MA H2460

Requires food labelers to use standardized phrases: "best if used by" for quality dates (indicating when quality may decline but food is still safe) and "use by" for safety dates (indicating when ready-to-eat products may pose health risks)

Mandates safety date labels on ready-to-eat products that pose high risk for Listeria monocytogenes or other foodborne pathogens after a certain date, with the Commissioner of Public Health establishing specific criteria

Prohibits banning the sale, donation, or use of food products after the quality date has passed; only safety-based restrictions may be imposed after the quality date

Requires the Commissioner to provide consumer education within 1 year of enactment and review the criteria and product exemptions at least every 4 years

Applies to food products labeled 2 years or more after the act's enactment, and classifies non-compliant food as misbranded under Chapter 94