It’s safe to say that we’re pretty surprised by some GTA-based grocery stores right now — if you haven’t heard the news, you’re in for a shock, too. In the last week, two social media postings have revealed some interesting infractions.
As reported by Reddit user massivecoiler (and seen in the photo above), a mouse was allegedly found in a loaf of D’Italiano’s new olive oil bread at No Frills (owned by Loblaw Companies) in Hamilton. Not exactly a thrilling surprise. While most of the internet was repulsed at the Main and Tisdale location, much of Reddit is laughing the situation off.
User KevZero says, “Would this not count as a ‘frill’?” While another Redditor joked, “You just got a free pet!”
Not everyone thinks that the grocery chain is completely to blame. According to Reddit user JediAreTakingOver, mice in grocery stores is a pretty common occurrence. They said, “this is rather common, but usually the bread doesnt make it to the shelf.” They continued by saying that typically mice who haven’t found home for the winters tend to flee indoors, and sometimes, supermarkets become their home, ending with, “someone doing their job would throw the ones they burrow into out. Its usually obvious to spot this (ripped bag). My guess is the stock person didnt do a thorough check.”
Reddit | Ostracized
In an email to the National Post, Loblaw’s spokeswoman, Karen Gumbs, said, “We are taking this matter very seriously and investigating all potential causes. We apologize to our customers for the concern and inconvenience this has caused.” She continued, “The store has taken a number of steps to ensure this doesn’t happen again,” and that they are working closely with their supplier prevent future issues.
While it’s unclear where the mouse came from exactly, and if it was dead or alive when it was found, what is clear is that Loblaw Companies had a pretty exciting week in their public relations department.
Michael Pearle, a customer at the Dufferin and Steeles Loblaws Superstore, shared a surprising image on Facebook. The image, which pictures a grocery cart full of raw, unpacked steaks, is allegedly how the grocery store was transporting their meat in the butcher section.
“Lo and behold I found them!” Pearle wrote in a public Facebook post on October 6. “In a grocery cart. I’m sure this violates every public health statute. […] certainly not President’s Choice! Disgusting and DUMB! – in plain sight!”
When speaking with CBC, Pearle, who is a resident from Thornhill, said, “Fifty or 60 steaks in there, sitting in the cart without any wrapping that I had seen. It just seemed very, you know, very unhygienic and it looked disgusting, to be honest with you.” He also told the publication that he filed a complaint with the Toronto Board of Health and that claimed they “were going to be looking into it.”
In another interview with Karen Gumbs, the Loblaw’s spokeswoman said that the meat cart violates their food safety standards and that it “absolutely should not have happened.” She also said, “we’ve reminded all departments of our protocols to ensure nothing like this happens again.”
As of November 12, 2018, the post has been shared 184 times. One user pointed the finger at upper management and said, “By not stepping in and preventing this incident from occurring in the first place, they are pretty much condoning the act of cross contamination.” While another user said, “just think how many times you bought meat there that was like this. Unbelievable and nasty wow and they want to ensure it’s safe to buy their meat again ahhaha ya no.”
But not all comments were negative. One user, who claims to have worked at Loblaws for 17 years, said that they “have no reason to not trust them.” and that though the store was busy, the store they worked at was always clean and the meat was always fresh.
Instagram | @missnikka_28
Another user argued that perhaps viewers weren’t being told the entire store, saying, “These meats may be past date/“expired” and they must be disposed of.”
With all of the situations that have taken place, regardless of how and why a mouse ended up in a bag of bread, or why meats were being stored in a grocery cart, we are happy that Loblaws reacted to the situation in a swift and professional manner, and we hope that incidents like the aforementioned don’t pop up again.
If we’ve learned anything from the situation, it’s to keep your eyes peeled and always double check your groceries before you buy them — we’re sure that Loblaw Companies is going to be extra careful with the food they’re putting out for shoppers.
Featured image: Reddit/massivecoiler
Moving into a new space can be exciting, liberating and a bit overwhelming – especially when you begin to add up all of the expenses! Decorating your new home is best done on a budget, especially when you’re making a lot of purchases all at once. When it comes to new home décor, you’ll often find that you either don’t have a defined style yet or that your finances limit your tastes. Therefore, when you’re furnishing your home for the first time, shop at budget-friendly home décor retailers.
Here’s our list of where to shop for home décor on a budget:
Have you checked out the home décor section at Walmart lately? Here you’ll find trendy, well-priced home décor and accessories specific to the season. We especially love Walmart’s private label brand hometrends for table accents that knock-off the likes of Urban Barn. Be warned: we’ve found that Walmart’s décor is not necessarily made to last. Furniture pieces should be purchased sparingly and to hold you over until you can invest in long-term pieces.
