California's Food Label Reform
California's New Food Law Standardizes Date Labels, Banning 'Sell By' to Reduce Waste
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California becomes the first state in the nation to ban "Sell By" dates on packaged food, starting July 1, 2025. Assembly Bill 660, signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom in September 2024, limits food labels to just two phrases: "Best if Used By" for quality, and "Use By" for safety Siskiyou Daily News.
The law targets a major driver of food waste. Californians send 6 million tons of food to landfills every year, and 20% of consumer food waste is linked to confusion over date labels, according to The Californian. Supporters say clearer labels will save families money and cut harmful emissions.
What the New Labels Mean for Shoppers
Under AB 660, "Best if Used By" means the food is still safe to eat after that date — it just may not taste as fresh. "Use By" is reserved for high-risk, perishable items like deli meats or unpasteurized juices, where eating the food after the date poses a real safety risk Record-Net.
"Sell By" dates are now banned from consumer-facing labels entirely. Those dates were never meant for shoppers — they were a tool for store managers to rotate shelf stock. By removing them, the law eliminates what experts call a "false sense of urgency" that pushes people to throw out perfectly safe food Desert Sun.
Confusion Over Labels Has Cost Families Thousands
Before AB 660, manufacturers used more than 50 different date label phrases across the U.S. — from "Enjoy By" to "Fresh Through" to "Display Until." The federal government only regulated labels on infant formula. Everything else was up to the manufacturer VC Star.
That confusion carries a real price tag. The NRDC estimates the average family of four throws away roughly $1,500 worth of food each year. Erica Parker, a senior scientist at the NRDC, said: "Most Californians believe a 'Sell By' date is a safety warning, when in reality, it is merely a tool for stock rotation. This law ends that misconception" Redding.com.
California's Climate Goals Drove the Push for Change
AB 660 is directly tied to California's broader war on food waste. State law already requires a 75% cut in organic waste going to landfills. Food rot produces methane — a greenhouse gas 80 times more potent than carbon dioxide — making label reform a key climate tool, according to The Californian.
Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin, who wrote the bill, said: "The confusion over food labeling is a significant contributor to the 6 million tons of food that end up in California landfills every year. AB 660 provides clarity that helps consumers save money and protects our environment." Gov. Newsom called it a "common-sense solution" to the state's climate and waste goals Desert Sun.
National Impact Likely as Manufacturers Rethink Packaging
Some smaller food producers worry about "package waste" — discarding pre-printed labels that don't meet the new rules. Industry analysts warn that compliance costs could mean small price increases on some specialty goods VC Star.
But the bigger story may be national. Because California is such a massive market, many manufacturers are expected to adopt the new label standards for all U.S. products — not just those sold in California. Maintaining two separate packaging lines is costly and complex. That means AB 660 could effectively set a de facto national standard, even without a federal mandate Siskiyou Daily News.
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