IL HB3849

Amends the Illinois Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act to establish standardized food labeling terminology for quality and safety dates.

Defines three date types: "quality date" (when food quality may deteriorate but remains safe), "safety date" (when perishable food should be consumed or frozen), and "sell by date" (for retailer stock rotation).

Requires the Department of Agriculture to publish recommendations by July 1, 2024, encouraging manufacturers and retailers to voluntarily use "BEST if Used by" or "BEST if Used or Frozen by" for quality dates and "USE by" or "USE by or Freeze by" for safety dates.

Directs the Department of Agriculture to promote consistent use of standardized terms through existing industry interactions and encourage retailers to develop alternatives to consumer-facing "sell by" dates.

Authorizes the Department to accept public and private funding for consumer education about date labeling meanings, depositing funds into the Food and Drug Safety Fund.