California Food Label Law Aims To Clear Up Expiration Date Confusion

Misleading food labels are a thing of the past in California. A new Golden State law recently signed by Gov. Gavin Newsome creates standard language for expiration dates, potentially giving consumers more accurate information about food safety.

Known as AB 660, the legislation prohibits phrases such as “sell by” or “best before.” Food date labels, which are mostly unregulated and have no distinctive meaning under current laws, are often a source of confusion for consumers.

While the “sell by” date is often used to signal when a product should be removed from store shelves, consumers frequently mistake it for an indication the item has gone bad. The California food label law makes it mandatory to use date indicators “best if used by” and “use by.”

“Having to wonder whether our food is still good is an issue that we all have struggled with,” said bill author Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin. “I am grateful for the governor’s signature of this first-in-the-nation bill to end the consumer confusion around expiration date labels that so many of us have experienced.”

The “best if used by” date specifies a food item’s peak quality, while the “use by” stamp relates to product safety. With standard expiration date language, the legislation could reduce food waste, which is what lawmakers are aiming to do.

Misleading Labels Lead to Food Waste

According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), about 20% of food waste comes from misunderstandings related to date labeling. Well-intentioned consumers, often unsure of what the dates mean, throw out potentially good food out of fear it will make someone sick. In California alone, roughly 6 million tons of food unnecessarily ends up in the garbage.

If the law works to cut food waste, other states, or even the federal government, may follow suit. While food companies will update packaging to adhere to the California law, it’s too early to tell if it will spark a nationwide movement.

“California has such a large market share that we do think this will push manufacturers,” said bill co-sponsor Nina Sevilla with Natural Resources Defense Council, per Fortune. “The hope is that California serves as a model either for other states or ultimately to push action at the federal level.”

The California food label law takes effect in July 2026. Eggs and beer as well as other malt beverages are exempt from the new rules. Gov. Newsome also recently signed a bill banning all plastic shopping bags from grocery store checkouts.