schools
Did the milk expire? California bans 'sell by' food labels to cut food waste
By Olga R. Rodriguez, Associated Press at KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC)
· July 1, 2026
· 4 min read
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 cooking teacher in Irvine, Cali...
Key takeaway “I’ll put some thought into it, and if we’re talking about meat and poultry, I’m very cautious about that and for sure will do the smell test and the touch test,” she said.
Why this matters in The Pearland
As California implements its new food labeling law, Pearland residents may wonder how this change could impact their own community. Although the law only applies to California, its effects could be felt in Texas if food manufacturers decide to adopt the standardized labels nationwide. This would simplify shopping for Pearland consumers, who often face confusion when deciphering varying phrases on food packaging. Local food banks and pantries may also benefit from the reduced food waste, as they often rely on donations of still-edible food that would otherwise be discarded due to misleading labels. As other states, including New York, consider similar legislation, it will be interesting to see if Texas follows suit, potentially leading to a reduction in food waste and climate-warming emissions in the Houston area.
About this story
Original reporting by KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) . The Pearland 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 KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: schools ·
Published: July 1, 2026 ·
Source: KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) ·
Reading time: 4 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? 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 cooking teacher in Irvine, Cali...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 1, 2026 by KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) and curated for The Pearland readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Olga R. Rodriguez, Associated Press at KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC). To learn more about how The Pearland selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more schools coverage from The Pearland, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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