The California Department of Food and Agriculture will ban food manufacturers’ use of “sell by” labels on grocery items, replacing the long-used phrase with standardized date labels aimed at reducing ...

Federal law does not require most food expiration dates. Learn how food date labels work and what really signals spoilage.

California shoppers are about to see a quiet but sweeping change on grocery shelves: the familiar "sell by" date is being pushed into history. Starting in 2026, a new state law will standardize how ...

A new law in California aims to eliminate customer confusion. Will other states follow?

Experts say the labels act as guides for retailers on how long to display products on the shelves but aren’t indicators of whether they are still safe to consume.

Starting Wednesday, California Assembly Bill 660 went into effect. The law prohibits the use of 'sell-by' dates on food packets in an effort to reduce food waste.

More than 50 different date-label phrases have appeared on food in the U.S.

Sell by, best by, use by. If you're like me, then you're confused by all the different food labeling. Can you still eat it if it's past sell by? Is it really best by? And what if you're a day later ...

This is read by an automated voice. Please report any issues or inconsistencies here. See more from the L.A. Times in Google Search. Set us as preferred There are more then 50 differently phrased food ...

If you ever reached into the fridge for buttermilk, only to notice that it's past the sell-by date, you're not alone. Buttermilk is one of those ingredients that can transform pancakes, biscuits, and ...