Improving SCRA Benefit Utilization Act

House Bill

H.R. 3159

119th Congress

Improving SCRA Benefit Utilization Act

In Committee

Introduced:Jul 17, 2025

Primary Sponsor

Chellie Pingree

Representative

Democratic

ME-1

Cosponsors

42

Quick Stats

Policy Area

Health

Summary

This bill aims to standardize the way food labels show the dates when food is at its best quality and when it should no longer be consumed. It requires labels to use clear phrases like 'BEST If Used By' and 'USE By' to indicate these dates, making it easier for consumers to understand food freshness.

Latest Action

Referred to the Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry.

SponsorChellie Pingree (D-ME)

Introduced7/17/2025

StatusReferred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on Armed Services,

ChamberHouse

Data from Congress.gov

See this page through your district lens

Enter ZIP to personalize representatives and vote context.

Stay on top of this issue

Subscribe for weekly bill and representative updates.

Vote Prediction

Improving SCRA Benefit Utilization Act

This bill aims to standardize the way food labels show the dates when food is at its best quality and when it should no longer be consumed. It requires labels to use clear phrases like 'BEST If Used By' and 'USE By' to indicate these dates, making it easier fo

Community Breakdown

Pass

0%

Fail

0%

0 predictions

This bill aims to standardize the way food labels show the dates when food is at its best quality and when it should no longer be consumed. It requires labels to use clear phrases like 'BEST If Used By' and 'USE By' to indicate these dates, making it easier for consumers to understand food freshness.

Bill Number: 3159
Sponsor: Chellie Pingree (D-ME)
Introduced: 7/17/2025
Status: Referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on Armed Services,
Policy Area: Health

Data from Congress.gov

AI-generated summary

Fact Sheet

Title: Improving SCRA Benefit Utilization Act
Bill Number: 3159
Sponsor: Chellie Pingree (D-ME)
Status: Referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on Armed Services,
Introduced: 7/17/2025
Summary: This bill aims to standardize the way food labels show the dates when food is at its best quality and when it should no longer be consumed. It requires labels to use clear phrases like 'BEST If Used By' and 'USE By' to indicate these dates, making it easier for consumers to understand food freshness

Data from Congress.gov

AI Summary

Plain-English explanation of this bill

This bill aims to standardize the way food labels show the dates when food is at its best quality and when it should no longer be consumed. It requires labels to use clear phrases like 'BEST If Used By' and 'USE By' to indicate these dates, making it easier for consumers to understand food freshness.

Last updated: 12/30/2025

Official Summary

Congressional Research Service summary

Food Date Labeling Act of 2023 This bill establishes requirements for the format of quality date and discard date labels on food packaging. Specifically, the bill requires the quality date on a food label (i.e., the date after which the quality of the item may deteriorate) to include the phrase BEST If Used By or the abbreviation BB. Similarly, the discard date on a food label (i.e., the date after which the item should not be consumed) must include the phrase USE By or the abbreviation UB. Abbreviations may only be used if the full phrase does not fit on the label. The Department of Health and Human Services and Department of Agriculture may specify alternative phrases through regulations.

Key Points

Main provisions of the bill

Requires food labels to use standardized phrases like 'BEST If Used By' and 'USE By' to indicate quality and discard dates
Allows the use of abbreviations like 'BB' and 'UB' if the full phrases don't fit on the label
Gives government agencies the ability to specify alternative phrases through regulations
Aims to make it clearer for consumers to understand when food is at its best quality and when it should not be consumed

How This Impacts Americans

Potential effects on citizens and communities

If this bill becomes law, it would impact all consumers who buy packaged food, making it easier for them to understand food freshness and reduce food waste. Grocery stores, food manufacturers, and distributors would also be affected, as they would need to update their food labeling practices to comply with the new requirements.

Policy Areas

Primary Policy Area

Health

Related Subjects

Federal preemption

Food supply, safety, and labeling

Meat

Scope & Jurisdiction

Jurisdiction Level

federal

Congressional Session

119th Congress

Citation Reference

3159, 119th Congress (2025). "Improving SCRA Benefit Utilization Act". Source: Voter's Right Platform. https://votersright.org/bills/118-hr-3159

Public Opinions

Community submissions related to this bill.

Share your opinion

No public opinions yet. Be the first to submit one for this bill.

Related Bills in Health

HR 3021

Empowering Patient Choice of Medical Care Act

Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means

HR 2111

To amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to exempt the premium cigar industry from certain regulations.

Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

HR 2884

Anti-Racism in Public Health Act of 2025

Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

S 1406

SOAR Act of 2025

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.