California’s Food Date Reform | Raleigh News

Raleigh News Today | 2 Min News | The Daily News Now! · Jul 1, 2026 · 1m

California just cracked down on food waste with a bold new law ditching confusing “sell by” dates—now only two clear labels are allowed: “Best if Used By” for quality and “Use By” for safety. As the first U.S. state to standardize food date labeling, this move aims to slash household waste, cut emissions, and help food banks avoid tossing perfectly good donations. New York’s already following suit, and other states are watching closely. Grocers may need to adjust systems, but industry-wide support is strong—because clearer labels mean less waste and smarter shopping. Old labels will linger…