You trust the date on the package. You check it quickly, toss the item in your cart, and move on. Best before sounds reassuring — almost scientific. But what if that date wasn’t telling the whole story? What if it was quietly rewritten, reused, or reshuffled behind the scenes? One former grocery worker says what he witnessed inside supermarkets changed how he shops forever — and what he secretly recorded has left shoppers furious and asking one chilling question: How old is the food we’re really eating?
“I Was Told to Make Old Food Look Fresh”
The whistleblower, Safari, says he was pressured to do something that crossed a line — repeatedly.
According to Safari, supervisors instructed staff to relabel or reposition food that was nearing — or had passed — its best-before date so it would still sell. Items weren’t always thrown out. Instead, they were repackaged, moved, or remarketed to appear fresh.
“I was forced to make old food look new,” Safari said.
At first, he questioned it. Then, he says, he was told it was normal.
The Recording That Changed Everything
Concerned about what he was being asked to do, Safari secretly recorded a conversation with his supervisor. What he captured shocked even him.
In the recording, the supervisor allegedly admits that tampering with best-before dates is standard practice across the industry — not an isolated incident.
“Every store does the same thing,” the supervisor is heard saying, using profanity. “All the other stores do the same stuff.”
Safari says that moment confirmed his worst fears: this wasn’t a rogue manager. It was a system.
What “Best Before” Really Means — And Why It’s Confusing
Food safety experts point out that best-before dates are not the same as expiration dates. In many countries, best-before labels indicate quality — not safety. That distinction gives retailers wiggle room.
But critics argue that flexibility is often abused.
Consumers see dates as hard limits. Stores, however, may treat them as suggestions.
That gap creates opportunity — and temptation.
How Old Food Can Be Made to Look New
At his home, Safari demonstrated techniques he says are commonly used in stores:
- Moving older items behind newer displays
- Rewrapping products in fresh packaging
- Changing placement to reset customer perception
- Discounting items without explaining why
While not all of these actions are illegal, Safari says the intent matters — and customers are rarely told the truth.
“It’s about making it sell,” he said. “Not about being honest.”
Are All Supermarkets Doing This?
Industry insiders say practices vary widely. Many supermarkets follow strict rules and discard food as required. But others operate in gray areas — especially under pressure to reduce waste and protect profits.
Food waste costs retailers billions each year. Extending shelf life, even cosmetically, can make the difference between profit and loss.
That doesn’t sit well with consumers.
“If I’m buying something that looks fresh but isn’t,” one shopper said online, “that’s deception.”
Legal — But Ethical?
Tampering with dates is illegal in many regions. However, relabeling, repackaging, or repositioning food before the date expires can fall into a legal gray zone.
Consumer advocates say legality doesn’t equal morality.
Shoppers deserve transparency — especially when it comes to what they eat.
“People make decisions based on trust,” one advocate explained. “Once that trust is broken, it’s hard to get back.”
What Consumers Can Do to Protect Themselves
Experts recommend:
- Checking packaging closely for reseals or damage
- Looking for inconsistent labels or stickers
- Buying fresher items from the back of displays
- Asking staff when items were stocked
- Trusting smell and appearance over dates alone
It’s not foolproof — but awareness helps.
A System Built on Silence?
Safari says speaking out wasn’t easy. He worried about backlash, legal trouble, and being labeled a troublemaker. But he felt consumers deserved to know.
“I didn’t want to be part of lying to people,” he said.
Whether his claims lead to investigations or policy changes remains to be seen.
The Question That Changes How You Shop
You read the label.
You trust the date.
You assume the system protects you.
But after hearing what happens behind the scenes, one question lingers every time you reach for that package:
Is this food actually fresh — or just made to look that way?