California to Ban Misleading Food Labels to Reduce Waste

New law signed by Gov. Newsom will replace 'sell by' and 'best before' labels with standardized 'Best if Used By' and 'Use By' labels starting July 2026.

California is the first state to ban 'sell by' and 'best before' labels, aiming to eliminate consumer confusion and reduce food waste.
The new law will mandate 'Best if Used By' for peak quality and 'Use By' for product safety, aligning with federal recommendations.
The legislation is expected to cut down on the 6 million tons of unexpired food wasted annually in California due to unclear labeling.
Exemptions to the law include eggs, beer, and other malt beverages.
Supporters hope California's large market influence will encourage national standardization of food labeling practices.