1 reviews | Active since Aug 2022
Expiration Date Warning!!
I've shopped with Essentially Natural for years. It hasn't always been smooth sailing - especially in the beginning years - but it seemed like they finally hit their stride in recent years. However, I just had the most shocking shopping experience that has left an almost literal bad taste in my mouth: I was sent a food product - buttermilk powder - just over 2 weeks remaining before the expiration. Basically, the same expiration of fresh milk for shelf-stable powdered milk. BUT IT GETS WORSE: when I emailed them they said they are asking their supplier for an extension on the expiration date. Imagine! Getting an extension on the expiration of a food product. This reminded me of an issue I had a few years ago with them - I was sent expired aloe vera - when I emailed them about it they said it was a misprint. A time before this I was sent avocado butter that smelt rancid on arrival. Essentially, it appears, Essentially Natural plays fast and loose with their expiration dates. This has been happening for years and they have now lost a customer because of it. Just one too many ***** expiration date related issues for my liking. There are other players in the market, now and I will be taking my money elsewhere.
I hope you’re well!
Thank you for the feedback although, of course, we are very sorry that you are so unhappy. As on previous occasions it has been taken closely to heart. Conversations around natural products should be had openly and transparently – that’s very much what we stand for. And I have no doubt that once again we’ll learn from this, and grow better and stronger.
I recall each of the poor experiences you’ve referenced:
- While COA documentation was provided by the supplier in support of their date-mislabelling of the aloe gel – a human error – we exchanged it as we wanted you to be confident in the product.
- The avocado butter, with the rancidity concern, was uplifted and airfreighted directly to the supplier for quality control testing. While they couldn’t detect any problems with the product we didn’t hesitate to refund the purchase. Both their MD and I spoke to you and expressed personally our sincerest apologies to you as well. We all take these concerns seriously.
- Food Grade products are regularly retested by suppliers and date extensions provided where applicable. But again, we’re sorry and we completely understand your unhappiness with an approach that speaks more to cosmetic usage than that for consumption. The product was immediately withdrawn and we’ve arranged return and refund, again without any hesitation.
I’m relieved that you’ve been satisfied with all of the other products you’ve purchased over the years. But we hear you. We can only express support for your preference to shop elsewhere in future – precisely because we wish you, as any customer, only the very best in quality products and customer service in the world of natural ingredients.
All of the best,
Vicki
Best regards,
I hope you’re well!
Thank you for the feedback although, of course, we are very sorry that you are so unhappy. As on previous occasions it has been taken closely to heart. Conversations around natural products should be had openly and transparently – that’s very much what we stand for. And I have no doubt that once again we’ll learn from this, and grow better and stronger.
I recall each of the poor experiences you’ve referenced:
- While COA documentation was provided by the supplier in support of their date-mislabelling of the aloe gel – a human error – we exchanged it as we wanted you to be confident in the product.
- The avocado butter, with the rancidity concern, was uplifted and airfreighted directly to the supplier for quality control testing. While they couldn’t detect any problems with the product we didn’t hesitate to refund the purchase. Both their MD and I spoke to you and expressed personally our sincerest apologies to you as well. We all take these concerns seriously.
- Food Grade products are regularly retested by suppliers and date extensions provided where applicable. But again, we’re sorry and we completely understand your unhappiness with an approach that speaks more to cosmetic usage than that for consumption. The product was immediately withdrawn and we’ve arranged return and refund, again without any hesitation.
I’m relieved that you’ve been satisfied with all of the other products you’ve purchased over the years. But we hear you. We can only express support for your preference to shop elsewhere in future – precisely because we wish you, as any customer, only the very best in quality products and customer service in the world of natural ingredients.
All of the best,
Vicki
Best regards,