California’s AB 660 took effect July 1, 2026, for covered food made on or after that date. It bars consumer-facing “sell by” wording on those products and standardizes the wording used for quality and safety dates. It does not require every food to carry a date, and it does not mean food is automatically safe to eat after a quality date.
What California’s law changes
Governor Gavin Newsom signed AB 660 on September 28, 2024. The law’s effective date for covered products is July 1, 2026. Its rules apply to food for human consumption manufactured on or after that date and sold in California. The chaptered statute sets standardized terms for consumer-facing quality and safety dates and prohibits the phrase “sell by” on covered items.
The change is about what a date communicates. A “sell by” date has been used for retailer stock rotation, while shoppers may mistake it for a deadline to consume the food. Under AB 660, consumer-facing dates must use the statutory wording when a quality or safety date is placed on the product. The law does not require a date on every food unless another law does.
What the new date terms mean
| Label wording | What it communicates |
|---|---|
| “BEST if Used by” or “BEST if Used or Frozen by” | A quality date: the date concerns quality, not an automatic safety cutoff. |
| “USE by” or “USE by or Freeze by” | A safety date. |
| “BB” | May indicate a quality date on a beverage or on a product too small for the full phrase. |
| “UB” | May indicate a safety date on a product too small for the full phrase. |
These terms are specified in AB 660. “Best if Used By” is not a promise that food remains safe indefinitely after that date; it identifies a quality date. The statute says it does not prohibit selling, donating, or using food after its quality date has passed. That provision is not a blanket food-safety guarantee. Follow safe handling practices and use food-specific judgment, especially when a product has been improperly stored or shows signs of spoilage.
#1 Best Overall
- Premium Quality: Specially made by formulated paper, Water/Oil resistant and durable, not easy to be torn. Plus high-quality glue it will keep your reminder stay tight on frozen food packages and leave no residue.
- 1000 PCS: On a roll for your Food/Pantry organization. Mega amount could afford multiple labelling needs. Each sticker measures 1” X 2”, enough room to write date, contents and brief instructions on.
- Easy to Note: Apply with a ball pen or permanent marker is recommended, convenient and easy to identify the inner food. Dishwasher is also available.
- Easy to Use: Comes in a roll and applied with perforation line for easy distribute. Peel off and stick wherever you want, done! Self-Adhesive stickers. Sticks great on food containers and plastic bags and easily come off leaving no residue.
- Include: 1000 pcs on a roll. Blank and white. Each measures 1” X 2”, perfect for different ingredient storage volume and use.
Why some packages may still say “sell by”
The July 1, 2026, threshold is based on when a product was manufactured, not the day a shopper sees it in a store. Older inventory can remain on shelves with its existing label; the Associated Press reported that retailers would sell through products already carrying older wording. So a package bearing “sell by” after the effective date does not by itself show that the product was made in violation of the new rule.
There is also a narrow stock-rotation exception: businesses may use a coded “sell by” date if consumers cannot easily read it and it does not use the phrase “sell by.”
Rank #2
- Reusable Erasable Labels: These coated adhesive labels are designed for long-term use. Write on them with the included marker, then erase and reuse as often as needed without leaving residue or ghosting
- Safe for Freezer, Microwave, and Dishwasher: Unlike paper or chalk-based labels, these durable labels are made to withstand temperature extremes. for leftovers, freezer meals, pantry bins, or fridge storage
- Includes Marker and Eraser: Everything you need is in the box. Use the included marker to label your containers and the eraser to wipe them clean. You can also use rubbing alcohol and any permanent marker if replacements are needed
- Labels for Any Task: This set includes 70 total labels in a 1x2.5 inch versatile size. Use them for meal prep, batch cooking, kids' lunches, or organizing household items like office files, garage hardware, or seasonal clothing bins
- Removable and Transferable: While labels are designed to stay in place, they can be removed and reapplied if needed. Use them on glass, plastic, metal, or wood surfaces for flexible organization across your home
Which foods are covered—and which are exempt
The rule covers food for human consumption sold in California when it was manufactured on or after July 1, 2026. The statute lists exemptions for infant formula; eggs and pasteurized in-shell eggs; and beer and other malt beverages. It also preserves specified date statements for wine and spirits. Grocery stores may put “packed on” on prepared food if a compliant quality or safety date also appears.
