A consumer found a foreign body full of larvae in a tomato sauce, while using the product to prepare pasta in Miracatu, in the interior of São Paulo. Images obtained this Tuesday (21) show the animals on the package (see the video below).
Doriedson de Borba Martins, 26, told the reporter that he bought the package of tomato sauce on November 11th. Last Saturday (18) she said she opened the package and used some of the contents to prepare a meal.
“I took some of the sauce at night, opened the bag, put some on the pasta and my daughter and I ate it.” It was only last Sunday (19), however, when he used the rest of the product that he found the foreign body and the animals.
As soon as he poured the sauce over the pasta that was in the pan, the surprise: “I turned it over at once [o saco] and this skin full of maggots fell off.”
Resident finds foreign body in tomato sauce in São Paulo: ‘I thought it was a rat’
Check out the full article: pic.twitter.com/QANsFAVpiR
— Jornal A Tribuna (@atribunasantos) November 20, 2023
According to Doriedson, he and his 8-year-old daughter have a stomach ache and nausea after consuming the product without noticing the presence of the foreign body. The consumer went to the doctor, where he underwent a blood test, but nothing was detected. However, he will undergo a new exam in the coming days.
“I don’t know [o que é]. Apparently, it looks like mouse skin, it even has fur, it’s tough leather. I was scared at the time,” he said.
Doriedson said that at the time he thought it was a thicker piece of tomato and, based on the color, that it could be spoiled. “I picked it up with a spoon and when I looked at it it was a hide full of maggots.”
Doriedson wants to resolve the problem with the company and find out what this strange element is, as he and his daughter consumed the sauce. “I just want to make sure it’s not a rat and that nothing will happen to my daughter and me.”
In a note, Fugini Alimentos clarified that it is in contact with the consumer to understand the problem presented, and explained that the supposed foreign body found, based on the information obtained so far, has characteristics of mold, which may arise due to damage caused to the packaging, sometimes imperceptible to the naked eye, resulting from incorrect handling during transportation or storage at distribution and sales points.
According to the company, the production, filling and closing of tomato sauce sachet packaging is fully automated. As it does not contain preservatives and is a natural product, air entry due to damage to the packaging can cause contamination of the product and, consequently, the emergence of mold.
This fact, according to Fugini, can also occur due to storage for an incorrect period in the refrigerator, since, after opening the packaging, consumption must be carried out within one day.
The company also stated that it complies with all obligations in addition to respecting its commitment to delivering quality and flavor in its products. We wish to reinforce our ongoing commitment to food safety and quality.