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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.

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    #3

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

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

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    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

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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

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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.

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

    The big box stores just appoint some poor schmuck in the bakery to do decorations. They are given a template to work on with instructions. They are not trained, they are not artists. And this is the result.

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

    I resent the hell out of that comment. I worked in one of those stores that you look down your nose at, and I never would have presented a cake like that to one of my customers. I did floating 7-tiered wedding cakes with a champagne fountain and not once did I ever have a customer complain. And guess who trained me.... I did!...The deli manager asked me if I wanted to try and do cakes one day and I said yes, and I did it for twelve years, learning as I went. Maybe try not to be so judgemental.

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

    First cake I’ve ever seen where the picture is of somebody with a black eye! Check the quality before you leave the counter

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

    Cake fails are the best! But if that came from a baker and not a family member trying their best, I'd be disappointed

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

    Their first day at the bakery? Probably their last, too

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

    Is that her boob or her shoulder? I can’t tell.

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

    This makes me grateful cake decorating is not my job, I'm confident I can't do better than this and the stress would make me smash cakes in my own face.

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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

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    #46

    I Paid $6.40 ($8.13 After Tax And Tip) For This Much Queso

    I Paid $6.40 ($8.13 After Tax And Tip) For This Much Queso

    Aea Report

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

    What the heck!!! I would not be able to serve this to any human being if I had any decency

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    #47

    Dear God, What Was I Thinking

    Dear God, What Was I Thinking

    FraternityMan Report