Mum reveals disgusting surprise from her supermarket order: 'It was just a stinking black blob'

Online grocery shopping has become a lifeline for many Australians, especially for those who prefer to avoid the supermarket hustle and bustle.

With just a few clicks, shoppers can have their weekly shop ready for pick-up or delivered straight to their doors.

As convenient as these services are, they can also deliver more than people bargained for, but not in a good way!


A mum from Gold Coast shared her recent experience that left her and her family horrified.

The mum placed her usual order with a north Gold Coast Woolworths store on a Sunday night, thinking of a stress-free week ahead.

Her husband picked up the groceries on Tuesday morning, but what awaited them at home was anything but ordinary.

The husband noticed something was off with the Woolworths Essentials frozen chips they ordered.


compressed-Woolworths Click and Collect (1).jpeg
Woolworths offers click-and-collect options for busy individuals and families. Image Credit: Woolworths


He pointed out that the bag was a warm, 'mashed, and mouldy mess'.

Her teenage son also had a bizarre encounter later on at home.

'Later in the night, my teenage son went into the kitchen for something to eat and opened the chicken to find it unrecognisable—it was just a stinking black blob,' the mum shared in an interview.

The chicken, which was supposedly well within its use-by date, was covered in green and black mould and gave off a foul odour.

'It was as if someone had fished it out of a bin and put it in our order,' the mum added.


While the mum had experienced minor issues with her click-and-collect orders in the past, they were often resolved quickly.

She immediately reached out to Woolworths online to complain about the groceries they received.

The supermarket responded with a $4 refund for the chips.

However, the chicken tenders, mistakenly included in the order, were not refunded.

Eventually, Woolworths offered a $20 store credit as an apology.

However, the mum was more concerned with how such a mistake could happen in the first place.


'Woolworths is aware of a customer report concerning two items in their recent online order which presented with mould,' a Woolworths spokesperson confirmed.

An investigation into the incident is also underway.

'We take food safety very seriously and have strict food safety management processes.'

'Our Customer Hub team are in contact with the customer and have refunded their order,' the spokesperson added.

'While we are actively investigating how this incident has occurred, it appears to be an isolated incident'.

While Woolworths is taking the matter seriously, this story highlighted the potential pitfalls of online grocery shopping—especially when it comes to fresh and frozen food products.
Key Takeaways

  • A Gold Coast mum discovered two rotten items—warm, mashed and mouldy frozen chips and a foul-smelling chicken fillet—in her click-and-collect grocery order from Woolworths.
  • The products, which were within their use by dates, were described as 'a stinking black blob' and 'as if someone had fished it out of a bin'.
  • Woolworths apologised and initially offered a $4 refund for the chips. Later on, the shop offered a $20 store credit for the mum's experience.
  • A Woolworths spokesperson stated the supermarket has started investigating the incident and reiterated their commitment to food safety.
Have you ever received a less-than-fresh surprise in your online grocery order? How did your supermarket handle it? Share your experiences and tips in the comments below; your story might help another member avoid a similar mishap!
 

Seniors Discount Club

Sponsored content

Info
Loading data . . .
People make their own stresses these days. I have never used any service to do my shopping, I know what I get when I do it myself. I don't have to then go online telling the world about how my shopping was never delivered, or what mouldy horrible thing was lurking in the bag and waste an hour telling all about it, then call the supermarket and waste another half an hour on hold to complain about it all, and yet they say they are time poor and online shopping saves time.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: cblayney
This story sounds a bit on the nose…. no photo to show as proof either.

I understand “some” things sometimes might be a bit off, or not worthy to eat…but the food description in this story just doesn’t seem right.

If these items were so disgusting the packers would surely have noticed or smelt them.

I just don’t believe this one at all.
 
It makes you wonder about the people employed to do the click and collect orders. If someone cannot see that food is off, yet they still continue to add these products to the order. If one bag is off, then how many other packets were also off.
 
I’d believe this story if there was a photo of said items.☹️and I’ve shopped online for years and never had a problem., Meow🙂
Hi there, Littleboy8,
You are one of the lucky ones. There again, probably a lot of others as well.
I, myself wouldn't trust anyone to select my groceries for me when I'm very capable of doing it myself.
For some of us oldies, it's considered as 'Exercise" to do it yourself. Even helps the 'Old Grey Matter" to tick over selecting items.
 
