California to Introduce New Food Labeling Standards to Reduce Food Waste
The labeling of food products with terms like “sell by” or “best by” has long been a source of confusion for consumers, as there is no clear definition under current laws. In an effort to help consumers avoid guessing whether the food in their refrigerators is still safe to eat, California has taken steps to change this practice.
Governor Gavin Newsom signed a law over the weekend making California the first state to prohibit the use of terms such as “sell by” or “best by” on food labels. This legislation aims to reduce food waste and cut down on emissions contributing to climate change.
There are over 50 different date labels found on packaged food items in stores, but these labels are essentially unregulated and not related to food safety. For instance, “sell by” dates are typically indicators for when retailers should take products off shelves, not necessarily whether the products are still safe to consume.
With no federal regulations specifying what information should be included on these labels, consumers are left feeling perplexed. According to the Food and Drug Administration, these labels contribute to nearly 20% of food waste nationwide. In California alone, about 6 million tons of non-expired food are thrown into the trash each year.
“We are all struggling with the question of whether our food is still edible, and this is something we are trying to address,” said Jacqui Irwin, the Democratic State Assemblywoman and sponsor of the bill.
She added in a statement that the new law is a “significant measure to help consumers save money and care for the environment.”
The legislation sets new standards for food labeling in California, which will go into effect in July 2026. These standards will use labels like “best if used by” to indicate quality and “use by” to indicate safety, following the recommendations of federal agencies. Eggs, beer, and malt beverages are exempt from these requirements.
While similar efforts at the federal level remain stagnant, California has taken the lead with this law. Lawmakers and advocates in the state have tried over the past decade to legislate clarity in food labels and reduce food waste. A similar measure in 2016 met a premature end before reaching the governor’s desk, and a 2017 law signed by then-Governor Jerry Brown to establish a voluntary uniform labeling system saw little adoption by companies.
“The widespread implementation promised by the industry did not happen,” said Erica Parker of the California Waste Reduction Organization, a proponent of the bill. “Food waste rates have not declined, but have instead risen.”
Supporters hope that this legislation will pave the way for standardized food labeling across the United States, although it remains uncertain if the new law in California, with its massive market, will drive national standardization of labels.
“With such a large market in California, we are confident this will incentivize manufacturers,” said Nina Sevilla of the Natural Resources Defense Council, who is also a proponent of the bill. “We hope California can be a model for other states and ultimately drive action at the federal level.”
Jasmine Acosta, a 23-year-old shopper, believes that most people do not understand the language currently used on food labels.
“Labels leave most consumers perplexed,” Acosta told the Associated Press on Tuesday while shopping at a Smart & Final store in Los Angeles.
Having previously worked at a small supermarket, she developed a habit of checking the meat she purchased for odor or discoloration before consumption. Acosta noted that sell by dates help stores comply with the “first in, first out” policy and prepare for the arrival of new goods, but it does not necessarily mean the food has gone bad.
During her shopping trip on Tuesday, she purchased a pack of meat with a label stating “use or freeze by this date” – a label she found relatively clear, but still potentially confusing.
“This law obviously helps ensure that everyone has the same understanding, making sure everything can be consumed by consumers, otherwise it’s a waste of money,” Acosta said.