Stop & Shop, Morris Plains, NJ

Stop & Shop, Morris Plains, NJ

Gerber baby foods \ Sold products of year 2002

Dear Sir/s I purchased some Gerber baby foods from Stop & Shop, Morris Plains, NJ in the month of Nov'2004. Taking for granted that such items/products are safe to be consumed without even a cursory look, I fed a jar of 'Hawaiian Delight' to my 17 month old daughter.

To my horror, the jar had a best by date of 'Sept'2002'!! I and my wife panicked and called our doctor and also some of our personal relatives in India in the medical profession, seeking advice. We were asked to just pray and wait and watch for any symptoms of food poisoning or such. We spent an anxious night. Fortunately my daughter was not affected. I was, though, extremely disappointed and worried at the lack of check at Stop & Shop of the food that they chose to sell. I also checked later that atleast 3/4 jars of the baby food had best by dates of Sep/Oct'2004. (Well before the date on which I purchased) I tried to get in touch with the store manager a couple of times without success.

Finally about a week later, my wife spoke to some one in the store, who only kept harping of how they check their merchandise regularly but never actually admitting to the store's fault. Subsequently the store manager did call me and mentioned that it must have been ' a human error'. I asked him / the store to give me a written apology to which I have receieved no response yet. I also spoke to a customer relation person who was suitably horrified about the incident but apart from that my complaint has had no apprent effect.

I am amazed that in a country like U.S where consumer rights are so highly spoken of a reputable store does not even acknowledge their mistake suitably. The store's attitude seems callous and it seems to be least bothered about the effect of such out dated (I should probably say expired) products on the health of even infants!!! Thanks

Subbaraman J

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