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You don’t have to agree with me, but in my humble opinion, nothing hurts as much as a food scam.

Picture a single lonely raisin in a puffy cinnamon and raisin bagel, or a dash of mayo gently glued to the surface of a taco when you ask for extra sour cream on the side, or think of how many lies you had to suck in with all that deceptive packaging sold on the shelves like it was no big deal... If that’s not cruel, I don’t know what is.

Food scams are so widespread, people don’t really talk about ‘em. Have we all become immune to them? Luckily, there’s one corner of reddit known as r/FoodScam that shares all fraudulent incidents of people getting not what they ordered, not what they paid for, and strictly not what they wanted. Let’s see a selection of the nastiest food scams below.

#3

Life Is Like A Box Of Chocolates: A Big Fat Lie

Life Is Like A Box Of Chocolates: A Big Fat Lie

RalphiesBoogers Report

Previously, we talked to Portugal-based graphic designer Laura Vanagaite, who explained how and why our mind gets so easily tricked by deceptive packaging. “Once we see unique photos of food and drinks, our mind creates the impression that the volume of the contents is greater than it actually is.” This anticipation is destroyed as soon as you open the package. “And once we find out that the reality is different, we feel disappointment.”

When asked why there is still so much deceptive packaging sold in the shopping aisles, Laura said that this is a clever marketing technique. “Brands know that beautiful imagery sells and that catchy photos with great products create the illusion which will help to sell it fast.”

#4

Basically Just Paid For The Fancy Tin

Basically Just Paid For The Fancy Tin

yourpaltay Report

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#5

Sticker Hides The Fact That The Jar Is Half Full, Makes You Think The Content Is Double In Size

Sticker Hides The Fact That The Jar Is Half Full, Makes You Think The Content Is Double In Size

doomstereu Report

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Obi Wang Kenobi
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

At least this time the person caught the scam before it went to far :)

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#6

Ah Come On

Ah Come On

boboddy111 Report

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troufaki13
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

To be honest I don't know if I would want so much poppy seed jam in my brioche :/

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Various studies have shown that consumers tend not to notice package downsizing at the time of purchase because most of us do not read the content information on packaging, but instead use visual estimations of package volume and content. Moreover, many of us are impulsive buyers and if the product and its design looks good, our brain tells us it’s gonna taste good, so we make a decision without too much questioning.

#7

This "Box" Of Beef Jerky

This "Box" Of Beef Jerky

PeckishPuffing41 Report

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Troux
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I guess if you checked from the bottom you could see the scam

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#9

As If We Didn't Already Have Enough Packaging On Chips

As If We Didn't Already Have Enough Packaging On Chips

jojo_31 Report

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#11

I Was Told My 2020reo Ice Cream Belonged Here

I Was Told My 2020reo Ice Cream Belonged Here

Krystaphonix Report

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Brian Bennett
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I worked for Breyers this is not a mistake this is a habit for them. Typical of big business!

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#12

It Says Delicate Roses On The Packaging, I Don't Think So

It Says Delicate Roses On The Packaging, I Don't Think So

foodieANDcats Report

#15

Cinnamon And Singular Raisin Bagel

Cinnamon And Singular Raisin Bagel

amyriads Report

#18

To Be Fair, I Monched A Few Chips In The Corner Before The Pic

To Be Fair, I Monched A Few Chips In The Corner Before The Pic

c***pinhammers Report

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#19

When They Said "Chocolate Chip Muffin", I Didn't Take Them Literally... But Should Have

When They Said "Chocolate Chip Muffin", I Didn't Take Them Literally... But Should Have

trubbub Report

#20

Hello? Canolli Police? I'd Like To Report A Crime

Hello? Canolli Police? I'd Like To Report A Crime

BigBucks5001 Report

#21

My Girlfriend Got Me Conversation Hearts For Valentine’s Day. They Have No Words!

My Girlfriend Got Me Conversation Hearts For Valentine’s Day. They Have No Words!

