Q: I bought some beef from a couple of guys out driving through the neighborhood. The steak was disgusting. What can I do? — Darin Deke, Denver
A: Door-to-door meat sales, as unappetizing as that might sound, can actually be a pretty good deal — if you’re dealing with a reputable company.
Like many things, sadly, it’s an industry whose bad apples make it tough on the others.
Unlike your local supermarket, whose meat counter may undergo a number of health-related inspections to ensure quality and wholesomeness, the same is not exactly true of the door-to-door firms.
That’s not to say their meat is of poor quality, but you do have a few more things to keep an eye out for to ensure you’re getting what you paid for.
In Colorado, those who sell meat door-to-door are required to be licensed by the state Department of Agriculture and bonded.
More important, you must get a very detailed receipt of the transaction and a three-day cancellation guarantee — even if you’ve already received the meat.
You can file a complaint with the state’s Division of Inspection and Consumer Services — even if you don’t have a receipt.
Always look for the USDA seal on the packaging. It’s required by federal law. Many at-home sales are vacuum-sealed. What’s not required in the labeling is the grade of product, such as prime, choice or select.
The USDA inspects the processor where the meat originated, and that must be on the box too, typically inside the seal if it’s U.S.-produced meat.
Always verify the license status of the company selling to you and whether they’ve had any complaints. Many counties in Colorado also require them to have a retail food license and undergo vehicle inspections to ensure quality control.
Here’s a tip: If the seller wants to pack your freezer, that’s fine. Just be sure they leave the box. It’s the only way to know what you have actually purchased.
David Migoya wants to get the answers to your consumer questions. E-mail consumertips@ or write to Consumer Shopping Bag, The Denver Post, 101 W. Colfax Ave., Suite 600, Denver, CO 80202.
