MD HB8

Beginning July 1, 2026, food manufacturers, processors, and retailers must use standardized date labels: "Best if Used By" (or "BB") for quality dates indicating when food quality may decline, and "Use By" (or "UB") for safety dates indicating when perishable food should be consumed or frozen

Selling food items labeled with "sell by" dates is prohibited starting July 1, 2026, though coded sell-by dates not easily readable by consumers are still permitted for distributor/retailer stock rotation

Exemptions apply to infant formula, eggs, pasteurized in-shell eggs, and beer/malt beverages; food may still be sold, donated, or used after the quality date passes

Grade A milk products sold at retail must be labeled with a quality assurance date established by the milk processor indicating when the product should normally be used to ensure quality

The Maryland Department of Health must create consumer educational materials about quality and safety dates by July 1, 2026, post them on its website, and adopt implementing regulations; the Act takes effect October 1, 2025