October 29, 2009

I've Got Worms!

So I don't know what the deal is, but it is getting a little carried away. Is there some sort of insect faction against me? Do they have secret bug meetings underground, fueling a revolution? Do they plot my demise?

First it was the fly in my hot and sour soup. Then it was the worm in my tomatillo. Today, it is a maggot in my FiberONE Oats and Apple Streusal Chewy Bar.



Now I get it. I understand that pests are inevitable. I've encountered plenty in various produce. BUT IN A PREPACKAGED PRODUCT!?!?!?!

I couldn't just let this go, so I took to the web and gave the interns at General Mills a piece of my mind (as politely and professionally as a worm in your chewy bar would allow).

ME:

Dear General Mills,

I opened a Fiber ONE Chewy Bar (Oats and Apple Streusel) to have as a snack at work, when I found a maggot crawling out of the bar. I can reason with finding critters in produce, but finding one that is still alive in a packaged product makes me question your sanitation standards. I snapped a picture of the intruder if you'd like to see it. However, I implore you to inspect your products a little closer before sending out.

General Mills:

Dear Mr. Estrada:

Thank you for contacting General Mills regarding your recent disappointment with Fiber One oats and apple streusel bars. We know it would be unpleasant to find insects in any food product and we are sorry you had this experience.

Consumer satisfaction is our main goal, and we set very high standards for every item we produce. In order to achieve these standards, our manufacturing process is designed to eliminate risk of infestation. Although modern processing and packaging methods reduce the possibility of infestation at the plant level, products may be exposed to infestation in transit or during storage. We believe food manufacturers, distributors, and retailers are equally conscientious in protecting the product; however, there are many types of insects that attack foods. In the larvae or adult stage, some can bore their way into tightly sealed packages and enter the product during transportation and storage. Entrance holes are very small and difficult to see. You can be assured that our Quality Department has been notified of your report.

We will be sending an adjustment for your purchase to your mailing address. You should receive it within 15 business days.

We appreciate that you have brought this to our attention. We will carefully review all the information and follow up through all channels of distribution. We hope you will continue to choose our products.

Sincerely,

Consumer Services

Ok, ok, ok...they promptly replied to my message, I'll give them that. And chances are, they do have a sanitation and inspection procedure in place. But unless these maggots have little pocket knives, I highly doubt they're able to "bore their way into tightly sealed packages and enter the product during transportation and storage." Sure, don't take responsibility GM. For all I know, you are with the bug revolution that stands against me! Well played bugs...well played.

Bugs: 3 Cresencio: 0

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

I just opened a fiberone bar myself and found many dead worm like bugs in my bar! I decided to do some a search and ended up reading your post! gross!

Anonymous said...

We have been buying fiber one big boxes from costco for nearly 2 yrs. For the past yr we have been finding random moths coming from our cereal/ granola cupboard. We decided to throw everything out. Nearly 4 months later they began to show again. Just recently my brother opened a granola fiber one to find slimey tiny white worm maggots. The same that breed into moths. Decided to do research. Forever think I am going to puke now.

Anonymous said...

Found your post while researching worms in food. i just partially ate a fiber one strawberry streusel bar when i found a half inch white worm crawling in and out of it. Puke! I'm done with Gm products. Seems to be a common problem with their products.

Anonymous said...

I just opened several Fiber One - Oats and Chocolate bars that were covered in some kind of insect skins all over the bar. It looks like it is maggot skins.

Unknown said...

I just unknowingly ingested a few bites of an individually wrapped sweet and salty chewy fiber one bar that was riddled with little white worms. I am indescribably disgusted by this and am immediately concerned for others who may be also experiencing the potential of the contaminated lot still being in circulation at grocery stores. Not to mention the potential health risks I may face. After reading these posts I am convinced this is not a fluke and that the General Mills company is well aware of these complaints. Considering the volume of complaints I can't imagine they are doing anything effectively about resolving it. How irresponsible.

Anonymous said...

Just opened up a Fiber One brownie to eat today, and as soon as I got it open, found one of these bugs stuck on my thumb with the packaging glue. Yuck! Throwing out all my Fiber One bars

Unknown said...

I just opened a Fiber One, Oats and Chocolate bar.
It was loaded with very small white and tan colored specks. Then noticed 3 worms, white colored about 1/4 to 1/2 inch.
Called company, will send my bar to them.
After reading above I believe it's coming from plant. Will need to call Health Department. My bar had not expired.
Totally gross