Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Alcohol in pudding not clearly displayed

608 replies

Purpledefector · 17/04/2024 06:49

I need a bit of a reality check - prefacing to say I'm 2.5 years sober - and not sure if this is clouding my judgement a bit.

I bought a dine in meal in Sainsbury's and the pudding was ' chocolate hazelnut pots' ' sponge biscuit layered with creamy chocolate hazelnut mascarpone and topped with hazelnuts and chocolate shavings'.

When I started to eat it I immediately noticed the very obvious taste of alcohol. Went and checked the packaging and listed within the ingredients was 'alcohol' but this wasn't mentioned or hinted at anywhere else on the product - in the picture or the describing words.

I was really surprised by this lack of transparency. Sainsbury's responded to my complaint really quickly - offered me a £10 gift card and said it would be fed back to the packaging department. I said that I felt that didn't reflect the seriousness of the issue and asked for it to be raised with a manager. It has been and their response is the same.

It's not sitting right with me, it feels like a huge error - and I want to take it further.

What's the general consensus?

OP posts:
Thread gallery
16
SheepAndSword · 17/04/2024 07:55

I really dislike a strong alcohol taste in desserts so it probably gave OP a bit of a shock if she thought it was an innocent nut/chocolate/cream thing

60andsomething · 17/04/2024 07:53

Desecratedcoconut · 17/04/2024 07:50

The front of labels are going to get pretty crowded if all the people with dietary restrictions are relinquished from the onerous task of having to check the ingredients list when the pertinent information should just pop out at them.

Show quote history

If you have a dietary restriction you check all the labels.

We are not talking about a dietary restriction. We are talking about alcohol. Something illegal to feed an under 5, and illegal to buy if under 18. Addictive.

Of course it needs to be clearly labelled on the front of the packet

soupfiend · 17/04/2024 07:52

dammit88 · 17/04/2024 06:52

What other response are you looking for? They are looking at it with the packaging department - that seems exactly the right response?

Well done on your sobriety!

Yes this. They made an error, they acknowledged it and apologised for it and are looking to put it right by liaising with their packaging department.

What is the alternative?

bradpittsbathwater · 17/04/2024 07:52

They apologised and gave you a voucher so I don't see the issue. It's not a deadly allergen so they wouldn't need to make it massively obvious but I'm sure it would be labelled in the ingredients somewhere. It's great you're now sober, but shops can't cater to every persons sensibilities.

Desecratedcoconut · 17/04/2024 07:50

60andsomething · 17/04/2024 07:44

The Op should not have to be shopping all day every day with this in the forefront of their mind. It should be clearly labelled.

Show quote history

The front of labels are going to get pretty crowded if all the people with dietary restrictions are relinquished from the onerous task of having to check the ingredients list when the pertinent information should just pop out at them.

DoreenonTill8 · 17/04/2024 07:49

60andsomething · 17/04/2024 07:44

The Op should not have to be shopping all day every day with this in the forefront of their mind. It should be clearly labelled.

Show quote history

Well that's what people who have or are shopping for actual allergies that could possibly kill them have to do.
My understanding (and I expect a roasting!) Is avoiding alcohol is a lifestyle choice be it religious or abstinence due to previous addiction. The actual allergies list is the one that needs prominence.

Whinge · 17/04/2024 07:44

I totally agree with you OP, simple "contains alcohol " on the front would be sufficient i

Others have already posted the image and this is exactly what the packaging has. It says contains alcohol just above the use by date, which an area most people will look at before purchasing a product.

60andsomething · 17/04/2024 07:44

Dacadactyl · 17/04/2024 06:53

I don't get the issue. You checked the ingredients list and alcohol was on there.

I don't think it needs to have "booze" written all over it.

If you don't want to eat products with alcohol in them, it's on you to check the ingredients.

The Op should not have to be shopping all day every day with this in the forefront of their mind. It should be clearly labelled.

LunaNorth · 17/04/2024 07:42

Maybe they should put the massive gif on the front of the packaging, with CONTAINS ALCOHOL instead of GUTEN MORGEN.

You couldn’t bloody miss it then, could you?

RaininSummer · 17/04/2024 07:41

I think their response was correct. There are now so many allergens and things people want to avoid that the packaging isnt big enough for prominent flashes for information so may as well just check the ingredients.

