Inside the creamy mash, thankfully before serving, I found... A RAT'S
FOOT. It is too big to be a mouse's, IMO.
You hear about this sort of thing on programmes on TV and you talk
about them later next day. I never thought I would ever ever find one
myself. And least of all in a sealed product of the calibre of
Waitrose.
We do pretty much all of our shopping at Waitrose, spend about £120 a
week on food, hell we even had our wedding list at John Lewis! My wife
in particular has always associated Waitrose with quality.
Thank GOD I was not having guests round!! Can you imagine!
The creamy mash was in a sealed packet, one that I nuked in the
Microwave. Before peeling back the cover, after cooking for 4½
minutes, I could see the brown paw. Initially I thought that I must
have left it in too long and some of the mash had begun to burn. But
when I peeled the cover back fully, there it was. I thought, no, it
can't be. Looked at it closely. Turned it around. Brushed some of the
mash off it. And there it was. Quite clearly a brown paw of some sort.
My wife and I felt quite sick at the thought. What would have happened
had it not been that bright white creamy mash that showed up contrast
so effectively????? What if it had been some dark sauce, a curry with
lumpy bits in it?? We'd have been so so sick. I'm not sure we can
trust Waitrose any more.
I was amazed to find no 24-hour consumer helpline on the packaging,
which I had assumed was now European law. I'm currently looking
through their website to find it.
I'm not going to be able to take it in to them tomorrow as we're
having ADSL installed at work and I have to be there to oversee it.
But I can do it on Thursday.
In the meantime, I am letting it cool and will wrap the package in
cling-film and put in the fridge. But what do I do??
I am going to contact Waitrose first thing and complain. I feel quite
sick at what has happened. It really is one of those "It couldn't
happen to me" scenarios.
What else should I do?? I've looked now all over the website, even by
typing "complaints" in their "Search this site" section, but there's
nothing obvious.
TRISTÁN
--
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*** BOYCOTT ESSO! http://www.stopesso.com ****
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Don't contact them.
Get your local Environmental Health people on it (Council)
That's what they are there for.
FR
dont go to the shop, call the head office. the shops say sorry and bung you
£20 your more likey to get more out of head office. also contact trading
standards.
sj
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>>
>> What else should I do?? I've looked now all over the website, even by
>> typing "complaints" in their "Search this site" section, but there's
>> nothing obvious.
>>
>> TRISTÁN
>
>Don't contact them.
>
>Get your local Environmental Health people on it (Council)
>
>That's what they are there for.
>
>FR
Wasn't one of YOUR feet Ratty?
Wayne
--
You're So Vain, You Prolly Think This Post Is About You
<has a quick count>
Nope still got two at the moment
Sober too so I'm not seeing double either
<O~~FR
--
email: flyingrat at windows-sucks.com
giggle: http://www.justabloke.com
spam: kiss my ar*e
Thanks for the advice.
My local one in East London, or the local one to the shop?
(Marylebone)
I dread to think of the reaction of the poor family who get the head.
In fact, it may still be in there, for all I know!! I didn't exactly
poke around!!
> Get your local Environmental Health people on it (Council)
In the middle of a reload, so not available,
but I am sure there is a URL for them.
Did something similar years ago. It is best to contact the one where
you live; and they will advise you of what exactly to do.
Under NO circumstances give it to the supermarket. Let EH contact them
and sort it out.
FR
Thanks. I will make a few phone calls tomorrow. I'll also ring the
head office of Waitrose as SJ recommends. But I WON'T bring it into
the supermarket.
On another note, I don't particularly want it in the house for very
long.
Both of you should now suffer a nervous breakdown, then sue Waitrose for
post-traumatic stress whatever and retire on the proceeds.
--
Wim
"Tristán White" <Trista...@rocketmail.com> wrote in
message news:3c3b7d6...@news.cis.dfn.de...
: The creamy mash was in a sealed packet, one that I nuked
in the
: Microwave. Before peeling back the cover, after cooking
for 4½
: minutes, I could see the brown paw. Initially I thought
that I must
: have left it in too long and some of the mash had begun
to burn. But
: when I peeled the cover back fully, there it was. I
thought, no, it
: can't be. Looked at it closely. Turned it around. Brushed
some of the
: mash off it. And there it was. Quite clearly a brown paw
of some sort.
:
: My wife and I felt quite sick at the thought. What would
have happened
: had it not been that bright white creamy mash that showed
up contrast
: so effectively????? What if it had been some dark sauce,
a curry with
: lumpy bits in it?? We'd have been so so sick. I'm not
sure we can
: trust Waitrose any more.
Having read the follow ups to Wednesday 0730hrs
You have a choice:
Screw some money out of Waitrose.
Take it to the local Environmental Health people who can
have Waitrose fined. They will do tests, which you have
never heard of on it to prove that your story is true. how
it was cooked, what it was cooked in, what exactly it is,
and so on.
