California has taken a significant step to combat food waste by enacting Assembly Bill 660, which standardizes date labels on food products to reduce consumer confusion and unnecessary food waste.
Current labeling confusion
Presently, the United States lacks federal regulations governing date labels on food products, except for infant formula. This absence of standardization has led to a proliferation of over 50 different date labels, such as “Sell By,” “Best By,” and “Use By,” causing widespread consumer confusion. Many consumers misinterpret these labels as indicators of food safety, leading to the premature disposal of still-edible food.
Food waste impact
Food waste is a significant issue in the United States, with approximately 30–40% of the food supply being discarded annually. In California alone, residents throw away about 6 million tons of food each year. This waste contributes to environmental problems, as decomposing food in landfills emits methane, a potent greenhouse gas. Additionally, the economic impact is substantial, with billions of dollars’ worth of food wasted annually.
What are the changes?
Signed into law by Governor Gavin Newsom, Assembly Bill 660 mandates the use of standardized date labels on food products sold in California, effective July 1, 2026. The law specifies two date labels that will be allowed:
- “Best if Used By”: Will indicate the date after which the product may not be at its optimal quality but is still safe to consume.
- “Use By”: Will indicate the date after which the product should not be consumed for safety reasons.
The legislation also bans the use of “Sell By” dates on consumer-facing packaging, as these are intended for retailer inventory management and do not convey relevant information to consumers.…