What if the thermometer is broken?

Then I would expect everything in my fridge to be going off. Which it isn't.

OMG, that link from IWereAbsolutelyFuming is the grossest thing I've read - possibly ever? - in terms of what you might call 'food-related grossness'.......

Also meant to say, when I bought meat I bought it from the Nine Elms Sainsbury's and never, ever had a problem in literally a couple of decades. It was very often chicken breasts I bought, as well.

That does make me wonder if as has been suggested it's an issue with the particular shops/deliveries/suppliers round here.

I've heard back from Sainsburys about the stinky chicken etc. and they are going to do some monitoring to see if there is an ongoing problem.

Those two stories on the link were horrific- you couldnt make it up ie the dead bird in the salad and the mouse in the loaf of bread. Puts my mouldy bit of bread in perspective but I was horrified to hear the comments of toxicity of stinky chicken as this wasnt what environmental health suggested. Thanks to anyone who is taking these things up with Sainsburys.

Am v. impressed by your mathematical detective work! I think Sainsbury's at FH is one of the worst branches of a rip-off supermarket- limited choice, v. limited reductions, and extortionate prices for fresh fruit and veg. Staff seem nice, though for the most part.

What on earth happened at Sainsbury's today? i went in about 6.30 and half the shelves were empty - no salad, no orange juice. Have people been panic buying or was there a problem with the chiller cabinets?

The fridges packed up.

What ALL of them? I though each unit was independent. Perhaps this thread has had some effect and things are being done.

The food in the Forest Hill branch of Sainsbury's is a disgrace. No one is trained to removed rotten foodstuffs from the shelves and they think it's perfectly OK to to sell something that is cleary 'off' at a reduced amount. There are never any managers visable on the shop floor and customer service is a foreign term.

I think we'll all have to lower our expectations in general these days. There is so much general incompetence around that flashes of anything else are treated and greeted with amazement. We are restricted for choice in south east London as Sainsburys seem to be everywhere- try finding an Asda or even a Tesco. They all guard their territory very well and are rarely in a position to effectively compete with each other.

Huge Tescos in Elmers End (not technically SE London, but close) and another very large on the Old Kent Road, and then there is the one at Surrey Quays...

Asda is also on Old Kent Road - although to be fair, they don't really have a big presence in the South East of England, let alone South East London.

Morrisons at Peckham, Tesco metro in Forest Hill and a Coop too.

Tesco Metro in Kirkdale and Lower Sydenham, large Tescos in Catford.

Our most recent experience is of a couple of purchases of raspberries from Sainsbury's rotten within a day or two of purchase and both well within their date. Not worth keeping until next visit so not complained about.

Or Co-Op at FHill, or for HOPers, Budgeons in Brockley Rise (plus a slightly larger CoOp atCrofton Park). I have to admit that I use Sainsburys less and less in Fhill. It seems a relatively large store (compared to the ones above) with disappointingly little choice. We await to see if a metro type store opens in HOP parade as per other posts.

Good News for all people of SE23 Land! Asda are also now in Peckham. Right on our collective doorstep. Don’t walk there. RUN!


Opening Day at Asda Supermarket, Peckham.

They are conveniently located at the southern end (closest to us) of Rye Lane. They have taken over the old Netto store.

2.4 miles on foot from Forest Hill Railway Station! Direct from SE23 by bus. Take your pick - 197 or 363.

Please do make a note of the address “172-174 Rye Lane, Peckham SE15 4NB” for your Apps or WAP enabled mobile telephone or Filofax.

I’ve been in there and it is lovely. They have a whole section with Ethnic food stuffs. And it is just big enough that they stock George Essentials. And a bakery. It’s not nearly as big as the Old Kent Road store. But it does have quite a sizable car park if you prefer to motor there in your jaunty jalopy.

From our house, which is a hop, skip and a jump from Forest Hill Railway Station, to Asda in Peckham is a delightful stroll over the the hill and down the other side. Make sure for your safety that you avoid East Dulwich and “those people”. (We both know the types I mean.)

Anyway, I like to meander through Peckham Rye Park past the peaceful and well kept ponds and the superb Japanese Garden.


Taking a stroll in Peckham Rye Park.

You can nip in for a big steaming mug of fine coffee at the Café on the Rye on the common next door. Or maybe a cup of tea?


Café on the Rye.

Or you could pop into that really cool looking one called The Gardens in the old Electrical Engineers at 184 Peckham Rye. They serve fancy Algerian coffee, don’t you know?


The Gardens Café, 184 Peckham Rye.

And finally some shopping at the new Asda in Peckham. While you’re in there you might want to grab some free-range organic chicken that will not go stinky the next day?

After all this local adventuring you may choose to jump on the bus. Remembering, of course, the frequent and convenient 197 or 363.

Then sit back, relax and enjoy your ride with your bags bursting with your Asda bounty.
And, as if by magic before you know it, you’ll be back home. Happy and safe once again in SE23 Land.

I’ll see you down there.

Old Kent Road???? Catford? Elmers End????You having a laugh- these places are miles away. I meant what I said, there is nothing else around here. By here I meant within walking distance, not requiring a long distance coach journey. Tesco Metros and pretend Co -ops dont count.

You said south east London. All those places are in south east London.