California’s Food Label Law Takes Effect July 1: What Shoppers Should Know
California shoppers will soon notice a change in grocery stores as a new state law begins phasing out one of the most familiar food labels.
Starting July 1, the “sell by” date will begin disappearing from many packaged foods across the state as part of a new law aimed at reducing confusion and food waste.
The change may look small on the surface, but it could affect how people decide what to keep, freeze, or throw away when checking items in their kitchen.
The law, California Assembly Bill 660, targets a long-running issue: inconsistent and confusing date labels on food products that often leave consumers guessing.
Officials say the goal is to make it easier to understand what food labels actually mean.
What changes on July 1
Under AB 660, food manufacturers and retailers that use date labels on packaged foods must follow standardized wording.
For food quality, labels must now use “Best if Used By” or “Best if Used or Frozen By.”
For food safety, labels must use “Use By” or “Use or Freeze By.”
The difference is key.“Best if Used By” refers to quality, meaning taste or texture may decline after that date. “Use By” refers to safety and signals when a product may no longer be safe to eat. In short, one is about freshness, the other is about risk.
State officials say the goal is to remove confusion that leads many shoppers to treat all dates as strict expiration deadlines.
Why “sell by” is being removed
One of the biggest changes is the removal of “sell by” dates from consumer-facing packaging.
These labels were originally designed for retailers to manage stock and inventory, not for shoppers making decisions at home.
But in practice, many consumers interpret “sell by” as a warning to throw away food, even when it is still safe to consume.
That misunderstanding has contributed to food waste across households.
Milk, yogurt, packaged meats, and pantry staples are often discarded prematurely simply because the date has passed.
Under the new law, retailers can still use internal tracking codes, but “sell by” will no longer appear on packaging meant for consumers.
Why it matters for households
The change comes at a time when many families are trying to stretch grocery budgets.
Food prices remain a concern for households across California, and wasted food adds up quickly.
Supporters of the law say clearer labels could help consumers better understand what is actually safe to eat, rather than relying on confusing wording.
That could be especially helpful for families buying in bulk, students, seniors on fixed incomes, and anyone trying to reduce food costs.
The law also encourages better food storage habits, including freezing items before they spoil rather than discarding them too early.
What foods are affected
The law applies broadly to packaged foods that carry freshness or safety date labels.
This includes dairy products such as milk, yogurt, and cheese, as well as packaged meats, frozen foods, ready-to-eat meals, beverages such as juice, and pantry staples such as cereal, snacks, and canned goods.
Shoppers will begin seeing updated labels gradually as manufacturers roll out products made after July 1.
Older products already in stores may still carry previous wording until they cycle out of supply.
Over time, grocery aisles across California are expected to feature more consistent, simplified labeling.
What is not included
Not all food products fall under the new rules.
The law does not apply to infant formula, eggs, or pasteurized in-shell eggs, or beer and malt beverages.
These categories are regulated separately under federal or existing state rules.
It also does not require all foods to carry a date label. If a product is not already required to have one, the law does not create a new requirement.
Some store-prepared foods may still include “packed on” dates, but they must still comply with standardized quality or safety language when applicable.
The bigger issue behind the law
Supporters of AB 660 say the problem goes beyond packaging; it is about reducing food waste caused by confusion. Across the food industry, dozens of date phrases are in use, including “sell by,” “best before,” and “freshest by.”
Officials say this inconsistency leads many consumers to throw away food that is still usable.
Advocates argue that standardizing labels helps everyone involved, from shoppers to retailers to food banks.
It may also reduce environmental impact, since food waste contributes to landfill buildup and methane emissions.
What shoppers should do
The key takeaway for consumers is simple.
“Best if Used By” refers to quality.
“Use By” refers to safety.
Understanding that difference can help reduce unnecessary food waste.
However, experts also emphasize that date labels are only one part of food safety. Proper storage, refrigeration, and checking for signs of spoilage, such as odor, texture, or packaging damage, remain important.
A date on a package should guide decisions, not replace basic judgment.
A small change with everyday impact
The new law may not create immediate visible disruption in stores, but it will gradually influence everyday habits. It changes how people interpret food in their fridge, how stores label products, and how much food is thrown away unnecessarily. As new packaging enters circulation, shoppers are expected to see fewer confusing terms and more consistent language.
The goal is simple: reduce confusion, reduce waste, and help households make clearer decisions at the grocery store and at home. Even a small shift in labeling could lead to less wasted food and better use of groceries already purchased.
Starting July 1, California shoppers will begin seeing a simpler system. The real test will be whether that simple wording helps people waste less, save more, and feel less confused every time they open the refrigerator.
A Small Label With a Big Household Impact
California’s new food date-label law may not seem dramatic at first. No one is rushing to the grocery store just to inspect the fine print on a carton of milk. But this is the kind of change that works in the background of daily life.
It affects what families buy, save, freeze, and throw away. It affects grocery stores that must rethink packaging language. It affects food banks that may benefit when fewer usable items are discarded too early.
Most of all, it gives Californians a clearer message exactly when they need it. Not every date on food means danger. Not every old label deserved the fear it created.
Starting July 1, California shoppers will begin seeing a simpler system. The real test will be whether that simple wording helps people waste less, save more, and feel less confused every time they open the refrigerator.
