(a) At the time of sale to the consumer by a retail store of any product designated in this section, there shall appear on the package or container of the product the date established by the processor as the date by which the product should normally be used to ensure consumer quality.
(b) This section applies to the following products:
(1) Market milk.
(2) Market cream.
(3) Any milk product that is required by this code, or by any regulation adopted by the secretary pursuant to this code, to be made from market milk or any component or derivative of market milk.
(c) This section does not apply to any milk or milk products processed, packaged, and sold by distributors directly to consumers.
(d) This section does not apply to any bulk shipments of milk or milk products between distributors.
(e) The secretary shall, in compliance with applicable provisions of this code and Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code, and after public hearing or hearings, adopt regulations pertaining to (1) responsibility for affixing to packages or other containers the quality assurance date provided for in this section, (2) the manner, style, form, and place of affixation of the date to packages and other containers in a conspicuous place in a form that is readily seen and easily understood by the buyer, and (3) the administration and enforcement of the requirements of this section.
(Amended by Stats. 2024, Ch. 911, Sec. 1. (AB 660) Effective January 1, 2025.)