Fresh or foul? Coles customers outraged over questionable food on shelves
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A trip to the local supermarket can often feel like a treasure hunt, with unexpected deals making the weekly grocery run a little more exciting.
Whether it’s a last-minute ingredient for dinner or an impulsive sweet treat, the temptation of a quick buy is hard to resist.
But sometimes, a seemingly great deal can raise a few questions—leaving some shoppers wondering if their bargain was truly a bargain after all.
Recently, an Australian shopper took to Facebook to express concern over the heavily discounted prawn prices at a Coles store in Logan.
The online images showed Queensland Black Tiger Prawns and Vannamei Prawns sold for as low as $2.13/kg and $1.25/kg, respectively.
To put this into perspective, these prawns typically cost upwards of $36/kg—a significant difference that raised eyebrows and suspicions about the freshness of the seafood.
For many, seeing such low prices would cause celebration, with visions of seafood feasts dancing in their heads.
However, the original poster was unconvinced, questioning the true quality and safety of prawns sold at such a bargain.
Seafood, and prawns in particular, are not items to take lightly when it comes to freshness.
Unlike some foods that can be consumed past their 'best before' dates without much concern, seafood has strict 'use by' dates for a reason.
Eating prawns that are past their prime is not a risk worth taking, as it could lead to foodborne illnesses—certainly not the kind of surprise anyone wants from their dinner.
In response to the uproar, Coles has reassured customers that their 'quick sale' items are perfectly safe to consume.
As part of their waste minimisation efforts, products nearing their 'best before' dates are marked down to encourage purchase and consumption before they must be discarded.
A Coles spokesperson clarified to Yahoo News that food safety is of utmost importance and that customers should understand the difference between 'use by' and 'best before' dates.
‘[They] determine the shelf life of food products, how long food can be kept before the quality deteriorates or when the item is unsafe to eat,’ the spokesperson said.
The 'use by' date is the deadline for consuming food products for health and safety reasons.
In contrast, the 'best before' date indicates when the quality of the food may begin to deteriorate, but it can still be eaten safely after this date.
It turns out that using 'quick buy' labels on prawns and other seafood is not an uncommon practice at Coles.
So, the next time you spot such an offer, it might be worth considering – but always with a careful eye.
Before you head out for your next grocery run, here are a few tips to ensure you're making safe and savvy choices:
When buying perishable items, especially seafood, always check the ‘use by’ and ‘best before’ dates—‘use by’ indicates safety, while ‘best before’ relates to quality.
Inspect the product closely; prawns should have a firm texture, a mild sea breeze aroma, and a bright, uniform colour.
Don’t hesitate to ask store staff about packaging dates and how long the item has been on sale.
Trust your senses—if something smells off or looks questionable, it’s best to choose another option.
Lastly, be mindful of bargains; while discounts are tempting, a deal that seems too good to be true might come with risks.
Have you ever encountered a 'quick buy' that made you think twice? Let us know in the comments below.
Whether it’s a last-minute ingredient for dinner or an impulsive sweet treat, the temptation of a quick buy is hard to resist.
But sometimes, a seemingly great deal can raise a few questions—leaving some shoppers wondering if their bargain was truly a bargain after all.
Recently, an Australian shopper took to Facebook to express concern over the heavily discounted prawn prices at a Coles store in Logan.
The online images showed Queensland Black Tiger Prawns and Vannamei Prawns sold for as low as $2.13/kg and $1.25/kg, respectively.
Concerns were raised over expired prawns sold at a discount in a Coles store. Credit: Daria Nipot / iStock
To put this into perspective, these prawns typically cost upwards of $36/kg—a significant difference that raised eyebrows and suspicions about the freshness of the seafood.
For many, seeing such low prices would cause celebration, with visions of seafood feasts dancing in their heads.
However, the original poster was unconvinced, questioning the true quality and safety of prawns sold at such a bargain.
Seafood, and prawns in particular, are not items to take lightly when it comes to freshness.
Unlike some foods that can be consumed past their 'best before' dates without much concern, seafood has strict 'use by' dates for a reason.
Eating prawns that are past their prime is not a risk worth taking, as it could lead to foodborne illnesses—certainly not the kind of surprise anyone wants from their dinner.
In response to the uproar, Coles has reassured customers that their 'quick sale' items are perfectly safe to consume.
As part of their waste minimisation efforts, products nearing their 'best before' dates are marked down to encourage purchase and consumption before they must be discarded.
A Coles spokesperson clarified to Yahoo News that food safety is of utmost importance and that customers should understand the difference between 'use by' and 'best before' dates.
‘[They] determine the shelf life of food products, how long food can be kept before the quality deteriorates or when the item is unsafe to eat,’ the spokesperson said.
The 'use by' date is the deadline for consuming food products for health and safety reasons.
In contrast, the 'best before' date indicates when the quality of the food may begin to deteriorate, but it can still be eaten safely after this date.
It turns out that using 'quick buy' labels on prawns and other seafood is not an uncommon practice at Coles.
So, the next time you spot such an offer, it might be worth considering – but always with a careful eye.
Before you head out for your next grocery run, here are a few tips to ensure you're making safe and savvy choices:
When buying perishable items, especially seafood, always check the ‘use by’ and ‘best before’ dates—‘use by’ indicates safety, while ‘best before’ relates to quality.
Inspect the product closely; prawns should have a firm texture, a mild sea breeze aroma, and a bright, uniform colour.
Don’t hesitate to ask store staff about packaging dates and how long the item has been on sale.
Trust your senses—if something smells off or looks questionable, it’s best to choose another option.
Lastly, be mindful of bargains; while discounts are tempting, a deal that seems too good to be true might come with risks.
