If we lost our ability to socialize during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns, we began to rebuild our social bonds by grumbling with our neighbors and coworkers about grocery prices. People cannot agree on much these days, but we can reminisce about the times when it was possible to find enough coins between the couch cushions to buy a package of instant ramen noodles at the supermarket. Grocery prices were on everyone’s minds during the recent election season; everyone agreed that the food we must eat to survive costs too much, but no one could agree on how to fix it. 

Wouldn’t it be nice if there could be a law against excessively pricey groceries? It isn’t that simple, but some lawmakers would like to see one.  They have sent recommendations to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), but so far, these are only recommendations, and it is uncertain what kind of relief consumers will feel in the foreseeable future. If you are struggling with grocery expenses to the point where you must charge your groceries on credit cards or buy now pay later (BNPL), contact an Oakland lawsuits, collections, and creditor harassment lawyer.

FTC Urges Lawmakers to Curb Consumer-Unfriendly Practices at Retail Supermarket Chains

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) can order companies that engage in unfair business practices to issue refunds or otherwise pay compensation to consumers that they have harmed through fraud or exploitative policies. It is easy to see how retail supermarket chains are well positioned to charge excessively high prices with little pushback from consumers; the only people who have time to invest in finding the best prices or to shop at farmers’ markets and grow their own vegetables from seed, are the wealthy ones. Everyone else is stuck going to the local Super Walmart on their day off from work or on a bleary-eyed evening after work if they do not have a day off.  The people who live in food deserts, with no fully stocked supermarkets within easy commuting distance, have it even worse.

These are some of the practices that several federal lawmakers, including some from California, would like to see the FTC penalize:

·   Shrinkflation, where manufacturers reduce the amount of food in a package while keeping the price the same

·   Misleading product labels that make it sound like the product is heavier than it is or contains more units than it does

·   Supermarkets that have a monopoly over a geographic area marking up their prices just because they can

·   Charging higher prices at store locations where the clientele has a lower income

These are some of the factors that keep grocery prices unaffordable.  You have to eat, though, so your best strategy is to address your grocery debt by cutting expenses elsewhere, if possible, or by consolidating or settling your debts.

Contact the Law Office of Melanie Tavare About Grocery Debts

A debt relief lawyer can help you if grocery bills are a major contributor to your financial stress. Contact the Law Office of Melanie Tavare in Oakland, California, or call (510)255-4646 for a case evaluation.