BUSINESS

California Bans 'Sell By' Labels to Reduce Waste

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California enacted Assembly Bill 660 this week, banning consumer-facing "Sell By" labels and requiring manufacturers to use standardized wording starting Wednesday. The law requires products to display either "Best if Used By" or "Use By" on consumer-facing packaging and applies to items manufactured on or after July 1. State officials and the California Department of Food and Agriculture say the change aims to reduce consumer confusion and household food waste; the FDA has estimated label confusion contributes nearly 20% of food waste. Lawmakers approved the measure in 2024, retailers may retain coded dates for inventory, and manufacturers must update packaging and logistics by the July 1 production cutoff.

Prepared by Christopher Adams and reviewed by editorial team.

Timeline of Events

Historical: manufacturers used dozens of different expiration-related phrases on packaging.
2024: California lawmakers approved Assembly Bill 660 to standardize consumer-facing date labels.
Wednesday: the new law took effect, prohibiting consumer-facing 'Sell By' labels.
Manufacturers are required to use 'Best if Used By' for quality or 'Use By' for safety.
The rule applies to products manufactured on or after July 1.

Why This Matters to You

This new law could help you waste less food. It aims to clear up confusion over when food is safe to eat. So, you might not throw away food as often. Check your labels for "Best if Used By" or "Use By" dates.

The Bottom Line

California is trying to cut food waste by making labels clearer. The goal is to help consumers make better decisions. If you live in California, expect to see these changes on your grocery items. Worth forwarding if you know someone who often wonders about food expiration dates.