Our legal system is filled with thousands of old, bizarre, and often forgotten laws that are still technically on the books. The world of food and grocery shopping is no exception. While these strange laws are rarely enforced, they are a fascinating and often hilarious glimpse into our country’s past. You may be surprised to learn that you are likely breaking one of these five strange but true grocery store laws regularly.
1. It Is Illegal to Eat an Unpurchased Item
This one may seem obvious, but it is a law that is broken in every grocery store, every single day. When you are walking through the store and you grab a few grapes from a bunch to taste them, you are technically committing a form of theft. While most stores will turn a blind eye to this common practice, you are consuming a product that you have not yet paid for, which is against the law.
2. Placing an Ice Cream Cone in Your Pocket (in some states)
This is one of the most famous and bizarre old food laws. In a few states, including Kentucky and Alabama, there is an old law on the books that makes it illegal to carry an ice cream cone in your back pocket. The original purpose of this law was to prevent horse theft. The idea was that a person could lure a horse away with the sweet treat in their pocket, so the law was designed to stop this specific method of theft.
3. Serving Margarine in a Restaurant (in Wisconsin)
For decades, the state of Wisconsin had a law that made it illegal for a restaurant to serve margarine as a substitute for butter unless requested. While some of these restrictions have been eased, it is a classic example of a strange food law designed to protect a local industry.
4. Mispronouncing “Arkansas” (in Arkansas)
While not a grocery store law, this one is too strange to ignore. The state of Arkansas has a law that dictates the correct way to pronounce the name of the state (Ar-kan-saw). It is technically illegal to mispronounce it. While you are very unlikely to be arrested for this, it is a fun and quirky piece of legal history.
The Quirks of the Law
These strange but true laws are a humorous reminder that our legal system is a living document. It is filled with the funny and often bizarre history of our country. While they are no longer a real concern for the modern shopper, they are a fascinating glimpse into a different era. They show how the simple act of buying and selling food has been a subject of legal debate for centuries.
What is the strangest old law that you have ever heard of? Do you know of any other weird food laws in your state? Let us know in the comments!
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The post 5 Strange-But-True Grocery Store Laws You’re Breaking appeared first on Grocery Coupon Guide.
