California Exempted Supplements From Labeling Laws

New legislation excludes dietary supplements from the state's standardized date-labeling requirements.

Updated on Sept. 21, 2026 in Nutrition

Isometric editorial illustration of dietary supplement capsules arranged on a clean, light-colored surface, representing California's new supplement labeling policy. — California enacted AB 2779, exempting dietary supplements from the state’s standardized date-labeling requirements to provide regulatory clarity for manufacturers. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Should dietary supplements be required to follow the same standardized date-labeling rules as conventional food products?

California enacted AB 2779 to exempt dietary supplements from the standardized date-labeling system established by AB 660. The law prevents manufacturers from being forced to use specific safety-focused date terminology on supplement packaging.

Why it matters

The exemption clarifies that standardized food-labeling mandates were designed for conventional food safety, not the unique shelf life and potency considerations of dietary supplements. This change provides regulatory certainty for the industry by removing potential labeling disruptions.

The exemption under AB 2779 removes the requirement for dietary supplement manufacturers to use standardized terms like BEST if Used by or USE by. This contrasts with the broader food-labeling standards established under AB 660 in 2024.

The players

Council for Responsible Nutrition

This is a leading trade association representing the dietary supplement and functional food industry.

The details

The Council for Responsible Nutrition advocated for the legislation to ensure that supplement manufacturers are not held to food safety date-labeling standards. By including an urgency clause, the bill allows the exemption to take effect immediately in California.

California established standardized food labeling rules via AB 660 in 2024.
The supplement exemption under AB 2779 was enacted in September 2026.

The Big Picture

This legislation updates the application of the AB 660 standardized date-labeling system. The move marks a departure from the universal labeling requirements initially set by state authorities for all food-related products.

Consumers in California may notice that dietary supplement packaging will not necessarily carry the standardized date labels found on conventional food products. This shift helps maintain consistent product information by aligning labeling requirements with the specific nature of supplements.

The takeaway

The enactment of AB 2779 highlights the importance of distinguishing between conventional food safety and supplement shelf life. Residents should continue to rely on manufacturer guidance regarding the potency and storage of their supplement products.