Photograph of Coles bin full of discarded items stuns shoppers

When a photo was posted on social media of this Coles store showing the truth about what happened behind the scenes earlier in the week, many were furious.

Meat, ice cream, pasta, pizzas, dips, cheeses, juice and smoked salmon.

These were all items that were discarded from a Victorian Coles shop, stunning shoppers.

The products, worth tens of thousands of dollars, were pulled into a skip behind the Drouin store in West Gippsland, which was almost overflowing at 1.5 metres high.

They all had to go after the supermarket lost power during intense storms that lashed the state last Sunday and Monday.

Unfortunately, there was no generator on site when the power cut out and by the time it was set up the food had perished, 7News reported.

A photo of a Coles bin has left shoppers stunned. Picture: Channel 7

Coles has explained that items had to be discarded to ensure customer safety.

But many shoppers were left shocked and infuriated about the waste, arguing the store should have been ready for the storms with backup generators.

“For the 2023/24 financial year, Coles Australia reported a net profit of $1.1 billion and can’t afford back up generators, go figure,” one wrote.

The Coles store experienced a power outage. Picture: 7News

Many shelves had to be emptied. Picture: 7News

Others insisted some of the food could have been saved or donated.

“Butter that stays on the bench for two weeks (is) fine!” another insisted, “at least donate it”.

A supermarket worked commiserated with the upset shoppers.

“As someone who works for one of the supermarket chains, I have had to partake in this due to a prolonged power outage earlier this year,” they wrote.

“I feel for these staff, there’s nothing worse than having to throw out so much refrigerated stock. Coming from a family who didn’t have much, I get the pain people feel from this incident.”

However, one social media user noted that regarding donations, “legally they cannot, if they give someone food poisoning and kill them they are liable”.

A Coles spokesperson told news.com.au that food safety is a top priority.

“Due to the extreme weather that hit much of Victoria early last week, there were widespread power outages, including in the Drouin and surrounding areas,” the spokesperson said.

“Food safety is paramount at Coles and unfortunately as a result of products being un-refrigerated for an extended period of time, for safety and quality reasons, we needed to dispose of a number of products to ensure customer safety.

“Where possible, Coles always donates product that is fit for use and safe for consumption to food rescue organisations.”

Coles Drouin was left without power. Picture: Supplied

Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan revealed 180,000 people across the state lost power last Monday.

Powerlines were brought down in towns including Newborough, Drouin, Cockatoo and Warragul east of Melbourne due to the gale-force winds.

Storm and wind damage across Victoria attended by Colac SES. Picture: Colac SES

There were gale-force winds. Picture: Instagram

An AusNet spokesperson said damage to the network had been “severe”.

More than 660 homes were damaged on Monday, with Victorian Emergency Management Commissioner Rick Nugent on Monday saying some of the homes are “inhabitable”.

Homes were damaged. Picture: Chelsea SES

Schools across Victoria were forced to close on Monday as watch and act alerts were issued for strong and destructive winds, while some workers were advised to work from home.

Wind gusts of 146km/h were recorded at Wilsons Promontory lighthouse between Sunday and Monday.

Tasmania SES executive director Mick Lowe said there had been more than 800 requests for assistance since last Tuesday, saying the damage over the weekend was “extensive”.

The winds hit on Sunday night and on Monday they continued across Victoria, NSW and Tasmania.

Sadly, a 63-year-old woman died when a tree fell on her cabin in Moama.

Originally published as Photograph of Coles bin full of discarded items stuns shoppers