Return Policy

Effective Date: November 4, 2025

At Cedar Trading Inc. (DBA: Cedar Foods Gourmet Solutions), your safety and satisfaction are our top priorities. We are committed to distributing high-quality food products that meet all safety standards. Due to the perishable nature of many of our products and strict food safety regulations, our return policy differs from that of non-food items.

1. Product Quality and Safety Guarantee

We stand behind the quality and safety of every product we distribute. All products are sourced from reputable suppliers and handled according to industry best practices and regulatory guidelines, including but not limited to, those set forth by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS), the Florida Department of Health (DOH), and federal agencies such as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). We maintain strict cold chain management where applicable and adhere to all food safety protocols to ensure product integrity from our facilities to your receiving dock. Our operations are subject to inspection by these regulatory bodies.

2. Eligibility for Returns

Returns are accepted only under specific circumstances related to product quality, safety, or order fulfillment errors, in accordance with Florida consumer protection laws and food safety regulations.

  • Damaged or Compromised Products: If products arrive visibly damaged, they appear to be tampered with, or show signs of spoilage (e.g., unusual odor, discoloration, mold, compromised packaging that affects product integrity) upon delivery.
  • Temperature Abuse: If perishable products arrive outside of their safe temperature range, as indicated by temperature monitoring devices or visual inspection (e.g., melted frozen goods, excessively warm refrigerated items). This constitutes an unsafe condition.
  • Incorrect Product Received: If you receive products that do not match your order or are different from what was invoiced.
  • Recalled Products: In the event of a product recall initiated by the manufacturer, a regulatory agency (like FDACS, DOH, FDA, or USDA), or Cedar Trading Inc. itself. Customers will be notified immediately of any relevant recall.
  • Adulterated or Misbranded Products: Products found to be adulterated (e.g., containing foreign matter, harmful substances, or prepared under unsanitary conditions) or misbranded (e.g., incorrect labeling, undeclared allergens) as defined by Florida and federal food laws.

3. Non-Eligible Returns

Due to food safety regulations (specifically Florida Statute 501.142) and the perishable nature of our products, we cannot accept returns for, and we do not offer exchanges for, the following reasons:

  • Products that have been opened, partially consumed, or altered in any way after delivery, unless the alteration was a result of a defect existing at the time of delivery.
  • Products that have been stored improperly after delivery (e.g., left out of refrigeration, exposed to contaminants), leading to spoilage or damage while in the customer's possession.
  • Products that have passed their "best by," "use by," or expiration date while in your possession, unless the product arrived already past its date.
  • Buyer's remorse or ordering errors on the customer's part (e.g., ordered too much, no longer need the product) if the product arrived in good condition and met order specifications.
  • Products that were correctly delivered and meet quality and safety standards but are no longer desired.

4. Reporting Issues and Return Process

To initiate a claim for a return or report a safety concern, please follow these steps:

  1. Immediate Notification: You must notify Cedar Trading Inc. within [e.g., 24 hours for perishable goods, 48 hours for non-perishable goods] of delivery for any issues regarding damaged, incorrect, or compromised products. For critical safety concerns (e.g., suspected foodborne illness, foreign object contamination), please notify us immediately upon discovery via phone.
  2. Provide Documentation: To help us assess the issue quickly and comply with potential regulatory reporting requirements, please provide:
    • Your order number and date of delivery.
    • A clear, detailed description of the issue.
    • High-quality photographs or videos of the damaged or questionable product, including packaging, any signs of spoilage, and all relevant date codes, lot numbers, and supplier information.
    • Temperature logs if applicable for perishable goods, verifying out-of-spec temperatures.
    • Any other relevant evidence that substantiates the claim of a defect or safety concern.
  3. Hold Product: Do not discard any compromised products until instructed by our team. We may need to arrange for inspection, pickup, or provide specific disposal instructions to ensure proper handling and to comply with food safety regulations.
  4. Resolution: Upon review of your claim, and if the issue is confirmed to be a qualifying defect or safety concern, Cedar Trading Inc. will, at our discretion and in compliance with Florida's consumer protection laws, offer one of the following resolutions:
    • A full refund for the affected product(s).
    • A credit towards your next order.
    • Replacement of the affected product(s), subject to availability and our ability to ensure safe re-delivery.
    • In some cases, we may arrange for the pickup of the non-conforming product for further investigation or proper disposal.

