SACRAMENTO, Calif. — California wants to help end the everyday household debate over whether the food in the fridge is still good to eat.

Food labels that say “sell by” or “best before” are misleading because they have no universal meaning under current laws. Now California wants to crack down on such practices, bidding to help consumers stop playing guessing games with produce and other items in their fridges.

The state is the first to ban food labels such as “sell by” or “best before” under a law signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom. The legislation signed by Newsom over the weekend aims at reducing both food waste and the state’s climate-warming emissions.

There are more than 50 different date labels on packaged food sold in stores, but the information is largely unregulated and does not relate to food safety. “Sell by” dates, for example, often act as a guide for stores to pull products from the shelf and not as an indicator of whether the product is still safe to consume.

With no federal regulations dictating what information these labels should include, the stamps have led to consumer confusion – and nearly 20% of the nation’s food waste, according to the Food and Drug Administration. In California, that’s about 6 million tons of unexpired food that’s tossed in the trash each year.

“Having to wonder whether our food is still good is an issue that we all have struggled with,” said Democratic Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin, author of the bill.

The new law “is a monumental step to keep money in the pockets of consumers while helping the environment and the planet,” she added in her statement.

The law is set to take effect in July 2026, establishing a new standard for food labeling in California. It will require the use of “Best if Used By” label to signal peak quality and “Use By” label for product safety, an approach recommended by federal agencies. The law provides exemption for eggs, beer and other malt beverages.

The California law comes as similar efforts around the country remain halted at the federal level. State lawmakers and advocates said they also spent the last decade trying to pass legislation to reduce food labeling confusion and cut down on food waste. A similar measure died before reaching the governor’s desk in 2016. Then-Gov. Jerry Brown also signed a bill in 2017 to establish voluntary uniform-labeling protocol but few companies ended up following the honor system.

“Widespread implementation that was basically committed to by industry wasn’t happening,” said Erica Parker with Californians Against Waste, who sponsored the bill. “Food waste rates are not decreasing, they’re increasing.”

Supporters hope the legislation could pave the way for new food labeling standards in the U.S., though it’s not immediately clear if the new law and the massive California market will push companies to standardize food labeling for all products in the country.

“California has such a large market share that we do think this will push manufacturers,” said Nina Sevilla with Natural Resources Defense Council, who also sponsored the bill. “The hope is that California serves as a model either for other states or ultimately to push action at the federal level.”

Shopper Jasmine Acosta, 23, said she believes most people don’t understand the current language used on food labels.

“It’s confusing to most consumers,” Acosta told The Associated Press as she shopped Tuesday at a Smart & Final store in Los Angeles.

She used to work at a small grocery store, so she’s developed the habit of examining her meat purchases for smell or discoloration before using the food. A sell-by date helps the grocer adhere to a “first in first out” method for its products and get ready for the next shipment arrival, but doesn’t mean the food has gone bad, according to Acosta.

While shopping Tuesday, she picked up a pack of meat that said “use or freeze by” — phrasing that she believes is relatively clear compared to other language but could still be confusing.

“It would obviously help everybody try to be on the same spectrum and make sure everything’s able to be used by the consumers, or if not it’s just a waste of money,” Acosta said.

Associated Press writer Jaimie Ding contributed to this report from Los Angeles.

California has become the first state to ban confusing ‘best before’ labels on food in all major supermarkets.

The legislation, pushed through by Governor Gavin Newsom over the weekend, aims to help consumers stop playing guessing games with the produce in their fridges.

Food labels that say ‘sell by’ or ‘best before’ have no universal meaning under current laws.

There are more than 50 different date labels on packaged food sold in stores across the US, but the information is largely unregulated and does not relate to food safety.

‘Sell by’ dates, for example, often act as a guide for stores to pull products from shelves, and not as an indicator of whether the product is still safe to consume. 

With no federal regulations dictating what information these labels should include, this often leads to customer confusion – and nearly 20 percent of the nation’s food waste, according to the Food and Drug Administration.

In California alone, around six million tons of unexpired food is tossed in the trash each year.

‘Having to wonder whether our food is still good is an issue that we all have struggled with,’ said author of the bill, Democratic Assembly member Jacqui Irwin.

The new law ‘is a monumental step to keep money in the pockets of consumers while helping the environment and the planet,’ she added.

Taking effect in July 2026, the new rules set a new standard for food labeling in the Golden State. 

They will replace the current labels with a ‘best if used by’ label to signal peak quality of a product, and a ‘use by’ label for product safety. 

The law will provide an exemption for eggs, beer and other malt beverages. 

It comes as similar efforts around the country remain halted at the federal level.

Lawmakers and advocates in California said they have spent the last decade trying to pass legislation to reduce food labeling confusion and cut down on food waste.

‘Food waste rates are not decreasing, they’re increasing,’ said Erica Parker with Californians Against Waste, who sponsored the bill. 

Supporters hope the legislation could pave the way for new food labeling standards across the country. 

‘California has such a large market share that we do think this will push manufacturers,’ said Nina Sevilla with Natural Resources Defense Council, who also sponsored the bill. 

‘The hope is that California serves as a model either for other states or ultimately to push action at the federal level.’

