food each year, according to the US Environmental Protection Agency. A new survey by NetCredit suggests confusion over food label dates is a major reason.
The survey found that 73% of Americans mistakenly believe food label dates indicate when food should be discarded. Among Generation Z, this rises to 88%.
The US Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service explains that “best if used by” dates refer to quality rather than safety. The only exception is baby formula, which should not be used after its “use by” date.
“Foods not exhibiting signs of spoilage should be wholesome and may be sold, purchased, donated and consumed beyond the labeled ‘Best if Used By’ date,” the agency said.
Misunderstood labels drive food waste
Many consumers treat date labels as safety warnings, even though they are not federally required to indicate safety for most foods. This misunderstanding contributes to significant waste. When unsold food is included, up to 40% of food in the US goes uneaten.
The Center for Science in the Public Interest has called for clearer labeling to help consumers make informed decisions.
Younger generations waste more food
NetCredit surveyed 2,000 US residents about their habits and beliefs around food waste.
Generation Z respondents said they throw away about 31% of the food they buy. Millennials reported discarding 26%. In contrast, Baby Boomers and the Silent Generation each waste less than 10%.
These patterns align with misconceptions about labeling. Nearly 88% of Generation Z believe date labels indicate food safety, compared with 78% of Millennials and 76% of Generation X.
Bread is the most commonly wasted product, with 22.7% discarded on average. Lettuce and milk follow closely. Chicken is the most wasted meat, while pork is wasted less frequently.
Billions in potential savings
Using EPA estimates and census data, NetCredit calculated the financial impact of food waste across states and cities.
Utah, which has the largest average household size at 2.99 people, could save about $2,177 per household each year by reducing waste.
California, with a population of 39.43 million, accounts for the highest total losses at $28.71 billion annually. Texas, Florida, and New York also face losses in the tens of billions.
Among cities, New York City leads with an estimated $6.17 billion in wasted food each year, followed by Los Angeles at $2.82 billion. Even smaller cities such as Jackson, Mississippi, and Fargo, North Dakota, each waste over $100 million annually.
In New York City, composting has been mandatory since 2024. Businesses that generate large amounts of food waste must also donate edible food and recycle or compost the rest.
“We think of US households wasting about a third of all their food that could be eaten,” said Penn State agricultural economist Ted Jaenicke in an interview with NPR. “Visually, that’s buying three bags of groceries at the supermarket and putting one in the trash on your way out the door.”
How households can reduce food waste
Reducing food waste can save money and help address food insecurity, which affects about 18.3 million US households each year.
- Plan meals and shop with a list
- Check existing food before buying more
- Store bulk purchases properly
- Pay attention to date labels but verify food condition yourself
- Use leftovers safely
- Donate unopened food to local food banks
- Compost inedible scraps
The analysis is based on an EPA estimate that the annual per capita cost of food waste is $728.14. This figure was combined with average household size and population data to estimate losses by state and city.
The figures assume consistent waste rates nationwide and are intended to illustrate scale rather than rank locations.
The survey was conducted with 2,000 US residents aged 16 and older in partnership with Censuswide, which follows Market Research Society and ESOMAR guidelines.