Metal object found in Morrisons Frozen Swede

pulliptears

To be honest, I stop reading these type of threads when I see those immortal words:

It could have been my child/children!

Muffinmaker

Having worked in PR - you do need to go to the papers quickly because it won't be newsworthy otherwise - no one will be interested in this as a story 6 weeks after the event. Having said that, you do need to notify Morrisons first that you're not happy. Re. ambulance chasing - he wouldn't get much compo for having some metal in his swede as no one was hurt. I think maybe a goodwill gesture of anything between 10 and 100 pounds at most. Not big bucks. The only people who get sort of money are people who've been properly injured/scarrred by very hot coffee etc. in the US where they don't have free healthcare. Why is it when someone wants to alert the public to what is a genuinely worrying thing that people think the worst? Poor man! And yes, thank god, his kids weren't injured. If that bit of metal in in his swede then it is likely that other packets of swede from the same batch are also contaminated. Morrisons should do a product recall.

somethingcorporate

Muffinmaker wrote: »

Having worked in PR - you do need to go to the papers quickly because it won't be newsworthy otherwise - no one will be interested in this as a story 6 weeks after the event. Having said that, you do need to notify Morrisons first that you're not happy. Re. ambulance chasing - he wouldn't get much compo for having some metal in his swede as no one was hurt. I think maybe a goodwill gesture of anything between 10 and 100 pounds at most. Not big bucks. The only people who get sort of money are people who've been properly injured/scarrred by very hot coffee etc. in the US where they don't have free healthcare. Why is it when someone wants to alert the public to what is a genuinely worrying thing that people think the worst? Poor man! And yes, thank god, his kids weren't injured. If that bit of metal in in his swede then it is likely that other packets of swede from the same batch are also contaminated. Morrisons should do a product recall.

And what is going to the papers supposed to achieve?

congregatio

Okay, my apologies for the earlier remark ref choking. I became very frustrated by the fact that most seem to think I was after some form of re-imbursement. Morrison’s had already stated that they would do so when I returned the veg and metal fragment.

I am not interested in compensation; sure they can pay for the meal and swede if they really want.

Those that bothered to read my thread would note that I was trying to get action taken, ie products removed from the shelves before someone does get hurt.

I found advise on a similar thread within these forums which said inform the shop (which I did first) and then said inform the papers to ensure action is taken (which I also did). I then was advised (by the newspaper) to inform the FSA (which I did). The FSA advised me to retain the product and foreign object for their use.

My aim in adding a post to this site was to help others who may have a similar problem.

I cannot exaggerate how distressing it is when something like this is, especially when children are involved (this is not harp playing as someone insinuated but genuine concern).

Anyway, I was rash to become annoyed and I appreciate that there is genuine advice provided here. I will not post any further comments until I have an outcome, one way or the other. I still fail to see the motivation for the idiots on here who I can only assume feel some self worth for their pointless posts and scathing remarks. The internet is a good tool and service when used correctly, it is a shame that it can be accessed and abused by imbeciles.
Stupid and irrelevant posts do not really help, I appreciate that my outburst didn’t either but there you go.

Once allowed I will add the pictures of the metal fragment, hopefully then you will all understand my concern.

pinkshoes

congregatio wrote: »

I am suprised that people do not think that finding a piece of metal in a food source is dangerous. Does no one care about what can happen to others in society?

Of course it's dangerous, which is why I'm surprised you went to the press rather than concentrating on helping the manufacturer find the source and if necessary contain it.

I used to do investigations of customer complaints for a large manufacturer, and know the procedure well. A piece of metal potentially came off part of a machine, in which case lots of clear images showing its size (perhaps against a scale) and form will make it easy to identify, and be obvious if another piece could be anywhere else.

It's highly likely that it's a 1-off if it came off the machine.

The other usual cause is an operator dropping something they shouldn't even have on them if it isn't a recognisable part of a production machine, in which case the bar code will tell them who was working on the line at the time, and questioning can be done.

I think you're being a little OTT again accusing people of not caring about society. There is a way for dealing with things like this, and it's not like we're talking about a full blown scale of poisoned and contaminated food!

You would be horrified by some of the complaints I've dealt with before, although I also had to deal with many blatant compensation claims too - you'd be surprised how many manufacturers get!!

Freddie_Snowbits

congregatio wrote: »

Okay, my apologies for the earlier remark ref choking.

In Freddie’s land, some come on here and give the usual sob story such as ‘Just think what could have happened if <<< insert vulnerable group here >>> had ventured in at the time and they had the misfortune of seeing the said. And then I am off to the press.

Sorry, but in essence as has been pointed out by myself before, now, and sure in the future again, some come along here for absolution for their sins, yet end up being belated by Freddie and others in some way. Most hawk off out of here, tails bleating as they try to walk. Others come up with a more refined version, and reasoned approach to events they had a misfortune to witness. Seems OP in this case has reasoned and provided much better detail, and hopefully their misfortunes will aid a better understanding of the failure and prevent it from occurring again.

Alas, as part of life’s rich tapestry, most of us move on.. Most on here do give good advice, though some OPs do not like their failings aired in public. Though, coming to the Lewis Institute of Barrack Room Lawyers, does not leave you better off, it is sometimes refreshing to see others, me included, start off topics threads at others mishaps, though most in the parish now these are in jest.

(Proud my yellow card runs on Thursday, yippie, I can call people who have a BMI in excess of 1% all the names under the sun again, if only for the day!)

Oh and I forgot earlier, Welcome to the barrck room or MSE!

taxi97w

congregatio wrote:

It is of course 'easy to chalk up to experience' but what happens if a 2 year old gets another piece?

There a so many possible answers to your question, but the chances of it happening at all is Buckley's. 2 year olds mostly each chips these days.

congregatio

Quick update

I was contacted by the Health officer and they will collect the frzoen food and the metal.

For anyone else that has the same thing happen, here is what to do:

1. First check that the object has not got into the food source from a utensil (pan, macher etc) or from some interaction on your own part.
2. Inform the shop where you puchased the item on the head office via customer support.
3. Inform the food standards agency and local environmental health office.
4. Pass the item and the food source onto the environmatal health (they cannot investigate unless they have the original food source and the item).

Informing the press is an option (in this case helped to move things along) but be advised that this may create the wrong impression (as this thread shows).

The FSA have the power to enfore a product recall to prevent any possible injury or further injury depending on the circumstances.

---

For further info, I contacted Morrisons again and offered to send through photographs of the fragment, as yet I have had no correspondance from Morrisons. This underlines my original concern that nothing would happen unless it was taken further.

It is fair to assume that supermarkets probably get bogus claims made against them and are therefore skeptical when contacted (certainly appears this way) and my personal experience today has shown that the most helpful and effective way to have the matter taken seriously is to go through the FSA.

I expect it will be some time now before I receive further updates but I will follow up on here when information is forthcoming.

Norant

Good grief.


A lot has happened in two hours,good on the FSA for acting as swift as they did.However you say that you have contacted Morrisons again and still no correspondence,well it has only been two hours give them a chance.

congregatio

Norant wrote: »

Good grief.


A lot has happened in two hours,good on the FSA for acting as swift as they did.However you say that you have contacted Morrisons again and still no correspondence,well it has only been two hours give them a chance.

It all started this morning but your point is very valid, I am not judging them, simply providing an update. Morrisons lack of reponse does not indicate a lack of activity. My hope is that they have removed the batch until they know its safe. Shelf life of over 18 months so a few weeks to check shouldn't do any fiscal harm other than the time taken to put it back in storage.