New Food Labeling Rules: What You Need to Know

There has been a shift in food marketing. Best By dates, as we know them, are changing. This is due to a change in the language of product dating. A new law bans food items from carrying “Sell by” labels. Instead, the law limits most labels to two options: “Best if used by” and “Use by.” The new California law further regulates food safety labels and will take effect in 2026. “Sell by” labels, used by grocers to help rotate stock, will be banned. Food Safety Magazine

Reducing food waste.

I think this is a great move. So much perfectly good food goes to waste. So much so, multiple businesses have popped up to address the challenge. Misfits Market and Hungry Harvest help producers reduce waste and make more money. Hopefully we as businesses can avoid losses by throwing less food out. Even better if we can turn former losses into future profit.

You may remember Potlicker’s earliest roots are based in resourcefulness and eliminating food waste. My best example of this is lobster stock; one of the most viewed recipes on my blog. Once, on a mission to save buckets of lemon rinds from the compost, I made a very questionable marmalade. I also created lemon salts, lemon sugar scrubs, and lemon vinegar. You name it, I tried it. I reused lemons every way research & experimentation told me I could.

When I began wholesaling I was hand writing or stamping the ‘made on’ date. I assumed that consumers would notice and understand the difference in labeling. My key stores advised me they did NOT. That I should shift my labeling to the industry standard of “Best By” to avoid confusion. They had in fact, encountered buyers who thought my product currently for sale on the shelf was expired.  Is the Best Buy date required on all products? No. It is an industry standard and customer expectation.

What do the new laws mean?

It means food is not rotten on the date listed on the jar. It means food waste has gotten out of hand in part from short Sell By dates & extra cautious consumers.

Most food manufacturers, myself included, will shift labeling to accommodate the new CA legislation. As a business owner, it does me no good. Short best by dates encourage sales. They trick people into thinking a product is no longer consumable. Today’s shoppers fully expect to see best by dates on honey. Honey does not expire. However, your plastic bottle will, so store it in glass. Many would shockingly throw away a completely stable food because of a somewhat arbitrary printed date. Let us begin to change that.

But how do I tell if my jam (or other food product) is bad?? Never fear! I made this handy dandy flow chart to help you along. Jams and jellies will not go bad, or generally become unsafe to eat unless exposed to air. You may however, find the color/texture/etc undesirable and decide not to use it anyway.

What’s next? 

Our favorite Potlicker jams & jellies will be made reflective of the new shelf life dating advisory. While you are here, please notice that my product labeling has changed to reflect Florida cottage industry labeling statements. This is because I tend to work in small batches of 5-10 pounds of fruit instead of 500. This also means that I am still not accepting wholesale customers, sorry. 

But how do I use old jam?

I’ve got you on this because most of my recipes us a jar at a time! Are you like me and love the sweet & savory combo?? These will hit the spot:

Maybe you’re like my twin who has always owned the sweet tooth. Try one these recipes:

• Jam Swirled Blondies – All credit goes to Twin, she’s the pastry chef in the family. This technique works with a box of brownie mix too.

• Jam Scones – I picked this recipe up while I was working in a food co-op in Vermont. Fold jam into the dough, it is both gorgeous and tasty.

How about someone else’s ideas of how to use jam? Looks like some good ones here.

My friends, I hope you avoid this conundrum all together. While these products are shelf stable, makers hope that you will get the product home and enjoy it right away! Don’t save that jar of something special for a special occasion, you are the special occasion.

Enjoy it now.