Mr. Goudas products bug infestations

[almostfreeman]

In August I sent an e-mail to Mr. Goudas after buying a bag of their dried chick peas that was infested with bugs. After 2 months I got this reply ...


Thank you for your letter.

Chick peas is subject to infestation within the product itself.

Maybe it was at the store level for some time and upon purchasing you kept it
for more than 2 months.

We rotate our inventory frequently to avoid such a problem. However, it is good that
you threw it out.

It is advisable that you purchase this item in small quantities if you do not use it often.

Regards,

Bernadette

I question whether a company that takes over 2 months to respond to a customer concern is any more responsive at the warehouse level. How can warehouse employees in charge of rotating stock be concerned with quality control when management sets this type of example? Not only did they all but deny the possiblity that this may have happened at their premises but they implied that it was the fault of the retailer or even myself for buying too much of their product!

I believe that Mr. Goudas has no concern for their customers as evidenced by their reply. It's also hard believe that they have an adequate quality control system in place to protect consumers.
Needless to say I won't be buying any Goudas brand products in the future and would encourage others not to buy Goudas products and to consider alternate brands.

[Muncher]

I bought the Thai jasmine rice with the chicken on it, and it had bugs which infested the rice I bought (No Frills yellow brand) - both from NoFrills. Both were in unopened bags.

The barley from Mr Goudas got bugs after I had it for 2 months and so did the soup mix - both from Food Basics. The barley and soup mix I put into sealed containers as soon as I got home, so the eggs are already in the product.

I tried microwaving these products, but because they retained some residue moisture (which means they could have gotten mouldy and the bugs like the moisture so they can eat easier), it half-cooked the grains so it tastes different.

I now put the grains into the oven at 150 degrees for 20 minutes before I pack it away to kill the eggs/larvae/whatever pest lifecycle exists. It's disgusting what we pay for these days!

[thegazelle]

In either case here, if/when the subject was brought to the attention of Mr. Goudas, did they offer any form of compensation such as an exchange / refund? Would a consumer be entitled to ask for such?

[almostfreeman]

In either case here, if/when the subject was brought to the attention of Mr. Goudas, did they offer any form of compensation such as an exchange / refund? Would a consumer be entitled to ask for such?

Not even an offer to replace the bag full of bugs.

[thegazelle]

That's pretty bad. Our family buys Mr. Goudas stuff once in a while. If that's the type of customer service they provide, I think I'll pick a different brand. Thanks for the heads-up.

I wonder, though, even if the parent company may not offer you a refund/replacement and/or compensation, if you return it back to the store whether the store will give you a refund/exchange.

[almostfreeman]

That's pretty bad. Our family buys Mr. Goudas stuff once in a while. If that's the type of customer service they provide, I think I'll pick a different brand. Thanks for the heads-up.

I wonder, though, even if the parent company may not offer you a refund/replacement and/or compensation, if you return it back to the store whether the store will give you a refund/exchange.

The store probably would give me a refund but not worth the time or gas expense to make a special trip to do so. (Edit; At the time I didn't want to keep a bag of bugs in my house or transport them back to the store.) I was somewhat annoyed by the response I got after taking the time to alert the company of a potential problem.
Not only did it take more than 2 months to respond but they offered "it's beyond our control"(sic) as an explanation.

[hammer]

I bought Mr. Gouda crapo rice too from Highland farms...had a tonne of tiny black bugs...thought they were black pepper at first....as they say more protein...

I try to not buy Mr. Gouda if given the chance...their products are the worst in quality generally...

[bobmans]

I occasionally buy Mr. Goudas products as they are normally much cheaper than comparable products. I guess the old adage that you only get what you pay for applies here. I haven't had an issue so far but will proably avoid them in future purchases. Thanks for the warning.

[nano]

contact the health department in concord.


Goudas Food Products & Investments Ltd
Contact:
(905) 660-3232
(905) 660-2728 Fax
Address :
241 Snidercroft Rd
Concord, ON , L4K2J8

[jusane]

thanks for the heads up. used to buy their korean style rice
havnt in a while however, thanks though

[neglitex]

Fortunately, I have not bought anything with bugs or whatever on it. However, my friend once kept a bar of chocolate too long and had worms on it.....yuk!

Anyway, if it takes 2 months to reply to a customer then it is very suspicious.

[Portwest]

I've got two bags of soup mix in the cupboard -- thanks for the warning!

[duckdown]

Thanks for the heads up.. Will definitely be avoiding it

[Angela V]

Oh hubby is not going to be happy about this! ewe

[josipm]

Rule 1. Buy it from a chinese store!

[reptar]

I bought the Thai jasmine rice with the chicken on it, and it had bugs which infested the rice I bought (No Frills yellow brand) - both from NoFrills. Both were in unopened bags.

The barley from Mr Goudas got bugs after I had it for 2 months and so did the soup mix - both from Food Basics. The barley and soup mix I put into sealed containers as soon as I got home, so the eggs are already in the product.

I tried microwaving these products, but because they retained some residue moisture (which means they could have gotten mouldy and the bugs like the moisture so they can eat easier), it half-cooked the grains so it tastes different.

