Scores reflect the Overall AI Score for each category
Based on recent customer reviews, Food Lovers Market is described through a dominant pattern of spoiled meat and produce, till prices that differ from shelf prices, and complaints that receive an apology but no follow through. Isolated branches and named cashiers earn genuine praise for warmth and problem solving, but these bright spots sit inside a broadly negative customer experience picture across stores.
Top Strengths:
- •Customer Service & Support: Named staff such as Portia Koester, Seliminah, Ilse Goldmen and Mbali Ndlovu are celebrated for warmth and going beyond duty, and some store and head office managers resolve issues personally. These moments are the strongest part of the experience, though they are inconsistent between branches.
TrustIndex
3.2
NPS Score
-51
Recommended: Unlikely
Nov '25 - Oct '26
Frequently Asked Questions About Food Lovers Market
What do customers say about Food Lovers Market?
Based on recent customer reviews, Food Lovers Market is described through a dominant pattern of spoiled meat and produce, till prices that differ from shelf prices, and complaints that receive an apology but no follow through. Isolated branches and named cashiers earn genuine praise for warmth and problem solving, but these bright spots sit inside a broadly negative customer experience picture across stores.
What is Food Lovers Market's biggest strength?
Food Lovers Market's biggest strength, according to Hellopeter's AI analysis, is Customer Service & Support. Named staff such as Portia Koester, Seliminah, Ilse Goldmen and Mbali Ndlovu are celebrated for warmth and going beyond duty, and some store and head office managers resolve issues personally. These moments are the strongest part of the experience, though they are inconsistent between branches.
What are the most common complaints about Food Lovers Market?
The most common complaint about Food Lovers Market, based on Hellopeter's AI analysis of recent customer reviews, is Product Quality & Value. Customers repeatedly describe rotten meat within date, expired deli and dairy on shelves, spoiling fruit and vegetables, and illness after eating prepared meals or bakery items. Value complaints centre on bone heavy meat packs and specials that do not match the advertised offer.
Is Food Lovers Market trustworthy?
Food Lovers Market has a TrustIndex of 3.2 out of 10 on Hellopeter, based on 208 reviews in the last 12 months. They reply to 94% of negative reviews, typically within 51 hours 29 min. Hellopeter has tracked Food Lovers Market across 2,768 total reviews. How is the TrustIndex calculated? →
Recent reviews (208)
Used this business recently? Share your experience to help others decide.
Used this business recently? Share your experience to help others decide.
Share Your Experience1 reviews | Active since Sept 2023
Food*****s Pinehurst going the extra mile
I bought 4 tartlets on promotion. Did not check the price on the box which did not correlate with promotion. Not only did they apologise for the mistake, but delivered additional tartlets to my doorstep. Thanks food*****s Pinehurst, I appreciate the gesture. The tartlets are super delicious and I can really recommend them.
1 reviews | Active since Sept 2023
Food*****s Pinehurst going the extra mile
I bought 4 tartlets on promotion. Did not check the price on the box which did not correlate with promotion. Not only did they apologise for the mistake, but delivered additional tartlets to my doorstep. Thanks food*****s Pinehurst, I appreciate the gesture. The tartlets are super delicious and I can really recommend them.
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
food safety concerns
Repeated Food Safety Concerns at Food *****'s Market, Westgate I am utterly disappointed with the repeated food safety issues at Food *****'s Market, Westgate. We purchased a chicken tikka pizza that is meant to be heated in the oven. At the till, the cashier remarked that the pizza did not smell right and advised me to exchange it for another one, which I did. However, when we got home and prepared the replacement pizza for supper, it still had an unusual smell. Upon closer inspection, we discovered visible mould. The fact that the replacement product was also mouldy is extremely concerning. We trusted that exchanging the pizza would resolve the issue, yet we were left with a product that was clearly unfit for consumption. What makes this even more disappointing is that this is the second time we have experienced a similar incident at the same branch. This raises serious questions about product quality control, stock inspection and the measures being taken to prevent such incidents from recurring. Customers should not have to worry about purchasing spoiled food, let alone discover mould on a product after being assured that the replacement is suitable. I expect Food *****'s Market, Westgate, to take this complaint seriously, investigate how spoiled products are reaching customers, and implement effective measures to prevent this from happening again. An apology alone is not enough; customers deserve accountability and meaningful corrective action.
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
food safety concerns
Repeated Food Safety Concerns at Food *****'s Market, Westgate I am utterly disappointed with the repeated food safety issues at Food *****'s Market, Westgate. We purchased a chicken tikka pizza that is meant to be heated in the oven. At the till, the cashier remarked that the pizza did not smell right and advised me to exchange it for another one, which I did. However, when we got home and prepared the replacement pizza for supper, it still had an unusual smell. Upon closer inspection, we discovered visible mould. The fact that the replacement product was also mouldy is extremely concerning. We trusted that exchanging the pizza would resolve the issue, yet we were left with a product that was clearly unfit for consumption. What makes this even more disappointing is that this is the second time we have experienced a similar incident at the same branch. This raises serious questions about product quality control, stock inspection and the measures being taken to prevent such incidents from recurring. Customers should not have to worry about purchasing spoiled food, let alone discover mould on a product after being assured that the replacement is suitable. I expect Food *****'s Market, Westgate, to take this complaint seriously, investigate how spoiled products are reaching customers, and implement effective measures to prevent this from happening again. An apology alone is not enough; customers deserve accountability and meaningful corrective action.
