The effects of California’s elimination of ‘sell by’ dates on grocery shopping

New Food Labeling Law in California

Residents of California will soon notice a significant shift during their grocery shopping.

Beginning July 1, a new law will prohibit food manufacturers and retailers in the state from using “expiration date” labels on most packaged foods. This move aims to decrease food waste and clarify the meaning of date labels for consumers.

This change comes from Assembly Bill 660, which introduces uniform standards for food date labeling, removing the confusing variety of terms like “sell by,” “best before,” and “best by” that typically appear on food packages.

Instead, shoppers will see just two labels.

Items labeled “BEST if Used by” are meant to indicate when the product is at its peak quality, while “USE by” labels signify a safety deadline. For smaller packages and certain drinks, abbreviated labels “BB” and “UB” will also be permissible.

The new regulations will affect products manufactured after July 1, 2026. Businesses that continue to rely on “sell by” dates for goods produced after this date won’t be allowed to sell those items in California. However, internal codes for inventory will still be permitted.

Officials highlight that this reform addresses the frequent issue of consumers discarding edible food due to misunderstandings about date labels.

The California Department of Food and Agriculture explains that the “unit of sale” label was originally meant to help retailers manage inventory, not to inform consumers when food is no longer safe. By eliminating these terms, they hope to minimize confusion and prevent good food from ending up as waste.

This legislation positions California as the first state to mandate standardized date labeling on food products, completely eliminating “sell by” dates for consumers. Supporters believe that this could set a precedent for other states.

Currently, there are no uniform federal standards governing date labels, leaving manufacturers free to use various terms. Estimates suggest there are over 50 different date-related phrases in use nationwide, which contributes to widespread confusion among shoppers.

Consumer advocates and organizations focused on reducing food waste welcome this new law, noting that many shoppers often confuse quality dates with safety dates.

Under the updated system, items past their “use by” date might still be safe to consume if stored correctly and show no signs of spoilage. It’s important to note that only products with the “USE by” label are meant to indicate food safety.

The transition is anticipated to be straightforward for consumers. With fewer labels, there should be less confusion, which officials hope will lead to a significant reduction in food being discarded.

Manufacturers, processors, and retailers have been preparing their packaging for months to ensure compliance with the state’s requirements ahead of the deadline. Non-compliance could result in penalties and limit their access to California’s extensive consumer market.