The Associated Press(@AP):What most people don’t realize is that food date labels are more about how fresh something is — not how safe the food is to eat. California is trying to bring some clarity with a new law that requires food manufacturers to use just two labels: one for quality and another for safety. Here are a few tips to help you understand food date labels and keep perfectly good food out of the trash even if you don’t live in California. Produced by Kiki Sideris

2026.08.01 14:00

What most people don’t realize is that food date labels are more about how fresh something is — not how safe the food is to eat. California is trying to bring some clarity with a new law that requires food manufacturers to use just two labels: one for quality and another for safety. Here are a few tips to help you understand food date labels and keep perfectly good food out of the trash even if you don’t live in California. Produced by Kiki Sideris