Despite the joint recommendations of the USDA and US FDA to develop a standardized food date labelling bill, Congress has failed to advance enabling legislation.  The National Strategy for Reducing Food Loss and Waste previously advocated for a “best if used by” label date. 

California has acted independently and has passed AB 660 that awaits signature by Governor Gavin Newsom.  The California bill requires imprinting the “date by which the product should normally be used to ensure consumer quality.”  This is achieved by using a “best if used by” or “best if used or frozen by” as quality dates and “used by” or “used by or freeze by” to indicate the safety date.  The term “sell by” would be prohibited.  The bill if enacted would take effect by July 1^st, 2026, requiring processors, manufacturers and retailers to comply with the new labeling nomenclature.