Is It Illegal in Michigan to Eat Before You Pay At The Grocery Store?

Let's be honest here. We have all gotten a little munchy while walking around the store, and thought about opening up that bag of chips or even maybe eat a couple of the peanuts from the self-serve area, right?

Okay, opening up the chips may be a bit extreme. But what about the grapes, fruits and other small snackies. Is that legal to do here in Michigan?

Let's talk about the logistics of it.

Is It Legal To Eat What You're About To Buy In Michigan?

So, you have your groceries in the cart, and those Doritos are looking mighty tempting, even if they shouldn't be in the cart in the first place. While you feel that it may be weird to open the bag, you can't help yourself, and open it anyways.

Is that legal to do?

While the employees at the store may glare at you, and the people walking around you may give you a weird side eye, this is actually perfectly legal to do here in Michigan.

But Wait! There Are Rules Here In Michigan Still

So, to be clear here, chips are perfectly acceptable to munch on throughout the store as you shop because they are at a fixed price. Same with candies and or maybe even some Cheerios?

However, according to FindLaw.com, you do have to worry about non-fixed rate items... this comes into play with foods and other items that are sold by the pound or their weight.

Grapes, peanuts, bananas, and even apples are all items sold by the pound here in Michigan, unless you get them in bags.

As long as you have the intent to pay for what you are eating around the store, you are in the right technically to eat in a store.

To be clear too, it is up to the store whether you are welcome to walk around and eat food while shopping. Not all stores are welcome to this, and they could ask you to stop if they do not agree with this policy.