I now put the grains into the oven at 150 degrees for 20 minutes before I pack it away to kill the eggs/larvae/whatever pest lifecycle exists. It's disgusting what we pay for these days!


so then why do u keep buying their products?
am i missing something? i wouldn't want bugs in my food period

[rob187jj]

i would definitely get media attention to this. thats just wrong.

[nalababe]

Why is everyone surprised by the potential of bugs on various grain products...this is the reason that they mentioned eat more quickly. This happens with flour, rice, almost any grain.

As for the person that said that they put the grains in the oven at 150 was referring to 150C and not 150F. There are places on earth with surface temperatures in the 120-130F range. 20C more will not harm the insects. Of course, higher temperatures would start to cook the food.

I would be extremely surprised if any company would provide compensation for this...

[almostfreeman]

Why is everyone surprised by the potential of bugs on various grain products...this is the reason that they mentioned eat more quickly. This happens with flour, rice, almost any grain.

As for the person that said that they put the grains in the oven at 150 was referring to 150C and not 150F. There are places on earth with surface temperatures in the 120-130F range. 20C more will not harm the insects. Of course, higher temperatures would start to cook the food.

I would be extremely surprised if any company would provide compensation for this...

The potential for bug infestation is much higher when the products are old before they are shipped to stores. They do not print expiry dates on these packages nor do they recommend proper storage practices. I have had few problems with bug infestations in any grains or beans unless the product was very old. Unfortunately many food wholesalers are more concerned with moving product rather than with quality control.

[IronMac]

I bought Mr. Gouda crapo rice too from Highland farms...had a tonne of tiny black bugs...thought they were black pepper at first....as they say more protein...

I try to not buy Mr. Gouda if given the chance...their products are the worst in quality generally...

You're lucky you only found bugs. I found bits of glass in mine! I haven't bought Mr. Gouda's stuff since.

[IronMac]

I now put the grains into the oven at 150 degrees for 20 minutes before I pack it away to kill the eggs/larvae/whatever pest lifecycle exists. It's disgusting what we pay for these days!

No no no! Put the stuff in the freezer for a few days. That'll do the trick.

[Chr1s]

No no no! Put the stuff in the freezer for a few days. That'll do the trick.

+1 Easy to do in the winter; put the flour/grains outside for a couple of days.

[Siefer999]

i would definitely get media attention to this. thats just wrong.
it would be surprised how much food contains bug parts. the worst part is, the industry allows it to happen because of the crappy standards that are put in place. guess how many bug parts are allowed in a frozen meat pie.

[gordholio]

I don't buy Mr. Goudas products. I've seen some of the advertising for the cans of stuff and most of it looks gross to me. Weird types of soup, etc.

[insertcreativename]

That happened to me once but with rice. I always buy Mr.Goudas products, but I think where I happend to buy this bag of rice, it's not such a popular store, so it must of been an old bag. I've never had a problem with their products for years except that time. I've learnt though, buy rice where it moves fast, as mentioned, in a chinese grocery store!

After reading the other posts though, I'll definitely be inspecting my products more carefully.

[Michie]

I bought cheap, No name mac n cheese from No frills. I bought approximately 5 boxes of the macaroni. It is very unfortunate that my kitchen in currently infested with these small dark brown bugs. The bugs are so small. They are 1 or 2 millimeter in length. I wish I knew the name of this bug so I can find some sort of solution to kill them. Unfortunately, I don't have money for pest control.

Never buy Macaroni and Cheese from No Frills!

[IronMac]

I don't buy Mr. Goudas products. I've seen some of the advertising for the cans of stuff and most of it looks gross to me. Weird types of soup, etc.

Don't travel much do you? :D

[gordholio]

Don't travel much do you? :D

As a matter of fact, I can't afford to.
I've seen their products at Flyermall.com and I nothing appeals to me.

[BlazinTrini]

If you buy any brand name of dried chick peas, rice or flour after a period of time they will get bugs

so it wouldn't be just mr. goudas this happens with. It will happen with Grace...etc

[IronMac]

As a matter of fact, I can't afford to.
I've seen their products at Flyermall.com and I nothing appeals to me.

Oh sorry. >:(

Look, take one of those soups and give it a try. If hundreds of millions of people drink that soup in other countries then why can't you? Don't limit yourself!

[MacGyver]

It is very unfortunate that my kitchen in currently infested with these small dark brown bugs. The bugs are so small. They are 1 or 2 millimeter in length. I wish I knew the name of this bug so I can find some sort of solution to kill them. Unfortunately, I don't have money for pest control.Most likely you have pantry beetles. If you have them in your kitchen, the only way to get rid of them is to throw out all your dry goods - flour, oatmeal, breakfast cereal, cornstarch, pasta, etc. These critters love to munch on dry grain products. Throw out everything, clean out your cupboards, and keep watch for a week. These bugs are so small they can live in cracks and voids behind your cupboards where you can't see.

Even after you restock all the dry food in your kitchen, you may notice a few still lingering. Just keep all your dry goods in airtight containers and eventually they will go away once the food supply has been cut off.