When you're picking up your weekly bread and milk, the last thing you expect to see is unwanted visitors scurrying across the shelves.
But that's exactly what happened to one Sydney shopper at this ALDI in Oz, sparking concerns about food safety standards that affect us all.
The disturbing discovery unfolded when a customer spotted at least three cockroaches crawling near bags of bread at the ALDI Macquarie Centre store.
Live photos captured two cockroaches crawling down next to bread bags, while another moved above a shelf where other bread products were stored.
'I was only planning to grab a few things, but the shelves were crawling with cockroaches,' the shopper wrote on social media. 'Can you believe this happened in a major supermarket?'
Unfortunately, this wasn't an isolated sighting. Other customers quickly chimed in with their own unsettling experiences. 'There were a bunch in the Top Ryde ALDI the other day, all sorts of sizes,' one person reported, while another claimed similar issues at the Eastgardens store.
When pests become a pattern: ALDI's 2025 track record
While ALDI Australia told 7NEWS the cockroach incident was isolated, the supermarket chain has faced multiple food safety challenges throughout 2025. Recent recalls included Fresh Salad Co baby spinach products due to microbial contamination, affecting stores in Queensland and New South Wales.
The broader picture reveals ongoing food safety concerns. ALDI has voluntarily recalled Casa Mamita Chicken & Cheese Taquitos due to possible metal contamination, and halted sales of Park Street Deli Pork Carnitas due to similar metal contamination concerns.
This stands in stark contrast to ALDI's marketing claims. The company proudly announced winning Roy Morgan's 2024 Most Satisfied Supermarket Customers award for the fifth year running, and promotes itself as having the only supermarket with a 5-star rating for quality, value, freshness and overall satisfaction.
'A single cockroach sighting can indicate that there is an infestation, and if a health inspector sees a cockroach, it can be cause to shut down a restaurant'
Why this matters more for older Australians
Cockroaches present significant food-safety risks, and a single sighting by a health inspector can result in a shutdown. For seniors, who may have compromised immune systems or underlying health conditions, the risks are particularly concerning.
These pests feed on garbage and processed foods, then crawl across food-preparation surfaces and equipment, potentially spreading harmful bacteria. The health implications go beyond simple disgust—cockroaches can carry salmonella, E. coli, and other pathogens that pose serious risks, especially to vulnerable populations.
Did you know?
Did you know?
Cockroaches are nocturnal creatures that prefer to hide during daylight hours. If you see them during the day, it often indicates overcrowding in their hiding spots—suggesting a significant infestation problem.
Your rights as a consumer
If you encounter pest problems in a supermarket, you're not powerless. In Australia, food safety in supermarkets is monitored by local council Environmental Health Officers.
If you have a complaint about a food business, contact the local council where the business is located and speak to an Environmental Health Officer. You can take photos as evidence and report issues including contamination, poor hygiene practices, and pest sightings.
Environmental health officers regularly inspect food businesses and investigate complaints about food safety, including hygiene practices, cleanliness, and contamination.
How to report food safety concerns
Contact your local council's Environmental Health Officer where the store is located
Have ready: the exact store location, date and time of incident
Take photos if possible and provide details of what you observed
Most councils have online complaint forms for convenience
What proper pest control should look like
Professional supermarket pest management is far more complex than most customers realise. Supermarkets are subject to strict health and safety regulations requiring robust pest control measures, regular inspections to identify pest activity promptly, and comprehensive pest management plans including ongoing professional audits.
The frequency of inspections and treatments depends on location, climate, food activities, and pest types, with regular inspections ensuring expired pesticides aren't used and baits are replaced.
Falling short of these regulatory expectations can lead to fines, store closures, and damaged reputation.
