Spar denies ‘expired meat’ allegations

Nadine Jeffers reportedly bought a packet of pastrami and noticed something odd when she opened it.

“I had just opened the packet and taken a small bite of the pastrami when I saw that the label did not look right. I peeled off the sticker and found an older one underneath, with a different expiry date and price,” she said.

Jeffers then confronted the store manager, Dries Fourie, who explained the pastrami had a new label and price as it had gone on special.

“When items go on special, we place a new sticker over the old one. Unfortunately we do not have control over the new date that is printed on the label,” said Fourie.

Fourie reportedly offered Jeffers double her money back after she confronted him about the relabelled meat.

Fourie maintained the Spar was not selling expired meat and the meat was allowed to be on the shelf for 30 days, according to rules set by the meat packers.

“The new expiry date on the sticker was moved forward by five days, meaning it was still well within the expiry date,” he added.

Jeffers has since sent a complaint to the Spar head office, but is still awaiting a reply.

Late last year, Woolworths was embroiled in controversy after dead frogs and a rat skull were found in food reportedly purchased from the retailer on three separate occasions.

The discoveries caused a stir on social media, particularly on Twitter.

In each instance, Woolies maintained it holds itself to high standards of quality, and that healthy farms naturally attract a number of insects and other wildlife.

– Caxton News Service