> If I buy some food and find out on the way home that it's spoiled and past date, I can bring it back and likely it'll get replaced but they don't have to. Th

> If I buy some food and find out on the way home that it's spoiled and past date, I can bring it back and likely it'll get replaced but they don't have to. The sell by date is set by the merchant, so you’re right there. But spoilt? I doubt it’s ok to sell rotten food in any western country. E.g. , EU regulations summarised: https://www.food.gov.uk/business-guidance/general-food-law https://www.food.gov.uk/business-guidance/general-food-law > Article 14 states that food shall not be placed on the market if it is unsafe. Food is deemed to be unsafe if it is: > - injurious to health > - unfit for human consumption I’m not sure you can make the claim that as long as you didn’t know, it was ok. Sure, actual mistakes can mean it’s not a punishable offence, but that doesn’t change your responsibilities: you sell something, it has to be reasonably fit for purpose. Consumer laws don’t care whether the merchant didnt try to mislead you when it comes to their responsibilities for the products they sell. Thankfully :)