BTW as the thing was *well* microwaved you could eat it,
not that you would.
So no problem about in the house. Keep it in an old box.
away from food etc. No problems.
- --
Dave Fawthrop <da...@hyphenologist.co.uk> My usenet posts
from 19/12/01
are PGP signed. PK 0x765AB578. Please. verify & advise bad
sigs.
?My? posts with "X-No-Archive: Yes" are forgeries.
Forgeries, false PGP sigs and forged quotations abound.
Beware :-(
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"Dave Fawthrop" <hyp...@hyphenologist.co.uk> wrote in
message news:a1gtn8$qcgug$1...@ID-88541.news.dfncis.de...
:
: You have a choice:
: Screw some money out of Waitrose.
:
: Take it to the local Environmental Health people who can
: have Waitrose fined. They will do tests, which you have
: never heard of on it to prove that your story is true.
how
: it was cooked, what it was cooked in, what exactly it is,
: and so on.
:
: BTW as the thing was *well* microwaved you could eat it,
: not that you would.
: So no problem about in the house. Keep it in an old
box.
: away from food etc. No problems.
Sorry to follow up my own post :-(
All supermarkets buy packaged food in from huge Food
Factories run by other companies. The rat's foot will not
be their fault. You can not find out who was at fault, the
Local Environmental Health Officers can demand the
paperwork from Waitrose.
The packaging is absolutely crucial to determine who made
it and where. Keep the packaging and take a photocopy.
Photograph the evidence for your records.
- --
Dave Fawthrop <da...@hyphenologist.co.uk>
Killfile FAQ at http://www.hyphenologist.co.uk/killfile
Please check when you reply to *any* post that the
newsgroups line contains
only the groups that you intend.
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Was it Waitrose's house brand? If not, it's hardly their fault.
Yes, it was their house brand.
"Tristán White" <Trista...@rocketmail.com> wrote in
message news:a1hdsm$qrpia$1...@ID-47752.news.dfncis.de...
: James Keeley wrote in message <3c3c040c$1...@primark.com>...
: >Was it Waitrose's house brand? If not, it's hardly
their fault.
:
:
: Yes, it was their house brand.
Yes but they did not *make* it themselves, so while they
should take responsibility, they were almost certainly not
guilty of any offence because they had the defence that it
was Waitrose's supplier who made a mess of it.
The packaging almost always says "specially packed for xyz
company.
- --
Dave Fawthrop <da...@hyphenologist.co.uk>
Killfile FAQ at http://www.hyphenologist.co.uk/killfile
Please check when you reply to *any* post that the
newsgroups line contains
only the groups that you intend.
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just a good job it wasn't a packet of dried ratatooly.
>I was cooking my wife and I a special meal 'cause she was feeling
>poorly. Roast chicken, carrots, broccoli, cauliflower, homemade brie
>and nutmeg sauce... and creamy mash.
>
>Inside the creamy mash, thankfully before serving, I found... A RAT'S
>FOOT. It is too big to be a mouse's, IMO.
>
>You hear about this sort of thing on programmes on TV and you talk
>about them later next day. I never thought I would ever ever find one
>myself. And least of all in a sealed product of the calibre of
>Waitrose.
>
>We do pretty much all of our shopping at Waitrose, spend about Ł120 a
Speak to someone legally qualified. There may be quite alot of dough
in this and Waitrose have plenty of insurance to protect themselves.
A fine is one thing but a nice civil award to you is another.
>-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE-----
>Hash: SHA1
>
>"Tristán White" <Trista...@rocketmail.com> wrote in
>message news:a1hdsm$qrpia$1...@ID-47752.news.dfncis.de...
>: James Keeley wrote in message <3c3c040c$1...@primark.com>...
>: >Was it Waitrose's house brand? If not, it's hardly
>their fault.
>:
>:
>: Yes, it was their house brand.
>
>Yes but they did not *make* it themselves, so while they
>should take responsibility, they were almost certainly not
>guilty of any offence because they had the defence that it
>was Waitrose's supplier who made a mess of it.
>
>The packaging almost always says "specially packed for xyz
>company.
>
Tristan has no contractual relationship with the supplier. In civil
terms, he would have to sue Waitrose and Waitrose would sue the
supplier and the supplier would
take action against, say, the disgruntled employee. Waitrose are
responsible for the quality of any product they put their brand on.
If it is separately branded that is slightly different. The Health
people would probably fine both Waitrose and the supplier.
"Ray Gordon, GENIUS" <r...@cybersheet.com> wrote in message
news:3c3c58b1...@news.dial.pipex.com...
: The Health
: people would probably fine both Waitrose and the
supplier.
