SACRAMENTO, Calif., July 3 (Our California Times) — California’s new food date label law took effect July 1, requiring covered products sold in the state to use standardized phrases such as “BEST if Used by” and “USE by,” according to the California Department of Food and Agriculture.
For quality dates, the law requires “BEST if Used by” or “BEST if Used or Frozen by.” For safety dates, the required terms are “USE by” or “USE by or Freeze by,” CDFA said.
Assembly Bill 660 also bars consumer-facing “sell by” dates, while allowing coded dates for retailer stock rotation that are not meant for shoppers. CDFA said the rule applies to food products manufactured on or after July 1, 2026, and older inventory may still be sold with existing labels. The department said the prohibition does not apply to eggs or infant formula.
CDFA said the change is intended to reduce consumer confusion that can lead people to throw away food that is still wholesome and nutritious.
The California Department of Public Health has said enforcement will be handled by local agencies. The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health is the local enforcement agency for the county, the Los Angeles Times reported.
