local
Did the milk expire? California bans 'sell by' food labels to cut food waste
By OLGA R. RODRIGUEZ, Associated Press at Yourbasin / Big 2 KMID + Fox 24 KPEJ (Nexstar)
· July 1, 2026
· 1 min read
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — In Kimberley Kausen’s home, a passed “sell by” date on a jug of milk means different things to different family members. For her daughter, it means the jug belongs in the trash. For her husband, it means the milk is still good for a few more days. Kausen, a chef and [...]
Key takeaway For her daughter, it means the jug belongs in the trash.
Why this matters in The Odessa
The recent decision by California to ban "sell by" food labels may have implications for Odessa residents who frequently travel to or have connections with the West Coast. As the Permian Basin's own food banks and pantries work to reduce waste and provide for those in need, the move by California could inspire similar initiatives in Texas. Locally, food distributors and retailers may begin to reexamine their own labeling practices, potentially leading to a reduction in unnecessary waste. Odessa's own city government and health department may also take note of California's approach, considering whether similar measures could be effective in reducing food waste and confusion among consumers in Ector County. As the city continues to grow and develop, finding ways to efficiently manage food resources will become increasingly important.
About this story
Original reporting by Yourbasin / Big 2 KMID + Fox 24 KPEJ (Nexstar) . The Odessa surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit Yourbasin / Big 2 KMID + Fox 24 KPEJ (Nexstar) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 1, 2026 ·
Source: Yourbasin / Big 2 KMID + Fox 24 KPEJ (Nexstar) ·
Reading time: 1 min
Get more The Odessa stories like this
Free weekly briefing covering local and other local news. Curated by our editorial team. No spam.
By subscribing you agree to our privacy policy . Unsubscribe anytime.
Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — In Kimberley Kausen’s home, a passed “sell by” date on a jug of milk means different things to different family members. For her daughter, it means the jug belongs in the trash. For her husband, it means the milk is still good for a few more days. Kausen, a chef and [...]
When was this published? This article was first published on July 1, 2026 by Yourbasin / Big 2 KMID + Fox 24 KPEJ (Nexstar) and curated for The Odessa readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by OLGA R. RODRIGUEZ, Associated Press at Yourbasin / Big 2 KMID + Fox 24 KPEJ (Nexstar). To learn more about how The Odessa selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Odessa, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
← Back to all news
More local →
Today’s briefing
Subscribe to newsletter