You expect grocery stores to follow basic food safety rules—but the truth is, some have been caught cutting corners. When stores repackage expired meat, change labels, or mislead customers about freshness, it’s a serious health risk. Knowing when and how this has happened helps us stay alert, avoid potential sickness, and push for better regulation. These aren’t hypothetical warnings—these are real cases where retailers were exposed. Here are five times stores were caught repackaging or mislabeling expired meat, plus what to watch out for.
1. Stop & Shop – New Jersey Mislabeling Scandal (2025)
In August 2025, Stop & Shop was fined $75,000 by the Ocean County, New Jersey Department of Consumer Affairs after selling spoiled beef and poultry and mislabeling expiration dates. Investigators found that some meat and poultry were stamped with dates showing when products went on display, not when they were packaged—making them appear fresher than they really were. In one example, a wholesale box delivered in February wasn’t opened until March, yet it was labeled as freshly packaged in March. The practice was found at multiple stores in Ocean County. That said, the store made moves to correct this issue.
“At Stop & Shop, we take all food safety matters very seriously,” Daniel Wolk, the external communications manager for Stop & Shop’s New Jersey stores, said in a statement to the press. “With respect to this specific situation, upon being notified of the matter, we conducted an investigation and took immediate action. We follow industry best practices and manufacturers’ instructions on expiration dates on our products.”
2. IGA (Quebec) – Repackaging Meat to Extend Shelf Life
Back in 2014, investigations in Quebec revealed grocery stores (notably IGA among others) repackaging meat near or past expiry with fresh-looking labels. Workers at some IGA stores admitted they’d repackage meat that was already three days old (or more), smelling or looking questionable, then reseal it with a new date. Lab tests showed dangerous levels of bacteria in some of these meats and poultry. The Quebec Ministry of Agriculture called the practice illegal and said the labels must reflect when the meat was originally packaged. The case brought public outcry and discussions about stronger oversight in how “best before” or packaged dates are handled.
3. ICA (Sweden) – Ground Meat Scandal
In 2007, a television documentary revealed that several ICA supermarkets in Sweden were repackaging out-of-date ground meat. Reporters showed employees washing, re-mincing, and relabeling sticky or aged meats to make them look fresh. The controversy led to criminal investigations in several locations. As a response, the company apologized, held emergency meetings with its store managers, and committed to stricter quality oversight. Consumers lost trust—ground meat sales dropped sharply after the scandal.
4. OSI Group / Shanghai Husi Food Co. – Fast Food Supplier Logo Fiasco
Another major case arose in China in 2014, with Shanghai Husi Food Co. (a supplier for McDonald’s, KFC, Pizza Hut, and other chains) accused of repackaging expired meat. The scandal alleged that staff relabeled meat, extended shelf lives by falsifying logs, and even reintroduced meat past its safe date into supply chains. Several fast food brands suspended supply from that vendor while the matter was investigated. Authorities fined OSI/Husi, and multiple employees were held responsible. This case highlights that repackaging expired meat isn’t just a retail problem—it can originate at supplier/manufacturer levels.
5. Metro (Toronto) – “Best Before” Repackaging Allegations
More recently (2023), a consumer alert originated on a Toronto subreddit about chicken purchased at a Metro store. The outer packaging displayed a “best before” date well into the future, but inside another seal (hidden to most consumers) was an earlier date—significantly closer to spoilage. The chicken smelled off, reinforcing the suspicion that the “fresh” date was misleading. Health authorities confirmed the complaint, stating the labeling issue was being addressed, though the store claimed it was an isolated oversight. Many shoppers say these kinds of incidents reinforce distrust in pre-packaged meat.
Why These Scandals Still Matter Deeply
These cases show how easily trust in food safety can be broken—and how damaging that is. When meat is expired or mishandled, the risks aren’t only financial but also health-related. These scandals help illustrate how important accurate expiration labels and responsible packaging are. Strong regulation, oversight, and vigilant consumers are essential to prevent future abuses. Ultimately, keeping food safe is a shared responsibility between stores, regulators, and shoppers.
Have you ever discovered meat you bought had misleading dates, or felt misled by packaging claims? Tell us what happened in the comments—you might help someone else avoid the same issue.
You May Also Like
- Why Grocery Stores Hide Expiration Dates in Different Ways on Popular Brands
- 5 Everyday Groceries You’ll Find Discounted Right Before Expiration
- Why Are Chain Stores Selling Expired Items on Clearance?
- 8 Expiration Dates That Are Just Marketing Tricks
- 10 Dollar Store Pantry Items That Expired Before You Bought Them
The post Retail Reversals: 5 Times Stores Were Caught Repackaging Expired Meat appeared first on Grocery Coupon Guide.
