report expired food?

Question

where can i report expired food selling in korean grocery stores? if i want to send a formal letter with evidence and support? it's not just one store.. almost every store does. it already became a norm..

Answer 1

Well, your local Health Department is the place to file such a complaint, their inspectors have the power and authority to enforce the health code. Listen to Zebra Rider.

However, you must bear in mind that under most state health codes, as well as under the guidelines recommended by the FDA, in many cases it is perfectly legal to sell "outdated" food products.

This requires a brief explanation. Food products are divided into two categories: potentially hazardous and non-potentially hazardous.

Potentially hazardous foods are foods which, if outdated, could cause illness. Milk is considered such a food. So are eggs and meat. Expiration dates on these products must be followed by the stores, and it is generally illegal to sell such a product if expired.

On the other hand dry pasta, crackers, chocolate, candy, pickles, or canned foods, are all NPH. This means that no matter how stale the product becomes, it will never be an actual hazard to health. Such products are often marked "best used by" or "sell by," but these are not the same as a true expiration date. These date codes are intended to indicate when the product will be best to taste, but sale after the date indicated is often still permitted.

Different states will have different requirements as to the sale of outdated foods. Dating is not mandated under federal regulations, but rather by the state health departments. Many states require that these foods be separated and clearly marked. Other states may not have this requirement.

A typical state law for sale of "out-dated" food is as follows:

"Sale of Past Date Food Products: No person shall offer for sale in the commonwealth any food product after the expiration of a "sell by date" or a "best if used by date" unless:
(1) It is wholesome and its sensory physical qualities have not significantly diminished; and,
(2) It is segregated from food products which are not "past date"; and,
(3) It is clearly and conspicuously marked either on the package or through the use of shelf markers or place cards, as being offered for sale after the recommended last date of sale or best use."

It can be difficult for a lay-person to know whether the date code they are looking at is a true expiration date, or simply a recommended sale date, since frequently the phrase "sell by" is used in both cases. Your local health department will be able to offer you more information.

Of course, if you know of stores which are violating the law, the health department will want to have one of their food inspectors check the situation. If the violations are serious enough, a health officer may be assigned to pursue charges, but this is unlikely in the event it turns out to be simple carelesness (the real crimes start when stores forge and conceal the dates).

Answer 2

Your local Board of Health is likely the place with the most power and authority to take steps on this.

They can (and will) go and inspect. They can issue warnings; issue fines; have the offending products removed; shut the store down.

The other great thing about "Boards of Health" is that they are usually not all tied up politically with the city or town they are in -- as most of their authority to act is granted to them from state laws (and sometimes federal laws).

The only downside is that they, like most every agency, are understaffed. But don't let that deter you! They WANT to protect citizens from unhealthy situations and conditions -- and can act wayyyy faster than (most) other political agencies.

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[Edit: 12/30/07]

I had forgotten about what Jason W says in his answer (below). He's got the right answer ... so you will need to check on what types of outdated foods this store is selling.

The local Board of Health may be interested in this store(s) anyway -- or they may already know about it. Give them a call and see!

/edit

Answer 3

You can report it to your local health department but it is not illegal to sell non perishable food past its best by date. In all honesty there isn't a store on earth that you will not find an outdated item for sale at.

Answer 4

You can report it to the county health department.


However, note that it may not be illegal to sell expired food. Some types of food have certain grace periods.

Answer 5

Local health service.

Answer 6

If you don't want the expired food DON'T BUY THERE
the health dept would be the ones to talk to.

Answer 7

www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-05-51 - 1316k - View as html