Based on recent customer reviews, Pioneer Foods draws sustained criticism over product quality and complaint handling. Shoppers report contamination in staples such as White Star maize meal, Sasko flour, Spekko rice, Bokomo ProNutro and Weet-Bix, citing weevils, mould and insects. Longstanding customers also reject the reformulated ProNutro, describing the taste and texture as inedible. Complaints routed to PepsiCo Consumer Care reportedly attract template replies, repeated requests for photographs already supplied, and small vouchers, while promised callbacks and replacements never materialise. Only one reviewer offered praise, for helping shoppers fight food inflation.
TrustIndex
2
NPS Score
-82
Recommended: Unlikely
Nov '25 - Oct '26
Frequently Asked Questions About Pioneer Foods
What do customers say about Pioneer Foods?
Based on recent customer reviews, Pioneer Foods draws sustained criticism over product quality and complaint handling. Shoppers report contamination in staples such as White Star maize meal, Sasko flour, Spekko rice, Bokomo ProNutro and Weet-Bix, citing weevils, mould and insects. Longstanding customers also reject the reformulated ProNutro, describing the taste and texture as inedible. Complaints routed to PepsiCo Consumer Care reportedly attract template replies, repeated requests for photographs already supplied, and small vouchers, while promised callbacks and replacements never materialise. Only one reviewer offered praise, for helping shoppers fight food inflation.
Is Pioneer Foods trustworthy?
Pioneer Foods has a TrustIndex of 2 out of 10 on Hellopeter, based on 19 reviews in the last 12 months. Hellopeter has tracked Pioneer Foods across 235 total reviews. How is the TrustIndex calculated? →
Recent reviews (19)
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 Feb 2014
Worst company to deal with
Problem with a batch of moirs instant pudding chocolate. I reported this on the 30/06/2026. I even showed them videos and pictures as all 6 boxes that I bought of the chocolate flavor would not set. Even using the exact amount of ingredients and method.They then said that they would replace the items. It is now the 12/08/2026. They still have not sorted it out. I was even told not to buy any more until they get back to me. We have been using the same item for over 30 years. Plenty of emails back and forward and every time it's the same.Will pass it on to the correct apartment. Still nothing. Worst company to deal with. I have also asked for the marketing director email, nothing.
1 reviews | Active since Feb 2014
Worst company to deal with
Problem with a batch of moirs instant pudding chocolate. I reported this on the 30/06/2026. I even showed them videos and pictures as all 6 boxes that I bought of the chocolate flavor would not set. Even using the exact amount of ingredients and method.They then said that they would replace the items. It is now the 12/08/2026. They still have not sorted it out. I was even told not to buy any more until they get back to me. We have been using the same item for over 30 years. Plenty of emails back and forward and every time it's the same.Will pass it on to the correct apartment. Still nothing. Worst company to deal with. I have also asked for the marketing director email, nothing.
1 reviews | Active since Nov 2025
ALGAE IN LIPTON ICE TEA IS NORMAL APPARENTLY
Since it's August, I'm realizing that I still have trauma and I still can't drink dark liquids. Last year I bought Lipton Ice Tea mixed berries. Since it's dark I didn't notice that there was an algae like thing inside plus small particles in it. I immediately started being sick and my throat got blocked, stomach started to hurt. I had milk and allergex to better the pain. Upon pouring it in my sink to check what's going on I saw those things coming out and left some in the bottle. Instead of getting better, I got worse and the next day went to the doctor and it was confirmed that it was poisoning and I was prescribed medication. I had to go home from Gauteng to Mpumalanga so my family could care for me, as I wasn't getting any better. I reported to PepsiCo, they came and took the sample and then after a week or so told me that they didn't find anything wrong with it and also no one has ever complained, then sent me an R80 voucher. Oh, and they sent me a medical form and a consent form. Remember, I had to take it back to the doctor with my own money again. They don't value human life, they don't care. The trauma it caused me, financial loss, stress and more. And when I asked for the report they just said we told you the report says there's nothing wrong with the drink and no one has ever complained about the drinks. If it's normal then all Lipton mixed berries ice tea should have the algae thing in them. If they don't then they shall be removed on the shelves and put the ones with the algae like thing. We won't let this go, I'll post it on socials too and my friends and I would like to visit the PepsiCo premises for peaceful strike until we're given the right answers and compensated for the damage that thing has done to me. And one of your colleagues said it's not normal.
1 reviews | Active since Nov 2025
ALGAE IN LIPTON ICE TEA IS NORMAL APPARENTLY
Since it's August, I'm realizing that I still have trauma and I still can't drink dark liquids. Last year I bought Lipton Ice Tea mixed berries. Since it's dark I didn't notice that there was an algae like thing inside plus small particles in it. I immediately started being sick and my throat got blocked, stomach started to hurt. I had milk and allergex to better the pain. Upon pouring it in my sink to check what's going on I saw those things coming out and left some in the bottle. Instead of getting better, I got worse and the next day went to the doctor and it was confirmed that it was poisoning and I was prescribed medication. I had to go home from Gauteng to Mpumalanga so my family could care for me, as I wasn't getting any better. I reported to PepsiCo, they came and took the sample and then after a week or so told me that they didn't find anything wrong with it and also no one has ever complained, then sent me an R80 voucher. Oh, and they sent me a medical form and a consent form. Remember, I had to take it back to the doctor with my own money again. They don't value human life, they don't care. The trauma it caused me, financial loss, stress and more. And when I asked for the report they just said we told you the report says there's nothing wrong with the drink and no one has ever complained about the drinks. If it's normal then all Lipton mixed berries ice tea should have the algae thing in them. If they don't then they shall be removed on the shelves and put the ones with the algae like thing. We won't let this go, I'll post it on socials too and my friends and I would like to visit the PepsiCo premises for peaceful strike until we're given the right answers and compensated for the damage that thing has done to me. And one of your colleagues said it's not normal.
