What's happened
California has standardized consumer-facing food date labels to reduce waste and confusion. From July 1, 2026, products manufactured in California will use two main labels: Best if Used By (quality) and Use By (safety). Sell By labels disappear for consumers, though internal codes remain. Exemptions apply to infant formula, eggs, some shellfish and certain beverages. The change aims to lower edible-food waste and reduce landfill emissions.
What's behind the headline?
Key points
- The reform creates a single, clear standard for consumer-facing dates, likely reducing misinterpretation.
- It shifts the burden of compliance to manufacturers and retailers who must update packaging.
- It anticipates a national model, given the absence of a federal framework.
Potential impacts
- Consumers may see a noticeable drop in unnecessary food waste as dates are simplified.
- Retailers will adjust inventory and labeling systems to comply, potentially incurring transition costs.
- Government agencies project methane-relevant waste reductions as edible food is kept out of landfills.
What to watch
- How quickly packaging changes are rolled out ahead of enforcement deadlines.
- Whether exemptions affect certain product categories or retailers differently.
How we got here
The state moves to unify the patchwork of date phrases that currently populate U.S. packaging, addressing widespread consumer confusion. California estimates residents throw away 2.5 billion meals yearly, with organic waste driving landfill methane emissions. The new policy builds on prior discussion of the lack of federal standards and the need to distinguish quality dates from safety dates.
Our analysis
Independent reports that California will standardize on Best if Used By for quality and Use By for safety, eliminating Sell By for consumer-facing labels. New York Post corroborates the July 1, 2026 deadline and the intended simplification, while Business Insider UK details consumer-perception issues around date labels and enforcement considerations. The AFP/Getty photo accompanies the Independent piece, illustrating the policy's scope."
Go deeper
- What products will most accelerate changes in packaging in California?
- Could other states adopt similar labeling standards next year?
- What happens to products still bearing old labels during the transition?
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California - US State
California is a state in the Pacific Region of the United States. With 39.5 million residents across a total area of about 163,696 square miles, California is the most populous U.S. state and the third-largest by area, and is also the world's thirty-fourt