Comments on: Is it legal to eat food at a supermarket before you purchase it?

By: Rli R

Rli R — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 05:46:19 +0000

Technically and legally, it’s not yours until you pay for it - whatever it is. There have been people who went up to the cash register with banana peelings (after they ate the bananas) and wanted to pay for them. Any item based on the pound can’t be weighed if you only have part of it left. Like a bunch of grapes where you ate half before you hit the checkout.

And, those that nibble on the grapes or whatever in the store and had no intention on buying any when they did that are definitely doing something illegal but the store won’t press it. Instead they raise the price so everyone else has to pay for the actions of those people. If the store wants you to sample their fruit, they put it out for you to try - I’ve seen people go through the fruit section and take 5-7 Bing Cherries at over $5 a pound - without stopping and having no interest in buying. Their children follow their lead and do the same thing.

To me, that is just downright stealing.. I never - and I mean NEVER eat anything until I’ve paid for it. If my stomach were upset and I needed crackers, I’d get the crackers - pay for them - and start eating them with the receipt in my pocket while I do the rest of my shopping.

Honesty is very important and unfortunately it’s not being taught much anymore.

By: Cassie B

Cassie B — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 20:22:31 +0000

I think it’s legal, as long as you pay for it.

By: pisceswoman87

pisceswoman87 — Sat, 01 Mar 2008 12:46:48 +0000

It might not be illegal, but WOW it’s tacky!

By: fred

fred — Sat, 01 Mar 2008 06:14:39 +0000

no it is not iilegeal to eat food at a supermarket. just make sure that you pay for it or else thats stealing, and stealing is iilegeal. Plus it is always better to pay for it first; so that there is no confusion to the workers that you stole it or not.

By: CARMELO #15

CARMELO #15 — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 14:33:51 +0000

Ummmm…i’m not really sure but i know that i’ve done it a few times before! =]

By: chef_renee64

chef_renee64 — Sun, 24 Feb 2008 18:57:32 +0000

I’ve done this before, rarely……… and have had no problems as long as I scan the empty bag at checkout. As for the legalities of it, I would think that the camera’s would pick you out eating the product, throwing away the bag and such to fine you, but I have never seen a sign in reference to it in any store. So, there must not be a big problem, as of yet, with this issue. Technically, almost everything is illegal these days. Happy Grocery shopping and munching!

By: blahblahblahblahblah

blahblahblahblahblah — Sun, 24 Feb 2008 01:57:00 +0000

you cannot be charged with shop lifting until you leave the store with an item, therefore it’s legal. however the store may frown upon it and has the right to tell people they cannot do it

By: Zach I

Zach I — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 05:39:11 +0000

Technically it is stealing. They call it grazing and its illegal. BUT you are off the hook if you pay for it. Most stores won’t do anything until you go to hide the package or put it back on the shelf opened.

By: Ray

Ray — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 19:40:42 +0000

ah yes! Its not yours till its purchased.

By: Joey P

Joey P — Sun, 17 Feb 2008 22:52:15 +0000

Yes it’s fine.