I got a pre recorded message from my grocery store today.
@GardenGerty (160940)
United States
September 19, 2012 6:23pm CST
It is one that has a "loyalty card". It said that I may have bought a product that was recalled, the date on it was Sept. 16. Well, mine was dated Sept 24, but hubby took it in just in case. They checked lot numbers and it is fine. Later this evening he ran out to pick up some stuff and even on the coupon it mentioned the recall again. I think they are being very proactive, and this is good. Too many people have gotten sick in recent years because of recalls. They said the reason they could make the phone call is because we shop with out loyalty card. I think that is good. When they first came out I really resented them, because it meant they were tracking my shopping, but in this case it is good. They also use my card purchases to issue me personalized coupons. So, have you had food recalled lately? Do you shop with loyalty cards?
9 people like this
24 responses
@wilsongoddard (7291)
• United States
20 Sep 12
I do have loyalty cards to pretty much every store I have ever set foot in that offers them. However, I purchase most of my food at the farmers' market and local health food stores--only one of which offers incentives for shopping there.
Buying local food tends to be safer than buying stuff that has been produced on a large scale and shipped across the country. Small scale food production is a good thing on many levels--safety, supporting the local economy, generally more eco-friendly.
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (160940)
• United States
20 Sep 12
Not every community has that good of a local supply chain, or I would do the local shopping more often. Best off if you can grow your own as well.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (160940)
• United States
21 Sep 12
Oh, I grow great plants, and even greater weeds. We have had great crops of jalapeno and yellow banana peppers though.
@zandi458 (28102)
• Malaysia
20 Sep 12
I don't. Know whether it is the same as the membership card that the supermarket here issued. This card entitles the shopper for discounts on certain selected items. Supermarkets here can't tracked back its customers as there is no facilities of doing it and the membership card has limited function. The only precaution taken on foods safety here is either through consumers complain to the relevant authorities or the periodic check by the government to ensure that the goods at the supermarket shelves have not reached expiry date.
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (160940)
• United States
21 Sep 12
Oh, that is different. That is like our membership or warehouse stores. Not everyone can shop there, only card holders and a guest if they choose. You must have a card to purchase, but then most everything in the store is discounted. Yes, me pay a yearly fee for those cards. These other cards are given to you free, and you do earn points. Where I live we can take 10 cents off per gallon of gasoline for each 100 points, and they track our shopping preferences and send specialized coupons to us.
@GardenGerty (160940)
• United States
20 Sep 12
Zandi, that is the same kind of card, and I think this may be a new function. We save on sale items with the card, and we also earn bonus points towards purchasing fuel each month. I think possibly some people got sick is how this originated and got publicized and traced to the certain batch of produce.
1 person likes this
@zandi458 (28102)
• Malaysia
20 Sep 12
Oh....but we don't get much advantage using it except for members discount on selected items and accumulation of purchase points to exchange for goods. If we are regular shoppers of the mart then its worth to have the card as there is a yearly renewal fee.
2 people like this
@carmelanirel (20942)
• United States
20 Sep 12
Are you talking about the cards we use to get savings at the store? We always use ours, but I wonder if our stores also have this feature? Of course I notice 99.9% of the time we never purchase anything that has been recalled, at least not to my knowledge and I do try to find out the latest recalls..
@GardenGerty (160940)
• United States
20 Sep 12
Yes, this is that card. I am talking about our Dillons store which is part of the Kroger family. It is a fresh produce product. I do buy fresh produce. I am not wanting to say what and start a panic, but there have been many products lately. Dillons also had a sign up for a different product when I was last in. It was a "locally grown" meaning probably regional product last week. I am not sure where this other item was grown. I think it is a good idea that they start warning people when they know about things. Our shopper card did not pin point it exactly, as ours was a different date, and they probably tried to pull all the other from the shelves when they knew about it.
2 people like this
@carmelanirel (20942)
• United States
20 Sep 12
Oh I forgot, that is an excellent idea, I hope all stores with these cards do that...
