California has banned the use of "Sell By" labels on packaged foods to reduce food waste across the state [1].
The law aims to eliminate confusing and inconsistent expiration-date terminology that often leads consumers to discard food before it is actually unsafe to eat [4, 5].
Taking effect July 1, 2026 [1, 3], the legislation requires manufacturers to use only two standardized labels. The "Best If Used By" label will indicate peak freshness, while the "Use By" label will be reserved for safety concerns [2].
State officials said the move replaces dozens of varying label types, such as "Freshest By," with a simplified system [2].
"The new labeling standards will give Californians clear, consistent information about when food is at its best and when it may be unsafe, helping to cut down on unnecessary waste," a California Department of Food and Agriculture spokesperson said [6].
Lawmakers noted that the previous variety of labels created confusion for shoppers. An Assemblymember said the myriad of date labels leads to food being thrown away far earlier than necessary [7].
The California Consumer Protection Agency Director said the law aligns the state with best practices used in other states and countries to reduce food waste while keeping consumers safe [8].
By standardizing these markers, the state intends to clarify the difference between quality and safety. While a "Best If Used By" date refers to the sensory quality of the product, the "Use By" date serves as a hard deadline for safety [2].
“"The new labeling standards will give Californians clear, consistent information... helping to cut down on unnecessary waste,"”
This policy shift addresses a systemic issue in the U.S. food supply chain where commercial 'sell-by' dates—intended for inventory management—are frequently mistaken by consumers as safety expiration dates. By legally separating quality indicators from safety deadlines, California is attempting to lower the volume of organic waste entering landfills and reduce the financial loss for households.
