Food labels such as “sell by,” “use by” and “best by” have long been confused for expiration dates on grocery products.

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

Consumers will have only two labels to understand the quality and safety of a food item, starting July 1.

California’s new food labeling law replaces confusing date labels with standardized terms to help cut food waste.

The law standardizes language around expiration dates, aiming to minimize confusion about when food is safe to eat. More than ...