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.
Terra Rescues is a marketplace, not a food seller or inspector. 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.
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.
3.Allergens
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
To the fullest extent permitted by law, by purchasing food through Terra Rescues you acknowledge that you assume the risks associated with buying, handling, and consuming surplus food, and you agree to the disclaimers and limitation of liability in our Terms of Service.
7.Report a problem
If a bag was unsafe, spoiled, or not as described, contact us at info@terrarescues.com within 24 hours of the pickup window so we can look into it.