A California law tackling food waste and consumer confusion just went into effect

‘Sell by’ food labels are now officially banned in California.

An Enjoy By date is stamped on a drink displayed at Park Plaza Fine Foods, Tuesday, June 30, 2026, in San Francisco. [Photo: Jeff Chiu/AP Photo]

In Kimberley Kausen’s home, a passed “sell by” date on a jug of milk means different things to different family members. For her daughter, it means the jug belongs in the trash. For her husband, it means the milk is still good for a few more days.Kausen, a chef and cooking teacher in Irvine, California, is more discerning and often uses her sense of smell before deciding what to do with the milk.“I’ll put some thought into it, and if we’re talking about meat and poultry, I’m very cautious about that and for sure will do the smell test and the touch test,” she said.The debate playing out in Kausen’s kitchen is repeated in homes across California and the country, where varying phrases on food packaging have long left shoppers unsure whether food is simply past its peak quality or unsafe to eat. The state is aiming to cut down on confusion........

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