SACRAMENTO, Calif., July 3 (Our California Times) — California’s new food date-label law took effect July 1, requiring standardized phrases on consumer-facing labels for many food products sold in the state.
Under Assembly Bill 660, quality dates must use either “BEST if Used by” or “BEST if Used or Frozen by.” Safety dates must use “USE by” or “USE by or Freeze by,” according to the California Department of Food and Agriculture.
The department says the law is meant to cut confusion over date labels that can lead shoppers to throw away food that is still wholesome and nutritious. Consumer-facing “sell by” dates are no longer allowed, although coded dates for retailer inventory rotation may still be used.
The rule applies to food items manufactured on or after July 1, 2026, and CDFA said older products may continue to be sold with their existing labels. The department also says the sale prohibition does not apply to eggs and infant formula.
The Los Angeles Times reported that enforcement in Los Angeles County will fall to the county public health department, citing a California Department of Public Health spokesperson. The law was authored by Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin, D-Thousand Oaks.
