Customers who recently bought heads of iceberg lettuce from Woolworths alerted the supermarket giant about a disturbing issue that happened with their purchases.

Two shoppers, one from Queensland and the other from New South Wales, took to social media to reveal that the heads of lettuce they recently bought at Woolies developed brown spots and discolouration.

In the past few months, iceberg lettuce prices have reached an all-time high; that is why customers have complained that they were given heads of lettuce that were not 'perfect', or at least consumable.

According to both shoppers' accounts, the icebergs seemed to be normal and were in fairly good condition when they were purchased. But they didn't see the brown spots and slime until they peeled back the outer leaves at home.

The brown spots and slime weren't visible until they peeled back the outer leaves. Credit: Facebook.​

The Woolies customer from Queensland said it was the first time she had bought lettuce in a while, so she was really looking forward to it.

But as she was making chicken burgers for dinner, she discovered that the inner leaves were a 'slimy, rotten mess.'

'Yuck! Certainly not paying $6.50 for something I have to chuck straight to the chooks!' she said.

The customer from New South Wales, on the other hand, said that he didn't mind paying more for lettuce, but it was 'ridiculous' to get one that wasn't good quality.

The presence of brown spots that have a slimy texture on a head of lettuce may be an indicator of bacterial soft rot, according to experts.

Bacterial soft rot, which is caused by pectobacterium carotovorum, is often caused by too much humidity, too much water, or damage to the plant. The disease creates brown marks in infested areas, which may go undetected until the outer leaves are removed.

Some users on social media also pointed out that the recent flooding might have something to do with the lettuce problems.

'Did you stop and think that maybe, just maybe, they have been flood affected?' said one in the comments section. 'It would be impossible to see what the inside looks like under the outer leaves.'

Woolies' Fresh or Free Guarantee says that if you aren't happy with any fresh food you buy in-store or online, you can get a refund and a replacement. Credit: Woolworths. (Stock photo)​

A representative for Woolworths has already issued a statement confirming that the company is conducting an investigation into the complaints.

'We take food quality seriously and are disappointed to receive similar reports from these customers,' the spokesperson told a news outlet.

'We've passed this onto our suppliers and supply chain teams, who are assessing existing lettuce supply for any discolouring. This will continue to be monitored.'

'We haven't received any other reports on similar products at this time.'

So, members, if you experience anything remotely similar, we strongly encourage you to get in touch with your local supermarket as soon as possible to request a replacement or a refund.

Woolworths' Fresh or Free Guarantee says that if you aren't happy with any fresh food you buy in-store or online, you can get a refund and a replacement.

 

[RTS]

I bought a soup vegie pack from Woolies and found the celery was brown and mushy. The new packaging doesn't allow for good inspection prior to purchase.
I didn't take it back because it was only part of the pack and I was
in meal prep mode.

 

[Hughsie]

Customers who recently bought heads of iceberg lettuce from Woolworths alerted the supermarket giant about a disturbing issue that happened with their purchases.

Two shoppers, one from Queensland and the other from New South Wales, took to social media to reveal that the heads of lettuce they recently bought at Woolies developed brown spots and discolouration.

In the past few months, iceberg lettuce prices have reached an all-time high; that is why customers have complained that they were given heads of lettuce that were not 'perfect', or at least consumable.

According to both shoppers' accounts, the icebergs seemed to be normal and were in fairly good condition when they were purchased. But they didn't see the brown spots and slime until they peeled back the outer leaves at home.

The brown spots and slime weren't visible until they peeled back the outer leaves. Credit: Facebook.​

The Woolies customer from Queensland said it was the first time she had bought lettuce in a while, so she was really looking forward to it.

But as she was making chicken burgers for dinner, she discovered that the inner leaves were a 'slimy, rotten mess.'

'Yuck! Certainly not paying $6.50 for something I have to chuck straight to the chooks!' she said.

The customer from New South Wales, on the other hand, said that he didn't mind paying more for lettuce, but it was 'ridiculous' to get one that wasn't good quality.

The presence of brown spots that have a slimy texture on a head of lettuce may be an indicator of bacterial soft rot, according to experts.

