SACRAMENTO, Calif., July 3 (Our California Times) — California’s new food date-label law took effect July 1, standardizing the phrases that can appear on consumer-facing packages sold in the state and banning visible “sell by” dates.
The California Department of Food and Agriculture says quality dates must now use “BEST if Used by” or “BEST if Used or Frozen by,” while safety dates must use “USE by” or “USE by or Freeze by.” The department says coded “sell by” dates may still be used for retailer inventory rotation if they are not meant for consumers.
CDFA says the law is meant to reduce “the source of consumer confusion that results in the disposal of wholesome, nutritious food.” It applies to food products manufactured on or after July 1, 2026, while older inventory can continue to be sold with existing labels.
The department says the sale prohibition does not apply to eggs and infant formula. The Los Angeles Times reported that local health departments, including the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, will handle enforcement, citing a California Department of Public Health spokesperson.
The change is intended to make date labels clearer for California shoppers, food makers and retailers at a time when the state is trying to cut food waste tied to misread package dates.
