California Bans 'Sell By' Labels to Cut Food Waste

Californians toss out the equivalent of 2.5 billion meals of perfectly good food every year, often because date labels confuse them. That's about to change.

A new California law took effect this week requiring food makers to use simple, uniform language on expiration dates. Instead of the more than 50 different phrases currently cluttering grocery shelves, products must now display either "BEST if Used by" for quality or "USE by" for safety.

The law, signed by Governor Gavin Newsom last September, makes California the first state to tackle the date label mess head-on. Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin, who wrote the legislation, calls it "a simple change with meaningful benefits for families, businesses, and the environment."

Here's how it works: Food manufacturers selling products in California must adopt the new labels by July 1, 2026. If they want to indicate when food tastes best, they'll use "BEST if Used by" or "BEST if Used or Frozen by." For actual safety concerns, they'll use "USE by" or "USE by or Freeze by."

The law also bans consumer-facing "sell by" labels, though stores can still use coded stock rotation tags that shoppers can't easily read. Companies aren't forced to add dates if they weren't using them before, but if they choose to include them, the wording must be standard.

The change addresses a real problem. Organic waste makes up 48% of what California sends to landfills and generates roughly 41% of the state's methane emissions as it breaks down. Much of that waste comes from people throwing out food they think has gone bad when it hasn't.

The Ripple Effect

When families stop tossing perfectly good groceries, the benefits multiply fast. Households save money on their grocery bills. Landfills receive less waste, cutting methane emissions that contribute to climate change. And food resources get used as intended, reducing the environmental footprint of farming and transportation.

The law includes smart exceptions too. Infant formula, eggs, and beer keep their existing labeling rules. Grocery stores can still use "packed on" dates for prepared foods as long as they also show the required quality or safety information.

Other states are watching California's experiment closely, and similar legislation could spread nationwide. For now, Golden State shoppers will soon find their refrigerators a little less confusing and their wallets a little heavier.

Clear labels mean less waste, more savings, and a healthier planet for everyone.