Avoid Swagat Foods - Selling Expired and Spoiled Products
I…read morerecently had multiple disappointing experiences at Swagat Foods, located at 6926 N University St, Peoria, IL 61614. They have a habit of trying to sell expired items, both frozen and otherwise. When I pointed this out at the cashier, they claimed it was a mistake and assured me they would remove the items, but they seem to put them back on the shelves.
In January 2024, I bought a tub of frozen ice cream from them. When we opened it, the ice cream was clearly spoiled and refrozen. It had expired in November 2023. Despite calling the store and asking them to clear out their expired items, they assured me they would, but when I returned a week later, the expired ice cream was still in the freezer.
Since then, I have always checked expiration dates carefully. Last month, I purchased another tub of ice cream that wasn't expired, but both my kids threw up within hours of eating it. I tasted it, and it was clearly spoiled. When I called the shop, they reluctantly offered a refund if I brought the receipt. When I did, Ms. Parul at the front informed me they needed to see the tub as well. I explained that I would not keep spoiled food but offered to bring the empty tub when I returned in a few weeks. When I did, she told me that I should not have emptied it and refused me a refund. When I asked to speak to her manager Mrs Dipti she refused to call her and instead asked me to come back the next day.
Selling expired goods knowingly and showing no remorse when informed that children have fallen ill due to their actions is unconscionable. Expecting customers to hold onto spoiled frozen food and bring it back is unreasonable.
The store also has issues regulating their freezer temperatures. Last year, I bought a frozen meat item that was spoiled, and their meat products often lack proper dates.
While I understand that small businesses may operate on thin margins, the lack of honesty and transparency in selling expired or poor-quality food is disgraceful. I have filed a complaint with the IL Dept of Public Health: eh@peoriacounty.org https://idph.illinois.gov/IDPHPrograms/v_LHDDirectory/Show-V-LHDDirectory-Public.aspx.
If you have experienced similar issues at this store, I urge you to take action as well, or their business practices will never change, and these serious issues will remain unaddressed.
