Expired products sold on Pick n Pay Cornubia shelves

I purchased a packet of No Name Brand Round Cut Bacon on 30/01/2022 from Pick n Pay Cornubia. The next morning, 31/01/2022, I took it out to prepare for my son's lunch. I noticed that the bacon was tearing even though it wasn't frozen and I've never had that experience before. I smelt inside the packet and there was a slight smell that was bad. When I checked the BB date it shows 28/01/2022. I took out photos of the BB date sticker, the front of the product package and I attached it to an email with my receipt which I sent to Pick n Pay's customer care. I explained how unsatisfied and disappointed I was and I even asked why they were keeping expired products on their shelves. I kept the product in the refrigerator in the event that Pick n Pay wanted to collect it.

The first reply that I received was on 03/02/2022 at 16:27. The consultant apologised for the delay explaining the high volumes of emails received, requested for my contact details so that my complaint could be escalated. I rep**** with my details on 03/02/2022 at 20:13.

On 04/02/2022 at 10:25, I received a response via email explaining that the complaint was escalated to the Corporate Brands Team. Once my complaint was received, it would be assigned to a Food Technologist who would investigate things further. The person apologised for any delays and advised to please have patience in this regard as there might be high volumes of escalations.

On 09/02/2022, I still hadn't received any further feedback so I sent another email at 10:09 on the same day asking if there was any feedback and if I should still keep the product in the refrigerator. I received a reply on the same day at 15:49 advising that the query was re-escalated and urgent feedback was requested on my behalf.

By 15/02/2022, no further feedback was received so I sent another email at 11:40 explaining that this was taking too long to resolve, that I still had the spoilt product in my refrigerator with no solution from Pick n Pay, that the high call volumes should not effect a query or complaint being resolved. I did advise that if this was not resolved in the next 48 hours, I would escalate higher.

On 16/02/2022 at 16:27, I received a reply that the query was re-escalated to the store and urgent feedback was requested on my behalf.

Today is 18/02/2022 and the complaint has not been resolved, I still have the spoilt product in my refrigerator and I had to keep taking time to contact Pick n Pay for feedback.

We regularly shop at Pick n Pay stores and I've always liked shopping at the Cornubia store but this was the most unsatisfying experience that I've ever had with Pick n Pay.