No More ‘Sell By’ Stickers. California Gov. Newsom Signs Bill Standardizing Food Package Labels
October 1, 2024 | 1 min to read
California's Governor Gavin Newsom has enacted Assembly Bill 660, establishing a standardized food labeling system. Labels must now indicate either “best if used by” for peak freshness or “use by” for safety, eliminating potentially confusing “sell by” stickers. Bill author Jacqui Irwin emphasized that the legislation addresses the common uncertainty consumers face about food freshness. This law aims to improve clarity and consumer confidence regarding food safety.
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — When does that food actually expire? We’ll soon know.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom over the weekend signed Assembly Bill 660 into law, which standardizes food package labeling.
It will have to read either “best if used by” to denote peak product freshness or “use by” to denote when a food product is no longer safe to eat.
The law also bans retailers from using public-facing “sell by” stickers that simply denotes when stock should be rotated and which can confuse some consumers.
“Having to wonder whether our food is still good is an issue that we all have struggled with,” said bill author Assemblywoman Jacqui Irwin, D-Ventura, in a statement.
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