Oh MY GOD I have found a rat's foot in Waitrose creamy mash (bistro range)
Tristán White
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
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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Flying Rat
Don't contact them.
Get your local Environmental Health people on it (Council)
That's what they are there for.
FR
SJ
"Tristán White" <Trista...@rocketmail.com> wrote in message
news:3c3b7d6...@news.cis.dfn.de...
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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Take A Walk!
>>
>> 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
Flying Rat
> On Tue, 8 Jan 2002 23:48:05 -0000, Flying Rat <m...@privacy.net> wrote:
>
> >>
> >> 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?
<has a quick count>
Nope still got two at the moment
Sober too so I'm not seeing double either
<O~~FR
--
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Tristán White
wrote:
>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.
Thanks for the advice.
Tristán White
>Get your local Environmental Health people on it (Council)
>That's what they are there for.
>FR
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!!
tiny
news:MPG.16a5958b...@news.cis.dfn.de...
> 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.
Flying Rat
> >Don't contact them.
> >Get your local Environmental Health people on it (Council)
> >That's what they are there for.
> >FR
>
> My local one in East London, or the local one to the shop?
> (Marylebone)
>
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
Tristán White
>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.
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.
Wim Jay
Both of you should now suffer a nervous breakdown, then sue Waitrose for
post-traumatic stress whatever and retire on the proceeds.
--
Wim
Gloomy Goblin
"Wim Jay" <wim...@ntlworld.com> wrote in message
news:10105524...@eos.uk.clara.net...
GG
Dave Fawthrop
Hash: SHA1
"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
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?My? posts with "X-No-Archive: Yes" are forgeries.
Forgeries, false PGP sigs and forged quotations abound.
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Dave Fawthrop
Hash: SHA1
"Dave Fawthrop" <hyp...@hyphenologist.co.uk> wrote in
message news:a1gtn8$qcgug$1...@ID-88541.news.dfncis.de...
:
: You have a choice:
: Screw some money out of Waitrose.
:
: Take it to the local Environmental Health people who can
: have Waitrose fined. They will do tests, which you have
: never heard of on it to prove that your story is true.
how
: it was cooked, what it was cooked in, what exactly it is,
: and so on.
:
: BTW as the thing was *well* microwaved you could eat it,
: not that you would.
: So no problem about in the house. Keep it in an old
box.
: away from food etc. No problems.
Sorry to follow up my own post :-(
All supermarkets buy packaged food in from huge Food
Factories run by other companies. The rat's foot will not
be their fault. You can not find out who was at fault, the
Local Environmental Health Officers can demand the
paperwork from Waitrose.
The packaging is absolutely crucial to determine who made
it and where. Keep the packaging and take a photocopy.
Photograph the evidence for your records.
- --
Dave Fawthrop <da...@hyphenologist.co.uk>
Killfile FAQ at http://www.hyphenologist.co.uk/killfile
Please check when you reply to *any* post that the
newsgroups line contains
only the groups that you intend.
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James Keeley
Was it Waitrose's house brand? If not, it's hardly their fault.
Tristán White
>Was it Waitrose's house brand? If not, it's hardly their fault.
Yes, it was their house brand.
Dave Fawthrop
Hash: SHA1
"Tristán White" <Trista...@rocketmail.com> wrote in
message news:a1hdsm$qrpia$1...@ID-47752.news.dfncis.de...
: James Keeley wrote in message <3c3c040c$1...@primark.com>...
: >Was it Waitrose's house brand? If not, it's hardly
their fault.
:
:
: Yes, it was their house brand.
Yes but they did not *make* it themselves, so while they
should take responsibility, they were almost certainly not
guilty of any offence because they had the defence that it
was Waitrose's supplier who made a mess of it.
The packaging almost always says "specially packed for xyz
company.
- --
Dave Fawthrop <da...@hyphenologist.co.uk>
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Please check when you reply to *any* post that the
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tosspot
> message news:a1hdsm$qrpia$1...@ID-47752.news.dfncis.de...
> : James Keeley wrote in message <3c3c040c$1...@primark.com>...
> : >Was it Waitrose's house brand? If not, it's hardly
> their fault.
> : Yes, it was their house brand.
> Yes but they did not *make* it themselves, so while they
> should take responsibility, they were almost certainly not
> guilty of any offence because they had the defence that it
> was Waitrose's supplier who made a mess of it.
> The packaging almost always says "specially packed for xyz
> company.
just a good job it wasn't a packet of dried ratatooly.
Ray Gordon, GENIUS
(Tristán White) wrote:
>I was cooking my wife and I a special meal 'cause she was feeling
>poorly. Roast chicken, carrots, broccoli, cauliflower, homemade brie
>and nutmeg sauce... and creamy mash.
>
>Inside the creamy mash, thankfully before serving, I found... A RAT'S
>FOOT. It is too big to be a mouse's, IMO.
>
>You hear about this sort of thing on programmes on TV and you talk
>about them later next day. I never thought I would ever ever find one
>myself. And least of all in a sealed product of the calibre of
>Waitrose.
>
>We do pretty much all of our shopping at Waitrose, spend about Ł120 a
Speak to someone legally qualified. There may be quite alot of dough
in this and Waitrose have plenty of insurance to protect themselves.
A fine is one thing but a nice civil award to you is another.
Ray Gordon, GENIUS
<hyp...@hyphenologist.co.uk> wrote:
>-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE-----
>Hash: SHA1
>
>"Tristán White" <Trista...@rocketmail.com> wrote in
>message news:a1hdsm$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.
Dave Fawthrop
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.
- --
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Michael Berridge
James Keeley wrote in message <3c3c040c$1...@primark.com>...
>>
>
>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.
Tristán White
<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.
Dave Newt
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
Jim Ley
>"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
Tristán White
>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.
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
Dave Newt
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
Wim Jay
>
> As for the creamy mash, well it depends when exactly the rat entered the
> process,
The poor blighter just dipped his toe in to see if it was too hot and,...
whoooosh!
--
Wim
Unknown
<hyp...@hyphenologist.co.uk> wrote:
>-----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
mash, and the Environmental Health Section.
Whatever you do, don't hand the mash over to the company who made it. It's
evidence for any future prosecution.
--
Baroness Edwina Frogbucket
Manic
news:a1g14d$p66$1...@helle.btinternet.com...
> 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.
Use their postcode checker and you're away:
http://www.tradingstandards.gov.uk/
--
Manic
shave my èyébrows to reply
http://www.bloggerheads.com
Manic
news:a1g3dm$12j$1...@knossos.btinternet.com...
That's my cue:
http://www.cieh.org.uk/
--
Manic
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