Safety Precautions When Purchasing Salvaged Goods

People often ask if salvage stores are safe.
Salvage and discount grocery stores are safe as they are inspected and regulated like regular stores. Most salvage stores get their merchandise from reclamation centers that contain items that the regular stores won’t or can’t sell. These centers discard dangerous merchandise such as cracked glass or leaking plastic. Regardless, the buyer should always beware and being knowledgable of the following information is important to know before shopping surplus stores.

First, check that the store looks and smells clean. Although bacteria can still grow in a clean yet un-sanitized environment, cleanliness can be an indication of their food handling policies. If dirt and bugs are visible, it’s best to move on.
Then, avoid purchasing any of the items on the upcoming list.

Foods to Avoid Buying

A bulging can.
If the can looks swollen or the lid is curved instead of flat, that is an indication of growing bacteria within.

A can with a dent along the any of the seams.
This damage may have allowed bacteria to enter the can.

A rusted can.

A can or package that is leaking.
If liquid can get out, then bacteria can get in.

Any food item that has been resealed in any way.
Packages should be in their original condition. An exception to this could be a cereal box where the inside packaging is still completely intact and only the box was dented.

Refrigerated foods kept above 40° F.
Avoid places that keep higher temperatures in their display cases – look for thermometers to be sure.

Refrigerated foods that are past their “use-by” dates.
Remember that these dates are often used on more perishable foods and are different than “best before” dates. Foods with this dating may have begun to spoil once this date has passed. Buying the same day is fine, but they should be taken directly home and cooked or frozen that day or the next.

Frozen foods kept above 32° F.
Avoid buying any frozen foods kept at higher temperatures. Avoid buying foods that may have thawed and then become refrozen. This is often hard to spot. One sign would be stains on the outside of a package, which could have come from a melted product. Thawed foods present an atmosphere for bacterial growth (see below).

Foods that don’t look or smell right.
Don’t take chances by buying any fresh foods that look or smell off, this food most likely contains harmful bacteria. Foods that have gone bad can possibly look and smell fine, but foods that are fine will not look or smell bad unless bacteria is growing.

Foods where the labels have been changed.
If unsure, ask the manager. New labels may neglect to list everything, such as the proper ingredients for food allergies or lot numbers needed on the chance that there is a recall.

State health departments may be helpful for inquiring about past violations of surplus and salvage sores. Some state and local health departments will even post past reports on their websites. The state of Florida, for instance, makes it easy to check these reports.

Surplus Store Shopping

Additional Information

To find out how long canned goods last, see our canned goods page.

For a list of safe thawing methods, click here.

To find out the ideal fridge temperature, see our fridge temp post.