By hannover-web.com California Governor Gavin Newsom has taken a significant step in food labeling by recently signing the AB 660 bill, which aims to clarify food expiration dates on packaging. In an interview with FOX 40, the governor emphasized that this new legislation will require most food packages to feature expiration date labels that use clear phrases such as “USE by” or “BEST if Used by.” The bill also introduces additional terms like “freeze by” for products requiring freezing before a specified date.
Currently, federal law only mandates expiration labeling for infant formula, leaving consumers confused by the over 50 different phrases they might encounter on supermarket shelves to indicate food freshness and safety. Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin, the bill’s author, pointed out that many of these labels can mislead shoppers. For instance, terms like “Sell by” often serve as inventory cues for retailers but can mistakenly lead consumers to think that food is unsafe after that date.
To combat this confusion, the new law allows for abbreviations; for instance, “BB” for “BEST if Used by” and “UB” for “USE by,” particularly for products with limited packaging space. Notably, it bans the use of “Sell by” dates entirely, reducing the likelihood of misunderstanding among consumers. This regulation is set to take effect on July 1, 2026, for all food produced after that date.
In addition to the food labeling initiative, Governor Newsom has also signed various bills touching on diverse issues, including cannabis, voting rights, and environmental concerns. One particularly noteworthy bill, AB 1775, permits local governments to establish cannabis cafes, allowing patrons to consume marijuana on-site alongside food and non-cannabis beverages.
Another key piece of legislation is the SB 707, known as the 2024 Responsible Textile Recycling Act. This law mandates that companies producing textiles, including clothing and home goods, create a national mandatory take-back program to recycle unwanted items, aiming to address the millions of tons of textiles that are discarded in California landfills.
While many Californians donate their old clothes to thrift stores, items that cannot be resold are frequently sold to businesses that export them to developing countries. This practice has exacerbated waste issues in places like Ghana and Chile, where vast quantities of discarded textiles have overwhelmed local environments.
Governor Newsom has also moved forward with a Voter ID bill that prohibits local governments from requiring voters to show identification. This legislation stems from a contentious ballot proposal in Huntington Beach that mandated photo ID at polling places.
Moreover, he signed tenant protection laws aimed at enhancing renters’ rights. The new regulations extend the response period for eviction notices from landlords from five to ten business days, a change supporters believe will benefit tenants in areas where timely replies are challenging. Under California law, landlords must issue a formal notice, and failure to respond in writing within ten days could lead to losing the case.
Additionally, the AB 2316 bill prohibits California schools from providing or selling foods with synthetic dye additives, which have been linked to various health risks, including cancer and behavioral issues like ADHD. These additives are commonly found in products such as cereals, ice creams, and candies.
However, not all proposed legislation was signed into law. Governor Newsom vetoed the AI safety bill that called for national safety measures for large AI models, a move critics argue could have set a precedent for AI safety regulations across the country.
