i work for a supermarket and want to know if the following is illegal?

Question

and if so which body should it be reported to? my supervisor often asks us to open bags of out of date fruit and veg, potatoes carrots etc and sell them as loose produce. i see this as still selling out of date stock. what do you all think? should i report her?

Answer 1

But who determines the sell by dates in the first place? If these are based on an abstract amount of time, rather than a proven gap before the produce goes bad, then why would it be illegal?

I commend supermarkets which take some initiative and sell the people of this country the products they need at knock-down prices.

Hope this is of some help.

Answer 2

You are not breaking any laws selling after the "sell by" date. The fairest way would be to leave the stuff in it's packaging though and reduce it, and then the customer knows exactly what they are buying. Many people are glad of a bargain like that if they are going to use it straight away.
A "use by" date is different as these products if eaten can cause serious illness. It is illegal to sell after the "use by" date even if it is reduced, because it can be dangerous. xx

Answer 3

This is an illegal practise and you should report it to the local Health and Safety Executive. This store could be putting lives at risk from e coli and salmonella. If you report it to any of your in store management they will make your life a misery and hope that you will leave. Your name can be kept out of the investigation but the H&S Exec will want you to tell them when these illegal actions take place. If you really want to stir things up contact the consumer affairs reporter on your local paper.

Answer 4

There are two issues here.

1. Sell by dates must be adhered to becausee of trading standards laws.
If any shop is found to have any out of date products, by the trading standards, then it is a fine of £2000 per item.

2. Say for example that the products in the bag was 'Gala' apples, but they are not sold loose, then they are breaking the trade description act by selling the apples as a different kind.

I would telephone someone so you can remain anonymous when you report them.

Answer 5

we had a supermarket in our town who did things like this. also with meat aswell. they were on tv couple of months back. (uk). It's a trading standards violation. They should be reported, and investigated. Unfortunately the laws are not tough enough though, and will probably mean they get investigated then a slap on the wrist, but this is the Uk and laws aren't exactly a strong point over here.

Answer 6

Report this practice to the Department of Health and Human Services' (DHHS). They are in clear violation of Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA), and Public Health Service Act. They will investigate and fine the retailer.

Answer 7

This is a matter which would be of interest to the trading standards officer of your local authority. However, it would appear that this would be difficult to prove unless you retained some of the sell by wrappers with a note of when the supervisor asked you to sell the produce as loose produce. http://www.dti.gov.uk/consumers/fact-sheets/page38607.html

Answer 8

I have not seen dates on the products you mentioned. Doubt it is illegal as the customer has the opportunity to touch and smell the product. The store would not be in business long if there are complaints about selling bad products.

Answer 9

Wow, you surely have built a controversy against the elevating of foodstuff expenditures a nickel. Have a cookie. additionally, i've got continually established that Obama replaced right into a extensive believer in shoplifting.

Answer 10

I agree with MLAW. This is not a legal issue. It is an internal issue.

That will change however, if the store is KNOWINGLY selling tainted produce. Then it becomes a federal criminal as well as Class Action civil matter.