There was a classic case when Hazelnut Yoghurt contained
botulinum toxin, which IIRC killed someone. The
manufacturer of the yoghurt was not prosecuted because they
could prove that the toxin was in the hazelnut puree which
came from Turkey, and they had taken all reasonable steps
to ensure it's quality.
In this case it is alleged in the first post in this thread
that the rat's leg was inside the packaging. Waitrose
would undoubtedly have the contract between themselves and
their supplier watertight. They would simply pass the
buck to the supplier and stop using that supplier.
- --
Dave Fawthrop <da...@hyphenologist.co.uk> Some of my
hobbies:
VDU Glasses http://www.hyphenologist.co.uk/vduglass
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../bradfordcurryproject
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>>
>
>Was it Waitrose's house brand? If not, it's hardly their fault.
>
>
The people you complain to, if you are doing it to a shop etc. is the
place you bought it from and not the manufacturer. The shop should
ensure that everything it sells is fit for purpose, and in this case the
mash was not. However there is a health issue, both Public Health and
your own, here. Environmental health is the place to go to as has been
said. I would go to your local one, and let them deal with the matter.
They should collect it fairly smartly as they want whatever they are
looking at to be as fresh as possible.
Just complaining to the shop, or to the head office of the chain, allows
them to fob you off with some freebies, and doesn't address the crux of
the issue which is that the place where the mash was manufactured has a
problem, which they may, or may not already know about. It is of course
possible that they have had other complaints against them, in which case
EH can close them down as a matter of public safety.
I would always complain to EH on Health issues, you spotted the extra
ingredient before anyone ate any, but others may not be so lucky,
imagine how you would have felt if you had discovered it in the last
forkful of your meal.
Indeed. But I didn't actually swallow any of it. And I'm not going to
pretend I did, because that would make me no better than them.
But I certainly wouldn't turn down any award... but that is not my main
concern at the moment. My main concern right now is (a) informing
Environmental Health, which I have now done, and (b) coming to a decision
re: what to do with all the other Waitrose food products in my larder.
Eat them. The chances of it happening again would presumably be quite
low :-)
Similarly, I don't think this would make me boycott them, especially
when it will be the third party supplier's (ultimate) fault, and
presumably if you subsequently found out that Waitrose has stopped
sourcing from them, you wouldn't object to shopping there again.
(And the added inconvenience of boycotting John Lewis and buy.com, both
of which have very good policies and prices)
Eeeewwwweeeuurrggghhh, nevertheless.
Dave
--
Dave Newt
JUST SAY NO TO RICH TEXT/HTML EMAILS
>"Tristán White" wrote:
>>
>> Ray Gordon, GENIUS wrote in message
>> <3c3c5836...@news.dial.pipex.com>...
>> >Speak to someone legally qualified. There may be quite alot of dough
>> >in this and Waitrose have plenty of insurance to protect themselves.
>> >A fine is one thing but a nice civil award to you is another.
>>
>> Indeed. But I didn't actually swallow any of it. And I'm not going to
>> pretend I did, because that would make me no better than them.
>>
>> But I certainly wouldn't turn down any award... but that is not my main
>> concern at the moment. My main concern right now is (a) informing
>> Environmental Health, which I have now done, and (b) coming to a decision
>> re: what to do with all the other Waitrose food products in my larder.
>
>Eat them. The chances of it happening again would presumably be quite
>low :-)
Surely at least 3 in [number of mash products] - (assuming it's a rat
with 4 feet.)
Jim.
--
"Individuals have been able to talk nonsense
to an international audience as never before". BBC
Thanks all of you for your input. Just letting you know what I've done so
far.
I first of all called the Managers Office at the head office of Waitrose. I
was taken aback by their nonchalance. They said I can take it back to the
original store, or send it to them (and they will refund my postage... big
deal!) for their lab tests. They asked no questions re: the exact
description of the product, the time I bought it, etc. I felt they didn't
really care. And sending it would have meant putting the already opened
product in the post, and getting it sent to Bracknell in Berkshire.
So I thought I'd ring the Food Safety and Environment Directorate and talk
to them. I asked them whether I should contact my local Environmental Health
(Newham Council) or that of the shop (Westminster Council) and they said
that I should contact Westminster and gave me a direct contact.
I spoke to a lady there who was marvellous. Not only was she horrified (but
used to it, as she has come across similar stuff in the past), she seemed
genuinely concerned. She was also very professional, asking me the exact
time it was bought, opened, cooked, who was in possession of the product,
etc. More importantly, their offices are near Baker Street tube, next to
where my wife works, so it can be brought in in person which, she says, is
far preferable as not only is it quicker, but there is not a fourth party
involved (ie. the postal service).
She is looking forward to meeting my wife tomorrow lunchtime.
I have now written back to Waitrose, explaining why I am sending the product
instead to Environmental Health and complaining further about their lack of
interest in the whole issue.
