Food Safety & Disclaimer

Last updated: July 30, 2026

Rescuing surplus food keeps good food out of the landfill, and it comes with responsibilities on both sides. This page explains how our freshness dates work, who is responsible for the food, and how to handle it safely.

The short version

Terra Rescues is a marketplace, not a food seller or inspector. You buy from the Store, not from Terra Rescues. The "safe to eat until" date is an AI estimate, not a guarantee. The Store is responsible for the food. Always inspect it, store it properly, and when in doubt, throw it out.

1.How the dates work

Every listing shows two dates, and they mean different things:

"Best by", set by the Store. This is the Store's own quality guide for the food.
"Safe to eat until", an automated AI estimate. Our system uses an AI model to estimate how long the most perishable item may remain safe when stored properly. It is generated automatically, cannot be set by the Store, and is provided for general guidance only. It is an estimate, not a guarantee, certification, or promise of safety.

The estimate assumes the food is kept properly refrigerated or stored the whole time and cannot account for how the food is handled after you pick it up. Storage, transport, and handling after pickup are your responsibility, and you rely on the estimate at your own risk.

2.Who is responsible for the food

The Store is the seller and is solely responsible for the food it lists, including its safety, quality, accurate contents, allergen information, proper handling and storage, and compliance with all applicable food-safety and health laws. Terra Rescues does not grow, prepare, handle, store, inspect, test, or transport food, and does not verify Stores' compliance beyond the identity and business checks performed by our payment processor. Terra Rescues acts only as a technology platform and limited payment facilitator that connects you and the Store; the sale of food is a transaction between you and the Store.

3.Allergens

If you have a food allergy

Allergen tags and item lists come from the Store and our automated tools and may be incomplete or inaccurate. Cross-contamination can occur. Do not rely solely on the app. If you have a severe allergy or intolerance, confirm directly with the Store and use your own judgment before eating anything.

4.Handling rescued food safely

Inspect at pickup. Check the look, smell, and packaging before you accept a bag.
Keep it cold. Refrigerate or freeze perishable items promptly, and don't leave them at room temperature.
Eat perishable items first and within the guidance shown.
When in doubt, throw it out. If anything looks, smells, or seems off, do not eat it, no estimate overrides your own judgment.

5.Not medical advice

Nothing on Terra Rescues is medical, dietary, or food-safety advice. If you feel unwell after eating food obtained through the platform, seek medical attention. Please also report the issue to the Store and to us so we can follow up.

6.Assumption of risk, no warranties & limitation of liability

All food is provided "as is." To the fullest extent permitted by law, Terra Rescues disclaims all warranties of any kind regarding food obtained through the platform, whether express or implied, including any implied warranty of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, quality, freshness, or safety. The AI "safe to eat until" estimate is provided for general guidance only, and you rely on it at your own risk.

By purchasing food through Terra Rescues, you knowingly and voluntarily assume all risks of buying, handling, and consuming surplus food, including the risk of foodborne illness, allergic reaction, or injury, and, to the fullest extent permitted by law, you release Terra Rescues LLC and its owners, officers, and agents from any and all claims, liabilities, and damages arising out of the food or your reliance on any information in the app.

To the fullest extent permitted by law, Terra Rescues is not liable for any illness, injury, loss, or damage arising from food obtained through the platform. This is in addition to the disclaimers and limitation of liability in our Terms of Service, which also apply and which govern in the event of any conflict. Nothing here limits any right or remedy that cannot be limited or waived under applicable law.

7.Report a problem

If a bag was unsafe, spoiled, or not as described, contact us at support@terrarescues.com within 24 hours of the pickup window so we can look into it.