Yuck: You won't BELIEVE what this Coles supermarket shopper found in a pack of steak!
- Replies 3
It’s the kind of find that could make even the most seasoned steak eater squeamish – and unfortunately it isn’t the first time it's happened.
A Coles supermarket shopper from Sydney has taken to Facebook to share her ‘nice little surprise’ that she found in a pack of premium steaks purchased from her local store.
The shopper, who had purchased the pack of three steaks from Coles in Ropes Crossing, was understandably shocked after unearthing a bloody cotton bud underneath one the steaks.
‘Nice little surprise when I opened my steak tonight,’ she wrote in a Facebook post alongside a picture of the alarming item.
‘Looks like Coles will be getting a phone call and email.’
Understandably, the post has been met with some pretty shocked reactions from the internet!
‘Ewww, gross,’ said one comment, while another said: ‘That’s just unbelievable.’
It goes without saying that even if these steaks passed the ‘smell test’, they still shouldn’t be consumed.
When it comes to food safety, products derived from animals pose a unique risk due to the potential for cross-contamination or the presence of bacteria in the food itself. According to Australian Food Safety Information Council:
‘Cross contamination occurs when bacteria and viruses are transferred from a contaminated food or surface such as a chopping board and utensils to other food. For example, it can happen when bacteria from the surface of raw meat, poultry, seafood and raw vegetables (such as unwashed potatoes and other root vegetables), are transferred onto ready to eat foods, such as leaf and vegetable salads, rice or pasta salads, cooked meats, poultry, seafood or even fruit. The bacteria on the raw food are killed when the food is cooked, but the ready to eat food is eaten without further cooking – bacteria, viruses and all.’
This particular shopper had the unfortunate surprise of a cotton bud in her steak, but there are many types of contaminants that could wind up in meat products.
Common hazards associated with meat include physical contaminants such as cloth and plastic fragments, as well as biological contaminants such as bacteria (like E.coli) or viruses. The presence of these contaminants can result in a number of health risks, including the risk of food poisoning. What's more, the presence of harmful chemicals and toxins can also pose potential danger to humans, as some may be carcinogenic.
Another consideration with regards to meat safety is proper handling, from storage to storage. Cross-contamination can occur when meat is prepared on the same surface as other raw foods, or stored at the wrong temperature for too long. It's important for meat handlers (such as grocers, restaurants and supermarkets) to ensure that all food products are stored and handled safely in order to reduce the risk of contamination.
A Coles spokesperson has told 7NEWS.com.au that the supermarket takes quality control seriously.
‘Coles takes the quality of all our products seriously,’ the spokesperson said.
‘As always we encourage customers to return any item they’re not 100% happy with to their nearest store for a full refund or replacement.’
It's encouraging that Coles is taking measures to ensure all products are of the highest quality, but it's important to remember that customers also need to be vigilant in ensuring that all food products, especially meat, are stored and handled properly.
So members, this is a reminder that it pays to check the food you buy before you tuck in! As the saying goes, when it comes to food, it’s better to be safe than sorry.
Do you always inspect the food you buy at supermarkets? Have you ever had a similar experience to this Coles customer? Tell us about it in the comments below!
A Coles supermarket shopper from Sydney has taken to Facebook to share her ‘nice little surprise’ that she found in a pack of premium steaks purchased from her local store.
The shopper, who had purchased the pack of three steaks from Coles in Ropes Crossing, was understandably shocked after unearthing a bloody cotton bud underneath one the steaks.
‘Nice little surprise when I opened my steak tonight,’ she wrote in a Facebook post alongside a picture of the alarming item.
‘Looks like Coles will be getting a phone call and email.’
Understandably, the post has been met with some pretty shocked reactions from the internet!
‘Ewww, gross,’ said one comment, while another said: ‘That’s just unbelievable.’
It goes without saying that even if these steaks passed the ‘smell test’, they still shouldn’t be consumed.
A Coles shopper was disgusted to find a bloody cotton bud in amongst her steaks. Credit: Facebook
When it comes to food safety, products derived from animals pose a unique risk due to the potential for cross-contamination or the presence of bacteria in the food itself. According to Australian Food Safety Information Council:
‘Cross contamination occurs when bacteria and viruses are transferred from a contaminated food or surface such as a chopping board and utensils to other food. For example, it can happen when bacteria from the surface of raw meat, poultry, seafood and raw vegetables (such as unwashed potatoes and other root vegetables), are transferred onto ready to eat foods, such as leaf and vegetable salads, rice or pasta salads, cooked meats, poultry, seafood or even fruit. The bacteria on the raw food are killed when the food is cooked, but the ready to eat food is eaten without further cooking – bacteria, viruses and all.’
This particular shopper had the unfortunate surprise of a cotton bud in her steak, but there are many types of contaminants that could wind up in meat products.
Common hazards associated with meat include physical contaminants such as cloth and plastic fragments, as well as biological contaminants such as bacteria (like E.coli) or viruses. The presence of these contaminants can result in a number of health risks, including the risk of food poisoning. What's more, the presence of harmful chemicals and toxins can also pose potential danger to humans, as some may be carcinogenic.
Another consideration with regards to meat safety is proper handling, from storage to storage. Cross-contamination can occur when meat is prepared on the same surface as other raw foods, or stored at the wrong temperature for too long. It's important for meat handlers (such as grocers, restaurants and supermarkets) to ensure that all food products are stored and handled safely in order to reduce the risk of contamination.
A Coles spokesperson has told 7NEWS.com.au that the supermarket takes quality control seriously.
‘Coles takes the quality of all our products seriously,’ the spokesperson said.
‘As always we encourage customers to return any item they’re not 100% happy with to their nearest store for a full refund or replacement.’
It's encouraging that Coles is taking measures to ensure all products are of the highest quality, but it's important to remember that customers also need to be vigilant in ensuring that all food products, especially meat, are stored and handled properly.
So members, this is a reminder that it pays to check the food you buy before you tuck in! As the saying goes, when it comes to food, it’s better to be safe than sorry.
Do you always inspect the food you buy at supermarkets? Have you ever had a similar experience to this Coles customer? Tell us about it in the comments below!
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