I feel quite chuffed about myself, as I feel I've done the right thing. Had
I been in selfish mood, I could have demanded to speak to the head manager
and threatened them with going to the press or something if they did not
give me at least X bottles of wine (LOL). Instead, I may not get anything
back (bar satisfaction and the knowledge that something will definitely be
done about it), but I imagine there will be a fuller (or, at the very least,
an independent) investigation.
Westminster are going to update me on any lab results, so watch this space!
TRISTÁN
Unless the poor wee rodent was just walking along the production line
and lost its foot(ing).
The manufacturers should check their factory for a three-legged rat...
Dave
PS I also wrote:
>
> (And the added inconvenience of boycotting John Lewis and buy.com, both
> of which have very good policies and prices)
They did have one dodgy policy, but that's gone now:
http://www.ethicalconsumer.org/boycotts/boycotts_successes.htm
The poor blighter just dipped his toe in to see if it was too hot and,...
whoooosh!
--
Wim
>-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE-----
>Hash: SHA1
>
>"Ray Gordon, GENIUS" <r...@cybersheet.com> wrote in message
>news:3c3c58b1...@news.dial.pipex.com...
>
>: The Health
>: people would probably fine both Waitrose and the
>supplier.
>
>There was a classic case when Hazelnut Yoghurt contained
>botulinum toxin, which IIRC killed someone. The
>manufacturer of the yoghurt was not prosecuted because they
>could prove that the toxin was in the hazelnut puree which
>came from Turkey, and they had taken all reasonable steps
>to ensure it's quality.
>
>In this case it is alleged in the first post in this thread
>that the rat's leg was inside the packaging. Waitrose
>would undoubtedly have the contract between themselves and
>their supplier watertight. They would simply pass the
>buck to the supplier and stop using that supplier.
>
>
This is true for slapping a fine on the right party but not
for awarding damages. A lawyer would probably pursue
Waitrose more aggressively as they are probably much richer
and better insured than the supplier... ie. 'deep pockets' syndrome
and all that.
--
Baroness Edwina Frogbucket
Use their postcode checker and you're away:
http://www.tradingstandards.gov.uk/
--
Manic
shave my èyébrows to reply
http://www.bloggerheads.com
That's my cue:
http://www.cieh.org.uk/
--
Manic
shave my čyébrows to reply
http://www.bloggerheads.com
No, I wouldn't boycott them! As you say, their policies (re: all staff being
partners etc) is admirable. But I don't think I am going to be able to bring
myself to eat any of their ready-made meals.
As for the creamy mash, well it depends when exactly the rat entered the
process, but if the rat entered while the mash was being creamed, rather
than just before the machine put the film on it, then the whole vat may have
traces of rat DNA or whatever these lab technicians are trained to find.
TRISTÁN
PS. Is it not now European law that there has to be a 24-hour
customer/consumer info line on all products? Or has this not come into
effect yet?
Thanks, this is exactly what I have done.
When you get the lab results back, don't forget to post a footnote.
sorry.....
Deep C
Presumably (and I'm not saying it's right), they must be very suspicious
that a lot of people put crap in deliberately thinking they'll get a few
vouchers out of it.
Sorry about the late reply but us Environmental Health Officers have to go
to work. Indeed take it to your EH dept ask for food safety. They will
investigate, it doesn't matter where or by which company it was produced.
They will first make sure it is what you think it is. Then go to Waitrose
for details of the supplier if it is not on the wrapping. After that they
will talk to both the supplier and the food safety dept for the area where
the factory is sited (even if it is another country of the EC). After that
they will decide what action to take. Even though a rats foot is pretty
horrible this may not result in a prosecution if the factory has a full
working HACCP and there is a good history, which gives them a legal defence.
As investigating can take some time I always warn my customers that a result
will take some weeks. This is because there is a potential criminal offence
and the standards of investigation are the same as if the police were
investigating. However the home authorities first priority will be to make
sure that there is no risk to health i.e. no more bits of rat get in other
products. This will happen immediately.
If you go to http://www.food.gov.uk/enforcement/yourarea/ it will give
you some more information and if you put your post code in will give you
contact details for your food safety team.
If you or anyone else wants to know more you know where I am. There is a
flow chart of the process but I would have to send you this as an
attachment, let me know if interested.
I think I might assume I am not anywhere near you as we haven't had any rats
feet today.
--
Mike
Northamptonshire Environmental Health - Food Safety working for your health.
Why not visit our food site at http://members.tripod.com/ncieh/id68.htm
>
>Thanks all of you for your input. Just letting you know what I've done
so
>far.
>
>I first of all called the Managers Office at the head office of
Waitrose. I
>was taken aback by their nonchalance. They said I can take it back to
the
>original store, or send it to them (and they will refund my postage...
big
>deal!) for their lab tests. They asked no questions re: the exact
>description of the product, the time I bought it, etc. I felt they
didn't
>really care. And sending it would have meant putting the already opened
>product in the post, and getting it sent to Bracknell in Berkshire.
