posted on March 23, 2008 08:28:23 PM new
Maybe I don't understand the food rules. I just searched "Hershey Bars" and got lots of hits. What gives? Chocolate is not only food, its a food GROUP.
posted on March 24, 2008 04:33:33 AM new
From EBay Food policy:
The sale of food is regulated by the federal government and most state governments. Sellers who list food and food-related products should familiarize themselves with these laws before listing such items on eBay. Prior to listing any food on eBay, sellers should read the ‘Additional Information’ section to learn more about what food items are not permitted.
Violations of this policy may result in a range of actions, including:
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Listing cancellation
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Limits on account privileges
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Account suspension
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Forfeit of eBay fees on cancelled listings
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Loss of PowerSeller status
Prohibited Food Items: For the safety of eBay’s members, sellers may not list the following food and food-related items on eBay:
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Listings containing drug claims-that is, a claim that the item is intended for use in the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease in humans and/or animals (for example, pharmaceutical drugs, contact lenses, misbranded dietary supplements)
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Non-pasteurized dairy products
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Fruit and vegetable juice products that have not been heat pasteurized
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Wild mushrooms
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Expired military MREs (meals ready-to-eat), unless the MRE is considered a collectible item and is not intended for consumption (and the listing states the MRE is not intended for consumption).
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Perishable items: Sellers who list perishable items should clearly identify in the item description the steps that they will take to ensure that the goods are delivered to the buyer safely. For example, sellers of perishable goods should offer overnight delivery and ensure that the goods are properly packaged.
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Sealed Containers: All food and related products sold on eBay should be packaged or sealed to ensure that the buyer can identify evidence of possible tampering.
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Expiration dates: All items must be delivered to buyers prior to a clearly marked expiration or "use by" date.
There are many federal and state laws that sellers must comply with when selling food on eBay. Some examples are:
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Ingredients: There are federal and state laws that require labels to state, among other things, the food's ingredients, nutrition information, and place of manufacture.
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Food Licenses: Virtually all states require food manufacturers and sellers to register with or obtain a license from the state.
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Import/Export: There are restrictions on the import and export of many food products.
The links below can be used as a starting point for sellers to educate themselves about laws relating to food sales:
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Gateway to Government Food Safety Information
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FDA's Center for Food Safety & Applied Nutrition
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