Protecting yourself while shopping
While supermarkets should maintain pest-free environments, you can take steps to protect yourself:
- Shop during busy periods when staff are more likely to notice and address issues quickly
- Inspect packaged goods before putting them in your trolley, especially items stored on lower shelves
- Report any pest sightings immediately to store management and follow up with council if necessary
- Don't purchase items from areas where you've seen pest activity
- Consider shopping at different times or stores if problems persist
Your shopping safety checklist
- Visually inspect food areas before shopping
- Report pest sightings immediately to management
- Take photos as evidence when appropriate
- Contact local council Environmental Health Officers for follow-up
- Don't purchase items from affected areas
ALDI Australia responded to the Macquarie Centre incident by stating they 'take food safety very seriously' and that employees 'work hard to ensure our stores are kept clean and hygienic for our customers at all times.' The company has reportedly been carrying out regular pest control cleaning and inspections since the initial incident was reported.
What This Means For You
Whether this incident represents an isolated maintenance failure or indicates broader systemic issues remains to be seen. What's certain is that all Australians deserve to shop in clean, safe environments—and have the right to speak up when standards fall short.
Have you ever encountered similar issues while shopping? What steps do you think supermarkets should take to prevent these problems? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below.
Original Article
https://7news.com.au/news/sydney-sh...-aldi-shelves-in-macquarie-centre--c-20047514
transcript of supermarkets inquiry hearing—ALDI
Cited text: The ACCC is Australia's competition regulator and national consumer law champion. We promote competition and fair trading and regulate national i...
Excerpt: Live photos captured two cockroaches crawling down next to bread bags, while another moved above a shelf where other bread products were stored
https://www.accc.gov.au/system/files/transcript-supermarkets-inquiry-aldi-11-november-2024.pdf
UPDATED 28.03.25 | Aldi Stores—Fresh Salad Co—Various Baby Spinach Products | Food Standards Australia New Zealand
Cited text: This recall is due to microbial (STEC) contamination | QLD, NSW
Excerpt: Recent recalls included Fresh Salad Co baby spinach products due to microbial contamination
https://www.foodstandards.gov.au/fo...-fresh-salad-co-various-baby-spinach-products
Aldi Food Recall Update: Customers in 37 States Told to 'Discard' Products—Newsweek
Cited text: In association with Bestway Sandwiches Inc., Aldi voluntarily recalled Casa Mamita Chicken & Cheese Taquitos due to possible metal contamination.
Excerpt: ALDI has voluntarily recalled Casa Mamita Chicken & Cheese Taquitos due to possible metal contamination
https://www.newsweek.com/aldi-food-recalls-list-2025-2096171
Aldi Food Recall Update: Customers in 37 States Told to 'Discard' Products—Newsweek
Cited text: In association with Bestway Sandwiches Inc., Aldi voluntarily recalled Casa Mamita Chicken & Cheese Taquitos due to possible metal contamination.
Excerpt: ALDI has voluntarily recalled Casa Mamita Chicken & Cheese Taquitos due to possible metal contamination
https://www.newsweek.com/aldi-food-recalls-list-2025-2096171
Aldi Food Recall Update: Customers in 37 States Told to 'Discard' Products—Newsweek
Cited text: Aldi, in coordination with Cargill Meat Solutions Corp, halted sales of Park Street Deli Pork Carnitas (16 oz trays) on April 21 due to possible metal...
Excerpt: halted sales of Park Street Deli Pork Carnitas due to similar metal contamination concerns
https://www.newsweek.com/aldi-food-recalls-list-2025-2096171
What makes us Good Different
Cited text: We’re proud as punch to announce we’ve won Roy Morgan’s 2024 Most Satisfied Supermarket Customers. And for the 5th year running.
Excerpt: The company proudly announced winning Roy Morgan's 2024 Most Satisfied Supermarket Customers award for the fifth year running
https://www.aldi.com.au/what-makes-us-good-different
What makes us Good Different
Cited text: From meat to fruit and veg, we’re the only supermarket with a 5-star rating for quality, value, freshness and overall satisfaction.
Excerpt: the only supermarket with a 5-star rating for quality, value, freshness and overall satisfaction
https://www.aldi.com.au/what-makes-us-good-different
The Dangers Cockroaches Bring to Restaurants and Food Safety | Ecolab
Cited text: A single cockroach sighting can indicate that there is an infestation, and if a health inspector sees a cockroach, it can be cause to shut down a rest...
