California's New Food Label Law: Clarity to Reduce Food Waste
Confusion over food labels like "sell by," "use by," and "best by" has led to unnecessary food waste for years. To address this issue, California has passed Assembly Bill 660, requiring food makers and retailers to use just two notices on food items for human consumption. Starting July 1, all food products, except eggs and infant formula, must be labeled with either "BEST if Used by" or "USE by" to indicate peak freshness or safety. Abbreviations like "BB" and "UB" can be used for smaller packages and beverages. The use of "Sell by" dates will be prohibited to reduce food waste, as many consumers discard perfectly good products due to unclear labels. The California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle) estimates that 2.5 billion meals' worth of unspoiled food is thrown away annually, contributing to landfill waste. Clarity in food date labels is expected to significantly reduce food waste and promote sustainability. Learn more about the new California food label law to make informed choices about food consumption.