Mum's shocking photo of ALDI mince will make you think twice before buying

As we age, we often become more cautious about our food, not just for health reasons but because we value quality and freshness in our meals.

A recent incident involving a mum and her recent purchase from ALDI caught the attention of many, especially those who are conscious about the food brought into our homes.


A mum was taken aback after a 500g pack of Five-Star Jindurra Station Beef Mince from ALDI, only to find the meat in an unappetising brown colour.

The use-by date on the package read 11.05.24, but the meat's appearance told a different story.

'Would you say this meat is off? It doesn't look a good colour and is still in expiry,' she wrote on a post with a photo showing the discoloured mince.


compressed-pexels-angele-j-35172-128401.jpeg
While beef mince may generally come in a red colour, several factors may cause discolouration. Image Credit: Pexels/Angele J


The visual evidence was enough to make some people feel queasy, with one commenter admitting, 'I'm literally gagging looking at that.'

The post quickly went viral as fellow shoppers weighed in with their opinions and personal anecdotes.

'I can smell that through my phone,' one comment read.


This incident reignited a debate over the quality of supermarket meats versus those from local butchers.

'I stopped buying meat at ALDI this year. The amount of rotten meat we would buy within the expiry date was beyond a joke,' one comment wrote.

'It's such poor-grade meat, too, particularly the mince. We go to butchers for our meat now. The quality is unmatched and less expensive.'

On the other hand, some tried to dispel a common misconception about meat colouring in stores.

'Meat is red because of the dyes they put in it. If you buy organic meat, it's never like grocery store meat,' another wrote.

They also suggested that it should be safe to eat if the meat doesn't smell off and is still red on the inside.

'If in doubt, throw it out!' a third exclaimed.


Consumers must be vigilant about the freshness of the food you consume.

Discoloured meat can be a sign of spoilage but can also result from natural processes. The key is to trust your senses.

If the meat smells off or if you're in any doubt about its quality, it's better to dispose of it than risk getting sick over food.

This is a reminder to check meat quality before purchasing and not rely on best-before dates.

It may also be worth considering the benefits of building a relationship with your local butcher, where you can often find higher-quality meat and receive expert advice on selection and storage.
Key Takeaways

  • A mum expressed her shock upon finding discoloured beef mince that was within its expiry date.
  • The product in question was '500g Five Star Jindurra Station Beef Mince' from ALDI, which sparked a discussion on social media.
  • The discolouration and quality of the mince led to various comments—some users suggested throwing it out, and others explained that meat can turn brown due to natural factors.
  • The incident prompted discussions about supermarket meat quality versus butcher meat, with some commenters expressing a preference for the latter.
Have you ever encountered a similar situation with meat or other perishables? Share your experiences and produce-shopping tips in the comments below.
 
Sponsored
So my question here is number one she could see the colour WHY did she buy it? Why take to social media for the sympathy votes when she should have just taken it back to Aldi....the whole point being here she SHOULD NOT have bought it in the first place!
 
Never been sick or purchased food from Aldi that looks, smells or tastes ‘off’. Have had one occasion of mince bought at my local Woolworths store that didn’t look off but smelled horrible before and while cooking it - straight into the bin thereafter. Some sections of meats do have a slightly greyish tinge where they have been touching the packaging or air may have gotten into the package somehow.

I do trust my nose quite a lot when cooking and honestly can say that my 3 (adult now) children, my husband and I have never been sick from food I have cooked in 56 years.
 
Last edited:
Last year, I had some putrid prepacked chicken maryland from Woolworths which was unrefrigerated for no more than 30 minutes after purchase on a mild day.

Back to the store and it was found that ALL the chicken maryland in the chiller was in the same rancid condition. Refunded in full PLUS a free tray of bulk drumsticks!

Visually, there was no indication that the chicken was off.
 
Last year, I had some putrid prepacked chicken maryland from Woolworths which was unrefrigerated for no more than 30 minutes after purchase on a mild day.

Back to the store and it was found that ALL the chicken maryland in the chiller was in the same rancid condition. Refunded in full PLUS a free tray of bulk drumsticks!

Visually, there was no indication that the chicken was off.
Chicken is one of the worst products to detect food safety concerns visually. I had a 5kg carton of chicken thigh delivered to aged care facility. On opening the next day, it looked fine, but the smell nearly knocked me over.
 
'When in doubt, DON'T throw it out,' if you are sure it is 'sus', TAKE IT BACK. The store won't know about bad products unless you show them. They can then check their suppliers, you get your money back, or a freebie. Don't just accept this type of behaviour, stand up and complain. Since Covid I have noticed that a lot of businesses are cutting corners. Smaller cups higher prices. Paying extra for items that were normally included, like toast with breakfast is now an 'extra'. Shrinkage has taken over many items. I have always sent food back on a number of occasions, when eating out however, lately it has become more regularly, much to the embarrassment of my friends. I do not pay for something that is not made properly or I cannot eat or is not what I ordered. If you like being walked over or treated poorly, THEN DON'T COMPLAIN, JUST COP IT.
 
Yes I bought mince from Aldi that went off quickly. I will take the advice and buy mince from a butcher in future.
 
I agree with everyone else. That mince looks perfectly red in colour to me and can't see any discolouration. I've been buying my mince from Aldi since they came to my suburb and never had a problem with it, or any of their meat for that matter. And why would she buy it in the first place if it was discoloured. Just another one wanting to get her name out there.
 
We have seen some Aldi mincemeat that appeared discolored. However, the meat has never smelled off when we open the packaging. I understand that meat processing vacuum seal and fill the package with nitrogen. The gas reduces anerobic (air loving) bacteria from multiplying (feeding on the meat). If in doubt give the pack of meat to the manager while you are in the store. We have never had any issues with Aldi meat even if we do find some discoloration when we open the pack. We always smell meat to see if the meat smells off and if we have any issues with any Aldi product then we contact Aldi and take the item back to the store.
 
  • Like
Reactions: croz
I have but a vague memory from possibly 40*yrs ago, when I found out that minced meats are coloured to get the desired fresh reddish/natural colour and I don’t think I’ve had cause to think about it since.
However, there’s a nagging thought that at the time something WAS done to either ban the practice or reduce the amount of colouring.
I wonder if there are any of your readers who might have more insight.
 

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

Latest Articles

  • 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×