‘Disgusted’ IGA shopper finds mould in display fridge

A shopper says he was disgusted after finding black mould growing next to raw meat at a Doonside supermarket.

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A man is horrified after making a sickening discovery in the meat fridges of his local IGA store.

Scott Mercer, of Blacktown, took to Facebook this week to share images of black mould growing in a fridge displaying raw chicken Doonside; s Rainbow Supa IGA.

“Mmm free black mould with white furry mould,” Mr Mercer wrote, alongside images showing mould growing above unwrapped, raw chicken meat.

A customer at Rainbow Supa IGA in Doonside says he discovered black mould growing in meat display fridges at the store. Picture: Scott Mercer

Mr Mercer said he first discovered the mould two months ago and raised concerns with staff. He added was disgusted to return to the store last week and find the mould had not been removed.

“My complaints didn’t start yesterday. I complained to them about it two months ago and nothing got done about it,” he said.

“One of the managers said to me they were going to pull (the fridge) down and replace it.

“I went down there last week and took the photos I posted and nothing had been done about it.

“I went back yesterday and they had given it a wipe down, but there was still mould there.”

Mr Mercer said when he returned to the store yesterday, chicken was still being sold from the mouldy fridges and further mould was visible in the seafood displays.

Rainbow Supa IGA Doonside was fined for food safety breaches by the NSW Food Authority in February.

“I was annoyed beforehand and now I’m just p*ssed off, especially with them lying and the way they’ve handled it,” he said.

“The best way they could have handled it was with an apology, to close it down and clean it properly.”

The store, which is part of Romeo’s Retail Group, has declined to comment.

The mouldy discovery is not the first time the store has come under fire for food safety concerns.

The IGA is listed on the NSW Food Authority’s Name and Shame register after being fined more than $2600 in February for pests and failing to maintain cleanliness and equipment.