Hi there, Littleboy8,
You are one of the lucky ones. There again, probably a lot of others as well.
I, myself wouldn't trust anyone to select my groceries for me when I'm very capable of doing it myself.
For some of us oldies, it's considered as 'Exercise" to do it yourself. Even helps the 'Old Grey Matter" to tick over selecting items.
Unfortunately I haven’t been able to because of a botched hip operation I had nearly four years ago,now I’ve torn the ligament once again that’s behind the hip replacement which is a recurring event. So I have to be careful that I don’t get knocked about by anyone as it’s so painful, but I’d certainly do my own shopping if I could.☹️
 
Hi there, Littleboy8,
You are one of the lucky ones. There again, probably a lot of others as well.
I, myself wouldn't trust anyone to select my groceries for me when I'm very capable of doing it myself.
For some of us oldies, it's considered as 'Exercise" to do it yourself. Even helps the 'Old Grey Matter" to tick over selecting items.
My brain gets more than enough exercise, but going to a supermarket is a step too far. I absolutely loathe grocery shopping so I either do click & collect or my husband goes. Ted likes to wander around looking at everything, but it really annoys me. Our ‘shoppers’ at Cole’s Woolworths are very good I’ve not had any problems at all.
 
Unfortunately I haven’t been able to because of a botched hip operation I had nearly four years ago,now I’ve torn the ligament once again that’s behind the hip replacement which is a recurring event. So I have to be careful that I don’t get knocked about by anyone as it’s so painful, but I’d certainly do my own shopping if I could.☹️
I'm so sorry for your continued pain. Please take care. We have no idea what others are coping with 🌷 🌈
 
Wow she complains back to the supermarket which is great..the chicken tenders were accidently added to her order and she wanted a refund on something she never purchased..mmm ok...I find this to be a bit far fetched as chicken DOES NOT go green and black in a few hours....mistakes happen no one is perfect least of all her...
 
Unfortunately I haven’t been able to because of a botched hip operation I had nearly four years ago,now I’ve torn the ligament once again that’s behind the hip replacement which is a recurring event. So I have to be careful that I don’t get knocked about by anyone as it’s so painful, but I’d certainly do my own shopping if I could.☹️
Touche!
 
  • Like
Reactions: Littleboy8
Ah, yes ... the perceived delights and ease and saving of time when you get somebody else to do your shopping for you.w
Does this story seem a little unreal to you..chicken does NOT go mouldy green and black in a few hours also the person online shopping would have noticed the smell...nah I do NOT believe this and I only online shop due to PTSD..and have never encountered ANYTHING NEAR THIS..porky pies I think
 
Does this story seem a little unreal to you..chicken does NOT go mouldy green and black in a few hours also the person online shopping would have noticed the smell...nah I do NOT believe this and I only online shop due to PTSD..and have never encountered ANYTHING NEAR THIS..porky pies I think
Yeah oink oink 🐷 liar liar undies on fire 🔥
 
  • Love
Reactions: PattiB

Join the conversation

News, deals, games, and bargains for Aussies over 60. From everyday expenses like groceries and eating out, to electronics, fashion and travel, the club is all about helping you make your money go further.

Seniors Discount Club

The SDC searches for the best deals, discounts, and bargains for Aussies over 60. From everyday expenses like groceries and eating out, to electronics, fashion and travel, the club is all about helping you make your money go further.
  1. New members
  2. Jokes & fun
  3. Photography
  4. Nostalgia / Yesterday's Australia
  5. Food and Lifestyle
  6. Money Saving Hacks
  7. Offtopic / Everything else
  • We believe that retirement should be a time to relax and enjoy life, not worry about money. That's why we're here to help our members make the most of their retirement years. If you're over 60 and looking for ways to save money, connect with others, and have a laugh, we’d love to have you aboard.
  • Advertise with us

User Menu

Enjoyed Reading our Story?

  • Share this forum to your loved ones.
Change Weather Postcode×
Change Petrol Postcode×