Shocking Woolworths blunder turns delivered goods 'rotten' amid heatwave

As Australia grapples with the sweltering summer heat, a shocking oversight by a Woolworths delivery worker has left two real estate agents with a nauseating mess to clean.


Real estate agents David Galloway-Penney and Andrew Thornton visited a vacant property in Cairns.

Upon arrival, they discovered nearly ten paper bags full of groceries, including dairy products and raw meat—but with a rather nasty catch.


Screenshot 2024-02-06 120111.png
The Real Estate Agents were disgusted after finding out a handful of groceries decomposing in a vacant property. Image: TikTok/@andy8andy


The groceries had been sitting untouched for days in the scorching heat, attracting a swarm of flies and emitting a stomach-churning stench.

'[It was] definitely delivered in error, but we don't know why or by who,' Thornton told a news source.

'This is what happens when you get deliveries to a house that doesn't have anyone in it...rotten food.'

The agents had to navigate around the decomposing food and the sticky mess it had created on the tiles.

The clean-up process was far from pleasant, with the agents complaining about the terrible smell.


The incident occurred during a heatwave that swept across the Tropical North Coast and Tablelands of Queensland.

Despite the heatwave tapering off on Friday, temperatures remained steady at 30 degrees throughout the weekend.

However, every other state except Tasmania has been lashed with heat waves over recent days, with Western Australia experiencing temperatures above 40 degrees.

While online grocery shopping offers convenience, it also comes with challenges, particularly during a heatwave.

Perishable items like dairy products and meat can spoil quickly if left unattended in high temperatures, leading to food waste and potential health risks.


As Australia continues to experience heatwaves, health experts are also urging residents to be vigilant about heat-related illnesses.

'The best way to prevent heat-related illness is to drink plenty of water and to stay as cool as possible,' Healthdirect Chief Medical Officer Dr Nirvana Luckraj advised.

‘Heat-related illnesses include dehydration, heat cramps, heat exhaustion, a worsening of existing medical conditions and in the worst cases, heatstroke.’

To stay safe, people are encouraged to use sunscreen, wear a hat, stay hydrated, and avoid going out during the hottest part of the day, typically between 10 am and 4 pm.


As we continue to navigate the challenges of extreme weather conditions, it's crucial to stay informed and prepared.

Whether it's ensuring safe grocery deliveries or protecting ourselves from heat-related illnesses, every step counts.

You can watch the real estate agents’ full video below:


Source: TikTok/@andy8andy​


Key Takeaways
  • Woolworths mistakenly delivered groceries to a vacant property in Cairns, which were left to perish in the heat.
  • Real estate agents found the rotten groceries, which attracted flies and emitted a foul smell, causing a significant clean-up issue.
  • Queenslanders and other Australians faced heatwaves, with temperatures reaching into the 30 degrees and beyond, prompting health warnings.
  • Experts encourage Australians to stay hydrated, cool, and protected from the sun to prevent heat-related illnesses.

Meanwhile, amid the scorching heat, you might want to find out how different heat exhaustion is from heat stroke. You can learn more about that—and other things—in this story.

Have you experienced similar issues with grocery deliveries during this heatwave? Share your experiences and tips in the comments below.
 
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Not quite sure what the 'Aussie' reference is, or if the delivery was an order placed by a previous occupant that hadn't changed their address. Far too much speculation here.
 
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Reactions: LeahI
I always put on the instructions for my delivery, DO NOT LEAVE IF NOT AT HOME, TAKE BACK TO BASE. Most of the drivers are pretty good. The above story is people who just don't care.
 

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