At 71, you might find it frustrating that grocery stores still insist on checking your ID when you’re buying beer or wine. You’re not alone in wondering why this happens, and it might seem like a nonsensical requirement, especially since the old system only required carding anyone who looked under 26. However, the truth behind this practice might surprise you—it’s not actually due to a change in the law.
Under current Oregon law, the requirement to check IDs for those who appear under 26 years old is still in place. So, why are grocery stores like Safeway, Albertsons, and Fred Meyer asking for your ID even when it’s clear you’re well above that age threshold?
The answer lies in the stricter policies that vendors have chosen to implement themselves, rather than any new legislative mandate. Companies like Fred Meyer have tightened their ID-checking protocols to ensure 100% compliance with state and local alcohol sales regulations. These rules have been in effect for years, but the recent increase in ID checks is likely driven by the availability of quick and easy-to-use ID scanners. These devices allow stores to check everyone’s ID without significantly slowing down the checkout process.
Grocery stores face hefty penalties for selling alcohol to minors, including fines up to $6,250 and the potential loss of their liquor license. On the other hand, the downside of annoying customers like you by insisting on an ID check is minimal. Therefore, to avoid any risk, stores have opted to err on the side of caution.
This approach might also remind you of the frustrating experiences from your younger years, like when a whole group was denied service because one person didn’t have an ID. It’s not illegal to refuse service in such cases, but for minimum-wage employees, the safer option is always to be overly cautious.
So, while it might be frustrating, the reason behind the seemingly overzealous ID checks at the grocery store is rooted in caution and the desire to avoid hefty penalties—not a mandate from the Oregon Legislature.
