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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:
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CormorantStrikesBack · 17/04/2024 06:59

6Y5T · 17/04/2024 06:50

Cooking normally removes the alcohol content, leaving just the flavour

While I agree with this I guess the flavour may be an issue to someone with a historic alcohol issue? Might set off cravings. I’m sorry OP and while I agree it would be good if the packaging was clearer I guess you need to treat it as an allergy and read ingredients of new products. Dd has coeliac disease and I have to scan stuff for gluten, it becomes second nature.

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.

Thelondonone · 17/04/2024 06:54

But it doesn’t really, the amount would be so minuscule that it’s negligible (or they would have to put abv on it). You’ve made your point but ultimately it was labelled so not sure what you want to achieve. I don’t think it’s unusual for this type of dessert to contain alcohol so in future you will check.

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.

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!

MummyDummyNow · 17/04/2024 06:51

I totally agree, it should be very clearly labeled as having alcohol.

Definitely pursue this, and good luck OP.

mauvish · 17/04/2024 06:50

What response do you feel would be appropriate?

6Y5T · 17/04/2024 06:50

Cooking normally removes the alcohol content, leaving just the flavour