California creates clarity: new rules for food packaging from 2026

California creates clarity: new rules for food packaging from 2026

sacramento, California-In a future-oriented step, California has issued a law to abolish the confusing food labels with the inscriptions "Sell up" or "Best to". These labels have caused confusion in the past because they have no uniform importance and are often not associated with the safety of food.

According to current provisions, there could be more than 50 different dates on packaged foods, which are, however, largely unregulated. These labels are often an orientation for retailers to take products from the shelves, but do not serve as a reliable indication of whether a food is still edible. The new legal framework aim to prevent such practices and to keep consumers from further puzzles in their refrigerators.

statutory new regulation

Legislation, which was signed by governor Gavin Newsom, is scheduled to come into force in July 2026. It stipulates that food with "best up to" for optimal quality and "use up to" for product safety are marked. This is based on recommendations of national authorities. There are exceptions for eggs, beer and other malt drinks.

The motivation behind this decision is not only consumer protection, but also the reduction of food waste. According to the Food and Drug Administration, the lack of understanding of the labels contributes to almost 20 % of food waste in the USA. In California alone, around 6 million tons of unspoiled foods end up in the trash.

consumer frustration and suggestions for improvement

The MP Jacqui Irwin, who initiated the law, emphasized that many consumers are tired of constant puzzles about the usability of their food. She called the new regulation a "monumental step" to save consumers' money and at the same time protect the environment.

Consumers like Jasmine Acosta expressed that many people do not understand the current information on food labels. Acosta, which has experience in the food trade, explained that she was checking Habit whether meat spoils before it uses it. A uniform system of food labels would not only clarify consumers, but also ensure that less money is wasted.

This legislative initiative thus overtakes similar efforts that have stalled at federal level in recent years. In the past, repeated attempts failed to eliminate the confusion and reduce waste. A similar bill failed in 2016, and the voluntary labeling system, which was introduced in 2017, was not observed by most companies.

With this new regulation, California could play a pioneering role and contribute to the fact that manufacturers introduce uniform labeling standards nationwide. The hope is that California serves as a model for other states or even triggers action at federal level.

Details of this legislative new regulation can also be found in reports on www.detroitnews.com .