California is taking bold steps to help consumers understand food labels better and to protect children from harmful ingredients.
Recently, the state announced new legislation aimed at resolving the confusion surrounding food labels, particularly those that say "sell by" or "best before." This confusion leads many families to toss out perfectly good food, contributing to significant food waste.
California Standardized Food Packaging Labels
The new law, signed by Governor Gavin Newsom, will eliminate misleading labels and create a more standardized system.
Currently, there are over 50 different date labels used on packaged foods, but they do not have a standard meaning.
The "sell by" date, for example, is usually a guide for stores to know when to take a product off the shelf, but it doesn't tell customers when the food is actually unsafe to eat.
According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), nearly 20% of the food produced in the US is wasted, and in California alone, around six million tons of edible food is thrown away every year.
The new law is a big step toward reducing this waste. The legislation will introduce new labels, including "Best if Used By," which indicates the best quality, and "Use By," which tells consumers when the food is no longer safe to eat. However, some items like eggs, beer, and certain malt beverages will be exempt from these rules.
This legislation is particularly important because similar efforts at the federal level have stalled. In the past decade, California lawmakers and advocates have worked hard to clarify food labeling and reduce waste, but many proposals have failed., according to AP News.
A proposal in 2016 did not move forward, and while legislation was enacted in 2017 to create a voluntary labeling protocol, it was not widely adopted by companies. Erica Parker from Californians Against Waste noted that "the rates of food waste are on the rise, not on the decline."
Despite the challenges, there is hope that California's new food labeling standards may influence the entire country. Nina Sevilla from the Natural Resources Defense Council believes that California's significant market size will push manufacturers to adopt uniform labeling practices nationwide.
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California Bans Chemicals Found in Popular Food, Drinks
Alongside changes to food labeling, California is also taking action to protect children from harmful chemicals found in food. On September 28, California became the first state in the US to ban certain food dyes, including red dye No. 40 and several others that are commonly found in popular snacks and drinks.
This law, known as the California School Food Safety Act, prohibits schools from serving foods that contain these dyes.
Governor Newsom's legislation is aimed at making school meals safer for children. The law is a response to concerns that certain food dyes can affect children's behavior and learning.
Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel, who introduced the bill, expressed how important this issue is for him as a parent of a child with ADHD. He stated, "This law holds significant importance for me as a parent, as someone who faced challenges with ADHD during my childhood."
According to CNN, the new law will take effect on December 31, 2027, and it applies to all public schools in California, serving over 6.3 million students. The law aims to protect children from potential health risks linked to synthetic food dyes, which have been associated with behavioral issues.
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