1 reviews | Active since Oct 2011
Outstanding 5-star customer service from Pule at Sandown branch!
I had an absolutely fantastic experience dealing with the team at Food *****'s Market Sandown! I was trying to confirm the price and stock of HEBA flour, and a staff member named Pule went completely above and beyond. He actually took the time to message me a photo of the shelf from his own personal number to help me verify the price. Truly exceptional, personalized customer service. Management, please ensure Pule is recognized for his outstanding care and initiative!
1 reviews | Active since Oct 2011
Outstanding 5-star customer service from Pule at Sandown branch!
I had an absolutely fantastic experience dealing with the team at Food *****'s Market Sandown! I was trying to confirm the price and stock of HEBA flour, and a staff member named Pule went completely above and beyond. He actually took the time to message me a photo of the shelf from his own personal number to help me verify the price. Truly exceptional, personalized customer service. Management, please ensure Pule is recognized for his outstanding care and initiative!
1 reviews | Active since Feb 2017
Bad experience
Visted thd cornubia store twice and reported my experience with them not having wet wipes at the entrance to use to sanitize the trolleys. What they have is a spray bottle of ??? God knows what and toilet rolls. That's really an indictment on the owners or managers. Not interested. My*** remain unanswered
1 reviews | Active since Feb 2017
Bad experience
Visted thd cornubia store twice and reported my experience with them not having wet wipes at the entrance to use to sanitize the trolleys. What they have is a spray bottle of ??? God knows what and toilet rolls. That's really an indictment on the owners or managers. Not interested. My*** remain unanswered
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2015
No feedback from Food *****s headoffice
Continuously overcharging customers You submitted a formal complaint regarding persistent overcharging/pricing inaccuracies at Food *****'s Market Malvern. Initial complaint cited blueberries (R25 shelf vs R59 till) and pasta (R55 shelf vs R59 till). Customer Care escalated matter; relevant parties will contact you to resolve the issue.
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2015
No feedback from Food *****s headoffice
Continuously overcharging customers You submitted a formal complaint regarding persistent overcharging/pricing inaccuracies at Food *****'s Market Malvern. Initial complaint cited blueberries (R25 shelf vs R59 till) and pasta (R55 shelf vs R59 till). Customer Care escalated matter; relevant parties will contact you to resolve the issue.
1 reviews | Active since Jun 2017
Mold on the Kumar roti
I bought Kumars white roti this Saturday and when my wife took it out of the plastic sealed wrapping today,all the rotis had mold on it this is very disappointing coming from a large retailer.we wasted our money and to go out a checkers near home wasting time petrol and money.
1 reviews | Active since Jun 2017
Mold on the Kumar roti
I bought Kumars white roti this Saturday and when my wife took it out of the plastic sealed wrapping today,all the rotis had mold on it this is very disappointing coming from a large retailer.we wasted our money and to go out a checkers near home wasting time petrol and money.
1 reviews | Active since Jul 2011
Issues with Butchery.
I had a lot of issues with meat since Food *****’s Market River Quarter opened. Today I went to buy the 16 piece Chicken Braai packs. On the ad it shows as usual it's 2 complete birds (The way it is suppose to be) but all of the packs had like 6 wings, 6 drumstick and what ever the rest was. This is not how the ad shows it. Not only that, a lot of the packs was poorly packed, brown (******?) and the plastic broken. A couple of weeks back FLM advertised whole birds for R 39.99 p/kg but when I got there it was packed in three and they refused to sell it separately. Also not as advertised. I had to go to the Brackenfell branch to buy it there without issue. Today I just left everything and went to PnP and just bought my stuff there. I also bought lean mince in the past that had SO MUCH fat when I cooked it, I really don't know if I can trust the FLM's butchery ever again. I hope that this will be seen as constructive criticism and be sorted out. Unless FLM feel they do not have the same standards as PnP and / or Checkers.
1 reviews | Active since Jul 2011
Issues with Butchery.
I had a lot of issues with meat since Food *****’s Market River Quarter opened. Today I went to buy the 16 piece Chicken Braai packs. On the ad it shows as usual it's 2 complete birds (The way it is suppose to be) but all of the packs had like 6 wings, 6 drumstick and what ever the rest was. This is not how the ad shows it. Not only that, a lot of the packs was poorly packed, brown (******?) and the plastic broken. A couple of weeks back FLM advertised whole birds for R 39.99 p/kg but when I got there it was packed in three and they refused to sell it separately. Also not as advertised. I had to go to the Brackenfell branch to buy it there without issue. Today I just left everything and went to PnP and just bought my stuff there. I also bought lean mince in the past that had SO MUCH fat when I cooked it, I really don't know if I can trust the FLM's butchery ever again. I hope that this will be seen as constructive criticism and be sorted out. Unless FLM feel they do not have the same standards as PnP and / or Checkers.