If you’re a fan of President’s Choice products (food or otherwise), Real Canadian Superstore is here to serve all of your kitchen needs. We found that PC really delivers on quality and a great price point whether you’re buying anything from wine glasses to kitchen towels. You can find a bunch of PC home décor at Loblaw stores across the city, however, you’re going to get the largest variety of kitchen tools, appliances, and accessories when you visit a Real Canadian Superstore.
With 20 locations across the GTA, JYSK is a great source for all things home organization. JYYK has amazing prices on all of those tedious but necessary, home storage solutions like hangers, shelving systems, baskets and shoe racks. While you can shop online, we recommend making a trip to one of their stores – not only will you save on shipping costs, but you can browse through the clearance sections unique to each location.
Kijiji is a great source for purchasing unique art and collectibles on a budget. It’s amazing how many new and interesting items you can find for sale on Kijiji by just changing your keywords in the search bar. Often times, sellers are looking to get rid of items quickly so you can easily haggle them down by a few dollars off of their asking price. Tip: When contacting a seller, see if they’re interested in a product swap instead of cash. Offer up a trade of your oversized mirror in exchange for their dining room table and save yourself the cash.
HomeSense is every homeowner’s guilty pleasure. The savings on home décor and accessories storewide can get a little out of hand when you start to justify purchasing every single item. Stick to the ends of each aisle for the clearance sections. Here you’ll find red stickered items that are reduced an additional 20-50% off the already low price. Tip: look out for damaged pieces marked “AS IS” on the sticker. If you’re crafty, you may be able to utilize these items for a DIY project, otherwise, be careful – these items can be dangerous with broken glass and sharp edges.
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We are just 12 days away from Christmas, which means it’s time to say thank you to all our readers with our 12 days of holiday giveaways on StyleDemocracy!
Starting today, December 12th to Saturday, December 23, we’ll be hosting a different giveaway daily on our Instagram page. We’ve got lots of amazing prizes for you this year, including a new LG smartphone, Cuisinart standing mixer, Dyson vacuum cleaner and so much more!
Stay tuned and don’t forget to check out what we’re giving away each day.
Who: Consonant Skin Care Detox Kit
What: It’s the first day of our contest and today we’re giving away a detox kit from one of our favourite skincare brands – Consonant Skincare. The line is 100% natural, free of perfume, masking scents and all scent oils and will take good care of your skin this winter. The entire prize is valued at $248.
Contest Start Date: Tuesday, December 12th at 9:00am
Contest End Date: Thursday, December 14th at 11:59pm. The winner will be contacted on Friday, December 15th.
Enter to win our Consonant Skin Care Kit here.
Who: Taikan Lancer Veg-Tan Leather Backpack
What: One lucky winner will receive Taikan Lancer Veg-Tan Leather Backpack. This backpack features an external 15” laptop compartment and dual pocket YKK zips giving multiple solutions for external storage. The entire prize is valued at $299.99
Contest Start Date: Wednesday, December 13th at 9:00am
Contest End Date: Friday, December 15th at 11:59pm. The winner will be contacted on Saturday, December 16th.
Enter to win the Taikan Veg-Tan Leather Backpack here.
Who: Oral B Genius 8000 Toothbrush + Crest Whitestrips
What: Today we’re giving away the Oral B Genius 8000 Toothbrush + Crest Whitestrips, which is valued at $390.
Contest Start Date: Thursday, December 14th at 9:00am.
Contest End Date: Friday, December 16th at 11:59pm. The winner will be contacted on Sunday, December 17th.
Enter to win the toothbrush + Crest Whitestripes here.
Who: Cuisinart Standing Mixer
What: It’s day 4 of our contest and today we’re giving away this special prize – Cuisinart Standing Mixer. It will be perfect for baking this holiday season! The prize is valued at $750.
Contest Start Date: Friday, December 15th at 9:00am.
Contest End Date: Sunday, December 17th at 11:59pm. The winner will be contacted on December 18th.
Enter to win the mixer here.
Who: Miraj Hammam Gift Card
What: Today one lucky winner will receive a Miraj Hammam Spa Gift card, valued at $250. This Spa treatment is perfect for colder days and will help you recharge your batteries this winter season.
Contest Start Date: Saturday, December 16th at 9:00am.
Contest End Date: Monday, December 18th at 11:59pm. The winner will be contacted on December 19th.
Enter to win the giftcard here.
