Many shoppers experienced a disappointing Christmas this year due to issues with turkeys purchased from Tesco, leading some to discard their festive meals over unpleasant odors. Customers reported having to throw away their turkeys after discovering a strong, rancid smell upon opening the packaging, which left them feeling ill and frustrated.
Beth Mahoney, a shopper from Yorkshire, shared her experience with YorkshireLive. After buying her turkey just two days prior to Christmas, she was shocked to detect an “awful smell” when preparing for dinner. “We bought our turkey two days ago, and it was in date until December 27,” Mahoney explained. “When we opened it, there was a really strong odour and the meat smelled awful.” In an effort to salvage the meal, she placed the turkey in the oven, but the smell intensified, causing her distress. “It was one of the worst things I had ever smelt,” she added.
Social media platforms became a hub for consumers to express their outrage. User @GR4BRO posted a photo of a discolored turkey piece, captioning it, “Tesco Class A turkey… hmmm. Rancid!” Similarly, @Westy_26 lamented, “Thanks Tesco. Christmas ruined, opened our turkey to cook it and it’s rancid.” The user mentioned purchasing the turkey just days before and expressed despair over the situation, stating, “Kids are crying, the wife is crying. Nice one.”
Another customer, @pearsecassidy, shared that they had to dispose of their turkey, describing the smell as overpowering and stating, “Taking no chances, lucky we had a backup – never again.” The sentiment was echoed by others, with one disgruntled shopper remarking, “Our turkey is well manky. Can’t believe it. Christmas ruined right now.”
As complaints continued to circulate, it is evident that many consumers faced a similar fate. The situation has prompted concerns about quality control and food safety, particularly during a festive season when families rely on such products for their celebrations.
Tesco has been contacted for comment regarding the growing number of complaints about their turkeys. It remains to be seen how the supermarket will address these issues and reassure customers moving forward. The incident highlights the importance of consumer trust, especially during significant holiday occasions when families gather to celebrate.
