This time it’s the trivium of expiration dates on the food we buy in our grocery stores.
That can of soup in your pantry says “Best by June 2018.” The cereal box on the shelf above it says “Use by October 2016.” The salsa in your fridge says “Sell by June 6, 2016.” And the quart of milk next to it simply says “May 22, 2016.”
Among the dates found on labels across the US are “production” or “pack” dates of manufacture, “sell by” dates, “best if used by” dates, “use by” dates, “freeze by” dates and even “enjoy by” dates.
And
Two Democrats in Congress—Senator Richard Blumenthal (D, CT) and Congressman Chellie Pingree (D, ME)—are just as confused as you are, and they hope to do something about it before their terms expire.
Wait—what? Is any rational adult human being really confused about those dates? Does anyone really not understand these expiration dates?
The States of our Republic set their own rules, but those two Progressive-Democrats don’t want variation across States; they don’t want the citizens of individual States to set their own rules: these worthies of the Federal government Know Better. And they don’t like our choices.
After all, too many choices, too much variation makes Progressives uncomfortable.
Blumenthal and Pingree are expected to introduce bills in the Senate and House this week to establish a national standard for date labeling that would provide consumers throughout the US with consistent information on when a product begins to lose quality and when it is no longer safe to eat.
Because these two are easily confused, everyone else must be, too. They’re projecting, again.
Elections have consequences.