Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Flip

1 2 3 4 5 6

Original poster

Free from items shouldn’t be replaced on shopping

136 replies

LimeSupper · 14/03/2022 21:20

We get a weekly home delivery from a major supermarket. We order free from items because there are allergies in the house, as well as coeliac disease. Last week our Birdseye Free from fishfingers were replaced on the weekly shop by home brand free from fishfingers. It was said hurriedly at the door and we said that’s fine. I’ve been SO ill this week, just happened to be looking at the packet and realised the fishfingers are Free From FISH! So they’re vegan fishfingers, not gluten free. AIBU to think that supermarkets should not be just substituting free from items with any other substitutes?? I just think it’s so bloody irresponsible. Yes I accept fully that I should’ve checked it and not trusted the word of the driver who probably didn’t know the difference anyway - lesson learnt. It’s the way it’s called Free From, it’s a range that’s usually fine and now it seems to just be free from anything at all. You’d think there’d be some sort of check?? If someone orders a product without an allergen in it (gluten or milk or nuts or whatever it is) then don’t send them a replacement with that one just say sorry we don’t have the item or anything similar.

OP posts:

steff13 · 14/03/2022 21:22

Do you not have the option to choose "no substitutions?" I'm in the US but at my local grocery store it's teenage kids doing the shopping that maybe have never done family shopping before and might not realize that there's a big difference. 🤷‍♀️

dudsville · 14/03/2022 21:23

I agree. I think it's a hard task, I wish they'd allow us to comment about suitable replacements. I ordered a posh vegetarian mac and cheese and was offered one with pancetta instead. Same thing happened with a pizza.

WandaThePanda · 14/03/2022 21:23

There should be an option to leave a note to request stuff like this when you place the order (“please only substitute with other free from items” etc)

PeacefulPrune · 14/03/2022 21:24

Do you get an email with the substitutes on just before it arrives to give you a chance to read through them?

Roominmyhouse · 14/03/2022 21:25

But you accepted the substitution? I don’t think you can complain if you didn’t check at the time. But anyway if you don’t want things subbed you can turn off substitutions. I use sainsburys and you can turn them off for everything or just for specific items. I’m sure tesco must have a similar option?

Savoretti · 14/03/2022 21:25

I shop from Tesco and you can opt in or out of substitutions for each item

KrisAkabusi · 14/03/2022 21:27

You say yourself that it's a range - products can be free from different things. I think it's up to you to check these things. You could have checked and sent them back, but you didn't. Particularly if you have allergies, the onus is on you to be sure.

Original poster

LimeSupper · 14/03/2022 21:28

Yes I did accept the substitution.‘I thought it was like for like. It was “you ordered Birdseye free from fishfingers which are out of stock, we’ve brought you our home brand free from fishfingers, is that ok?” Which doesn’t sound like “these are not gluten free, they’re vegan” if you see what I mean. I think it should be clear, very clear around allergens.

OP posts:

Pyri · 14/03/2022 21:29

I think it’s your responsibility to check any substitutions are suitable. How does the picker know what your dietary requirement is to be able to pick a suitable alternative?

With Tesco, you can choose to have items subbed or not and you can leave a note for the picker so they can pick a suitable substitute

I’m also a bit surprised you couldn’t taste the difference between fake and real fish!

ChangingStates · 14/03/2022 21:30

Sainsburys allow you to tick a no substitutions option for any products you want and also send an email ahead of the order which lets you know what substitutions they have given. Might be worth seeing if whoever you order from has the same?

Original poster

LimeSupper · 14/03/2022 21:30

@KrisAkabusi I’ve been shopping from that range for years and have never come across any free from products that aren’t gluten free yet. Vegan products are not free from products normally.

OP posts:

NewYearCalavicci · 14/03/2022 21:30

Where do you shop ?
I shop at tesco and you can pick 'no substitutions' and / or leave a note with each item .
I buy Alcohol free cider and always note a note saying if X brand is not available only sub with other alcohol free cider .

