HB 20-1226 Summary

• Encourages food manufacturers to label products with an "elevated risk date" indicating when consumption poses a high health risk to consumers.

• Requires food products with elevated risk dates sold in Colorado after July 1, 2023 to display "USE BY" followed by the date in either abbreviated month format (e.g., "Jan 15 2024") or numerical format (e.g., "01/15/2024").

• Requires quality dates on food products after July 1, 2023 to display "BEST IF USED BY" followed by the date in the same format options, clarifying that food may still be safely consumed after this date.

• Permits retail food facilities to donate food products not labeled according to these requirements and does not prohibit sale or donation of food after its quality date has passed.

• Directs the Department of Public Health and Environment to publish information distinguishing elevated risk dates from quality dates on its website by July 1, 2023, and authorizes the executive director to promulgate rules modifying requirements or exempting certain food products.