The Pennsylvania Senate has approved a bill that would alter “sell by” and “best by” dates on milk.

Three senators — Elder Vogel, Judith Schwank and Judy Ward — have brought forward SB 434 that aims to help the Pennsylvania dairy industry be more competitive.

In a co-sponsorship memo, the senators highlight the top recommended from a 2020 Dairy Futures Commission study.

“The first recommendation made in this report was to extend the current regulatory date labeling, or coding, requirement for fluid milk,” the memo states.

“Currently, Pennsylvania regulation requires milk to be labeled for sale within 17 days of pasteurization,” according to the sponsoring senators. “Only two other states have similar ‘fixed code’ dates for milk regulations, thus putting Pennsylvania-produced milk at a competitive disadvantage in the retail sale of milk.”

They cite a 2019 study that determined the date code on milk was the “most important attribute” for customers when purchasing milk.

“The current 17-day requirement also makes it impossible for processors to bid to provide milk to those who want to sell through national food suppliers and wholesalers,” they conclude. “These suppliers require a longer ‘sell by’ date interval in their request for proposal, thus preventing a contract from being fulfilled with Pennsylvania-produced milk.

The bill will allow processors to apply for Department of Agriculture approval to exceed the current 17 day limit “by moving to a science-based ‘open code’ format.

“The legislation will establish testing requirements and standards, including dairy laboratory criteria, bacterial testing of samples and continued periodic testing, which must be met for milk processors to receive Department approval.”

The bill passed the Senate 47-0 with support from both of Warren County’s senators — Scott Hutchinson and Michele Brooks.

On Wednesday it was approved by the House Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee in a bi-partisan 25-0 decision.

“Pennsylvania’s dairy industry is vitally important to the Commonwealth and it is important that we level the playing field to allow the industry to better compete,” the memo states.

The full House appears to be the bill’s next hurdle to cross.