California Food Date Labeling Requirements Take Effect July 1

California Standardizes Food Date Labels Beginning July 1

Beginning July 1, 2026, food manufacturers, processors, and retailers selling products in California must comply with California’s food date labeling law, Assembly Bill 660 (AB 660). The law establishes standardized terminology for food quality and food safety date labels and prohibits the use of consumer-facing “sell by” dates.

California adopted the law to reduce consumer confusion surrounding food date labels and help address food waste caused by misunderstanding the difference between quality dates and food safety dates.

Required Date Label Terminology

For food products that display date labels, California now requires the use of specific standardized language:

Quality Date Labels

Manufacturers must use:

• “BEST if Used by”
• “BEST if Used or Frozen by”

These labels communicate product quality and indicate when a product is expected to maintain its best flavor, texture, or overall quality.

Safety Date Labels

Manufacturers must use:

• “USE by”
• “USE by or Freeze by”

These labels communicate food safety and indicate when a product should no longer be consumed or should be frozen for later use.

“Sell By” Dates Are No Longer Permitted

One of the most significant changes under the law is the prohibition on consumer-facing “sell by” dates.

Historically, “sell by” dates were intended primarily for retailer inventory management and stock rotation. However, consumers frequently interpreted these dates as indicators of food safety, resulting in the disposal of wholesome food. Under AB 660, food items manufactured on or after July 1, 2026, may not display a consumer-facing “sell by” date. Coded inventory management dates that are not easily understood by consumers remain permissible.

Who Should Review Their Labels?

The new requirements may affect:

• Food manufacturers
• Private label brand owners
• Food processors
• Importers marketing products in California
• Retailers responsible for product labeling

Companies distributing products nationally should determine whether California-specific labeling changes will be implemented across all markets or only for products sold within California.

What Companies Should Consider

Organizations selling food products in California should review:

• Current date labeling terminology
• Product artwork and packaging inventories
• Label approval processes
• Retail and distributor communications
• Internal policies regarding quality and safety date determinations

Early review can help avoid disruptions as products manufactured after July 1 enter distribution channels.

EAS Perspective

While California’s law applies at the state level, the size of the California marketplace may encourage broader adoption of standardized date labeling practices across the food industry. Companies that distribute products nationally may find it more efficient to harmonize labeling across product lines rather than maintain separate packaging for different markets.

Food manufacturers should evaluate existing date label language and determine whether updates are necessary to ensure continued compliance in California after July 1, 2026.