California Just Passed a Law Banning “Sell By” Food Labels—Here’s Why
California Just Passed a Law Banning “Sell By” Food Labels—Here’s Why
Knowing when your food has gone bad can be a guessing game, and deciphering labels like "sell by" and "best before" can be a mystery. But did you know that these dates don’t have a universal definition, leaving consumers in the dark? This lack of clarity contributes to massive food waste, with an estimated 17% of globally produced food tossed each year. That’s about 1.03 billion tons of food wasted annually!
The Problem with Food Labeling
The U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) reports that 30-40% of food in the United States goes uneaten, with confusion over food labeling accounting for 20% of that waste. A staggering 6 million tons of unexpired food in California alone are wasted each year. It’s no wonder that the state has taken action to change the game.
The New California Law
In July 2026, California will implement a new law requiring clearer labeling, introducing "Best if Used By" and "Use By" labels. These labels will help consumers understand when a product’s peak quality and safety end, reducing confusion and waste.
What About the Rest of Us?
While California’s new law may not directly affect the rest of the country, its efforts may inspire other states and the federal government to follow suit. In the meantime, here are some tips to help clarify the mystery of food labeling:
- "Sell by" dates are for stores, not consumers, and don’t indicate that a product is unsafe to eat. They’re a guide for stores to remove items from shelves.
- "Use by" dates refer to quality, not safety, and may not be a hard and fast rule.
- For products with "sell by" dates, like ground meat and poultry, it’s often safe to use for a short time past the date. Cuts of beef and eggs may remain good for 5 days or 5 weeks past the date, respectively.
- Shelf-stable foods like canned beans and packages of oats may be safe to use well past the "use by" date, as long as stored properly in a cool, dry place.
The Bottom Line
The new California law aims to reduce food waste and clarify labeling for consumers. While this change may not directly impact the rest of the country, it’s a step in the right direction. When "sell by" and "use by" dates leave things unclear, a visual inspection and sniff test can come in handy. If it smells rank or looks off, it’s best to err on the side of caution and toss it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the purpose of "sell by" dates?
A: "Sell by" dates are for stores, not consumers, and indicate when products should be removed from shelves, not whether they’re safe to eat.
Q: What does "use by" date refer to?
A: "Use by" dates refer to quality, not safety, and may not be a hard and fast rule.
Q: How long is it safe to use food past its "sell by" date?
A: For grounded meat and poultry, it’s usually safe for a short time past the date; for cuts of beef, up to 5 days; and for eggs, up to 5 weeks.
Q: Which foods can be safely used past their "use by" date?
A: Shelf-stable foods like canned beans and packages of oats can be used well past the "use by" date, as long as stored properly.
