California Governor Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill 660 (AB 660), the nation’s first food date labeling reform, on September 28, 2024. The bill, drafted by Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin, standardizes confusing date labels to reduce unnecessary food waste across the state.
Starting July 1, 2026, “BEST if Used By” will indicate peak quality, including freshness, flavor, texture, and nutritional value. Foods like bread are safe to eat after "Best if Used By" dates, but they may lose flavor, crispness, or texture. On the other hand, “Use By” dates will communicate product safety. After “Use By” dates, products like milk or meat may spoil or grow bacteria, and consumption becomes a safety concern.
AB 660 prohibits “Sell By” dates to reduce confusion. They indicate how long it takes to display items and are not for quality and/or safety. However, many customers are misled into believing that products are no longer safe to eat after “Sell By” dates. By eliminating this label, AB 660 helps fight food waste.
Each year, Americans throw away almost 40% of their food. Confusing food date labeling often contributes to this unnecessary waste. More than 80% people discard good food simply because they misunderstand labels. This bill paves the way for reducing food waste and sparking a national movement.