>
>So I thought I'd ring the Food Safety and Environment Directorate and
talk
>to them. I asked them whether I should contact my local Environmental
Health
>(Newham Council) or that of the shop (Westminster Council) and they
said
>that I should contact Westminster and gave me a direct contact.
>
<big snip>
Waitrose will, hopefully agree that you have acted correctly, and even
given the fact that you have taken it further, will probably give you
some sort of freebies to compensate you for the trauma. They may well
feel lucky that they have not finished up being sued for damages.
Mike
www.british-naturism.org.uk
I'm not looking to sue them. But I am looking to humiliate them (so
that they don't do it again) as soon as those lab results come back
positive, which I of course know they will.
I expect I'll get something from them, but this isn't my main concern.
My main concern is I want to feel something's been done.
I'm so jittery that tonight I looked in everything before I ate it
(even though it wasn't Waitrose)... I'm edgy.
Incidentally, talking of suing, someone sent me
http://www.fst.rdg.ac.uk/foodlaw/uk/cases.htm which has some
interesting case studies.
Another friend of mine has sent me loads of similar happenings....
In America someone is suing McDs for £7.8m!
http://www.ananova.com/news/story/sm_257968.html?menu=
And in Wales someone is suing Tescos for finding a condom in their
curry
http://www.ananova.com/news/story/sm_325942.html?menu=
All very interesting. Perhaps I am being too lenient on Waitrose.
I'll wait and see what the test results bring.
True, it didn't cause me harm. But if it could have caused me harm had
I eaten it, as I'm sure it would have, then yes then perhaps I do have
a case.
But right now, at this moment in time, my only concern is to get the
other Creamy Mashes removed from the shelves, and for an investigation
to commence.
I would love that attachment. You can send it to this address.
Thanks!!
>I think I might assume I am not anywhere near you as we haven't had any rats
>feet today.
It is being hand-delivered, in the packaging, to Westminster Council
Environmental Health tomorrow (Thursday) at 1pm.
I guess least of all, there are several ULL readers less inclined to shop at
Waitrose (and possibly eat mash for a fortnight or two ;-)
"Tristán White" <Trista...@rocketmail.com> wrote in message
news:3c3b7d6...@news.cis.dfn.de...
> I was cooking my wife and I a special meal 'cause she was feeling
> poorly. Roast chicken, carrots, broccoli, cauliflower, homemade brie
> and nutmeg sauce... and creamy mash.
>
> Inside the creamy mash, thankfully before serving, I found... A RAT'S
> FOOT. It is too big to be a mouse's, IMO.
>
> You hear about this sort of thing on programmes on TV and you talk
> about them later next day. I never thought I would ever ever find one
> myself. And least of all in a sealed product of the calibre of
> Waitrose.
>
> We do pretty much all of our shopping at Waitrose, spend about £120 a
>I was cooking my wife and I a special meal 'cause she was feeling
>poorly. Roast chicken, carrots, broccoli, cauliflower, homemade brie
>and nutmeg sauce... and creamy mash.
>
>Inside the creamy mash, thankfully before serving, I found... A RAT'S
>FOOT. It is too big to be a mouse's, IMO.
<snip>
Thankfully I've never had the experience... I know it would put me off
for a long time...
Env & Health are the first stop, swiftly followed by informing
Waitrose (either head office / or your local store).
Going back to the orginal message.. perhaps a slight inconsistancy?
"homemade brie" and "mash" from a packet?
(Sorry I can't resist).. How do you make brie.... in return I'll let
you know the secrets of making mash!! =o)
Mark
:-))
Graham
"Tristán White" <Trista...@rocketmail.com> wrote in message
news:3c3b7d6...@news.cis.dfn.de...
> I was cooking my wife and I a special meal 'cause she was feeling
> poorly. Roast chicken, carrots, broccoli, cauliflower, homemade brie
> and nutmeg sauce... and creamy mash.
>
> Inside the creamy mash, thankfully before serving, I found... A RAT'S
> FOOT. It is too big to be a mouse's, IMO.
>
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
I know Im a suspicious bugger
but am I the only person to smell a rat here?
activator
Or a bag of vermincelli.
--
Baroness Edwina Frogbucket
hehehe.
at least you can count on one thing.
any content of tissues what may come thru your letterbox
will not contain rodentry, more likely some sort of funguy.
residues of toads tools perhaps, but not rat.
Please be sure to pack it carefully as there's not mushroom in my post box.
--
Baroness Edwina Frogbucket
i theng yew.
