Are ALDI's Blackberries Healthier? Shocking Discovery Uncovered by Shopper!
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As you know, healthy eating plays a vital role in our lives, especially as people get older. Eating foods that are high in nutrition, without sacrificing taste, is the key to good health.
As many savvy shoppers know, some of the products ALDI has on offer are cheaper than that of their competitors. However, with these savings can sometimes come the risk of sacrificing quality, especially with fruit and vegetables—which is why this ALDI customer was so surprised to find something else entirely unexpected!
The shopper had questioned the quality of the blackberries she'd bought from ALDI and posted it to the Amateur Entomology Australia Facebook Group after finding what appeared to be insect eggs bunched together on a handful of berries.
'What are these beasties and are the berries safe to eat?,' the shopper asked, unsure whether to bin the berries or not. 'Tempted to chuck them out to be safe, but there is also a major cost of living crisis so I really don’t want to,' she added. The woman was met with a wave of reassurance from users, claiming that the berries were actually 'safe to eat', and that the sight of the insects might even be a good sign!
But why? According to some, it's often a sign of pesticide-free produce, grown naturally without chemicals — which could mean that the fruit is better quality than most things we buy! 'If nature isn't trying to eat your food, then you shouldn't be either! All this says to me is that it's not loaded with insecticides,' continued one user.
This could be true — according to the berry brand in question (Driscoll's), their blackberries 'are grown naturally, without irradiation, genetic modification and artificial colours or flavours. It's something sceptical online shoppers may not be aware of — irradiation involves the process of subjecting food to ionising radiation, often gamma rays, which works to destroy bacteria and is sometimes used to treat insect infestation.
But Alexandra Reagan, a food scientist at Food Safety Plus Australia assured Yahoo Australia that 'the presence of insect eggs on produce can be a sign that the food is relatively free from pesticides'. She pointed out that some insects tend to avoid farm crops that are treated with chemical pesticides, but was quick to add that this doesn't necessarily indicate a higher quality or a noticeably stronger taste. When it comes down to it, your decision of whether to eat food with visible insect eggs or not might just boil down to your personal preferences and your 'tolerance for such imperfections,' Reagan added.
In the case of the Queensland ALDI shopper, we’re glad to say that ALDI graciously offered both a full refund and a replacement to this woman, so she won’t have to worry about her pocket at all. ALDI customers with any concerns involving quality issues are encouraged to return the product to the store and get a refund or replacement.
So, members, be sure to always check your goods after buying them, whether you’ve just purchased your items online or in person. After all, it's better to be safe than sorry! If you spot something strange with your product, it’s best to contact the customer service team of your local store and send the goods back for a full refund or replacement. Have you experienced something like this, members? Share us your thoughts below!
As many savvy shoppers know, some of the products ALDI has on offer are cheaper than that of their competitors. However, with these savings can sometimes come the risk of sacrificing quality, especially with fruit and vegetables—which is why this ALDI customer was so surprised to find something else entirely unexpected!
The shopper had questioned the quality of the blackberries she'd bought from ALDI and posted it to the Amateur Entomology Australia Facebook Group after finding what appeared to be insect eggs bunched together on a handful of berries.
Insect eggs found by an Aldi shopper in her blackberries. Image: Facebook.
'What are these beasties and are the berries safe to eat?,' the shopper asked, unsure whether to bin the berries or not. 'Tempted to chuck them out to be safe, but there is also a major cost of living crisis so I really don’t want to,' she added. The woman was met with a wave of reassurance from users, claiming that the berries were actually 'safe to eat', and that the sight of the insects might even be a good sign!
But why? According to some, it's often a sign of pesticide-free produce, grown naturally without chemicals — which could mean that the fruit is better quality than most things we buy! 'If nature isn't trying to eat your food, then you shouldn't be either! All this says to me is that it's not loaded with insecticides,' continued one user.
This could be true — according to the berry brand in question (Driscoll's), their blackberries 'are grown naturally, without irradiation, genetic modification and artificial colours or flavours. It's something sceptical online shoppers may not be aware of — irradiation involves the process of subjecting food to ionising radiation, often gamma rays, which works to destroy bacteria and is sometimes used to treat insect infestation.
Fresh and ready to eat blackberries! Image: Freepik.
But Alexandra Reagan, a food scientist at Food Safety Plus Australia assured Yahoo Australia that 'the presence of insect eggs on produce can be a sign that the food is relatively free from pesticides'. She pointed out that some insects tend to avoid farm crops that are treated with chemical pesticides, but was quick to add that this doesn't necessarily indicate a higher quality or a noticeably stronger taste. When it comes down to it, your decision of whether to eat food with visible insect eggs or not might just boil down to your personal preferences and your 'tolerance for such imperfections,' Reagan added.
In the case of the Queensland ALDI shopper, we’re glad to say that ALDI graciously offered both a full refund and a replacement to this woman, so she won’t have to worry about her pocket at all. ALDI customers with any concerns involving quality issues are encouraged to return the product to the store and get a refund or replacement.
So, members, be sure to always check your goods after buying them, whether you’ve just purchased your items online or in person. After all, it's better to be safe than sorry! If you spot something strange with your product, it’s best to contact the customer service team of your local store and send the goods back for a full refund or replacement. Have you experienced something like this, members? Share us your thoughts below!
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