Metal objects in meat packaging causing microwave fire

nete92

I recently bought some chops from Tesco and defrosted them in the plastic container in my microwave. I left the kitchen and returned to a room full of smoke and the microwave on fire. I put out the fire and noticed metallic objects in the packaging. My microwave was full of soot and now smells awful and I am worried about using it. I complained to Tesco and returned the packaging and metal for investigation. I have since received a letter from them saying as it was not a Tesco branded product ( it was in their value range) they have referred it to the other company for investigation. They informed me to wait 21 days before letting them know if I have not heard from the other comapny. I am ringing Tesco today as I have heard nothing. Am I right to assume the duty of care to me is with Tesco and that they should be resolving my issue and dealing with the other company themselves? I want to get this sorted but I would be grateful of any advice so i can feel more prepared when they ring back.
Thanks.

maninthestreet

Your contract is with Tesco - what are you looking for fron Tesco - a new microwave?

fluffnutter

I believe so. Certainly in terms of SOGA, Tesco would be responsible for resolving your issue. I doubt this scenario is any different although others might be able to confirm.

fluffnutter

I think your problem might be that you didn't take the meat out of the packet. I assume you wouldn't have cooked them still in their packaging so perhaps it wasn't a good idea to defrost them? Who knows though? Tesco might come up trumps, refund you for the meat plus buy you a new microwave!

kaya

your microwave instructions will say clearly not to put metallic objects in the microwave , which is what you did , so that's the microwave companies get out clause , microwaves are ovens (or cookers) and on the packet your meat came in it will say "remove from plastic packaging before cooking" which is what you didn't do, so that's the get out clause for that , defrosting in a microwave is cooking , i would't waste your time complaining as you have no case, sorry

mattyprice4004

As above, not sure the packaging is designed for microwave use. If it doesn't say you can microwave them in the packaging, I think you're out of luck

pulliptears

Dont think I've ever defrosted meat still in the packaging myself, surely its always better to remove and put on a plate for defrosting, not in the least because it ensures the food is evenly defrosted.

That said, if the metal was frozen to the chops there is a good chance OP may not have noticed it anyway.

unholyangel

I put tupperware in the micro, I wouldnt put it in for any length of time though. Nor would i put packaging in (maybe its a different type of packaging but the only kind i can think of is the thin plastic).

Personally I think the only way you'd have a case is if it states something like:
To defrost - Place in microwave for x mins
To cook - remove all packaging blah blah blah

As it would imply you only need to remove the packaging for cooking. However if it says leave overnight to defrost and makes no mention of a microwave.......you'll be hard pushed to prove they're at fault if they don't offer you something as goodwill.

Anyone else remember the days when products (such as meat) didnt have instructions on them and you were just supposed to know? I imagine there was more than one housewife scratching their head or on the phone to their mothers asking I'm not old, 27....just started cooking at an early age (probably wouldnt be able to now....would be classed as neglect or putting your child in danger or some crap :X)

pulliptears

unholyangel wrote: »

Anyone else remember the days when products (such as meat) didnt have instructions on them and you were just supposed to know? I imagine there was more than one housewife scratching their head or on the phone to their mothers asking I'm not old, 27....just started cooking at an early age (probably wouldnt be able to now....would be classed as neglect or putting your child in danger or some crap :X)

Yep. 38 and still recall phone calls to my Mum to ask how I cooked such basics as liver and onions

That said, my 19 year old DS called me last year and asked (in all seriousness) "How do I make Smash?".
It was then I realised I failed as a parent

tripled

I'm not sure you have a claim. It would be your duty to check the packaging was suitable for the microwave usless it specifically says it is on the packet (you haven't said it does). By all means have a whinge at Tesco and they might give you something as a goodwill gesture, but I doubt you have a strong case against them.

unholyangel

pulliptears wrote: »

Yep. 38 and still recall phone calls to my Mum to ask how I cooked such basics as liver and onions

That said, my 19 year old DS called me last year and asked (in all seriousness) "How do I make Smash?".
It was then I realised I failed as a parent

My sister (2 years my elder) can just about handle tinned soup and frozen meals. Anything above and beyond that, she is utterly clueless.

I am still dumbfounded as to why I've managed to pick up on things (like wiring a plug) that she can't do. So if it makes you feel any better, it may not have been your parenting at all :P