1 reviews | Active since Feb 2026
Rotten sasko flour - Pepsico lack customer care
I bought Sasko flour at one of the reputable retail stores. I did not check the expiry date because the retail shop is reputable and I expected Pioneer food/Pepsico Merchandisers to be responsible. When I opened the flour to use it, it was rotten. I then check the expiry date, it was in April. I was so angry, inconvenienced and disappointed. I wasted my time and money to go buy a rotten product. Are the Merchandisers not trained to check the priducts they are packing?? This is the third time I get a poor product and this is from a different retail store because I thought the problem was with that particular retail store. The reason I am writing this review is the lack of customer care from Pepsi co. I sent them the pictures as part of complaint. They responded asking for my physical address if I want help. I asked them why they want my physical address, they never answered tgat. After ignoring my 2 emails for 2 weeks or so, they responded that my complaint has been escalated (do not know to where) and if I want help I must provide them with my physical address still not telling me why they want my physical address. So rude. I then phoned their offices in Tygervalley and spoke to Phumela. She promised that a manager will call me back, still nothing. Pepsico you are so rude and do not care about the customers.
1 reviews | Active since Feb 2026
Rotten sasko flour - Pepsico lack customer care
I bought Sasko flour at one of the reputable retail stores. I did not check the expiry date because the retail shop is reputable and I expected Pioneer food/Pepsico Merchandisers to be responsible. When I opened the flour to use it, it was rotten. I then check the expiry date, it was in April. I was so angry, inconvenienced and disappointed. I wasted my time and money to go buy a rotten product. Are the Merchandisers not trained to check the priducts they are packing?? This is the third time I get a poor product and this is from a different retail store because I thought the problem was with that particular retail store. The reason I am writing this review is the lack of customer care from Pepsi co. I sent them the pictures as part of complaint. They responded asking for my physical address if I want help. I asked them why they want my physical address, they never answered tgat. After ignoring my 2 emails for 2 weeks or so, they responded that my complaint has been escalated (do not know to where) and if I want help I must provide them with my physical address still not telling me why they want my physical address. So rude. I then phoned their offices in Tygervalley and spoke to Phumela. She promised that a manager will call me back, still nothing. Pepsico you are so rude and do not care about the customers.
1 reviews | Active since Feb 2026
Horrible customer service!!!
Been trying to reach their accounts department in hopes of getting a settlement for my business account with them. I have been calling their customer care services with no luck! I've sent emails requesting for assistance but nothing has been fruitful, instead I'm being sent from pillar to post. Really frustrating and unprofessional.
1 reviews | Active since Feb 2026
Horrible customer service!!!
Been trying to reach their accounts department in hopes of getting a settlement for my business account with them. I have been calling their customer care services with no luck! I've sent emails requesting for assistance but nothing has been fruitful, instead I'm being sent from pillar to post. Really frustrating and unprofessional.
1 reviews | Active since Mar 2026
Pronutro flop
Pronutro has been a popular cereal in Southern Africa since the early sixties. This year the formula for this breakfast cereal has changed. The new formula has been a dismal failure as it has completely changed the product. This failure is common knowledge. The box issues directions on how to mix the cereal, this was a straight forward process for decades. Despite the new directions the texture becomes lumpy and the taste is awful.
1 reviews | Active since Mar 2026
Pronutro flop
Pronutro has been a popular cereal in Southern Africa since the early sixties. This year the formula for this breakfast cereal has changed. The new formula has been a dismal failure as it has completely changed the product. This failure is common knowledge. The box issues directions on how to mix the cereal, this was a straight forward process for decades. Despite the new directions the texture becomes lumpy and the taste is awful.
1 reviews | Active since Nov 2023
Pioneer Foods - New ProNutro Has A Disgusting Taste
Dissappointed with the new ProNutro taste & texture. I have logged a complaint with Pioneer Foods with reference P*** ON THE 4th of May 2026. Today is the 24th of June 2026. I have called a few times to follow up but still no feedback.
1 reviews | Active since Nov 2023
Pioneer Foods - New ProNutro Has A Disgusting Taste
Dissappointed with the new ProNutro taste & texture. I have logged a complaint with Pioneer Foods with reference P*** ON THE 4th of May 2026. Today is the 24th of June 2026. I have called a few times to follow up but still no feedback.
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2010
Pro Neutro - A Disgusting new failed experiment
Chocolate Pro Neutro Disaster !!!! I have been a big Pro Neutro customer since 1993, that I can remember and my kids as a next generationalso loved it. @Bokomo Foods, you lost loyal customers today. I bought the new Chocolate Pro Neutro, but what a disappointment! It is exactly the same texture as Morvite. Not worth the money! Make it R20 per box and I will still nit buy it! Why and who decided to change something that worked all these years, to this disaster of a product!!?? @Bokomo Foods you are failing with your "New Morvite" Chocolate Pro Neutro. I hope you fail fast and bring the original Chocolate Pro Neutro back.
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2010
Pro Neutro - A Disgusting new failed experiment
Chocolate Pro Neutro Disaster !!!! I have been a big Pro Neutro customer since 1993, that I can remember and my kids as a next generationalso loved it. @Bokomo Foods, you lost loyal customers today. I bought the new Chocolate Pro Neutro, but what a disappointment! It is exactly the same texture as Morvite. Not worth the money! Make it R20 per box and I will still nit buy it! Why and who decided to change something that worked all these years, to this disaster of a product!!?? @Bokomo Foods you are failing with your "New Morvite" Chocolate Pro Neutro. I hope you fail fast and bring the original Chocolate Pro Neutro back.