I well remember a few years ago when I was a young Loady on the introductory Merchantman, we were give galley items, Juices, Meals, Cheese Boards Tea Bags etc. It was the custom, on nightstops to take these items as refreshment later. A returning crew were stopped one day by BEA Security and searched, and they found the said orange juice and nice cheese etc, and were suspended for theft. The union successfully argued that these items were given to the crew and therefore was their property.
Nothing in the regs said that they had to consume these items on the aircraft, but it was tightened up afterwards damn quick.
Were these guys thieves.??........never in a million years.