Maggots found in food.

marchen

I recently purchased some single serve cereal pots. They were put up with the groceries and not touched. A few days later my boyfriend and I were up early and wanted a quick bite so thought it would be a good time to grab one each. He brought his through before he'd opened it, and from the side you could see the whole thing had been infested with maggots. Needless to say there was a lot of screaming and shock going on for quite a few moments, I'd never seen such a thing in my whole life. :eek:

I immediately emailed, with photos, what we had seen. The store has offered me free shipping on my next home delivery. I was gobsmacked, because firstly this puts me off from ordering with them ever again, why on earth would I want free shipping? and secondly because it doesn't seem like they are taking it all that seriously. Does anyone have any experience as to what is done in situations like these?

System

Ask for a refund on the pot and never buy them again would be my approach

ILW

Sounds like the packaging has been damaged. May not be the shops fault.

neilmcl

Which store is it and how do you know they're not taking it seriously?

Just because they haven't offered you thousands in compo doesn't mean they're not acting on your complaint.

marchen

No, the packaging was fine. It was certainly sealed.

Neil, I omitted shops and brands from my post so as not to cause uproar, it's not my intent to get 'thousands in compo' or mudsling. I am only curious what rights if any a consumer has in regards to such a weird incident since various people have told me various things. I thought perhaps someone here had dealt with such a problem and had constructive advice.

bris

It couldn't have been sealed, the fly had to get in and lay the eggs, then the maggot needed air to survive, something happened whilst in storage, and it's 50/50 whether it was in your cupboard or not.

maninthestreet

Can you upload the pictures?

Highlandlass28

It's the larvae of the grain moth or commonly known as the pantry moth they are often found in flour products including cereals and also dried pet foods dog biscuits bird seeds etc.

LittleMax

If you are concerned take it to environmental health, they will do an investigation and if they feel there is an issue with the store or supply chain will investigate further. However you won't get compensation. If you want compensation you need to keep in dialogue with the store, telling them that it has really upset you and you are thinking of taking it to environmental health. If they are worried about environmental health they will want to get the item from you, and will need to offer a reasonable amount to do that.

JimmyTheWig

Not sure that you have many "rights" here.
You are obviously entitled to a new cereal pot or your money back.
You will be entitled to any reasonable costs that you incur because of it (e.g. petrol/bus fare to get back to the shop).

I don't think that you will be entitled to anything in terms of "mental anguish" or the likes.

Basically, you should be back in the position as if it hadn't happened. You shouldn't lose out (which is why I say you're entitled to a refund and costs) but also there is no reason for you to gain from it (which is why I don't think you will be able to claim loads).
You are probably better off in asking for a goodwill gesture (free delivery of your next order is a start, but personally I'd be hoping for an extra fiver, say) in the hope that they will want to keep good customer relations.

It's a fine line to tread with what you tell them about not wanting to go back there. If you are adamant that you're not going back there then they've already lost you as a customer. No point in them then giving you freebies to try and keep you.
If you really don't want to go back there then take the refund and go to the local paper.

Meadows

Depends what you are looking for - recompense or complaint against an inedible product!

Have you contacted the actual manufacture? As this is where the onus lies, yes you bought from a store and they are offering free delivery on your next shop, but they are a third part seller. If the pack was sealed then the responsibility lies with the packaging and not the storing/selling to the customer.

Either contact Environmental Health re quality of food product or contact the manufacturer for a financial recompense.