California Bans ‘Sell By’ Dates To Reduce Food Waste
California has enacted a new law to standardize food labeling, aiming to reduce confusion and food waste. The legislation bans the use of “sell by” dates, which often mislead consumers about a product’s safety. Instead, manufacturers must now use either a “Best if Used By” label for peak quality or a “Use By” label for product safety, with the goal of helping consumers make more informed decisions. This pioneering state law, along with similar legislation in New York, is spurring efforts towards a national standard for food dating.
John Q. Hosedrinker