California sets new standards: Clarity in food durability
California sets new standards: Clarity in food durability
In California, a new law aims to eliminate the confusion about food identification and thus end the everyday struggle of consumers whether the supplies in the fridge can still be edited. The government under governor Gavin Newsom has passed a law that forbids misleading labels such as "selling to" or "at least durable to" to better assess incredible foods.
The current regulations allow over 50 different dates on packaged foods that are largely regulated but are not connected with the safety of food. These labels, which often serve as a simple guideline for retailers, contribute to the confusion of consumers and could be responsible for almost 20 % of food waste in the USA. In California alone, around 6 million tons of non -expired foods end up in the trash.
The new law and its requirements
From July 2026, the law will come into force and determine new standards for food markings. The stickers "Best IF Used by" signal the optimal quality, while "Use by" stands for product safety. However, there are exceptions for eggs, beer and certain malt -based drinks. The authors of the law, such as the democratic MP Jacqui Irwin, call this measure a significant step in order to act more environmentally friendly and to protect the financial means of consumers.
Legislation comes at a time when similar efforts at the federal level have stalled. In the past ten years, state legislators have tried to reduce the confusion to reduce food labeling and to reduce food waste. A similar bill failed in 2016 and also a voluntary labeling protocol that was introduced in 2017 was not implemented broadly. Erica Parker from Californian's Against Waste, who supported the law, stated: "The food waste is increasing, even though we are striving for a comprehensive approach."
With this legislation, California could possibly have a pioneering role in determining new standards for food identification in the USA. Supporters believe that the new regulation could urge companies to standardize their labeling practices nationwide. "California has such a large market share that we think that this will influence the manufacturers," said Nina Sevilla from Natural Resources Defense Council. "The hope is that California serves as a model for other states or even for a nationwide approach."Approval of this law reflects the growing concern about food waste and its effects on the environment. These changes could not only affect consumers' buying behavior, but also help to create a common framework for the treatment of food laws in America. With the non -standardized labels, it remains to be seen how they will develop in the bulging California market and beyond.
Kommentare (0)