In a startling incident, a Durban woman, Nombulelo Mkumla, was horrified to discover a portion of a rat embedded in a loaf of Sasko bread she had purchased. The discovery sparked outrage and concern over the safety standards of the bread-making process. Mkumla, still shaken, recounted how she initially thought it was a burnt piece of bread, only to realize the grim truth. She immediately contacted Sasko, who dispatched a representative to collect the loaf for investigation.
PepsiCo South Africa, the parent company of Sasko, quickly responded to the incident, assuring the public that this was an isolated case and does not reflect the company’s usual high standards of production. The company conducted an internal investigation, reviewing the batch in question, and found no other instances of contamination. PepsiCo emphasized that their facilities maintain rigorous hygiene and safety protocols, and this incident is being treated with the utmost seriousness.
Mkumla, however, remains deeply disturbed by the incident. She expressed her disbelief and shock, especially after being informed by the Sasko representative that such occurrences, although extremely rare, could happen due to the high temperatures in the bakery. Despite the company’s assurances, Mkumla is apprehensive about purchasing the brand’s bread again, fearing a repeat of the experience.
This incident has raised questions about food safety and quality control in the manufacturing process, with many consumers expressing their concerns on social media. PepsiCo South Africa is now under pressure to reassure customers and demonstrate their commitment to preventing such incidents in the future.
