California Is Banning "Sell By" Dates on Food Packaging Starting July 1

Have you ever opened the refrigerator, spotted a date on a carton of yogurt, and wondered whether it belonged in the trash? You're definitely not alone.

Starting July 1, California is making a change that's designed to take some of the guesswork out of grocery shopping. 

Instead of the confusing mix of phrases we've become used to seeing, packaged foods will begin using standardized labels that make it much clearer whether a date refers to quality or food safety.

California Is Saying Goodbye to “Sell By” Dates

The new California “Sell By” date law is part of Assembly Bill 660, which is trying to reduce food waste by replacing vague and inconsistent labels with wording that's easier to understand.

Beginning July 1, consumer-facing "Sell By" dates will no longer appear on most packaged food sold in California.

Instead, manufacturers will use two clearer labels. "Best if Used By" will refer to food quality, while "Use By" will be reserved for products where food safety is the primary concern.

The goal is simple: help people understand what those dates are actually trying to tell us.

Why the Change Matters

One reason for the new California grocery law of 2026 is that food expiration labels have become surprisingly confusing.

Consumer advocates estimate there are more than 50 different phrases currently used on food packaging. Labels like "Sell By," "Best Before," "Fresh Until," and "Enjoy By" often leave people wondering whether food has spoiled or simply isn't at its freshest.

That confusion comes at a cost. According to California officials, billions of edible meals are thrown away each year because people mistakenly assume a quality date means the food is unsafe to eat. 

Reducing that unnecessary waste is one of the law's biggest goals.

What's the Difference Between "Best If Used By" and "Use By"?

Understanding Best if Used By vs. Use By may be the most helpful part of the entire change.

A Best if Used By date is about quality. After that date, the food may gradually lose some flavor, texture, or freshness, but it may still be perfectly safe to eat if it has been stored properly.

A Use By date is different. That label is intended to indicate when a food should no longer be consumed because of potential food safety concerns.

It's a much clearer distinction than the system many of us have been trying to decode for years.

“Sell By” Dates Explained

Here's something many of us might not have realized. The phrase "Sell By" was never really meant for us.

Those labels were originally created to help grocery stores manage inventory and rotate products on their shelves. We often interpreted them as expiration dates, though that wasn't their purpose.

Under the new law, retailers can still use coded inventory dates that shoppers won't see, allowing stores to manage their stock without adding to the confusion.

A Small Change That Could Make Grocery Shopping Easier

California is the first state to require this type of standardized food labeling, but it may not be the last. 

Similar proposals have already surfaced elsewhere as lawmakers look for new ways to reduce food waste and help consumers make more informed decisions.

So, the next time you reach for a carton of yogurt, you may not have to wonder what the date really means. Sometimes, making grocery shopping easier starts with changing just a few words on the label.

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