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When I'm at work if I see kids in the shopping carts improperly especially riding underneath, I tell them it's not safe. Some people look really pissed off but it clearly says right on the cart how NOT to have your child. I've seen a few kids get hurt and one with serious head injury because of this. Is it out of place for me to say something?
When I was taking an Italian language class, the professor told us it was common for strangers to mildly discipline others' children. As a parent, that seems great to me. Being the sole disciplinarian is tiring and the child questions and tests the parent who is the only voice of reason. When other people take up this role, it reinforces to the child what is right and wrong - "it takes a village to raise a baby". When a store worker tells my daughter not to do something (I'm fine with this as long as they're not rude) she becomes embarrassed and it clearly affects her more than when I just tell her myself.
However, most Americans won't have this. Don't you dare talk to their sweet little demon child that way. You risk being verbally abused and told to mind your own business.
If the parents look pissed, but don't retort, they are probably just shocked by your interference. So few people have the balls to tell someone else's child what to do, so it may just be an automatic reaction for them. If they look pissed, but are otherwise relatively calm you can probably explain the logic of your concern to them and they may even appreciate you for it. Many kids go a little crazy in the store and parents may begin to give in to their whims even though they disagree with their behavior, to save their own sanity.
Is it in your job description to advise parents as to how they should have their kids in the carts? If not, you might be jeopardizing your job if a parent or two complains.