Starting next month, Californians will see clearer food date labels thanks to a state law that bans the current patchwork of confusing terms. But for shoppers in the other 49 states, the familiar jumble of 'best by,' 'sell by,' and 'use by' stamps will persist, often leading to unnecessary waste.
The new California measure requires standardized language such as 'best if used by' to indicate quality, and 'use by' for safety. This reform aims to cut down on the billions of pounds of food that Americans throw away each year because they misinterpret dates as expiration warnings.
According to the FDA, the confusion over date labels causes an estimated billions of dollars in food to be discarded prematurely. The agency only mandates a 'use by' date on infant formula; for everything else, the dates are voluntary and mostly about quality, not safety.
Abby Snyder, an associate professor of food science at Cornell University, explained that these dates are essentially guidelines for when a product's flavor and texture are at their peak. 'The date is more like guidance for how fast to consume food before the quality deteriorates,' she told Nexstar. 'It's not a safety deadline.'
This distinction matters because many consumers treat 'best by' dates as hard expiration dates, tossing products that are still perfectly safe to eat. The result is a massive waste stream that also strains household budgets and the environment.
While California's law is a step forward, national uniformity remains elusive. The FDA has encouraged food manufacturers to adopt clearer labeling voluntarily, but progress has been slow. In the meantime, shoppers elsewhere must rely on their senses—sight, smell, and taste—to determine if food is still good.
The issue intersects with broader policy debates. For instance, efforts to reduce food waste have gained traction in state legislatures even as other regulatory battles heat up. Meanwhile, the Trump administration has pushed forward with major energy and defense initiatives, including a $17.5 billion investment in new nuclear plants and a deal with Iran over nuclear inspections, but food labeling remains a lower-profile but persistent concern.
For now, the takeaway is simple: unless you're in California, don't toss that yogurt just because the 'best by' date has passed. Check for signs of spoilage first—and save your money and the planet a little at a time.
