California banned public-facing “Sell By” dates on food packages earlier this month to streamline how consumers identify food freshness [1, 2].

The move aims to combat massive food waste by eliminating confusing terminology that often leads shoppers to discard edible products prematurely [1, 3].

Under the new regulations, the state has reduced the number of permitted labels to two [1]. Packages may now only feature “Best If Used By,” which indicates quality, or “Use By,” which refers to safety [1, 2]. This replaces a system where shoppers may have encountered more than 50 different date labels [1].

State officials and experts said that the lack of standardization contributes to a significant environmental and economic problem. Estimates show that about 31% of the food supply is wasted [1, 3]. Much of this waste is linked to consumers misinterpreting dates that are intended for store inventory management rather than food safety [3].

California is the first U.S. state to implement such a ban, though other states are currently considering similar actions to standardize labeling [1, 4]. The shift seeks to create a clear distinction between a product's peak quality and the point at which it becomes unsafe for consumption.

By removing the “Sell By” date, a marker used primarily by retailers to manage stock, the state intends to discourage the habit of tossing food as soon as a date passes [4].

“California has reduced the number of permitted labels to two.”

This policy shift represents a move toward national standardization of food labeling. By removing retailer-centric dates and focusing on safety and quality, California is testing whether regulatory clarity can directly lower the 31% waste rate. If successful, this model likely serves as a blueprint for other U.S. states seeking to reduce landfill contributions and improve food security.