How to return spoiled food to the store: updated procedure from the Cabinet of Ministers
28 November 06:18
The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine has adopted a new procedure for the return of food products that have proved unsuitable or unsafe for consumption. This is reported on the government portal, Komersant ukrainskyi informs
The innovation will come into force simultaneously with the new version of the Law of Ukraine “On Consumer Protection”, which will come into force after the end of martial law.
Deputy Minister of Economy Tetiana Berezhna noted that the new mechanism will help buyers protect their rights more effectively and help businesses avoid litigation and inspections.
“This decision will create a reliable balance between consumer protection and support for honest business,” she emphasized.
What does the new procedure provide for?
The document establishes clear rules for returning and replacing products, including
- Replacement or refund. The buyer will be able to choose between replacing an unusable product with a quality one or a refund.
Clear deadlines. The terms for replacing or returning products from the moment of purchase are defined:
- within one day for food products stored at a temperature of 6 °C;
- no later than three calendar days – products with a use-by date or a minimum shelf life of less than 14 days (but in any case before the expiration date)
- no later than 14 days from the date of purchase – products with an expiration date exceeding 14 days.
Distance selling. For online purchases, the return period starts from the moment you receive the product.
How it works
The buyer will have the right to return or replace the unusable product, subject to the conditions specified in the order. The seller, in turn, is obliged to fulfill the requirements without delay.
This creates a transparent mechanism for resolving disputes and increases trust between consumers and businesses.
