Coles reacts to 75c ‘contaminated’ quick buy health scare

A Contaminated Chip Packet Sparks Concerns at Coles

A recent incident at a Coles supermarket in southwest Melbourne has raised serious concerns about food safety after a customer discovered a damaged and potentially contaminated chip packet on the shelves. The packet, which was part of the Red Rock Deli Honey Soy Chicken brand, had been sliced open and resealed with packing tape. It was then discounted from $3 to 75 cents as a “quick sale.”

The customer shared the image on Reddit, describing the packet as “contaminated with a box cutter and packing tape.” In the caption, they wrote, “Yeah, I’ll pass, thanks Coles.” The post quickly gained attention, highlighting the shocking nature of the find.

Customer Reports the Issue

The shopper reported the matter to the Wyndham Council Environmental Health Officer, Consumer Affairs Victoria, and Coles Customer Care. They expressed their shock at finding such a product on the shelf, calling it a ready-to-eat food item that had been visibly compromised. The customer pointed out that the chips were not only sliced open but also resealed with cheap packing tape, exposing them to unsanitised cutting tools and other contaminants.

“This was not an accident or an oversight. It was a calculated choice to put profit over customer safety,” the customer said. They added that by pricing the product at 75 cents, Coles was specifically targeting bargain-conscious shoppers who trust the retailer to keep unsafe products off the shelves.

The customer was disappointed not to receive a response from Coles after submitting a complaint form. They questioned what other food safety standards might be ignored if such an obvious issue was overlooked.

Coles Responds to the Complaint

In response to the incident, Yahoo News reported that the situation was an unintentional mistake made by a new employee who has since been retrained on the correct processes. A Coles spokesperson stated that the incident was an “isolated” case and not in line with their high standards.

“Food safety and product quality are extremely important to us, and any product with damaged packaging should be removed from sale,” the spokesperson said. They added that in this instance, the packet of chips should not have been marked down, and it appears this was an isolated team member oversight.

Understanding Food Safety Laws

Under the Food Act 1984 (Vic) and the FSANZ Food Standards Code, selling a ready-to-eat food with compromised packaging is unlawful. Edward McCartney, director of Food Safety Plus, told Yahoo News that any puncture to a product can compromise its integrity and safety.

“Packaged foods such as chips rely on sealed packaging to protect the product from contamination, moisture, oxygen and physical hazards,” he said. Once the seal is broken, there is a possibility that contaminants from the surrounding environment could enter the package. This may include microorganisms, dirt, foreign matter or contamination from the object that caused the cut.

McCartney also noted that while it is not uncommon for supermarkets to discount products with damaged outer cartons or minor cosmetic packaging defects to reduce food waste, consumers should avoid purchasing products with damaged packaging.