It's hardly worth mentioning, but I presume Tris meant:
homemade { brie & mushroom } sauce
rather than:
{ homemade brie } & { mushroom sauce }
One of my children found a long green caterpillar in a packet of Birds
Eye peas a few years back. It was on the plate with the fish fingers
and chips, post boiling, waiting to be eaten. Also, it was the same
colour as the peas - which made me wonder whether the caterpillar had
gone green from eating too many raw ones, or whether the colour of both
caterpillar and peas had been 'enhanced' somehow!
Anyway, I put the caterpillar and peas back into the Birds Eye polybag
and popped it all into the freezer, and wrote to Birds Eye. The letter
went along the lines that, while I appreciated that protein tended to be
a rather expensive component of our diet, I hadn't expected Birds Eye to
sell us peas complete with protein supplement. At the time I was a
rather hard up single parent family, and was glad of the voucher they
sent me to return the offending item to them. I suppose I should have
gone to the authorities about it, but I couldn't resist having a go at
Birds Eye themselves. IIRC the reply from Birds Eye said that the
caterpillar must have been the same 'calibre' as the peas otherwise it
would have been spotted on their production line.
Since then I have always popped offending articles straight into the
freezer until I have worked out just what to do about them.
>
--
Susie Thompson
Frances
"Tristán White" <Trista...@rocketmail.com> wrote in message
news:3c3b7d6...@news.cis.dfn.de...
> I was cooking my wife and I a special meal 'cause she was feeling
> poorly. Roast chicken, carrots, broccoli, cauliflower, homemade brie
> and nutmeg sauce... and creamy mash.
>
> Inside the creamy mash, thankfully before serving, I found... A RAT'S
> FOOT. It is too big to be a mouse's, IMO.
>
Nothing would have happened anyway if you had gone to EH. Caterpillars are
an inescapable contaminant of frozen or tinned peas.
1. Mr White telephoned Waitrose on 9 January. He was requested to
return the product and foreign material for identification and
appropriate action.
2. The Waitrose supplier was alerted. The pest control records at the
production site indicated no signs of rodent activity, but an
inspection was arranged as a precaution.
3. The product and foreign material was submitted to the City of
Westminster Environment and Leisure Department on the afternoon of 10
January. An initial verbal report from Mr Wilkins there indicated
that the foreign material was vegetable matter.
4. A portion of the sample was returned to Waitrose on Friday 11
January. Examination confirmed it to be an irregularly shaped, very
thin fragment of vegetable material, size approximately 1cm x 0.5cm.
There were some signs of carbonisation and some adhered debris. The
cellular structure indicated plant material. There was no evidence of
any hardened structure, bone or hair. A small portion was stained
using Gramms Iodine and was found to be positive for starch. These
results were consistent with the skin of a potato, one of the
ingredients of the product.
5. The fragment of skin should not have been present in the product.
Waitrose has written to Mr White to apologise for the inconvenience
and concern arising from this incident.
Thanks. I have now received your letter which echoes the above,
together with the voucher for £25.
I am satisfied that it is not rodent-related. I am still unhappy the
product was in there in the first place, although relieved it was
non-toxic. I accept the apology, although will not be buying creamy
mash with the vouchers! I expect I shall spend it on good wine.
I would like to add a point, however:
* The portion you mention in (4) must have been small/thin indeed.
There was nothing thin about what I found. It was a fairly hard lump,
and it was shaped like a paw. If you contact Mr Wilkins he will agree
with me that the foreign body was initially paw-like in shape and that
it was only when he pulled it apart that he realised what it was. I
obviously did not wish to do this so as to avoid contamination.
This e-mail is being sent to you, and is being copied in reply to the
e-mail you sent the uk.local.london and uk.food+drink.misc groups. I
will also forward this correspondence to anyone I may have e-mailed
about my reaction to the foreign body.
However, I still believe that it is appalling to find this item,
albeit not what I had originally thought it to be, inside the Creamy
Mash product, particularly inside your more expensive Bistro range.
But I am satisfied with Westminster's findings and with your response,
and will let others know accordingly.
TRISTÁN WHITE
I have also forwarded it on to anyone I e-mailed re: the discovery.
See the FAO: James Colley part of the thread.
| I would like to add a point, however:
|
| * The portion you mention in (4) must have been small/thin indeed.
| There was nothing thin about what I found. It was a fairly hard
lump,
| and it was shaped like a paw. If you contact Mr Wilkins he will
agree
| with me that the foreign body was initially paw-like in shape and
that
| it was only when he pulled it apart that he realised what it was. I
| obviously did not wish to do this so as to avoid contamination.
-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE-----
Hash: SHA1
There is a lesson to be learned here for anyone having problems with
food.
Be utterly explicit about what you are complaining about: Length,
width, shape, colour, surface smooth/hairy stiff/floppy etc. etc. etc.
