California Unifies Food Date Labeling Standards, Virginia Bans Foam Food Containers
On July 1, 2026, multiple U.S. states will simultaneously enact a batch of packaging-related regulations: California prohibits the use of "sell by" labels and unifies quality and safety date terminology; Virginia extends the EPS food container ban to all food vendors; Connecticut imposes labeling obligations on products containing PFAS; Washington state's producer responsibility organization registration deadline arrives.
At the beginning of 2026, the United States has already seen multiple regulations involving plastic bags, bottles, and cans in areas such asnew packaging regulationstake effect. July 1st also marks the start of another wave of new rules. The following are legal and regulatory developments that packaging industry stakeholders need to watch:
California standardizes food date label wording
AB 660, aimed at reducing food waste, waspassed in 2024. Since July 1st, the law prohibits the use of the phrase "sell by" on labels. For quality dates, the allowed label phrases are "BEST if Used by" or "BEST if Used or Frozen by"; for safety dates, "USE by" or "USE by or Freeze by" must be used.
Virginia fully bans EPS food containers
All food vendors in Virginia—including restaurants, stores, schools, and food trucks—must comply with theexpanded polystyrene container banstarting July 1st. This is the second phase of the ban's expansion: a year ago, the ban only applied to vendors with 20 or more locations in Virginia. The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality encourages the use of reusable materials, paper, metal, or PET alternatives. Local governments may grant exemptions if vendors can demonstrate that the policy causes undue economic hardship.
Connecticut PFAS control and labeling requirements
Connecticuthas largely prohibited the intentional addition of PFAS in multiple product categories, including clothing, cookware, and cleaning products. However, when a notification is submitted to the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, products containing PFAS must be labeled according to the corresponding requirements. The followinglabel phraseshave been approved: "Contains PFAS"; "Made with PFAS"; "Made with PFAS chemicals"; "Made with intentionally added PFAS"; "This product contains PFAS"; and "Contains PFAS in Internal Components".
Washington State EPR registration deadline
July 1st is the deadline for producers in Washington State to complete registration with a producer responsibility organization.Washington State has designatedCircular Action Alliance as its producer responsibility organization (PRO).