Worms in my flax seed - ewwwwww!
By HomeFlower
@HomeFlower (987)
Canada
January 29, 2009 10:08am CST
I opened a bag of dark flaxseed yesterday and it was full of web.
At first I thought it was pieces of plastic and tried to remove it from the bag. Then I used a spoon to try and skim it out. It's at that point I noticed the web was getting thicker the further down I moved the spoon.
Ewwww!
Thinking it might be a spider, I quickly closed the bag and tied it back up. Shortly after being convinced (by mom) to take the bag out of the garbage, I noticed a little greenish worm inside the bag. I quickly called mom back and told her not to eat the flaxseed she bought at the same time.
It's was in an open bin and the merchant scooped out the amount we requested so I was worried mom would be eating webs and worms without realizing it. She has poor vision and can't see "focused".
Unsure of what to do, I kept the bag and waited for hubby to get home. Meanwhile, I received several calls from mom, worried that we were sold unfit product, and expressed a desire to return the product to get our money back. I was all in favour of that until I spoke to my husband and he said it's not likely I was the only one with worm and web in my flaxseed and that I should report them to the health unit.
I agree but am still not sure what to do. Should I just call the merchant, get my money back and return the product
- or should I call the health unit as was suggested by my husband (and the city 311 service) ?
What would you do?
2 people like this
5 responses
@elemental69 (1561)
• Ireland
29 Jan 09
I would defintely call the health unit! I am sure that you are not the only one that bought it and if anyone else ate it without paying attention as you did might become seriously ill...
@HomeFlower (987)
• Canada
30 Jan 09
Yes, I agree.
They're going in there tomorrow.
Right now I'm very concerned because my mom cleaned her batch of flaxseed
-first with hot water, then with cold water, then she baked it in the oven to make sure there's nothing living in it
I feel bad that she had to go to so much trouble just to make sure her food supply is clean and safe.
She told me after all the cleaning and baking, it was perfectly clean - she doesn't see well -- she's not likely to see if something is in there anyway. Sad really :(
@suspenseful (40193)
• Canada
29 Jan 09
I get the whole flax seed at the Bulk Barn and do not have that problem as they inspect them regularly. However I do not like getting anything from the bulk barn in my regular grocery store there. I find that often times the seeds or whatever is a bit rotten and they do not check them as often. If others have received the spoiled flax seed, you should call the health unit.
They will see who supplied that, as it is possibly that a whole lot of stores who got the bad batch.
1 person likes this
@HomeFlower (987)
• Canada
30 Jan 09
I agree with you, I love the Bulk Barn.
That's where I usually buy my seeds, bulgur and other wheats.
Never had a problem with them, ever.....
I should stick to places I like to shop and not venture too far off the beaten path.
@deebomb (15304)
• United States
29 Jan 09
How long have you had the bag of flaxseed? All These types of food have the insect eggs in them. They are impossible to see. What you need to do is store these foods in the fridge and with flours you can freeze it for about 3 days to kill the eggs. I now keep all my rice beans and seeds in the fridge to keep them bug and worm free.
1 person likes this
@HomeFlower (987)
• Canada
30 Jan 09
This is the first time I buy my flaxseed from this merchant.
The health unit thinks the inventory is sitting around too long and the merchant probably isn't aware that it's gone buggy.
I usually just keep it in air-tight containers and only buy as much as I'm going to need for a month ... grinding as needed.
1 person likes this
@luvandpower (2048)
• United States
29 Jan 09
Just getting your money back won't do much good, I would call the health unit, they can take proper measures, and can determine why it happened. They would be your best bet also because if they did it intentionally even knowing worms were there, then there position as a flaxseed seller has gone bye-bye.
1 person likes this
@HomeFlower (987)
• Canada
30 Jan 09
The health unit is going in there tomorrow to take a look.
They thinks the merchant just isn't aware there's a problem or that he needs to take better care with his bulk foods.
It's going to be more of a visit to search and educate.
I hope things improve because my mom shops there often
@chocolatechilli (246)
• South Africa
29 Jan 09
The worst surprise I ever got was slicing open a green pepper and finding it had a tenant wriggling about inside. I bought it from one of the better food stores in our city and it came sealed in cellophane. Fortunately, I did have another, but sometimes you buy things without planning to use it on that day, and then you don't keep the receipt slip.
@HomeFlower (987)
• Canada
30 Jan 09
I've had tomatoes and other fruits and vegetables that had some spiders, little bugs and stuff - it freaks me out but I just have my husband clean them off. It's just a normal part of the big picture I suppose.
But I repeat, Ewwwwww!