If you can manage a photograph so much the better. Get a statement
from a witness, (Mr Wilkins). Always, always keep a copy. Do not
discuss things, write it down and present them with a copy of your
document. Now where have I read that (a million times) before.
That way nobody can wriggle out of a problem.
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Version: PGPfreeware 6.5.8 for non-commercial use <http://www.pgp.com>
iQA/AwUBPEU7LZ53Yvp2WrV4EQI/owCguM3LpEN1KaG39k5v8+/OL/DF2bYAoPel
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=DHje
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--
Dave F
Don't eat cousin Banana he shares 50% of your genes
I remember going to an Indian restaurant with some friends and us all
being horrified at what looked just like a cockroach in the curry. When
one of us was brave enough to examine it closely, it turned out to be a
cardamom pod.
--
>Kat< The best way to save face is to keep the lower part shut.
>Thanks. I have now received your letter which echoes the above,
>together with the voucher for £25.
Nice touch, Carol once complained to Cambells soup about a caterpillar
and they just said "it happens" !
--
Mike Reid
Walking the Thames path "http://www.fellwalk.co.uk/thames.htm"
... that would be potato skin then, & not the rats'... this could have
been read for sense before posting... but otherwise great to see a
company participating...
In the same spirit can we expect an apology/ acknowledgement from
Tristan White?
TheCustomer
Done that. See elsewhere in this thread. See particularly the bit with
subject renamed as FAO James Colley, and in two other places.
I doubt it. But you never know ...
Trouble is, it takes a big personality to admit an error, only strong people
apologise.
Mary
>
> TheCustomer
Oh come on. "Appalling" to find potato skin in mashed potato??
You got your free wine, now shake hands and make up.
Deep C
(who had Waitrose Bistro mash tonight....yum yum)
My kitchen's overrun with cardomon pods!
Deep C
> (who had Waitrose Bistro mash tonight....yum yum)
Wot? No rat bits?
--
Wim
I still find it strange that people buy the stuff!
Nothing can taste like the mash you make with a thing called a spud....
<O~~FR
(complete with all bits)
--
email: flyingrat at windows-sucks.com
giggle: http://www.justabloke.com
spam: kiss my ar*e
Short of time? Laziness? Loadsamoney?
> Nothing can taste like the mash you make with a thing called a spud....
True, and I don't get bits of peel in mine either!
--
Wim
>My Wife and I took my Sister to a Tandoori house on Tower Bridge Road about
>10 years ago, my sister was working her way through a chicken korma when she
I've eaten there - once - myself a couple of years ago. The chicken we
ordered still had bits of feather embedded in the skin and the whole
meal was very disagreeable.
Next time, treat yourself to the Ł10 for two course special in the bar
at the Butlers Wharf Chophouse round the corner - it's much better
value.
--
congokid
Eating out in London? Read my tips...
http://congokid.com
>
>"Flying Rat" <m...@privacy.net> wrote in message
>news:MPG.16b00ab7f...@news.cis.dfn.de...
>>
>> I still find it strange that people buy the stuff!
>
>Short of time? Laziness? Loadsamoney?
Can't afford a pealer?
>> Nothing can taste like the mash you make with a thing called a spud....
>
>True, and I don't get bits of peel in mine either!
I do, I'm lazy and actually quite like peel in it, gives it a much
nicer texture...
Jim.
--
"Individuals have been able to talk nonsense
to an international audience as never before". BBC
The best way to get a really good texture is to put the boiled potatoes
through a ricer...
Add some single cream and butter and a scraping of nutmeg.
Perfect.
(Creamed potato is real comfort-food; my mum always made it for us when
we were sick as kids)
--
>Kat< Mind the..... oops!
>> I still find it strange that people buy the stuff!
>
>Short of time? Laziness? Loadsamoney?
>
>> Nothing can taste like the mash you make with a thing called a spud....
>
>True, and I don't get bits of peel in mine either!
20 minutes to make while other things cooking, dont get it.
I have often looked at and considered buying a ricer when browsing through
equipment catalogues. Do they really make a great difference?
> Add some single cream and butter and a scraping of nutmeg.
> Perfect.
> (Creamed potato is real comfort-food; my mum always made it for us when
> we were sick as kids)
Totally agree with both your recipe and your description.
--
Wim
>20 minutes to make while other things cooking, dont get it.
The only good thing about instant mash is the vitamin C content....
old potatoes that have been stored lose theirs.. and most of it's just
under the skin anyway.
It's usually added to the dehydrated stuff (which always seems to have
the texture of wall-paper paste anyway)
--
>Kat< You can lead a fool to wisdom but you cannot make him think.
>I have often looked at and considered buying a ricer when browsing through
>equipment catalogues. Do they really make a great difference?
Yes... It takes longer of course but I think pushing it through the
small holes adds air and makes it lighter in texture.
--
>Kat< The major cause of car accidents
is a screw loose in the nut behind the wheel.
