See something, say something. Especially when it comes to meat. That's what Loretta Seto did when she saw workers at a 99 Ranch Market in San Jose hauling heaps of raw pork into the store using Costco carts.
Seto took pictures and posted them to Facebook, and now the store is under investigation by the Santa Clara County Department of Environmental Health.
She wrote on Facebook:
Beware: Costco shopping carts (Automation Parkway in San Jose)
We were at the 99 Ranch Market across from this Costco and saw their vendors delivering meat with Costco shopping carts!! Talk about disgusting! I'm usually okay with sticking the kids in the seat of the basket, but this is a whole new level of gross. Beware.
A statement from Department of Environmental Health said:
“We are taking immediate steps to conduct a thorough investigation and appropriate actions to ensure food safety for the public. Other regulatory and oversight agencies, including those at the federal and state level, shall be notified as appropriate.”
The meat vendor, Atwater-based Jim’s Farm Meat Co. Inc., confirmed to The Modesto Bee that the meat came from their company and that the workers pushing the carts have been fired.
99 Ranch Market apologized:
“On behalf of 99 Ranch Market, we are terribly sorry for this incident that happened in one of our stores. 99 Ranch Market is committed to food safety and customer satisfaction. Therefore, we are taking the necessary steps to resolve this issue by investigating this case further and filing a complaint against our vendor. We appreciate you bringing this to our attention. Thank you for your patience and understanding.”
Seto was partly okay with the apology, but worries that something like this could happen again. She says she'll still shop at the store for packaged items, but won't be buying their meat anytime soon.