California Prohibits 'Sell By' Labels on Food Products to Reduce Waste

New Law on Food Labeling

Starting from July 1, 2026, food items sold in California will no longer bear a "sell by" stamp. This is following the approval of the first law governing food labeling in the nation by Governor Gavin Newsom. Assembly Bill 660, which will be effective from the said date, mandates the use of two standard terms for food products that opt for a date label. These terms are "best if used by", which indicates the quality date of food, and "use by", which indicates the food's safety.

Reducing Food Waste

Newsom believes that this new law, which he signed on September 28, will provide better information to consumers and significantly reduce food waste. While the law does not require food to be stamped with quality or time limits, it does prohibit the use of "sell by" labels. The federal government also does not require foods to have a "use by" date, except for baby formula.

Environmental Impact

Environmental organizations that backed the new law argue that eliminating the "sell by" stamp will result in less food being thrown away, thereby reducing the amount of methane produced at landfills. They also hope that the law will minimize confusion by requiring manufacturers to use the same phrases for date labels on all products. California is the first state in the nation to pass such regulations, which were authored by Assemblywoman Jacqui Irwin, a Democrat from Thousand Oaks.

Consumer Benefits

Irwin stated that the confusion over whether food is still good is a common issue. She believes that the signing of AB660 is a significant step towards saving consumers money while also benefiting the environment. Under the new law, dates may be voluntarily applied to meat, poultry, and egg products, as long as the dates are truthful and not misleading. Irwin noted that some current phrases, such as "expires on", "best before", and "sell by", can be unclear to the average consumer, leading to food waste and increased methane emissions from rotting food.

Changes in Food Packaging

Food packagers can continue to label products with a "sell by" date only if it is coded in a format that is not easily readable by consumers and does not use the phrase "sell by". The law also allows food to be donated after the "best if used by" date has passed. Californians Against Waste, a nonprofit environmental advocacy organization, co-sponsored the bill with the Natural Resources Defense Council, a national coalition of 3 million environmental activists.

Addressing Food Waste

According to Erica Parker, a policy associate with Californians Against Waste, inconsistent use of phrases like "sell by" and "expires on" can make it difficult for consumers who don't want to throw away good food. She stated that confusion over date labels is a leading cause of the 6 million tons of food waste that Californians throw away each year. Victoria Rome, the California lobbyist for the Natural Resources Defense Council, said that standardizing food date labels is a common-sense solution that will keep more money in people's pockets and food on families' plates while reducing climate warming emissions.

Impact on Methane Emissions

The Natural Resources Defense Council reported that California's food waste accounts for 41 percent of the state's methane emissions. The group also stated that the U.S. wastes 40 percent of the food it produces, which equates to about 20 pounds of food per person every month. The council also reported that 16 percent of U.S. methane emissions are caused by organic matter dumped in landfills. They believe that 80 percent of the fresh water used in the U.S. is for food production, and 10 percent of the country's energy is used to produce and distribute food.

Previous Attempts and Future Plans

In 2017, California passed a similar law promoting the voluntary adoption of the "best if used by" and "use by" terms. However, the implementation of the standard terms fell short, according to the sponsors. The new measure mandates the use of these terms across all products sold in California.

Bottom Line

This new law in California represents a significant step towards reducing food waste and its associated environmental impact. By standardizing food labels, it aims to provide clarity to consumers and prevent unnecessary waste. However, the effectiveness of this law will largely depend on its implementation and public awareness. What are your thoughts on this law? Do you think it will effectively reduce food waste and help the environment? Share your thoughts and this article with your friends. Don't forget to sign up for the Daily Briefing, which is available every day at 6pm.