Free from items shouldn’t be replaced on shopping

[LimeSupper]

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.

Walkers French Fries been sub'd with Itsu Seaweed Thins

Tragic

[quote LimeSupper]@TheHaveN0tsnot everyone who can’t do their own shopping in store is a “lazy moo” 😂[/quote]
Glad you agree

You can choose to opt out of substitutions.

You can opt in and check the substitution before you accept it.

You can opt in and check the substitution before you EAT it.

Bloody hell. YABU.

@cecilthehungryspider

I don't know why people are laying into the OP when she's clearly accepted she bears the responsibility for not checking.

One of my children is gluten-free and it's amazing how often Tesco substitute Free From stuff with vegetarian stuff. As though dietary requirements are interchangeable! As it happens I'm vegetarian so it's not the end of the world but it is frustrating.

As an aside, I'm really disappointed with the way the range of free-from foods is shrinking. My child is quite limited in what they like (being sick a lot does that) but always like the free from chicken nuggets, chicken burgers, chicken goujons from Tesco. Suddenly a few months ago they all disappeared and haven't come back. Yes, we do get him to eat other things but it's a shame when something that he actually liked isn't available anymore.

Do you have a Morrisons within a reasonable distance? I have found that the range in Morrisons and Tesco seem to counterbalance each other pretty effectively, so if I can't get something from one I can usually get it from the other - goujons, breadsticks and reasonably priced pizza from Morrisons; bread, bran flakes and pasta shells from Tesco.

@DysmalRadius
Thank you. I have found Morrisons good but it's not particularly convenient for me to get to. I do pop into a Sainsbury's now and then and have managed to get stuff there that I can't get in Tesco anymore. I'm seriously considering changing which supermarket I get deliveries from now though because having to go out to additional shops defeats the object of the convenience of delivery!

@cecilthehungryspider I find Sainsbury’s very good too. M&S food are brilliant when I get chance to pop there but for a weekly shop, maybe Sainsbury’s is worth a go.

The good thing about Tesco is you can choose substitutions or not for each individual item and write notes. Not all allow it. I'm not sure whether pickers love me or hate me when writing my substitution notes.

In 2020 when things were in short supply I was writing "any sort of gluten free bread,cracker,wrap if not available"

"failing that, your biggest potato"

I've had this happen too. We ordered dairy free products for our son who is allergic to dairy. They brought gluten free stuff instead 🙈. Obviously not their fault but a bit pointless.

They must do it
On purpose

Surely its the packers way of having a bit of fun. Some of the subs we have are ridiculous

Recently I ordered sweet chilli sauce and they sent a single chilli instead