2 people like this
@carmelanirel (20942)
• United States
20 Sep 12
Wow, I am glad that this is available, we use Krogers. The other store, "walmart" unfortunately doesn't have a card, which is too bad since I buy certain things there..:(
2 people like this
@celticeagle (168203)
• Boise, Idaho
20 Sep 12
I saw on the news yesterday evening where they feel rice has too much ARSENIc in it and we should be careful. I would be happy to see that the grocery store I am using was proactive like this one you mentioned. I am actually surprised that it doesn't. We have a Albertson's right across the main road here and you'd think they would do something like this. They have a card too but I don't remember the name right now.
@GardenGerty (160940)
• United States
21 Sep 12
I did not see that, but saw a little about it on Yahoo. I need to search and see what else I find.
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (168203)
• Boise, Idaho
22 Sep 12
You want to be sure to rinse rice very well before cooking.
@cynthiann (18602)
• Jamaica
20 Sep 12
This is an excellent service an reward system. In the U.K. they have loyalty cards too but not in Jamaica. I think that we are just too small for it to be viable. I like their promptness re recall as this is so very important especially goods from one country which I will not mention online. We all have to be proactive to care of our and our families' health
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (160940)
• United States
21 Sep 12
Wal Mart might allow this to be presented on the news, but they would never spend resources calling customers about it.
@Hatley (163776)
• Garden Grove, California
20 Sep 12
hi cynthiann And this country which I also will not m ention
sold some candies in Walmart. really cheap so I fell for it.
I ate two pieces and my mouth was burnings. so I threw the rest out.I had to go to my doctor.He examined my mouth and told me the candy had something in it that caused the whole linings of my
mouth to peel off. He told me to dump it but I already had.
I did phone Walmart and they told me the whole batch of these candies had just been recalled as they had some chemical in them that made ones mouth peel.It took almost ten days for my mouth
to completely heal.
1 person likes this
@purplealabaster (22091)
• United States
20 Sep 12
I do have them, but like you, I resented having to have them to get the discounts. I do not like things that track me, and I resisted as long as possible. However, when you are no longer given the option of using coupons and instead need the cards for the discounts ... and there are really good discounts on things that I could definitely use ... then I broke down and got the card. I guess that being notified of recalls is another good reason to use them, although I doubt I would have anything in the house long enough for the recall to do me any good.
2 people like this
@purplealabaster (22091)
• United States
21 Sep 12
If they called us that quickly, then it would definitely do us good.
We had the baby Advil and baby Tylenol when they did the recalls, and our bottles were in the lot that were recalled. Unfortunately, we had used almost all of both of them by the time we were notified of the recall, because the little one was sick, which is why we bought them in the first place. Then, we had to try to find something to keep her fever down without using the Tylenol or Advil, which was not easy as she did not like the generic brand.
We had the baby Advil and baby Tylenol when they did the recalls, and our bottles were in the lot that were recalled. Unfortunately, we had used almost all of both of them by the time we were notified of the recall, because the little one was sick, which is why we bought them in the first place. Then, we had to try to find something to keep her fever down without using the Tylenol or Advil, which was not easy as she did not like the generic brand.
@desertdarlene (8910)
• United States
20 Sep 12
I had a club store call me about some meat I bought, but I had already eaten it all a long time before. It didn't make me sick or anything.
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (160940)
• United States
20 Sep 12
Usually by the time they have recalls on meat I no longer know when I bought it or what the lot number is, because I will buy a large quantity and break it down. The thing is with meat, except for steaks we cook everything well done or to temperature. Usually it is hamburger, chicken or lunch meats that get recalled.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (160940)
• United States
21 Sep 12
Yes it was a recall of a produce item dated Sell by Sept. 16. Ours was dated the 24th.
