LAUSR

We design and conduct an experimental auction to investigate the effects of expiration labeling on consumers’ willingness to pay for food items. The experimental auction examines whether there is a valuation difference between “sell by” and “expires on” food labeling. We find that “sell by” date is perceived as an expiry date and consumers are willing to pay a premium for more clear information. In particular, “expires on” information about food expiry date has a 27% willingness to pay premium over “sell by” type labeling, showing that consumers prefer to avoid uncertainty in expiration information.