Safeway, at least three managers at that store that I spoke to personally, all claimed that the policy is required under a new California law. However, all three managers are unable (or unwilling) to provide a legal citation for such. In fact, I cannot find a reference to such a law or any legal requirement for recording the actual dates of birth for purchasers of alcohol. Now I am not a lawyer, and I don't even play one on TV. However, I believe that Safeway is actually violating California state law by the recording of purchasers' dates of birth. Specifically, under section 1747.08 of the Song Beverly Act of 1971, merchants are prohibited from asking consumers for personal information.
At the very least, Safeway's new policy has been poorly implemented with too little information about the new 'requirement,' and it has certainly pissed off this customer. All Safeway needs to know is that I am of legal age to purchase alcohol.
