California cabinet agency; oversees food safety, agriculture policy and consumer protection since 1919
California has moved to standardize consumer-facing food date labels, banning “sell by” dates and introducing two main labels: “Best if Used By” for quality and “Use By” for safety. The change aims to reduce food waste and climate-warming emissions, with New York pursuing a similar path. Implementation begins July 1, 2026, with some older stock remaining in stores during the transition.