@drannhh (15219)
• United States
20 Sep 12
Never had any food recalled, although I read about one item some time back in the newspaper so at the time we checked the product numbers and ours was OK so we didn't have to throw it away. But the phone number I give for the loyalty cards is one that sends calls to voice mail, which gets automatically gets deleted. That way I don't have to be bothered with it.
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (160940)
• United States
21 Sep 12
This is the only call I ever got from them. I removed all phone numbers because you could use it if you did not have the card and someone used up our fuel rewards points by entering our phone number in another town. I suspect I know who it was, as well. The points were reinstated to us when we asked about it.
@dragon54u (31634)
• United States
20 Sep 12
I have a Kroger card and did get a call last year but it wasn't a product that I'd purchased. I think they just call all the people on the loyalty list just to be sure they reach everyone possible. I appreciate that.
I don't like loyalty cards but I need to save the money. Why not just lower the prices?! That would attract shoppers in droves!!
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (160940)
• United States
21 Sep 12
This is the first call I have gotten ever. I do like the customer appreciation coupons I get, which sometimes include free products, and I like the discounts on gasoline.
@SomeCowgirl (32191)
• United States
20 Sep 12
No, and Yes.
No to the food recalls, and yes to loyalty cards.
I work for a store that has a loyalty card and sure it tracks what I buy, but the Catalina Machine gives me coupons for things I buy, so it's a win win for me.
Plus, I work for the place so it's not like they don't know a lot about me anyway! lol.
The last food I can remember being recalled that I eat is the peter pan peanut butter, a few years ago.
So what was recalled?
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (160940)
• United States
21 Sep 12
In this case it was fresh spinach in a bag. They also have a sign up about cantaloupe grown some place kind of local. You work for the same store as I am talking about, I believe.
@bunnybon7 (50973)
• Holiday, Florida
20 Sep 12
i also resented these cards when they first came out. but like you i found its nice when they send us good coupons from things we often buy. plus Fry' (Krogers) sends us coupons for something free sometimes, and they have cents off gas that adds up on our card. 
@GardenGerty (160940)
• United States
21 Sep 12
And you always get double points for gift cards that you buy for places like home stores and restaurants. Certain times of the year you get 4x points. Last month we bought a Subway card to bump up our points then we went and had lunch at Subway.
Got $60 worth of fuel points for a $15 card.
Got $60 worth of fuel points for a $15 card.
@thesids (22180)
• Bhubaneswar, India
20 Sep 12
Hi GG
I dont have any loyality cards today. but yes, I had one a few years back when I was an avid clothes buyer. My wife has one today from a shopping mall but then I dont see much of any benefits out of that card...
Though these cards are good for regular buyers or even those who buy in bulk, as I am staying all alone, I dont get much benefit out of those cards today.
I dont have any loyality cards today. but yes, I had one a few years back when I was an avid clothes buyer. My wife has one today from a shopping mall but then I dont see much of any benefits out of that card...
Though these cards are good for regular buyers or even those who buy in bulk, as I am staying all alone, I dont get much benefit out of those cards today.2 people like this
@GardenGerty (160940)
• United States
21 Sep 12
I know, some of them are not useful to us. I have some of those as well.
@almond24 (1248)
• Hungary
20 Sep 12
I have loyalty cards but they are pretty much useless for me. I hardly ever buy anything in those stores, simply because I don't find anything there that I would use, or it wouldn't be worth the travel costs to go there. I usually go to local stores or buy from local farmers who don't accept loyalty cards, although some of them still value their loyal customers without even cards.
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (160940)
• United States
21 Sep 12
Local farmers can do special things like throw in a few extra pieces of fruit or something like that. I have had some local places to shop in the past. My most economical stores do not have cards and are out of town, so I bundle all my errands to that one town on the same day, and I do not do it often.
@ElicBxn (63643)
• United States
20 Sep 12
I got a written notification from Sam's that I might have gotten some of the recalled Excedrin. By the time I got the letter, two of the 3 bottles were empty... so the "J" roommate and I just shrugged and finished up the last bottle... I had given her one of the bottles. Since we are both still alive, I guess they weren't the ones they were talking about.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (160940)
• United States
20 Sep 12
This surprised me because it was so close to when the product was dated. I had not even heard that this was being called back on TV or that others were sick from it. I do not usually mess with recalls, but fresh produce has been so iffy lately.
