Mouldy Pie from Food *****’s Market Made My 5-Year-Old Sick – We're Still Waiting for Real Accountability

On Sunday, 8 June 2025, I bought what I believed was a freshly baked chicken pie from Food *****’s Market Comaro Crossing for my 5-year-old daughter. She took a few bites and immediately said it didn’t taste nice. When I looked inside, I was horrified to see visible mould, spoiled chicken, and old pastry inside the pie.

That night, she vomited repeatedly. We took her to the doctor and she was placed on medication. Even after finishing the full course, she is still unwell. As a mother, this has been deeply traumatic. I worry about what’s happening inside her body now — and what may happen in the future.

I reported it in-store and spoke directly with the manager and bakery team. They admitted the issue and said it came from the supplier. They even said — on video — that Food *****’s would take full responsibility and cover medical costs.

I was offered:

A R32 refund Frozen pies from the supplier — who said they were “mortified” and offered more pies as compensation. Food *****’s vouchers — from their PR Manager, who said she didn’t want to lose me as a customer and I can come shop once im ready

Both ladies that helped me in store and the PR were very nice and understanding as mothers themselves. No one has offered to help with her ongoing illness or the medical bills we’ve had to cover. This felt more like an attempt to protect the brand than take true responsibility.

I shared a video on TikTok to alert the public about what happened — not to attack the brand, but to raise awareness as a concerned mother. That video has since gone viral with over 3 million views and 8,000+ comments, many from people sharing similar experiences with Food *****’s Market. While I can’t verify every story, the sheer number of complaints shows this may not be an isolated incident.

But this isn’t about social media. It’s about my daughter. She is still sick. We’ve had to cover medical expenses, doctor visits, and medication. My husband had to take time off work to care for her. And emotionally, we’re still shaken — because mould is not just “off food.” It’s toxic. Why mould is dangerous, especially for children: Mould can release mycotoxins that affect the gut, lungs, immune system, and even the brain. For a child:

It can cause gut infections, respiratory issues, and autoimmune responses. Spores can lie dormant and flare up later in life when the immune system is weak or under stress. As someone with food industry experience, I know this isn’t just about surface hygiene — it’s about the safety of the food we feed our children. And that’s where this still feels unresolved.

What has Food *****’s done? They say the store has been cleaned. They say the supplier passed inspection. They’ve handed me over to their legal team to respond. But what about my daughter? What about the risk that still lives inside her body? What about the trauma of getting sick from food and the costs and stress my family continues to carry? My Partner had to take off work to take her to the doctor

They’ve cleared their store. They’ve cleared their supplier. But my daughter hasn’t been cleared — and no one has truly taken responsibility for her well-being.

Food *****’s Market, I’m asking you publicly: What are you doing to help my child now? Because this is not just about your shelves being clean. It’s about the safety of every person you sell food to.

If you’ve had a similar experience, speak up. We deserve better than vouchers. Our kids deserve food that is safe — and companies that are accountable when it’s not.