You’re at the supermarket, eagerly waiting for your turn at the checkout… Then you suddenly get the urge to snack on something in your shopping cart. A harmless scene for many, but one that’s actually illegal! Here’s why.
Tasting a product before buying it is illegal
Contrary to what one might think, eating a product you’re about to pay for… is considered theft. In fact, as long as you haven’t purchased it, that product belongs to the store. According to the Penal Code, Article 311-1 defines theft as the “fraudulent taking of another person’s property.” Eating the package of cookies you intended to buy could therefore be considered theft, even if you planned to buy it afterward.
The right to sample, as outlined in Article 1587 of the Civil Code, applies only to trade shows, fairs, or food markets. Convenience stores and supermarkets are therefore not covered. The only situation in which you can taste a product before buying it and be certain you are acting legally is when tasting stations are set up directly inside the store. In such cases, samples have been offered to you and are entirely part of standard business practice, as they are intended to encourage you to purchase the product afterward.
As you can see, consuming a product before buying it is, on paper, illegal. However, most retailers are lenient as long as the packaging is intact and the barcode can be scanned.