5. Consumer Safety Information and Best Practices

We are committed to providing safe food. As a recipient of our products, adherence to proper food handling and storage practices is crucial for consumer safety and in line with Florida food hygiene standards (e.g., Chapter 64E-11, Florida Administrative Code). Please ensure:

  • Proper Storage: All products are stored according to their recommended guidelines (e.g., refrigeration at or below 41°F (5°C), freezing at or below 0°F (-18°C), dry storage in a clean, pest-free area) immediately upon receipt.
  • First-In, First-Out (FIFO): Implement a FIFO system to ensure older products are used first, minimizing waste and ensuring freshness within their designated shelf life.
  • Temperature Monitoring: Regularly monitor and log temperatures of all storage units for perishable goods to ensure they remain within safe ranges.
  • Hygiene: Maintain strict personal hygiene and sanitation practices when handling and preparing food products.
  • Cross-Contamination Prevention: Prevent cross-contamination between raw and ready-to-eat foods, and between allergenic and non-allergenic ingredients.
  • Allergen Awareness: Be fully aware of allergen information provided on product labels. We distribute products that may contain common allergens (e.g., milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, soy, wheat, fish, shellfish). It is the customer's responsibility to manage allergen risks in their operations.
  • Training: Ensure your staff is properly trained in food safety and handling, consistent with Florida's food manager and food handler certification requirements where applicable.

6. Recalls

In the event of a product recall (voluntary or regulatory-mandated), Cedar Trading Inc. will:

  • Immediately notify all affected customers via [e.g., email, phone, urgent announcement on our customer portal] upon receiving recall information from the manufacturer or regulatory agencies (like FDACS or FDA).
  • Provide clear and concise instructions on how to identify, segregate, and handle the recalled product, including procedures for return, destruction, or other appropriate actions.
  • Offer full refunds or replacements for recalled products as determined by the recall specifics and regulatory requirements.
  • Maintain accurate records of affected products and customer notifications, in compliance with traceability requirements.

7. Product Liability

As a distributor, we are aware of Florida's product liability laws, which hold parties in the supply chain (including distributors) responsible for harm caused by defective or dangerous products. Our commitment to quality control and adherence to this policy is designed to mitigate such risks.

8. Contact Us

If you have any questions about this policy, need to report an issue, or have a safety concern, please contact our Customer Service team immediately at:

  • Phone: +1-305-858-0050
  • Email: admin@cedarfoodsgroup.com
  • Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday 9:00 AM-3:00 PM and

Saturdays 9:00 AM-12:00 PM

For urgent food safety concerns that cannot be resolved directly with us, you may also contact the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) or the Florida Department of Health (DOH).

This policy is subject to change. Please refer to our website or contact us for the most current version.

Important Considerations for Florida Compliance:

  1. Florida Statute 501.142 (Refunds): This is crucial. It explicitly states that the general refund requirements (like posting a "no refund" sign or giving a 7-day refund for unused goods) do not apply to the sale of food or perishable goods. This strengthens your position for a stricter return policy on food, allowing you to focus on quality and safety issues rather than general dissatisfaction.
  2. FDACS and DOH Roles:
    • FDACS (Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services): Primarily regulates wholesale food operations, food processing, storage, and retail grocery stores. They are heavily involved in food safety and recalls for products within their purview.
    • DOH (Florida Department of Health): Primarily regulates food service establishments (restaurants, schools, hospitals, etc.) and certain retail operations.
    • Mentioning compliance with both, and advising customers to contact them for unresolved safety concerns, shows thoroughness.
  3. Miami-Dade County Ordinances: While Miami-Dade has its own county code (e.g., Chapter 8A - Business Regulations, Appendix 21 - Minimum Operating Standards for Food Services Facility), for a food distribution company, the primary regulations will come from the state (FDACS, DOH) and federal (FDA, USDA) levels. Local ordinances often reinforce these broader regulations, especially regarding food hygiene, storage temperatures, and handling. Your policy's focus on proper handling, storage, and temperature control aligns with these.
  4. Product Liability: Florida has strict product liability laws, meaning you, as a distributor, can be held liable for defective products even if you didn't manufacture them. Your policy's emphasis on thorough inspection upon receipt, proper storage, and immediate reporting of issues helps protect you by demonstrating due diligence.
  5. Clear Communication: Florida consumer protection laws emphasize clear communication of policies. Ensure this policy is easily accessible to your customers (e.g., on your website, included with invoices, in customer agreements).