Bacterial soft rot, which is caused by pectobacterium carotovorum, is often caused by too much humidity, too much water, or damage to the plant. The disease creates brown marks in infested areas, which may go undetected until the outer leaves are removed.

Some users on social media also pointed out that the recent flooding might have something to do with the lettuce problems.

'Did you stop and think that maybe, just maybe, they have been flood affected?' said one in the comments section. 'It would be impossible to see what the inside looks like under the outer leaves.'

Woolies' Fresh or Free Guarantee says that if you aren't happy with any fresh food you buy in-store or online, you can get a refund and a replacement. Credit: Woolworths. (Stock photo)​

A representative for Woolworths has already issued a statement confirming that the company is conducting an investigation into the complaints.

'We take food quality seriously and are disappointed to receive similar reports from these customers,' the spokesperson told a news outlet.

'We've passed this onto our suppliers and supply chain teams, who are assessing existing lettuce supply for any discolouring. This will continue to be monitored.'

'We haven't received any other reports on similar products at this time.'

So, members, if you experience anything remotely similar, we strongly encourage you to get in touch with your local supermarket as soon as possible to request a replacement or a refund.

Woolworths' Fresh or Free Guarantee says that if you aren't happy with any fresh food you buy in-store or online, you can get a refund and a replacement.

 

[Hughsie]

Bulldust! Like every other complaint Woollies has received, this one will be scoffed at!

 

[Carleen 56]

Customers who recently bought heads of iceberg lettuce from Woolworths alerted the supermarket giant about a disturbing issue that happened with their purchases.

Two shoppers, one from Queensland and the other from New South Wales, took to social media to reveal that the heads of lettuce they recently bought at Woolies developed brown spots and discolouration.

In the past few months, iceberg lettuce prices have reached an all-time high; that is why customers have complained that they were given heads of lettuce that were not 'perfect', or at least consumable.

According to both shoppers' accounts, the icebergs seemed to be normal and were in fairly good condition when they were purchased. But they didn't see the brown spots and slime until they peeled back the outer leaves at home.

The brown spots and slime weren't visible until they peeled back the outer leaves. Credit: Facebook.​

The Woolies customer from Queensland said it was the first time she had bought lettuce in a while, so she was really looking forward to it.

But as she was making chicken burgers for dinner, she discovered that the inner leaves were a 'slimy, rotten mess.'

'Yuck! Certainly not paying $6.50 for something I have to chuck straight to the chooks!' she said.

The customer from New South Wales, on the other hand, said that he didn't mind paying more for lettuce, but it was 'ridiculous' to get one that wasn't good quality.

The presence of brown spots that have a slimy texture on a head of lettuce may be an indicator of bacterial soft rot, according to experts.

Bacterial soft rot, which is caused by pectobacterium carotovorum, is often caused by too much humidity, too much water, or damage to the plant. The disease creates brown marks in infested areas, which may go undetected until the outer leaves are removed.

Some users on social media also pointed out that the recent flooding might have something to do with the lettuce problems.

'Did you stop and think that maybe, just maybe, they have been flood affected?' said one in the comments section. 'It would be impossible to see what the inside looks like under the outer leaves.'

Woolies' Fresh or Free Guarantee says that if you aren't happy with any fresh food you buy in-store or online, you can get a refund and a replacement. Credit: Woolworths. (Stock photo)​

A representative for Woolworths has already issued a statement confirming that the company is conducting an investigation into the complaints.

'We take food quality seriously and are disappointed to receive similar reports from these customers,' the spokesperson told a news outlet.

'We've passed this onto our suppliers and supply chain teams, who are assessing existing lettuce supply for any discolouring. This will continue to be monitored.'

'We haven't received any other reports on similar products at this time.'

So, members, if you experience anything remotely similar, we strongly encourage you to get in touch with your local supermarket as soon as possible to request a replacement or a refund.

Woolworths' Fresh or Free Guarantee says that if you aren't happy with any fresh food you buy in-store or online, you can get a refund and a replacement.

 

[Carleen 56]

All I can say, is we support the big retailers and they don’t supply good quality. Woolies are not “fresh food people “ at all. Support local green grocer. My lettuces are $6.50, twice as tasty and twice the size and last more than two weeks. It’s a no brainer.