Who: Kerastase Paris Luxury Hair Package
What: These luxury hair products include hand-pressed coconut and argan-oils and are free of silicone and sulfates. Besides the Aura Botanica Holiday trio, the winner will also get L’incroyable Blowdry Crème – a heat styling cream designed for women with thick & unruly hair and a volumizing and texturizing powder spray – Volume In Powder, also known as V.I.P.
Contest Start Date: Sunday, December 17th at 9:00am.
Contest End Date: Tuesday, December 19th at 11:59pm. The winner will be contacted on December 20th.
Enter to win the package here.
Who: Zwilling Pro Blonde Chef’s Knife
What: This knife features an innovative curved bolster grip that allows you to use a professional pinch grip. The laser-cut blade is made of a single piece of Special Formula “No Stain” stainless steel that will last for ages.
Contest Start Date: Monday, December 18th at 9:00am.
Contest End Date: Wednesday, December 20th at 11:59pm. The winner will be contacted on December 21th.
Enter to win the package here.
Who: Foodora Gift Card
What: Today one lucky winner will receive a $250 Foodora Giftcard and will be able to order food delivery from the best restaurants in Toronto.
Contest Start Date: Tuesday, December 19th at 9:00am.
Contest End Date: Thursday, December 21 at 11:59pm. The winner will be contacted on December 22.
Enter to win the Giftcard here.
Who: PC Dutch Oven, 12 Stemless Wine Glasses + PC $150 Giftcard
What: If you love cooking and having dinner parties, you will definitely appreciate this prize! Today’s giveaway is the PC Dutch Oven, 12 Stemless Wine Glasses + PC $150 Giftcard. The value of the prize is $250.
Contest Start Date: Wednesday, December 20th at 9:00am.
Contest End Date: Friday, December 22 at 11:59pm. The winner will be contacted on December 23.
Enter to win the prize here.
Who: Dyson V8 Cordless Vacuum
What: Today’s giveaway is the Dyson V8. It’s wireless, lightweight and has the most powerful suction that easily deals with crumbles, salt or sugar. The vacuum gives you enough power to clean your whole home in one go. The value of the prize is $750.
Contest Start Date: Thursday, December 21 at 9:00am.
Contest End Date: Saturday, December 23 at 11:59pm. The winner will be contacted on December 24.
Enter to win the prize here.
Who: LG Q6 phone
What: Today one lucky winner will receive the LG Q6 Phone. The phone features the latest, expansive 5.5″ IPS Full HD+ FullVision Display, which brings a different dimension to the smartphone viewing experience. The value of the prize is $449.
Contest Start Date: Friday, December 22 at 9:00am.
Contest End Date: Sunday, December 24 at 11:59pm. The winner will be contacted on December 25.
Enter to win the prize here.
Who: RW&CO $250 Gift Card
What: It’s the final day of our 12 days of giveaways contest! And today we’re giving away a $250 gift card from RW&CO.
Contest Start Date: Saturday, December 23 at 9:00am.
Contest End Date: Monday, December 25 at 11:59pm. The winner will be contacted on December 26.
Enter to win the prize here.
Who: Hunter Boots
What: SURPRISE!! We have one more prize for our 12 Days of Giveaways! Today one winner will receive Hunter Boots. The value of the prize is $250.
Contest Start Date: Saturday, December 23 at 9:00am.
Contest End Date: Monday, December 25 at 11:59pm. The winner will be contacted on December 26.
Enter to win the prize here.
Click here to visit our Instagram page and enter our 12 Days of Holiday Giveaways
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If You’re Not a PC Plus Member, You’re Actually LOSING Money! Canadians spend an average of $1,500 on holiday shopping. Why not use a PC plus card to make money? I have been using my PC plus card for three years and have earned $740 in free groceries.
What exactly do I mean by that? I mean that today, I can literally fill up my cart with $740 dollars worth of groceries, tech, kitchenware, and more, and simply leave the store without paying a dollar.
How does this work? You simply download the app and every time you shop, the cashier scans your barcode in the app and you accumulate points. These points translate into dollars which can be redeemed at any time.
Not only can you earn points, if you sign up for the PC Financial World Elite Mastercard, you will earn 3X the PC points on every purchase made at any Loblaws division (Loblaws, Real Canadian Superstore, Joe Fresh, and Shoppers Drug Mart.)
Simply put, you will earn money as you spend money. Happy earning!
Posts you might be interested in:
These Are The Most Hyped Restaurants in Toronto Right Now
This Simple New Eating Plan Will Help You Stay Healthy Over the Holidays
10 Great Gift Ideas for Your Significant Other
12 Amazing Gift Ideas for Parents
10 Things Every Costco Shopper Should Know