California shoppers are about to see a major change in grocery stores, and many Americans are wondering whether it will make shopping easier—or even more confusing.
Starting July 1, a new California law will prohibit food manufacturers and retailers from using traditional “sell by” dates on most packaged foods sold to consumers. Supporters say the change will reduce food waste, while critics question whether government regulators are solving a problem that many families never asked them to fix.
The new policy, signed into law under Governor Gavin Newsom’s administration, creates a statewide system for food-date labels and eliminates several phrases Americans have seen on grocery products for decades.
That means familiar labels such as “sell by,” “freshest by,” and “expires on” will largely disappear from store shelves.
Instead, consumers will mainly see two new standards:
“BEST if Used by” — indicating when a product is expected to maintain its best flavor, freshness, or quality.
“USE by” — indicating a date tied to food safety.
Smaller packages and certain beverages may also use abbreviated versions, including “BB” and “UB.”
The rules apply to food products manufactured on or after July 1, 2026.
For decades, shoppers have relied on a variety of expiration-style labels when deciding what to buy and what to throw away. California officials argue that many consumers misunderstand those dates and end up discarding food that is still perfectly usable.
According to state regulators, “sell by” dates were originally intended for grocery stores and retailers to manage inventory, not to tell consumers when food becomes unsafe to eat.
As a result, state officials believe eliminating those labels could reduce food waste and save consumers money.
But not everyone is convinced.
Many shoppers already struggle to keep up with changing regulations and rising grocery costs. Some critics worry that replacing familiar labels with new terminology could initially create more uncertainty rather than less.
California has become the first state in the nation to ban consumer-facing “sell by” dates and require a standardized labeling system. Supporters hope other states eventually adopt similar rules, potentially creating a nationwide standard.
Currently, there is no broad federal requirement governing most food-date labels. Manufacturers across the country use dozens of different terms, creating a patchwork system that consumer groups have long criticized.
Under California’s new rules, food that has passed a “BEST if Used by” date may still be safe to consume if stored properly and shows no signs of spoilage. Only products carrying a “USE by” label are intended to communicate a food-safety deadline.
Food companies have spent months redesigning packaging and updating distribution systems ahead of the deadline. Businesses that fail to comply could face restrictions on selling products in California, one of the largest consumer markets in the United States.
For consumers, the transition may seem small at first glance. But it represents another example of California using its massive market power to reshape business practices that often influence the rest of the country.
Whether the new labels reduce waste or simply create new questions remains to be seen. What is certain is that millions of shoppers will soon notice the difference the next time they walk down a grocery aisle.
