California Bans 'Sell-By' And 'Best Before' Labels: Here's What It Means

California has taken a major step to address food waste and consumer confusion by banning misleading food labels such as "sell by" and "best before." Governor Gavin Newsom signed the law aimed at regulating food labeling practices to prevent households from guessing the safety or freshness of their food.

New Law Targets Food WasteThe recently approved law mandates better labeling for food manufacturers in California, and it goes into effect in July 2026. According to the legislation, a product's "best if used by" date will reflect its peak quality, and its "use by" date will indicate when it is no longer safe to consume. The goal of the action is to lessen the millions of tons of food waste that the state produces each year. California contributes to the national problem of food waste by discarding almost 6 million tons of edible food annually. Addressing Confusing LabelsPresently, food goods have over fifty distinct date labels; however, federal rules do not provide a consistent meaning for these words. Although "sell by" labels help shops manage their inventory, they frequently trick customers into believing that the product has gone bad. The Food and Drug Administration estimates that this misconception accounts for about 20% of food waste in the United States. Certain items, such eggs and alcoholic beverages like beer and malt drinks, are exempt from the regulation. Previous Efforts Fell ShortIn California, initiatives to impose plain labeling are not new. A voluntary labeling system was implemented in 2017 by a measure signed by then-Governor Jerry Brown, following the failure of a similar attempt in 2016. But there was little involvement, and the rate of food waste kept rising. The bill's sponsor, Californians Against Waste, Erica Parker, claimed that "widespread implementation, which was basically committed to by industry, wasn't happening." She pointed out that the new laws were required since the voluntary approach didn't provide the desired outcomes. Hopes for Broader ChangeThe new law in California, according to its supporters, may serve as a template for other states. The state's legislation may force food makers to unify labeling across the country due to its big market. Another bill sponsor, Nina Sevilla of the Natural Resources Defense Council, voiced hope that other states or the federal government will update food labeling regulations in a manner similar to California's. Food labeling procedures have differed greatly throughout the nation in the absence of federal oversight, confusing consumers. Legislators and environmental organizations anticipate that more lucid labeling will contribute to waste reduction and sustainability. Consumer Confusion Over LabelsCustomers such as 23-year-old Jasmine Acosta are aware of the uncertainty created by the existing labeling. Acosta, who formerly worked at a grocery store, noted that many people don’t grasp what "sell by" implies. She continued, saying that while certain labels—like "use or freeze by"—are more definite, others still raise questions. The new labeling rules will bring much-needed clarity for people like Acosta and many others. She noticed that when shopping in Los Angeles, shoppers may avoid squandering money by not throwing away food too soon if dates were made apparent. The Environmental ImpactFood waste damages the environment and causes economic losses. Because landfills produce a large amount of methane emissions, reducing garbage may help slow down the rate of global warming. California hopes to lower the expenses associated with food waste on the environment and the bottom line with this new law.