Target, Walmart and Trader Joe's stores in California forced to change how they sell fresh food

California has become the first state to ban confusing 'best before' labels on food in all major supermarkets. California has become the first state to ban confusing 'best before' labels on food in all major supermarkets In California alone, around six million tons of unexpired food is tossed in the trash each year. Lawmakers and advocates in California said they have spent the last decade trying to pass legislation to reduce food labeling confusion and cut down on food waste. 'Food waste rates are not decreasing, they're increasing,' said Erica Parker with Californians Against Waste, who Supporters hope the legislation could pave the way for new food labeling standards across the country. Shoppers wait in line to buy groceries at a Gelson's supermarket Friday, March 20, 2020, in the Sherman Oaks section of Los Angeles The new legislation, pushed through by Governor Gavin Newsom over the weekend, aims to help consumers stop playing guessing games with the produce in their fridges A customer looks at refrigerated items at a Grocery Outlet store in Pleasanton, Calif. 'It would obviously help everybody try to be on the same spectrum and make sure everything's able to be used by the consumers, or if not it's just a waste of money,' Acosta told the outlet.