Update, 15 May, 3.45pm
It states that the Shoprite Checkers supermarket group does not negotiate on food safety and hygiene.
“We sell some 150 million chickens per year, which is 50 percent of all chickens sold in the country. These chickens are bought from reputable suppliers who maintain the highest quality standards. It is furthermore against our company policy to sell or prepare expired products for sale.”
The statement continues by saying that Checkers has a placed strict instructions to all their stores to abide by the well-monitored safe food product handling requirements and if these instructions are not adhered to, appropriate disciplinary action will be taken.
It also states that it is compulsory for the staff and controllers working in food preparation departments are to go through several training courses throughout the year.
“In the case of Mr Foster’s complaint, the matter has already been addressed in store and appropriate action taken against personnel who did not follow operational procedures laid down for our stores. Any customer who experiences a problem with chicken in our stores will also receive a full refund.”
Original story, 15 May, 2.50pm
Checkers stores countrywide have been under fire after a series of chicken-related incidents, including a Cape Town, Plumstead resident who got a mouthful of maggots after biting into some grilled chicken.
The disgruntled consumer contacted Health24 with his story, claiming that he bought a grilled chicken from a Checkers outlet in Plumstead and, after taking a bite, discovered that the chicken was infested with maggots.
This happened after the same consumer returned grilled chicken pieces to the store after finding that they were old and dry.
This follows a report of whole chickens being strewn across the deli floor in a Checkers store at the Bayside Mall in Table View, also in Cape Town. Checkers reportedly explained that this was a result of the griller being overloaded and improperly stacked.
Photo: Health24 Facebook page
Health24 has reported that Checkers has admitted that they failed to live up to their normal high standards. “We have since then dealt with it rigorously internally,” said spokesperson for the Checkers group, Sarita van Wyk.
“We have also discussed the matter again with the customer to assure him that the necessary disciplinary and corrective action has been taken.”
You may also be interested in: UPDATE: Environmental health investigation at KFC Braamfontein
Incidents closer to home include a Checkers shopper who bought a pie from a store in Pretoria, and was struck down with salmonella poisoning; and another who bought cooked spicy rice from a store in Brackenhurst, Johannesburg, and was on antibiotics for three months due to food poisoning. There have also been complaints about the Checkers in Cresta being infested with cockroaches and shoppers have spotted them crawling over the fruit and vegetables.
There have also been a number of complaints on the Health24 Facebook page after the original article was published. Users have shown their dissatisfaction with Checkers stores by posting images of undercooked chicken and even chicken mayonnaise sandwiches that contain bones.
You may also be interested in our previous stories:
UPDATE: Environmental health investigation at KFC Braamfontein
Disgruntled customer reports roach in meal
A salad that could make you croak
UPDATE: Woolworths responds to second frog found in salad
Have you found things in food that weren’t supposed to be there? Comment below, and let us know.
