California is first state to ban ‘sell by’ phrase on food packaging

California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) signed legislation to standardize quality and safety date labels on food products to reduce food waste and better inform consumers.

Starting July 1, 2026, food labels will use “best if used by” to indicate quality and “use by” to indicate a food item’s safety. The law also makes California the first state to prohibit the use of the term “sell by.”