A new law in California aims to cut down on food waste and confusion among consumers. The state is banning the use of 'sell by' labels on food packaging, which are not an indicator of whether food is still safe to consume. Instead, manufacturers must use two standardized labels: a 'Best if Used By' label for peak quality and a 'Use By' label for product safety. This change is expected to simplify consumer decisions and reduce the estimated 20% of food waste in the US.
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California Bans 'Sell By' Food Labels to Cut Food Waste
California has banned the use of 'sell by' food labels, replacing them with standardized 'Best if Used By' and 'Use By' labels to reduce food waste and confusion.
Image/source material from KRCR Local.
Key Details
- Location: California
- Date/time: June 30, 2024 (law approved), July 1, 2026 (new labels implemented)
- Agencies involved: California state government, Democratic Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin, Californians Against Waste
- Status: Implemented
- Public impact: Reduces food waste and confusion among consumers
Timeline
- June 30, 2024: California approves law banning 'sell by' labels
Jacqui Irwin
Nick Lapis
Kumar Chandran
Rob Bonta
Shirley Weber
California state government
Californians Against Waste
US Department of Agriculture
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