I have a friend that reacts badly to egg so he puts it on almost every note, 'must not contain egg in any form' .
But all that said the pickers must have to deal with 1000s of shoppers and multiple subs for each one so i am not surprised they make the odd error .
You need to take responsibility for what you cook and eat too

CeeceeBloomingdale · 14/03/2022 21:31

The shop don’t know what your allergic to, don’t like or choose to avoid. A suitable substitute for one person is inappropriate for another person. It’s on you to check yourself.

Original poster

LimeSupper · 14/03/2022 21:32

I do take responsibility and haven’t complained to them because I accepted the substitution. However, I really do think they are irresponsible for not being more clear with those items too.

OP posts:

RedHelenB · 14/03/2022 21:33

Surely you'd double check at the time and then again when you get them out to cook them? Best thing would be to say bo substitutions as others have already said.

MsSquiz · 14/03/2022 21:33

Most supermarkets that I've done online orders with have the option to tick "no substitutions" or write a note for the picker, eg "only sub for semi skimmed milk" or "only sub for vegan option"

You chose to accept the substitution, and also didn't check the pack before you cooked or ate the product. I don't think you can blame the picker/supermarket for that

Itloggedmeoutagain · 14/03/2022 21:34

Your allergies are your responsibility.
Choose no substitutes when doing your order or check what the sub is before accepting it. Free from doesn't mean the same thing to everyone

IstayedForTheFeminism · 14/03/2022 21:34

Yanbu.
A "free from" range usually means Free from gluten/lactose.
Not Free from fish.

We've had Free from cakes substituted with cream buns. I did reject that one.

We also had spinach and ricotta tortellini substituted with a sausage meat filled one in lockdown when you had to accept substitutions. Luckily there are meat eaters in the house although veggie DS was a bit miffed. I only order it for him

Poppins2016 · 14/03/2022 21:36

I get it.

If I was to order a gluten free cake, I wouldn't turn off substitutions just because I require gluten free... I'd simply expect a different gluten free cake if it was substituted!

Sometimes there seems to be a serious lack of common sense when pickers choose substitutions.

TheFlis12345 · 14/03/2022 21:36

Echoing what others posters have said. With Tesco you can tick no subs and add comments to each item. They also email you your receipt a few hours before your delivery, highlighting any missing items or subs, so you’re aware in advance and don’t have to rush to check subs while trying to unpack. Sounds like it might be better for you if you have various allergies to deal with.

Carbiesdreamhouse · 14/03/2022 21:36

I agree although the line between free from and vegan is tricky. We have severe dairy allergy and I ordered vegan babybels from Sainsbury's. They subbed them for normal babybels. I did get an email but I was at work, busy and didn't check my personal email. The driver didn't mention any subs and they were hidden in the basket. The packaging is very similar, I'm very very lucky I clocked it before giving one to my DC.

shiteheart · 14/03/2022 21:36

But you accepted the sub? The driver probably told you and it would have been on your invoice. Surely it's your responsibility to check what your eating is suitable for your diet?

UghFletcher · 14/03/2022 21:37

@Poppins2016

I get it.

If I was to order a gluten free cake, I wouldn't turn off substitutions just because I require gluten free... I'd simply expect a different gluten free cake if it was substituted!

Sometimes there seems to be a serious lack of common sense when pickers choose substitutions.

The pickers don't decide on the subs. A computer system tells them what to sub with.

JudgeRindersMinder · 14/03/2022 21:37

I think if I had food allergies I wouldn’t allow these items to be subbed, but would rather go without, as allergies aren’t about preference

Pyri · 14/03/2022 21:38

@Poppins2016

I get it.

If I was to order a gluten free cake, I wouldn't turn off substitutions just because I require gluten free... I'd simply expect a different gluten free cake if it was substituted!

Sometimes there seems to be a serious lack of common sense when pickers choose substitutions.

But in that instance - let’s say you ordered a gluten free lemon cake. How does the picker know it’s gluten free you’re after and not lemon? How does he know you haven’t chosen it cos you’re allergic to nuts and if he picks a gluten free nut cake that’s wrong? Maybe he picks a regular lemon cake as he thinks lemon is the most important bit

Flip

1 2 3 4 5 6