Food labeling: quality dates, safety dates, and sell-by dates

Food products made on or after July 1, 2026, must generally use uniform labels distinguishing quality dates from safety dates and cannot use consumer-facing “sell by” labels. This urgency law clarifies that those requirements do not cover dietary supplements.

What the law does ​

• Defines “food item for human consumption” to exclude dietary supplements.
• Leaves the July 1, 2026, uniform-labeling rules in place for covered foods: “BEST if Used by” for quality dates and “USE by” for safety dates, with limited short-form exceptions.
• Continues to bar sale of covered foods with noncompliant date labels or consumer-readable “sell by” labels.
• Takes effect immediately to support implementation and reduce disruption to the food industry.

Who it affects ​

• Dietary-supplement manufacturers, processors, retailers, and sellers.
• Food manufacturers, processors, retailers, grocery stores, and consumers of covered food products.

Context ​

The underlying law does not require date labels where none are otherwise used and does not discourage selling, donating, or using food after a quality date has passed.