SACRAMENTO, Calif., July 3 (Our California Times) — California’s new food date-label law took effect July 1, standardizing the wording on packaged foods sold in the state and ending consumer-facing “sell by” dates on covered products made on or after that date, according to the California Department of Food and Agriculture.
The department says packages with 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.” CDFA says coded “sell by” dates may still be used for retailer inventory and stock rotation if they are not meant for consumers.
The change applies to food items for human consumption manufactured on or after July 1, 2026. The department says the goal is to reduce consumer confusion around date labels and help keep wholesome food from being thrown away before it is needed.
CDFA says the new standard replaces a patchwork of label terms that has long left shoppers unsure about the difference between food that is at peak quality and food that may no longer be safe to eat.
