Unbelievable New Baby Formula Law Will Shock You

on January 3, 2012 at 2:15 PM

baby formula law california What the heck is going on in California? As of January 1, a whole slew of new laws went into effect that moms should be checking out. You can no longer try to ban male circumcision in your community, health insurance must cover autism related treatments, schools can suspend students for cyber bullying, booster seats are required until age 8 or 4' 9", and stores can no longer sell expired baby formula or baby food.

Ummm, what? This wasn't already a "thing" before this law? You could actually sell expired formula and baby food? For babies to eat? Legally?

Yes, and apparently you can still do it around the country as there is no federal law against selling expired formula or baby food. There are, of course, requirements to show the expiration date, but there is not a law against selling it past that date. They know that babies can't read, right? I'm kidding, kind of. Because you know who else is a little fuzzy on details? New moms and dads who have been up all night with a baby.

I doubt I ever looked at an expiration date when I purchased food or formula. I trusted the retailer to not sell me expired formula that could result in a decrease in nutrition and negatively affect my baby's brain development. Seems like a reasonable expectation. Except many large retailers have been busted selling the expired junk. Which is how this bill got passed in California in the first place -- too many stores were doing this. Scary, huh?

So everybody check your formula and baby food, because unless you live in California, your store can totally pass off the old stuff to you with on consequence. Except, of course, a refund from a very angry mother.

Did you know it was legal to sell expired formula and baby food?

Image via abbybatchelder/Flickr

About the author April Peveteaux

writes about anything that gets stuck in her craw. A mom of two in Los Angeles, she can't believe she practically lives in the country now after attempting to raise kids in Brooklyn.

Filed Under: baby health, formula, solid food

Comments (68)

LuckyPlusOne

on Jan 3, 2012 at 2:29 PM

And this is why laws need to be passed. Because without someone telling stores specifically not to do something, they'd sell whatever they could in order to make a buck.

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mlberry4172

on Jan 3, 2012 at 2:30 PM

I saw expired formula on a store shelf in Ill. (Any guesses on the retailer?) I got into the habit of checking after that!

RhondaVeggie

on Jan 3, 2012 at 2:47 PM

You should always check the dates on any packaged food you buy. Many grocery stores are very lax about rotating stock, even the stuff that you can't legally sell past date. I once purchased chips that were six months out of date and a friend of mine bought some jello then promptly went back to the store in disgust after finding out it was over two years past date, particularly gross given the very long shelf life. I thought the thing about baby food was well known. I know I read about it a few different places when I was pregnant with my son and that was seven years ago.

I'm far more shocked about the law against attempting to ban circumcision. How can they pass a law banning citizens from rallying against barbaric genital mutilation? What kind of civilized society passes laws to prosecute those who try to save babies lives? That is quite possibly more messed up than allowing the sale of expired formula.

Nonmember comment from zizzler

I check the expiration on everything, just because I want the freshest stuff. I'm really surprised no one else does that? As a consumer and a parent it's necessary to be a vigilant first line of defense about the stuff going into your home...

lulabellalula

on Jan 3, 2012 at 2:57 PM

It's definitely on the parents to check the expiration dates...and I completely love that these laws have passed in California. (i live here). I think it's wonderful that the law has made it so that health insurance must pay for autism related treatments! FINALLY, something the health industry is doing RIGHT.

ashja

on Jan 3, 2012 at 3:12 PM

@zizzler - do you REALLY think NO ONE else does that????

EquestrianMom

on Jan 3, 2012 at 3:32 PM

I'm not shocked at all. I started checking expiration dates on everything, after twice I bought food, got home, opened it, and found it was spoiled and way past its expiration date. One was Milk, and the other was an off brand fruit cup. I didn't even know pinapples could sour! LMAO!

whitebreads

on Jan 3, 2012 at 3:52 PM

Who cares? it's a law now. Check your dates pure and simple.

LucretiaMcEvil

on Jan 3, 2012 at 5:30 PM

So, are midgets and Snookie required to ride in booster seats in California?

EvalynCarnate

on Jan 3, 2012 at 9:35 PM

OMFG the only store Ill go to and not feel compelled to check the dates on everything I put on my buggy is Kroger. And even then, you never know! Stores are doing anything to cut corners and this doesnt surprise me at all :(