Starting today, companies selling packaged foods in California must include food safety dates (i.e., when the item should be consumed or frozen to ensure the product is safe to eat) and quality dates (i.e., when the food’s organoleptic properties may begin to deteriorate) on product labels using only the following terminology:

• “Best If Used By” or “Best if Used Frozen By” to indicate the date by which a product will reach its peak quality. For smaller packages, the abbreviation “BB” may be used.
• “Use By” or “Use By or Freeze By” to indicate the date by which a product’s safety can no longer be guaranteed. For smaller packages, the abbreviation “UB” may be used.

Importantly, the use of consumer-facing “Sell By” dates will be prohibited to reduce the chances of consumers confusing “Sell By” dates with quality or safety dates. The use of any other ambiguous and inconsistent phrases like “Expires On” and “Freshest By” is also now prohibited.

Additionally, AB 660 authorizes grocers to display “Packed On” labels on prepared food items, but they must also display the mandatory “Use By” or “Best If Used By” dates described in the legislation.

Retained in the bill is the requirement limiting refrigerated shelf life to no more than 30 calendar days from packaging to consumption, except the time the product is maintained frozen, or the original safety date—whichever occurs first.

All products manufactured on or after July 1, 2026 must carry AB 660-compliant labels.