California will fundamentally change how grocery items are marked under a new consumer protection law aimed at drastically cutting down statewide food waste.

Under the legislation, confusing and varied grocery terms are prohibited on consumer-facing packaging.

Instead, the state mandates a streamlined, uniform terminology system that separates food freshness from health risks.

Manufacturers are required to use the phrase BEST if Used by to indicate peak product quality. Conversely, the phrase USE by must be reserved strictly for public food safety warnings.

The legislative text outlines the structural requirements for manufacturers, but it remains unclear exactly how rigorously local code enforcement and public health agencies will monitor retail shelves.

The new guidelines will be fully implemented by July 1.

Ahead of this mandatory enforcement deadline, food brands, processors, and packaging teams shipping goods into the state must finalize updates to their printing layouts to ensure compliance with the strictly mandated language.

California shoppers can prepare for the transition by familiarizing themselves with the two new authorized phrases.