Update to the Campbells/Swanson Mold Thing.

I had almost forgotten about that whole “mold in my broth” incident. To refresh your memory, I opened a box of chicken broth, and it contained a huge, inch-thick sheet of mold across the surface of the broth. It was SO gross. I contacted Campbells/Swanson (didn’t know they were the same company until I was on hold, listening to, “Mmm, Mmm, Good!” in muzak form) and they apologized, and said they’d send me some coupons the next day. The end. I haven’t even thought about it, until I received a comment this morning on that blog post:

Everyone look at the container picture toward the bottom. There is a large slice in the container that was almost certainly caused by a stock boy slicing the shrink wrap off the entire case. This would cause oxygen to get into container which would then produce mold. This can happen to any carton variety broth.

Huh! Well, maybe that was the case. I decided to look at the original images and zoom in on the area she mentioned. And you know what? I think she’s right. I do see what may be a slice in the packaging. At first, I thought it was just a wrinkle, but it may in fact be a slice. I figured the packaging must have been compromised in some way. That makes perfect sense. Good sleuthing, there!

Then I got curious as to why this random person was so interested in what happened, and I took a closer look at their email. Superman@hotmail.com Really? Really? Your email address is superman@hotmail.com? Not superman23475? It seemed fishy. So I looked at the IP address. Aha! My mystery problem solving reader is someone affiliated with Campbells. And they didn’t get here by accident, either – they got here via a very specific Google search.

Uhhhh…why the game playing? Why is Campbells hiding behind a fake email address, leaving me a comment anonymously? Is THAT how they handle bad press? I never said Campbells/Swansons was at fault for anything – why all the blatant ass-covering? Why is it SO HARD for someone from Campbells/Swanson to just say, “Yeah, that was GROSS! It almost certainly happened after it left our warehouse, but we feel bad that your dinner was ruined, so here’s a coupon, because we’re cool like that.” Just, y’know, some ACKNOWLEDGEMENT. There’s no need to be underhanded and slimy about it. What the hell, man?

And I never got my coupons!

Possibly Related

• October 1, 2009 — What the…MOLD in unopened Swanson’s Chicken Broth??
• March 23, 2009 — I love my house! But…
• July 30, 2008 — Uh, call first, okay?
• April 13, 2006 — Boredom and Piss.