Shopper Jasmine Acosta, 23, told The Associated Press she believes most people do not understand the current language used on food labels.

‘It’s confusing to most consumers,’ she said as she shopped Tuesday at a Smart & Final store in Los Angeles.

She used to work at a small grocery store, so she has developed the habit of examining her meat purchases for smell or discoloration before using the food, she said. 

A sell-by date helps the grocer adhere to a ‘first in first out’ method for its products and get ready for the next shipment arrival, but does not mean the food has gone bad, according to Acosta.

While shopping Tuesday, she picked up a pack of meat that said ‘use or freeze by’ – phrasing that she believes is relatively clear compared to other language but could still be confusing.

Shoppers wait in line to buy groceries at a Gelson’s supermarket Friday, March 20, 2020, in the Sherman Oaks section of Los Angeles

The new legislation, pushed through by Governor Gavin Newsom over the weekend, aims to help consumers stop playing guessing games with the produce in their fridges

A customer looks at refrigerated items at a Grocery Outlet store in Pleasanton, Calif.

‘It would obviously help everybody try to be on the same spectrum and make sure everything’s able to be used by the consumers, or if not it’s just a waste of money,’ Acosta told the outlet.

It comes after Governor Newsom also banned plastic bags in California stores. 

The change, which was signed into law earlier this year, will take legal effect on January 1, 2026, and will affect all grocery stores.

Some grocery chains such as Whole Foods have already phased out plastic bags at their checkouts nationwide. 

Consumers will be encouraged to bring their own bags to do their shopping, and those who do not will be offered a paper alternative. 

The new law will only affect the plastic bags used at supermarket checkouts, not the plastic bags that contain produce. 

Disney is turning the dream of living in a magical world into reality.

The entertainment giant is unveiling its first-ever residential community, Cotino, a sprawling desert enclave in Rancho Mirage, California, near Palm Springs.

Cotino is part of Disney’s new Storyliving initiative, which will feature nearly 2,000 homes ranging from upscale condos to luxurious villa estates.

Prices are set to start at $1 million and will soar past $2 million for the most lavish properties.

The homes will cater to a variety of buyers, including those 55 and older. Disney has already announced a second Storyliving development near Raleigh, North Carolina, with more locations being scouted.

Situated on 618 acres, Cotino will offer more than just homes. The community will boast a 24-acre lagoon with water sports like kayaking and paddleboarding, a beachfront hotel and a bustling district filled with dining, shopping and entertainment options.

The entire project is a nod to Disney’s signature flair for detail and immersive experiences, which the company says will be at the core of life in Cotino.

“These planned neighborhoods are intended to inspire residents to foster new friendships, pursue their interests, and write the next exciting chapter in their lives — all while enjoying the attention to detail, unique amenities, and special touches that are Disney hallmarks,” the company said in a statement when Storyliving was first announced in 2022.

And Disney isn’t stopping at just building the homes.

The company’s famous cast members, who are known for their customer service at its theme parks, will also be running Cotino’s community association, ensuring that residents experience Disney-level hospitality every day.

However, like all things Disney, the best perks will come at a cost.

Residents can opt into the Artisan Club, which grants access to a private clubhouse offering fitness classes, pickleball courts, a members-only beach and exclusive Disney-themed events, such as wellness seminars and live performances.

Three model homes, which were recently completed, will open to the public for tours in November. These homes, built by Shea Homes, reflect Disney’s meticulous design sensibilities.

The “Melodia” model is a 2,935-square-foot, one-story home that offers three bedrooms, 3½ baths and a large kitchen with a walk-in pantry.

The design, influenced by Disney’s “101 Dalmatians,” features neutral tones with sharp black accents. There’s also a flexible space that could serve as a home office or hobby room.

“Moderne,” another model in the 55-plus community of Longtable Park, is a two-story, 2,821-square-foot property. It includes two bedrooms, two full baths and two half-baths, with an open floor plan that connects living, dining, and cooking spaces.

The interior design takes its cues from Disneyland’s Adventureland, incorporating earthy tones and textures that evoke nature.

“Atelier II” is the third model, also designed for senior living. It offers 2,275 square feet of space in a modern glass-and-metal structure. Bright, bold colors throughout the home pay homage to Disneyland’s 1960s-era poster art. A wraparound outdoor living space extends from the primary bedroom and great room, ideal for outdoor relaxation.

With Cotino, Disney is hoping to lure lifelong fans with the promise of living out their golden years in a Disney-themed community, complete with all the company’s signature amenities.

And while the closest theme park may be two hours away in Anaheim, the company is banking on its iconic brand to attract Mouse House devotees to its newest venture in the California desert.

Disney previously dabbled in creating a town from scratch with Celebration, Florida, founded in 1996 and located about 20 miles outside of Orlando. It includes a retirement community called Windsor.

Residents say that while it started as slow-paced locale, it has since become a tourist trap.

“There’s not as much neighborhood kind of involvement or cohesiveness anymore,” longtime local Jim Siegal told the Orlando Sentinel in January 2022. “If I can put it bluntly, the town is overrun by tourists … and by people in the surrounding area looking for something to do.”