For covered products, a consumer-facing quality or safety date must follow the statutory wording, and the product cannot carry the phrase “sell by.” The coded stock-rotation allowance and listed exemptions are important limits on any shorthand description of the measure as a ban on all sell-by dates.
Rank #3
- FOOD LABELS FOR BUFFET TABLES: Make every dish easy to identify with reusable food labels for party buffets, food displays and table settings. Use these mini chalkboard signs for food to mark dishes, ingredients, dietary options, desserts, drinks and more—helping guests quickly understand your spread while keeping your table organized
- ONE-PIECE, NO-ASSEMBLY DESIGN: Skip complicated stands, loose pieces and last-minute setup. Each 4" x 3" food sign is built as one integrated piece—just write your label, place it on your table and you're ready to display
- WRITE, HIGHLIGHT & REUSE: Use the white liquid chalk marker for food names, prices and everyday labeling, then use the yellow marker to emphasize dietary notes, featured dishes, special items or other details guests should notice. When the event is over, the included cleaning spray helps remove previous writing so you can refresh and reuse your signs for the next buffet, party or gathering
- SMOOTH, EASY-TO-CLEAN PVC SURFACE: Made from durable PVC with a smooth surface, these food signs are easy to wipe clean after everyday splashes and spills. The reusable writing surface is ideal for indoor buffets, weddings, dinners, dessert tables and other events
- VERSATILE BEYOND FOOD LABELS: More than mini chalkboard signs, these tabletop signs can be used as food tags, place cards, table signs, drink labels and display cards. Perfect for birthdays, baby showers, bridal showers, Thanksgiving, holiday gatherings, potlucks, family dinners, bake sales
Why California adopted the change
The state describes the law as a way to make labels clearer and reduce avoidable food waste. The California Department of Food and Agriculture’s date-labeling page says organic waste decomposing in landfills accounts for 41% of California’s methane emissions; the page does not specify a year for that figure. It is context for the state’s rationale, not evidence that AB 660 itself has reduced emissions or food waste.
The Associated Press reported that a 2022 University of Maryland report found more than 50 different date labels on packaged food sold in stores. AP also attributed nearly 20% of U.S. food waste to date-label confusion to the FDA, though the underlying FDA publication and year are not established here. AP reported that about 6 million tons of unexpired food are discarded in California each year, but its account does not clearly identify the original source of that estimate. These figures describe the problem as reported, not measured results of the California law.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Stays Stuck On - Won't fall off your containers easily. MESS Reusable and Erasable labels stay on your containers and remove with no residue meaning less cleaning for you.
- The End of Food Waste – Be certain of what’s inside and how old it is. These food container labels work great for lunch or leftovers. Easily know what day of the week your food was stored.
- Easy as Pie - Simply write-on your message with a permanent marker. When finished with the contents of the container, erase with any eraser. Wipe clean and re-use. Even use as labels for bottles.
- No Need To Label Again and Again - Dishwasher, Microwave and Freezer Safe - 100% Waterproof. Wash repeatedly in the dishwasher (top rack) and re-use. The perfect organizing labels your kitchen or pantry.
- Multipurpose – Your erasable and removable blank stickers work great for labeling meal prep containers, canning labels, mason jar labels, storage bins, or organization in the fridge. Way better than freezer tape! Eraser and Marker not included. Help the Environment – Accurate labeling helps keep old fridge food, drinks, and containers out of the landfill. These kitchen labels for containers also keep harmful cleaners out of the drain!
Rank #4
- 【Full Confidence for the freezer food】Just a quick glance to get the food validity with our food labels, which makes sure food fresh and highly prevent spoilage and freezer burn. Widely used for plastic containers, aluminum foil, food packaging bags, glass jars and more.
- 【Kitchen Helper】Conveniently stick and peel with our removable labels. no paper or glue residue left on the container. Labeling the date and content with a ball point pen, work permanently on the surface unless you peel it off, no need to test our memory.
- 【Premium Quality】These labels stickers are water resistant, oil resistant, not easy to torn, which keep the labels neat and last longer. We recommoned usd ballpoint pens and marker pens to write.
- 【Smart Pack】150pcs on a roll, each roll of red and blue labels stickers to meet you different requirement. 1x3inch is large enough to write the date and contents confortably.
- 【Use in Variety of Way】Freezer Labels Easy Clean Leaves No Residue, Widely use in restaurants, kitchen storage, school, office and more.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
