SACRAMENTO, Calif., July 3 (Our California Times) — California’s new food date-label law took effect July 1, requiring covered products made on or after that date to use standardized terms such as “BEST if Used by” and “USE by” while banning consumer-facing “sell by” labels.
The California Department of Food and Agriculture said Assembly Bill 660 applies to food items for human consumption sold in the state and sets four approved phrases: “BEST if Used by,” “BEST if Used or Frozen by,” “USE by,” and “USE by or Freeze by.” The department said the change is aimed at reducing consumer confusion that can lead people to throw away food that is still wholesome and nutritious.
The department also said the law allows coded dates for retailer inventory and stock rotation, as long as they are not intended for consumers. CDFA said the sale prohibition does not apply to eggs or infant formula.
The Los Angeles Times reported that local enforcement in Los Angeles County will fall to the county health department, citing a California Department of Public Health spokesperson.
