Full Breakdown
California Bans “Sell-By” Labels, Standardizes Food Date Terminology
7/2/2026, 11:36:03 PM
The Law Takes Effect
Assembly Bill 660, signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom in September 2024, went into effect Wednesday, prohibiting consumer-facing “sell-by” dates on packaged foods sold in California. Manufacturers of products produced on or after July 1 2026 must use “BEST if Used by” (or “BEST if Used or Frozen by”) for peak quality and “USE by” (or “USE by or Freeze by”) for safety. The ban does not apply to infant formula, eggs, pasteurized in-shell eggs, or beer and malt beverages, and retailers may retain coded inventory dates invisible to shoppers.
Legislative Background
The measure originated from a consumer-protection effort led by Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin (D-Thousand Oaks) to curb food waste. California became the first state to adopt a statewide labeling standard in 2024. Similar legislation has passed the New York legislature and is pending in Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and South Carolina.
Key Stakeholders
- Jacqui Irwin – author of AB 660.
- Gavin Newsom – governor who signed the bill.
- Nick Lapis – director of advocacy, Californians Against Waste (co-sponsor).
- Nate Rose – spokesperson, California Grocers Association.
- Kumar Chandran – policy director, ReFED (nonprofit on food-waste reduction).
- Emily Broad Leib – director, Harvard Law School Center for Health Law and Policy Innovation.
Data on Food Waste
The California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery estimates that 2.5 billion meals of unspoiled food—about 6 million tons—are discarded each year, representing roughly 48 % of landfill waste and 41 % of the state’s methane emissions. A 2022 University of Maryland report identified more than 50 distinct date-label phrases used in U.S. packaging.
Why the Change Matters
Separating quality (“best if used by”) from safety (“use by”) is intended to stop the common misinterpretation of “sell-by” dates as expiration dates. Officials anticipate reduced household waste, lower landfill methane, and simpler decision-making for shoppers. Uniform terminology could also pressure national manufacturers to adopt a single labeling system, influencing future federal standards.
Official Statements & Responses
Assemblymember Irwin stressed that clear, consistent labels will help consumers make informed choices while cutting waste. State agencies highlighted the environmental benefits of diverting billions of meals from landfills. The California Grocers Association noted that many retailers have updated packaging and view the shift as a “win-win” for waste reduction and consumer clarity. Advocacy groups praised the law as a practical solution to a leading cause of household food waste.
Criticism & Opposition
Some industry observers caution that the transition may impose short-term costs on manufacturers and retailers, especially for products already in inventory. Critics also point out that the law does not mandate labeling for all foods, leaving gaps for items without any date indicator.
On-the-Ground Reports
Consumers such as chef Kimberley Kausen report lingering confusion over date meanings, while food-bank advocates like Nick Lapis observe that “sell-by” dates have historically barred donations of still-edible goods.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ in the metric used to quantify waste: the Department of Resources cites 2.5 billion meals, whereas the Department of Food and Agriculture references 6 million tons. Both describe the same scale of unspoiled food loss but are presented in different units.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Using clear, consistent date labels will help reduce confusion about when food is safe to eat, cut down on unnecessary food waste, and make it easier for consumers to make informed decisions,” — Jacqui Irwin, Assemblymember (D-CA)
- “We don’t need to build some kind of huge infrastructure and invest tons of money to solve this. We just need companies to use the same words across brands,” — Nick Lapis, Director of Advocacy, Californians Against Waste
- “Consumers get confused and they just default to assuming that whatever date is on the package means ‘don’t eat it and throw it away,'” — Kumar Chandran, Policy Director, ReFED
- “We need a standardized, commonsense date labeling system that actually provides useful information to consumers, rather than the unreliable, inconsistent and piecemeal system we have today,” — Emily Broad Leib, Director, Harvard Law School Center for Health Law and Policy Innovation
- “a win-win where we can reduce food waste and consumers will find these decisions a little bit simpler,” — Nate Rose, Spokesperson, California Grocers Association
What’s Next
Full compliance is required by July 1 2026. A bipartisan bill pending in Congress could establish a national standard, and other states are monitoring California’s rollout to inform their own proposals. Manufacturers are expected to adjust packaging lines ahead of the deadline, potentially extending the uniform labeling model beyond California’s borders.
