Sasko, a well-known bread manufacturer under Pioneer Foods, is facing a serious crisis after a third incident involving a rat found in one of their loaves has come to light. The company has since recalled nearly 200,000 loaves of bread and halted production at the implicated factory. This has left many consumers questioning the safety and quality of their products.
The Incident Unfolds
The latest incident was brought to public attention through a TikTok video posted by a user named @andilemalope_13. In the video, she showed the shocking discovery of a dead rat embedded in the last few slices of her Sasko bread loaf. Disturbingly, the woman, who resides in Ekurhuleni, only found the rat after consuming most of the loaf.
In response to the video, Sasko expressed their apologies and offered compensation to those affected by the incident. They stated, “It is unfortunate that some people had to deal with this and witness a traumatic thing. We have issued compensation to everyone who finds rodents in their products.”https://x.com/GhettoSoldeir/status/1833423836999487777?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1833423836999487777%7Ctwgr%5E726cc15a71be1553036c74f648e420e0850d334e%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thesouthafrican.com%2Flifestyle%2Fsasko-rat-in-bread-recall-viral-video-watch-latest%2F
They further clarified that approximately 180,000 loaves of bread had been recalled and that production at the factory involved was suspended until further notice. However, they did not specify which areas were affected by the recall or which particular factory was closed.
#### Previous Incidents and Consumer Concerns
This is not the first time Sasko has faced such an issue. In 2020, another consumer reported finding a rodent in their bread, claiming that the company had ignored their complaint. This has sparked outrage and concern among consumers who feel that Sasko’s response to these incidents has been inadequate.
In a separate incident, Nombulelo Mkumla from Durban also discovered a rat in her loaf of Sasko bread. Mkumla recounted her experience, explaining that she had purchased the bread on August 27th from a Spar store. She consumed the bread over several days, only to find a rat baked into it on the morning of August 31st. Shocked and disgusted, she took the bread back to the store, where she was advised to contact the supplier directly.
Mkumla emailed Pioneer Foods with photos and a video of the contaminated bread, but was initially met with a response that dismissed the issue as mold. When she insisted that it was indeed a rat, a representative from Sasko contacted her, offering an apology that she found unsatisfactory and dismissive.
“They told me to understand that it gets hot where they bake, and that’s why there was a rat in my bread! Are you a professional doctor? I doubt I will ever eat Sasko products again,” she said, expressing her anger over the incident and the company’s handling of it.
#### Sasko’s Response and Current Measures
Sasko has since issued a public apology to all affected consumers and is conducting an ongoing investigation into the matter. A representative stated that they are taking the issue very seriously and are working to ensure that such incidents do not happen again. They emphasized that strict measures are being implemented to prevent any recurrence, and they are committed to maintaining the highest standards of food safety.
Despite these reassurances, the brand’s reputation has taken a significant hit, with many consumers expressing their discontent and concern over the quality control measures at Sasko’s facilities. The recall and production halt indicate that the company is taking steps to address the issue, but it remains to be seen whether this will restore consumer confidence in the brand.
As the investigation continues, consumers are urged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious findings in their food products to the appropriate authorities.