B1anche · 17/04/2024 07:41

I totally agree with you OP, simple "contains alcohol " on the front would be sufficient in the same way that nuts, eggs etc are always mentioned. Thr ingredients are often in such a small font that it could easily be missed. I would be really unhappy if I had inadvertently consumed alcohol, even if it was 'just' the flavour remaining.

neverendingcold · 17/04/2024 07:39

TheYearOfSmallThings · 17/04/2024 07:29

I agree it should be included in the description (eg "with a hint of rum") but it is pretty clear on the front of the pack for anyone deliberately avoiding alcohol.

I would argue that isn't pretty clear and should be moved to the back with the nut warning

Tessisme · 17/04/2024 07:38

LunaNorth · 17/04/2024 07:30

WHERE DID THAT STUPID GIF COME FROM?!?

🤣🤣 Cheered me right up!

I think your expectations are a bit high OP. As pp showed, it is written on the front of the packaging 'contains alcohol'. Sainsbury's has compensated you and said they would feed it back to their packaging department. I'm not sure there's much more they can do. They clearly didn't think the alcohol was a 'selling' point, so didn't include it in the actual description.

And well done on your sobriety😊

DoreenonTill8 · 17/04/2024 07:37

SevenSeasOfRhye · 17/04/2024 07:32

It made me smile😀

Show quote history

Same! Hello mumsnetters!!😆

AgnesX · 17/04/2024 07:37

Like everyone who has an allergy or watching what they eat you need to check the ingredients. Why should alcohol be any different from dairy, gluten etc.

LunaNorth · 17/04/2024 07:37

Postage?

Post!

I promise I am still sober. Jesus.

VestibuleVirgin · 17/04/2024 07:36

The pudding is comprised of several kinds of crap. The miniscule amoount of alcohol, not even enough to warrent a %, would be the least of one's worries.
But, yes, perhaps shown more clearly

neverendingcold · 17/04/2024 07:36

KnickerlessFlannel · 17/04/2024 06:57

I agree that the onus on you is to check. I have to check all packaging for nut content (dh allergy) and not everything has a red flashing label or is described as 'nutty' so why would alcohol need to be? It's consumption might be upsetting for you but not life threatening, like it would be to many with allergies.

It does. It says MAY CONTAIN NUTS or similar.

LunaNorth · 17/04/2024 07:36

I feel like my postage has been somewhat overshadowed by the massive gif 🤦🏼‍♀️

DoubleBingo · 17/04/2024 07:35

LunaNorth · 17/04/2024 07:28

It says ‘contains alcohol’ on the front, OP. You missed it, and can I gently suggest you feel upset because it feels like you’ve broken your promise to yourself?

I get it, I’m almost four years sober.

But you haven’t. A little tiny bit of alcohol present in a dessert you didn’t even make hasn’t spoiled anything. It’s not enough to make you drunk - there’s probably more alcohol in a ripe banana!

Just leave it now, and move on. Your sobriety is safe. You’re still doing brilliantly. It’s all fine. Alcohol isn’t such a powerful substance that a tiny, accidental amount can stop you.

Give it a few more months, you’ll soon be much more neutral about it, and see it for what it is. A chemical element, like Neon or Helium.

This gif is brilliant 🤣

NigelHarmansNewWife · 17/04/2024 07:34

@LunaNorth made my laugh and brightened my morning!

SheepAndSword · 17/04/2024 07:34

@LunaNorth 😆

I'm not feeling quite as sprightly as that woman!

@Purpledefector is it the taste which bothered you?

DoubleBingo · 17/04/2024 07:34

I just saw the package posted above though and it does state that the product contains alcohol? Did you not see this? Sorry if so, as I can imagine it's frustrating.

SpecialOPs · 17/04/2024 07:33

It’s quite clear from the packaging that it contains alcohol and if you’re trying to avoid specific ingredients, you should perhaps read it properly.

They were very gracious in giving you a voucher OP. Cannot believe you feel the need to double down and further complain on an internet forum.

rainontherooftop · 17/04/2024 07:32

The amount of alcohol in it will be miniscule, hence why it's not labelled "over 18's only" but it's up to you to check.

Swipe left for the next trending thread