A new California law takes effect Wednesday that bans “sell by” food labeling on grocery products. The change is part of a statewide effort to reduce food waste and clarify how consumers should interpret date markings. Under the law, food manufacturers must replace “sell by” dates with one or both of two alternative labels tied to product quality and safety. Products may be labeled “Best if Used By,” which indicates peak quality, and/or “Use By,” which indicates product safety.
The updates are intended to reduce confusion for shoppers who may not know whether an item is spoiled or merely past its prime when they see a “sell by” date. With the new requirements, consumers are given clearer guidance on whether a product should be used for quality reasons or avoided based on safety considerations.
The law applies statewide and takes effect starting Wednesday, affecting how manufacturers and retailers display date information on food packages in California.
