SACRAMENTO, Calif., July 3 (Our California Times) — The California Department of Food and Agriculture says California’s new food date-label law takes effect July 1, standardizing phrases on covered food sold in the state and removing consumer-facing “sell by” dates.
Under the law, quality dates must use either “BEST if Used by” or “BEST if Used or Frozen by.” Safety dates must use “USE by” or “USE by or Freeze by.”
CDFA says retailers may still use coded dates for stock rotation as long as they are not meant for consumers. The department says the change is intended to reduce confusion that can lead shoppers to throw away food that is still wholesome and nutritious.
The rules apply to food items for human consumption in California manufactured on or after July 1, 2026. CDFA says the sale ban does not apply to eggs or infant formula.
