The state of Tennessee has a growing number of “salvage” or “bent-and-dent” grocery stores, which offer food at deeply discounted prices. These stores are a valuable resource for families on a tight budget. However, they operate in a legal gray area of the food industry and have been the subject of consumer complaints and health department scrutiny. The core of the issue is the practice of selling food that is past its “best by” date, and in some cases, the repackaging of these items, which can be a deceptive and potentially unsafe practice.