I-have-a-pet-dragon Report

#22

Ten Dollar Avocado Nigiri At Sushi Restaurant

Ten Dollar Avocado Nigiri At Sushi Restaurant

the_tourist Report

#23

Tempting On The Packaging

Tempting On The Packaging

Eugene135 Report

#26

I Paid £5 For This Tomato Salad In London

I Paid £5 For This Tomato Salad In London

v1ox Report

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#27

This Is How Much Root Beer They Gave Me

This Is How Much Root Beer They Gave Me

PaperCut611 Report

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Phil DeBlanc
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Always ask for a soft drink with no ice. It is refrigerated so it will come cold.

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#30

Less Than Jumbo Shrimp

Less Than Jumbo Shrimp

RalphiesBoogers Report

#32

These Chocolates, Which Have Always Been Five In A Pack, Are Now Four With A Paper Piece Inside The Box To Make It Look Like There's Five

These Chocolates, Which Have Always Been Five In A Pack, Are Now Four With A Paper Piece Inside The Box To Make It Look Like There's Five

KrysAnn1985 Report

#34

My "Blueberry Granola" Came With One F***ing Blueberry. Now Ur Thinking, Well It Says "Blueberry" Which Is Singular, The Ingredients Say "Blueberries" Which Implies That There Is More Than One Blueberry In The Bag. I've Been Robbed

My "Blueberry Granola" Came With One F***ing Blueberry. Now Ur Thinking, Well It Says "Blueberry" Which Is Singular, The Ingredients Say "Blueberries" Which Implies That There Is More Than One Blueberry In The Bag. I've Been Robbed

miakhalifaslilsissy Report

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Mazer
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Agreed. I would send the package back to the company and tell them they either need to change their label to reflect that they are only giving people one blueberry where they need to add one more blueberry to the bag to be legally correct!!! I don’t get how these companies stay in business shirking the public like this.

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#35

12 Oz Can Of Tomato Paste Opened Fresh With A Hollow Middle

12 Oz Can Of Tomato Paste Opened Fresh With A Hollow Middle

GrimmFairyTale Report

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Mihai Mara
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

maybe a factory worker used it for something else before putting it back on the line :D

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#37

The Amount Of Barbecue Sauce On My Rodeo Cheeseburger From Burger King

The Amount Of Barbecue Sauce On My Rodeo Cheeseburger From Burger King

lurchlookingmf Report

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Mazer
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

OK I get it fast food but how can anybody serve this to another human being and feel OK about it???

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#38

Watch Out For That Tidal Wave Of Chocolate

Watch Out For That Tidal Wave Of Chocolate

Zerostar39 Report

#39

I Want The Rest Of My Jolly Ranchers. (Package Was Inside The Mug)

I Want The Rest Of My Jolly Ranchers. (Package Was Inside The Mug)

nate_oi Report

#40

I Didn't Know That You Have To Buy The Chocolate Separately

I Didn't Know That You Have To Buy The Chocolate Separately

nomercy_ch Report

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Kathryn Baylis
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Check the expiration date on the package. This one looks like it could be stale—-like the chocolate dried up and shrank. In fact, it looks kind of like it’s turning white, which means it’s so old the butter fat has separated out.

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#41

Thanks For The 2 Sprinkles, Dunkin

Thanks For The 2 Sprinkles, Dunkin

NewmanBiggio Report

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ThoughtsAreNotFacts
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Love donuts, but that icing looks like microwaved pepto bismol! More sprinkles wouldn't have made it more appealing

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#42

My Uncle Ordered A Cake

My Uncle Ordered A Cake

MayyJuneJulyy Report

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Troux
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The hair looks pretty good! This isn't a scam, it just looks like someone wasn't up to the order. Usually you can look at samples of their work to avoid things like this.

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#44

10 Dollar Slice Of Cheesecake!!! The Container Could Have Fit An Entire Second Slice Easily

10 Dollar Slice Of Cheesecake!!! The Container Could Have Fit An Entire Second Slice Easily

Maytrickx Report

#45

This Fish Which Only Shows The Outside While The Inside Is Filled With Onion

This Fish Which Only Shows The Outside While The Inside Is Filled With Onion

Konrad05 Report

Note: this post originally had 47 images. It’s been shortened to the top 45 images based on user votes.