MOBILE MEAT SELLERS
Mobile Meat Sales
For Market Bulletin
By Georgia Department of Agriculture
‘Bargain’ Meats Costly to Uninformed Consumers
In today’s economy consumers are watching their budgets and trying to save money on purchases, including grocery items. Most grocers and supermarkets often offer sales on meat items, but some consumers try to save even more money by purchasing meat from mobile meat markets. Although there are some legitimate companies that provide this service, there also are unscrupulous sellers that often target the elderly and those on fixed incomes.
"It's human nature to look for a bargain, and unfortunately, there are always a few people around who try to exploit that natural tendency," said Georgia Commissioner of Agriculture Tommy Irvin. "Our department strives to protect consumers by inspecting every stage of the food production process, from the feed consumed by the cow to the package in which meat is presented to the consumer. We also license, and inspect every food sales firm in the state, but we cannot regulate what takes place in a person’s own home."
During an in-home sales presentation, a consumer often is in a one-to-one situation with a highly-trained and skilled salesperson, and no third party is present to regulate or witness which promises, disclosures or disclaimers are made. The sales person also may use high pressure tactics to try and get the consumer to purchase meat that is of questionable quality; that is in quantities that they can neither use, prepare or store properly; and that is in packages that are more convenient to the seller than to the consumer.
If purchasing from a mobile meat marketer, the best recourse the consumer has is to be fully informed with the facts regarding meat quality, grading and pricing; the requirements of the Georgia Food Act pertaining to truth in advertising, labeling and packaging; the consumer's right to defer any buying decision until after comparing quality, price, convenience and guarantees independently; and the wisdom to question any offer that sounds too good to be true, especially if the salesman offers to arrange a "one-time offer" or an exclusive deal to cut the advertised price drastically if the consumer will buy immediately. Especially be aware of the following sales pitch: "These are cuts from a local restaurant whose refrigeration went out. I can make you a special deal rather than taking all of this meat back."
Before allowing a meat salesman in your home, ask to see his permit issued by the Georgia Department of Agriculture. Check to see if the items on the permit, such as company name and vehicle license number, are consistent with the vehicle he is driving. Notice if the product is being kept under refrigeration--refrigerated vehicles must have a mechanical refrigeration system running continuously while meat is in the vehicle. Sample boxes cannot be displayed off refrigeration, according to departmental rules; therefore, a salesman should not show you samples in your home.
In order to be sold in the U.S., meat must be inspected, but not necessarily graded. Grading is a service USDA provides for a fee; therefore, wholesale meat dealers can buy ungraded meat from a processor at a lower price. Some of these dealers may mark up the sales price tremendously to consumers while still offering what appear to be bargain prices.
There are eight USDA grades of meat, with distinct rankings in quality, but most grocery stores and supermarkets sell only the top two or three grades -- USDA Prime, Choice or Select -- for individual cuts of meat. The seller also must prominently display the grades of all meat cuts sold. Buyers obviously would not want to pay a premium price for cuts of meat that could be the lowest grade allowed by law. Consumers also should be skeptical of meat that has been "tenderized" or sold with tenderizing ingredients or instructions; high-quality meat should be naturally tender.
If the seller’s guarantee has specific exclusions, such as no cash refunds or specific requirements regarding storage, you may want to question the salesman closely. Most grocery stores will offer cash refunds for poor quality merchandise and will make other adjustments to satisfy their long-term customers, whereas an individual salesman may be hard to track down.
Many in-home grocery suppliers in Georgia are reputable and provide a valuable service to consumers, especially the elderly and/or shut-ins, who are willing to pay a small extra charge for the convenience. With America’s aging population and increased emphasis on specialization, in-home shopping has increased, providing new opportunities and potential pitfalls for consumers. If mobility is not an issue, consumers probably will find better meat values at the supermarket, rather than out of the back of a truck. For those consumers who have difficulty getting out, many stores provide home delivery, while some companies provide a full range of home-delivered food products, rather than a specific, high-ticket item like meat. Additionally, there are entrepreneurs who will do grocery shopping for consumers for a fee, and some church or volunteer organizations can assist with shopping.
“Although our department is dedicated to protecting consumers within the limits of our regulatory authority, our inspectors cannot be everywhere at all times to prevent illegal meat sales,” Irvin said. “I encourage consumers to contact us at our toll-free number, 1-800-282-5852, to report mobile meat sellers who are operating without a permit and selling meat from trucks that are not refrigerated.”