Revolutionizing Food Waste: California's Groundbreaking Labeling Law

In a bold move to combat food waste, California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed a landmark bill that standardizes food date labels and bans the use of "sell by" dates. This pioneering legislation positions the Golden State as a trailblazer in the fight against the staggering issue of food waste, which has long plagued the United States.

Empowering Consumers, Reducing Waste

Simplifying Date Labels for Clarity

California's Assembly Bill 660 introduces a streamlined approach to food date labeling, consolidating the myriad of confusing terminologies into just two clear categories. The "best if used (or frozen) by" label will indicate the peak quality of the food, while the "use (or freeze) by" label will signify food safety. This straightforward system aims to help consumers better understand the shelf-life of their purchases, reducing the likelihood of premature disposal.For smaller products where space is limited, the law allows for the use of abbreviated labels, such as "BB" for "best if used by" and "UB" for "use by." Manufacturers and grocery stores can still utilize coded "sell by" dates to manage product rotation, but the explicit "sell by" wording will be prohibited on consumer-facing labels.

Embracing "Packed On" Dates

The new legislation also permits the inclusion of "packed on" dates, provided they are accompanied by either a "best if used by" or "use by" label. This additional information can further empower consumers to make informed decisions about the freshness and quality of their food.

Aligning with National Recommendations

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has long advocated for the use of "best if used by" and "use by" terminology, and California's new law solidifies this recommendation, transforming it into a mandatory requirement. This alignment with national guidelines sets a precedent for other states to follow suit, potentially paving the way for a more cohesive and consumer-friendly approach to food date labeling across the country.

Addressing the Root of Food Waste

Confusion over date labels is a significant contributor to consumer food waste, accounting for approximately 7 percent of the total waste in the United States, according to ReFED. Furthermore, a study published in Waste Management found that 84 percent of respondents discard food that is near its labeled date "at least occasionally."By addressing this root cause, California's new law aims to empower consumers to make more informed decisions, ultimately reducing the amount of perfectly edible food that ends up in landfills. This not only benefits the environment but also has the potential to save households and businesses substantial sums of money.

Building on Previous Efforts

California's action builds upon the state's previous efforts to address food waste. In 2017, the state passed AB 954, which encouraged the voluntary adoption of the "best if used by" and "use by" terminology. The new law, AB 660, takes this a step further by making these labels mandatory, solidifying California's commitment to tackling the food waste crisis.

Paving the Way for National Change

While California is the first state to enact such comprehensive food date labeling legislation, it is not a novel idea. A 2013 report from the Harvard Law School Food Law and Policy Clinic and the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) had already advocated for the elimination of consumer-facing "sell by" dates and the adoption of clear, standardized labeling.The federal government has also been considering bills on date standards for food, but the United States remains without national guidelines. Organizations like the NRDC and the Zero Food Waste Coalition are actively calling on Congress to establish national standards by passing the Food Date Labeling Act, which has garnered 41 co-sponsors in the House of Representatives.

Setting a Precedent for the Nation

California's groundbreaking legislation is poised to provide the momentum the federal government needs to take action. "By being the first in the nation to pass this kind of legislation, California sets a clear precedent for similar legislation at the federal level," says Madeline Keating, Senior Advocate for Food Waste at the NRDC.Many countries around the world have already implemented the simple labeling system that California is now adopting, and experts believe that the state's leadership could inspire a nationwide shift. "We're really an outlier in not taking action on this, but with California right now setting the stage—and they separately passed a resolution calling on Congress to do this too—I feel optimistic," says Emily Broad Leib, Founding Director of the Harvard Law School Food Law and Policy Clinic.As the nation watches California's groundbreaking move, the potential for a nationwide transformation in food date labeling and the fight against food waste has never been more promising.