The effort to secure a two-year pause on California's SB 54 packaging requirements has officially failed. Despite building a bipartisan coalition with support from legislators, labor organizations, and food producers, the bill couldn't advance after key legislative leaders withheld approval. The compliance clock is now ticking for growers, packers, and shippers.
SB 54 mandates significant changes to how produce is packaged and sold in California, affecting a broad swath of the fresh produce supply chain. The state's speaker plans to convene a working group this fall to examine costs, fees, and timelines, with potential legislation to address concerns expected in January 2027. Western Growers says it will be part of that working group.
For category managers and buyers sourcing California product, packaging compliance costs are now a real near-term variable. Watch for updates from the fall working group process, which could still produce meaningful changes — just not on the timeline industry had hoped for.