California Ditches “Sell By” Dates to Cut Food Waste and Clarify Safety

Clear Facts

• California has banned the use of “Sell By” dates on food products to reduce food waste.
• The new legislation, AB 660, requires the use of “Best If Used By” and “Use By” labels instead.
• The law will take effect on July 1, 2026, with certain exceptions like infant formula and eggs.

Imagine you’re at home, ready to prepare a simple dinner after a long day, only to find that the milk has passed its “Sell By” date. Frustrated, you throw it away and head back to the store. But what if that “Sell By” date doesn’t actually reflect the milk’s quality or safety?

In an effort to eliminate such confusion, California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed a law that bans “Sell By” dates. This move aims to significantly reduce food waste by providing clearer labeling for consumers.

The recently signed California Assembly Bill 660 (AB 660) mandates that food products must now use “Best If Used By” and “Use By” labels. The goal is to create a standardized system that informs consumers more accurately about food quality and safety.

The distinction between these labels is crucial. “Best If Used By” will indicate the peak quality of a product, while “Use By” will relate to the safety of consuming the product. For instance, milk might taste sour after the “Best If Used By” date, but consuming it after the “Use By” date could pose health risks.

Bradley Rickard, PhD, a professor of food and agricultural economics, supports this change. He notes that eliminating “Sell By” dates should resolve unnecessary food safety concerns.

“Some people will see the sell-by date and will assume this means something about food safety, and will then throw the item out even though there [are] unlikely any food safety concerns for many foods for a reasonable amount of time after the sell-by date,” he explained.

California Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin hailed the bill as a pioneering effort.

“Having to wonder whether our food is still good is an issue that we all have struggled with. Today’s signing of AB 660 is a monumental step to keep money in the pockets of consumers while helping the environment and the planet,” she stated.

Until this law takes effect in 2026, or if you’re outside California, you can refer to the guidelines from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety & Inspection Service. These guidelines clarify that “Best if Used By/Before” dates indicate optimal flavor or quality, while “Sell-By” dates are for inventory management and not safety.

This legislative change in California is a groundbreaking step toward reducing food waste and providing clearer information to consumers.

Let us know what you think, please share your thoughts in the comments below.

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