>In message <3c46af96...@west.usenetserver.com>, Jim Ley
><j...@jibbering.com> writes
>>I do, I'm lazy and actually quite like peel in it, gives it a much
>>nicer texture...
>
>The best way to get a really good texture is to put the boiled potatoes
>through a ricer...
"good texture" does not necessarily mean baby food texture... I much
prefer a few decent lumps in it, I am no longer a baby (well in that I
can take solids now :-)
We're all different - Rejoice! :-)
>"good texture" does not necessarily mean baby food texture...
I mean light and fluffy.... lumpy mash is horrible.
> I much
>prefer a few decent lumps in it, I am no longer a baby (well in that I
>can take solids now :-)
LOL
Shall I send you a few tins of Heinz baby food... the chocolate pudding
makes a nice mess... come to think of it the stewed prunes do too... in
a different sort of way...
None whatsoever. Should I complain?
Deep C
Ahh...well that depends.....have you tasted my wife's mash?
Deep C
I'd say the best thing about pre-cooked mash (not instant mash, which of
course is foul) is that you can stick it in the oven, with some other
pre-cooked dish of course, go back to work and it's ready half an hour
later. I know it's lazy but time is money!
Deep C
Ooooh! Does your wife ever pop in here? ;o)
--
Wim
Definitely! You're missing your protein.
--
Wim
Could always substitute a blow job.
Andy
--
PC-Based Multimedia System
http://www.andylaurence.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/pcbmms
NB: Spamtrap - my name @yahoo.co.uk
Would Delia's blowtorch be safe for that?
--
Wim
I certainly wouldn't use it!
>I have often looked at and considered buying a ricer when browsing through
>equipment catalogues. Do they really make a great difference?
they do for gnocci.
--
Mike Reid
Every 2 1/2 seconds, somewhere a Tupperware party starts.
"http://www.fellwalk.co.uk"
> The only good thing about instant mash is the vitamin C content....
>old potatoes that have been stored lose theirs.. and most of it's just
>under the skin anyway.
>
>It's usually added to the dehydrated stuff (which always seems to have
>the texture of wall-paper paste anyway)
I think the Waitrose stuff isnt instant mash but chilled "normal"
mash? It will be the cost rather than the quality which is lacking.
Do gnocci eat potatoes?
Mary
I never peel potatoes, even for mash.
Mary
Mike
www.british-naturism.org.uk
>Do gnocci eat potatoes?
my pet one (gnocco?) does :-)
>
>The Reids <cleve...@fellwalk.co.uk> wrote in message
>news:68nd4uk7re7qt41bi...@4ax.com...
>> Following up to "Wim Jay" <wim...@ntlworld.com>
>>
>> >I have often looked at and considered buying a ricer when browsing
>through
>> >equipment catalogues. Do they really make a great difference?
>>
>> they do for gnocci.
>
>Do gnocci eat potatoes?
Yes. Many of them do...but they have great difficulty with the
pronunciation.
Very nice of you to offer Andy, but I doubt that you're my type.
Deep C
You appear to have omitted the apology which you woe to Waitrose.
I note that your original post said:
"I have found a rat's foot in Waitrose creamy mash"
and not
"I think have found a rat's foot in Waitrose creamy mash"
--
Andy Mabbett
The next virus you download could be the one which wipes your hard-drive.
Get a virus checker *today* - if you already have one, get the latest update!
Stuff deleted:-
>>
>> I am going to contact Waitrose first thing and complain. I feel quite
>> sick at what has happened. It really is one of those "It couldn't
>> happen to me" scenarios.
>>
>> What else should I do?? I've looked now all over the website, even by
>> typing "complaints" in their "Search this site" section, but there's
>> nothing obvious.
>
>Don't contact them.
>
>Get your local Environmental Health people on it (Council)
Some years ago I found a slug in a (sealed) milk bottle, the bottle had
clearly
not been properly washed at the bottling plant, I took it to the local
Health Dept, when I followed it up later I was told that the Local Authority
had passed the bottle complete with milk and the slug, to the milk
company and it had been accidentaly dropped!
So they couldn't examine it!
Alkan
throw out the 'rubbish' to reply
Tristán White wrote in message <3c3b7d6...@news.cis.dfn.de>...
>I was cooking my wife and I a special meal 'cause she was feeling
>poorly. Roast chicken, carrots, broccoli, cauliflower, homemade brie
>and nutmeg sauce... and creamy mash.
What on earth are you buying mash in a packet for, it's so easy
to cook potatoes and mash them yourself!
Alan
He's from the south.
Oops ...
There are exceptions!
Mary
I've said many times, there's nowt wrong with Lancastrians (and Cumbrians).
At least they're not southerners.
But there are exceptions. Most of them in this ng.
M
> --
> June Hughes