A concerned customer has raised serious alarms about the sale of expired cold meats at the Checkers store in the Whale Coast Mall, Hermanus, highlighting potential risks to public health. Antoinette Morkel, who frequents the supermarket, became increasingly concerned as she noticed expired goods on the shelves over several visits. Initially dismissing the issue, she later decided to document her findings, believing it was essential to address what she saw as a recurring problem.
“I had been noticing that every time I went to Checkers, there would be something expired,” Morkel explained. At first, she simply returned the items without saying anything, but after repeated observations, she decided to take a more proactive approach. “I approached the managers to alert them, but the problem seemed to persist,” she added.
Morkel said that, throughout December, she repeatedly found expired items, particularly yoghurt and cold meats, being sold in the store. These products were often placed on discounted shelves, raising concerns about the safety of food being offered to customers. One particular case stood out to her: “On Wednesday, I went back and found old black forest beef, sliced turkey, and yoghurt. One yoghurt expired on December 7, and the other on the 19th. I’ve documented many pictures of these items because I’m very concerned.”
Her concerns are rooted in the potential health risks of consuming expired food, especially items like cured meats, which can be particularly harmful if not stored or consumed properly. “Most people don’t check the expiry date. And clearly, no proper checks are being done by the staff,” Morkel pointed out. “This is very dangerous.” She also voiced frustration over the store’s practice of marking down the prices of expired items instead of discarding them. “Selling a product for 20% less instead of getting rid of it doesn’t make it right,” she said, adding that such practices could lead to serious illnesses.
The health risks associated with consuming expired food, especially meats, are well-documented. Cured meats, in particular, can cause foodborne illnesses if not properly stored or consumed within their recommended time frames. Morkel’s decision to speak out was motivated by the potential harm customers could face. “It worries me because I know how sick you can get from cured meat—it can really mess you up,” she said.
In response to Morkel’s concerns, Shoprite, which owns Checkers, reassured customers that food safety is a top priority. A spokesperson for the supermarket chain said, “The health of our customers is of utmost importance, which is why we kindly request that should customers be dissatisfied with an item, it be returned directly to the store, with proof of purchase, for further evaluation.”
While the store in question was not immediately aware of the complaint, Shoprite indicated that a comprehensive stock review was conducted to ensure that their strict quality standards were being met. The supermarket also encouraged customers to contact their Customer Careline if they had concerns about food safety.
Morkel’s experience underscores the importance of vigilance when shopping for perishable goods and the need for greater oversight in food safety practices at local supermarkets. With consumers increasingly relying on supermarkets for their daily food needs, ensuring that these establishments adhere to high standards of safety and quality is critical to protecting public health. Morkel hopes her documentation of the expired products will lead to better practices and heightened awareness among shoppers, encouraging them to inspect expiry dates more carefully and report any issues promptly.