1 person likes this
@marsha32 (6631)
• United States
20 Sep 12
I've only gotten a call once. I'm wondering now if maybe I don't because my phone number isn't attached to my card.
On a good note, since we got the whole mess of that other person being attached to my card, I've started getting coupons in the mail. It's been years since I have.
When they first started the card I won a dishwasher. It was at a time right when Jim was sent to prison and I needed money since I no longer had his paycheck. I sold it for $250.
Marsha
@GardenGerty (160940)
• United States
20 Sep 12
We had our phone taken off as alternate ID because someone stole 400 points from us once. Now we have to have the card or we cannot use it, but it is in the records. I get the coupons often. Some of them were actually the result of purchases we did for demos, though. If you have changed phone numbers a lot that would be the case probably.
1 person likes this
@Kashmeresmycat (6369)
• United States
20 Sep 12
Hi GG,
Wow, that's great that they called you! I'm really impressed with that and for such a good reason, you can't beat it.
I do have one of those cards but the store's prices are too high for me and I only go there if I can't find a particular product somewhere else. I shop where it's a lot cheaper but the food is just as good...just a bit more limited, but good enough for me. My kids use the cards though more than I do, and they get their free gas with them too.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (160940)
• United States
21 Sep 12
I prefer the meat and produce at this store, and I just do not buy stuff for the most part unless it is on sale.
@Hatley (163776)
• Garden Grove, California
20 Sep 12
hi gardengerty I used to shop vons before I had to come here as it was just a half block from our apt. we had a vons card and boy did it help save on purchases .I remember once I mislaid my card and the few groceries I bought took every penny I had with me. the last yeare we were in a different apt to far fro me to walk but they
delivered for me and with my vons care it even cut down the delivery fee too. now of course here I do not g et to groceryh
shop or fix my own meals.it was easier to control my blood sugar
when I could eat what was best for a diabetic., miss Vons
now a lot and still have a Vons card in mybillfold,. lol
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (160940)
• United States
21 Sep 12
I know it is hard when your choices become limited. It is good to hold on to the card just in case you are out and about with a friend and want something. . . like a juicy apple.
@missybear (11391)
• United States
20 Sep 12
I have a card for Albertson and Smith and I don't leave home without them.
I think it's really great that they called you about the recall, I don't know if they would do that here.
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (160940)
• United States
20 Sep 12
This is the first time it has ever happened. I think that either they have improved their technology, or they are getting more serious about all the recalls. In recent years, like the last three, I have heard at least two on cantaloupe, one on green onions, lettuce at least once and spinach three times as well as some kinds of salsa. That does not include meats. This is the first time they have done this.
1 person likes this
@monkmano (585)
• Canada
20 Sep 12
yes, i shop and get personalized coupons at save-on foods. they recently recalled a bunch of alberta ground beef but ours has been in the freezer for a long time. that is great work on your stores part though, not everyone watches the news or pays attention to recalls and this could prevent a lot of sickness it is great to hear.
i shop with loyalty cards all over so maybe ill be a little safer, and i dont care if they know i bought cherries and apple juice :P
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (160940)
• United States
20 Sep 12
You might get lucky and get coupons for cherries and apple juice next time. I think collecting information is alright if it is used appropriately. I seldom check the meat because I get a lot of it in bulk and usually it is in my freezer a long time, as you said. I think it is easier to kill bacteria in meat because you can cook it a high temperature for an extended time. With raw produce it is a disaster if it is contaminated because it often comes through groundwater and actually grows into the plant so it cannot be washed off. I have gotten more careful over the years. I wash anything that I am cutting into with Basic H2 a product I buy through Shaklee company.
1 person likes this
