California’s new food label rules could change what shoppers see at grocery stores

Grocery labels are getting a reset

Starting July 1, 2026, California will require clearer date labels on many packaged foods sold in the state. The change targets a familiar problem: shoppers often throw away food because a date label looks like a hard expiration date.

The new law comes as grocery costs remain a pressure point for families. USDA’s June 2026 forecast says food-at-home prices are expected to rise 2.8% in 2026, making wasted food feel more expensive at the kitchen level.

The rule starts in July

California’s AB 660 applies to food manufactured on or after July 1, 2026. That date matters because shoppers may still see older packages during a sell-through period after the law begins.

The rule does not force every food product to carry a date. But if a covered product uses a quality or safety date, the wording must follow California’s approved terms.

“Sell by” is leaving shelves

The biggest visible change is the end of consumer-facing “sell by” labels on covered foods. California says those dates were meant for store stock rotation, not household food safety decisions.

Retailers can still use coded stock-control dates that shoppers cannot easily read. That lets stores manage inventory without putting a confusing “sell by” phrase in front of consumers.

2 phrases will matter most

The new system separates quality from safety. “BEST if Used by” or “BEST if Used or Frozen by” will tell shoppers when food is expected to be at peak freshness.

“Use by” or “Use by or Freeze by” will be used for safety dates. California’s food agency says that phrase indicates when a food item is no longer safe to eat.

Little-known fact: California’s law allows “BB” on certain small packages or beverages to mean a quality date, and “UB” on certain small packages to mean a safety date.

Confusion has been costly

A 2025 national survey found that 43% of U.S. consumers always or usually throw away food near or past the label date. That was up from 37% in a similar 2016 survey.

The same survey found 88% of consumers do this at least occasionally. That means the label itself can become a trigger for waste, even when the food may still be usable.

California has a food waste problem

CalRecycle says organic waste makes up 48% of what California sends to landfills by weight. The agency also says the state throws away 2.5 billion meals’ worth of unspoiled food each year.

That is why a label change is being treated as more than a packaging issue. California is trying to stop edible food from becoming trash before it ever reaches a plate.

Little-known fact: California’s law created a Consumer Education Account inside the Department of Food and Agriculture Fund to support public education about quality and safety dates.

The U.S. lacks one standard

At the federal level, date-label rules remain limited. FDA and USDA said in 2024 that they recommend “Best if Used By,” but federal rules still allow other phrases such as “Sell By” and “Use By” if they are truthful and not misleading.

That leaves states and companies with different systems. California is now moving from voluntary guidance to a statewide legal requirement.

Baby formula is different

California’s new date-label system does not apply to infant formula. That product already has separate federal rules because the date is tied to nutrient quality and safe use.

The law also excludes eggs, pasteurized in-shell eggs, beer, and other malt beverages. Those exceptions mean shoppers will still see different label systems in some aisles.

Donations could get easier

AB 660 says the law should not discourage the sale, donation, or use of food after a quality date has passed. That detail matters for food banks, discount sellers, and stores trying to avoid throwing away edible products.

A “best if used by” date is about freshness, not automatic danger. Clearer wording could help more food move to families instead of landfill bins.

Stores must adjust packaging

Food manufacturers, processors, and retailers responsible for labeling will need to update covered products sold in California. The rule affects items manufactured on or after July 1, 2026, so packaging systems must be ready before products hit shelves.

For national brands, California’s size matters. Companies may choose one label design for wider distribution instead of creating a California-only version.

Shoppers still need judgment

The new labels will not replace basic food safety habits. A product can spoil early if it is stored badly, left out too long, or opened and kept too many days.

The labels are meant to make the first decision clearer. “Best if used by” points to quality, while “use by” points to safety.

Other states are watching

California is the first state to ban consumer-facing “sell by” dates on packaged foods. Food-waste advocates say the law may encourage similar action elsewhere or add momentum to federal reform efforts.

That is already becoming part of the national conversation. ReFED points to California’s law while urging broader date-label standardization across government and industry.

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The savings could be practical

ReFED estimated in 2026 that confusion over date labels leads to 4.3 million tons of U.S. food waste each year. It also estimated that this waste costs households and businesses more than $21 billion.

For shoppers, the rule may not lower shelf prices. But it could help families use more of what they already bought.

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Do you think clearer food labels will help shoppers waste less food, or will most people still throw items out once the date passes? Share your thoughts in the comments.

This slideshow was made with AI assistance and human editing.

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