Excerpt: Cockroaches present significant food-safety risks, and a single sighting by a health inspector can result in a shutdown
https://en-au.ecolab.com/articles/2024/03/dangers-cockroaches-bring-to-food-safety
Common Pest Cockroaches | Ecolab
Cited text: Cockroaches present significant food-safety risks. A single sighting of a cockroach by a health inspector can result in a shutdown.
Excerpt: Cockroaches present significant food-safety risks, and a single sighting by a health inspector can result in a shutdown
https://en-au.ecolab.com/articles/2024/03/common-pest-cockroaches
The Dangers Cockroaches Bring to Restaurants and Food Safety | Ecolab
Cited text: They are not particularly selective in their food preferences, feeding on garbage, processed foods, and even soap and glue to survive. They will tread...
Excerpt: These pests feed on garbage and processed foods, then crawl across food-preparation surfaces and equipment, potentially spreading harmful bacteria
https://en-au.ecolab.com/articles/2024/03/dangers-cockroaches-bring-to-food-safety
Complaints about food | SA Health
Cited text: In South Australia, food safety in the majority of businesses including supermarkets, fast-food outlets, cafés, restaurants, food trucks, child care c...
Excerpt: In Australia, food safety in supermarkets is monitored by local council Environmental Health Officers
https://www.sahealth.sa.gov.au/wps/.../conditions/food+safety/complaints+about+food
Complaints about food | SA Health
Cited text: If you have a complaint about a food business, contact the local council where the business is located and speak to an Environmental Health Officer.
Excerpt: If you have a complaint about a food business, contact the local council where the business is located and speak to an Environmental Health Officer
https://www.sahealth.sa.gov.au/wps/.../conditions/food+safety/complaints+about+food
Food safety | City of Melbourne
Cited text: Our environmental health officers regularly inspect food businesses and investigate complaints about food safety. Report hygiene practices, cleanlines...
Excerpt: Environmental health officers regularly inspect food businesses and investigate complaints about food safety, including hygiene practices, cleanliness, and contamination
https://www.melbourne.vic.gov.au/food-safety
Supermarkets—Adam Pest Control
Cited text: Supermarkets are subject to strict health and safety regulations to protect consumers and ensure the quality of food and goods. These standards requir...
Excerpt: Supermarkets are subject to strict health and safety regulations requiring robust pest control measures, regular inspections to identify pest activity promptly, and comprehensive pest management plans including ongoing professional audits
https://www.adamspestcontrol.com.au/commercial-pest-control/supermarkets
Controlling pests | Food Standards Australia New Zealand
Cited text: how often inspections and treatments need to be done—this will depend on the location, climate, food activities, type of pests and activity. Regular...
Excerpt: The frequency of inspections and treatments depends on location, climate, food activities, and pest types, with regular inspections ensuring expired pesticides aren't used and baits are replaced
https://www.foodstandards.gov.au/business/food-safety/pests
Supermarkets—Adam Pest Control
Cited text: Falling short of these regulatory expectations can lead to fines, store closures, and a damaged reputation.
Excerpt: Falling short of these regulatory expectations can lead to fines, store closures, and damaged reputation
https://www.adamspestcontrol.com.au/commercial-pest-control/supermarkets
transcript of supermarkets inquiry hearing—ALDI
Cited text:
Excerpt: The company has reportedly been carrying out regular pest control cleaning and inspections since the initial incident was reported
https://www.accc.gov.au/system/files/transcript-supermarkets-inquiry-aldi-11-november-2024.pdf
Seniors Discount Club
Latest Articles
-
-
That bargain ALDI TV is back—but here's what you really need to know before you queue up
- Started by Gian T
- Replies: 1
-
Mobile outage disrupts a town's beloved Wildflower Festival—and nobody saw this coming
- Started by Maan
- Replies: 0
-
-
Storage mistake leaving towels stiff? Expert shares tips on how to fix it
- Started by Gian T
- Replies: 0
