"The official store policy does not explain what happens to returned items. However, users on Reddit claiming to be employees have given insight into the process. "Any food that has left the store (even canned food) is written off and thrown away," said one Redditor. This should not be a surprise for perishable foods. Meat and produce could never be resold because there is no guarantee of their freshness or safety."
"You may think a canned item could reasonably be resold, or at the very least, donated to a food bank. Even sealed in a can, there is no guarantee it is safe, and canned goods can also spoil. For instance, someone could have bought it and left it in their trunk for a week at the height of summer, where temperatures can reach 125 degrees Fahrenheit."
"Some employees point out that not only do they have to throw out canned goods, but they also have to open them first so that the items cannot be retrieved from the dumpster. This could stem from the store's fear of liability. Not every store does this, but sealed items do still end up in the trash instead of being donated."
Aldi offers a "twice as nice" returns guarantee allowing replacements and full refunds. Returned food that has left the store, including canned and sealed items, is written off and discarded rather than restocked or donated. Perishable items like meat and produce cannot be resold due to freshness and safety concerns. Canned goods can also spoil from exposure to high temperatures, making safety uncertain even if sealed. Employees report that some stores open returned cans before disposal to prevent retrieval, motivated by liability concerns. Other retailers may handle returned canned goods differently.
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