cheapchick
11-06-2009, 08:38:59 PM
I noticed them weeks ago...a little beetle here...a little beetle there. I ignored it, told myself the change in weather was bringing them in. But there was something about these teeny little beetles I didn't like...they seemed a bit "sinister" like they were "up to no good". Hmmm...
That's when I found the source...my rice and pasta! The little @#$% were breeding in my cupboard! I didn't notice this sooner because it was the 2 little cabinets over the fridge. I keep some rice and pasta down low and then the excess goes up above the fridge. I took everything out of all my cabinets, washed inside, and sprayed. The worst off box was a package of Rice-A-Roni. When I opened it they poured up the sides. Good thing I'm not freaked out by bugs. I was able to take a good look at what I was up against...Flour Beetles and Psocids! I had to open every box and then toss the infested product and repackage the good stuff in Ziploc bags and containers. I lost 13 boxes of rice and 8 boxes of pasta! I emailed Rice-A-Roni and I wasn't expecting more than a voucher for a box or 2 but they wrote back and said they were sending me a an American Express Giftcard! They didn't say how much but I guess it's to cover the 20 boxes of stuff I lost...?
"We understand how unpleasant it would be to find insects in the product you purchased, and we are sorry you had this experience with Rice-A-Roni Broccoli Au Gratin.
Our plants and distribution centers utilize many different means to keep insects out of products as we package them and while they are stored under our control. Insects can bore into sealed packages or enter at any tiny hole or seal crevice. We would never knowingly allow infested product to leave the manufacturing facility. Unfortunately, infestation can occur at any point after it leaves our plant despite all of the precautions that we take to prevent it.
We realize that there are often differences of opinion regarding the primary source of infestation which contributed to pantry loss. Nearly all dried food products are susceptible to insect infestation, including cereal products (flour, cake mix, cornmeal, rice, spaghetti, crackers, and cookies); seeds such as dried beans, popcorn, nuts; chocolate, raisins and other dried fruits, spices, powdered milk, and cured meats. We cannot be sure that the infestation started with Rice-A-Roni Broccoli Au Gratin, but that does not diminish our concern for your personal experience.
As a goodwill gesture, I have mailed you an American Express gift card to compensate you for your loss. Please understand this is not an admission of liability but an attempt at a fair resolution of this matter."
But I wanted to warn everyone so this doesn't happen to you: My stockpiling cost me so don't let it cost you! Insects and eggs are present in the foods we eat (that is a given) but don't give them a chance to breed. Even if the food has no bugs when you buy it there are bugs in our houses that can infest the food. Ever hear of psocids? I'm familiar with them because I like to read up on bugs and used to find them in my hermit crab tank. Every house has them...believe me they are there...most people never notice them cuz they are about the size of a grain of sand. I've seen them on wood furniture, in the basement, outside, and yeah like I said in the hermit crab tank...they loved that tank cuz it was so warm and humid. From now on I'm Ziploc-ing my rice and pasta. If you've noticed Rice-A-Roni, Uncle Ben's, and most boxed pastas are loose in the box. Plus the boxes aren't glued all the way around. That makes easy access for bugs to get in or out!
Here's some info on my culprits: Psocids in home (http://www.kcl.ac.uk/ip/bryanturner/other/home_psocids.html)
I've heard freezing food will kill the bugs but then I've heard that really doesn't work with the beetles.
That's when I found the source...my rice and pasta! The little @#$% were breeding in my cupboard! I didn't notice this sooner because it was the 2 little cabinets over the fridge. I keep some rice and pasta down low and then the excess goes up above the fridge. I took everything out of all my cabinets, washed inside, and sprayed. The worst off box was a package of Rice-A-Roni. When I opened it they poured up the sides. Good thing I'm not freaked out by bugs. I was able to take a good look at what I was up against...Flour Beetles and Psocids! I had to open every box and then toss the infested product and repackage the good stuff in Ziploc bags and containers. I lost 13 boxes of rice and 8 boxes of pasta! I emailed Rice-A-Roni and I wasn't expecting more than a voucher for a box or 2 but they wrote back and said they were sending me a an American Express Giftcard! They didn't say how much but I guess it's to cover the 20 boxes of stuff I lost...?
"We understand how unpleasant it would be to find insects in the product you purchased, and we are sorry you had this experience with Rice-A-Roni Broccoli Au Gratin.
Our plants and distribution centers utilize many different means to keep insects out of products as we package them and while they are stored under our control. Insects can bore into sealed packages or enter at any tiny hole or seal crevice. We would never knowingly allow infested product to leave the manufacturing facility. Unfortunately, infestation can occur at any point after it leaves our plant despite all of the precautions that we take to prevent it.
We realize that there are often differences of opinion regarding the primary source of infestation which contributed to pantry loss. Nearly all dried food products are susceptible to insect infestation, including cereal products (flour, cake mix, cornmeal, rice, spaghetti, crackers, and cookies); seeds such as dried beans, popcorn, nuts; chocolate, raisins and other dried fruits, spices, powdered milk, and cured meats. We cannot be sure that the infestation started with Rice-A-Roni Broccoli Au Gratin, but that does not diminish our concern for your personal experience.
As a goodwill gesture, I have mailed you an American Express gift card to compensate you for your loss. Please understand this is not an admission of liability but an attempt at a fair resolution of this matter."
But I wanted to warn everyone so this doesn't happen to you: My stockpiling cost me so don't let it cost you! Insects and eggs are present in the foods we eat (that is a given) but don't give them a chance to breed. Even if the food has no bugs when you buy it there are bugs in our houses that can infest the food. Ever hear of psocids? I'm familiar with them because I like to read up on bugs and used to find them in my hermit crab tank. Every house has them...believe me they are there...most people never notice them cuz they are about the size of a grain of sand. I've seen them on wood furniture, in the basement, outside, and yeah like I said in the hermit crab tank...they loved that tank cuz it was so warm and humid. From now on I'm Ziploc-ing my rice and pasta. If you've noticed Rice-A-Roni, Uncle Ben's, and most boxed pastas are loose in the box. Plus the boxes aren't glued all the way around. That makes easy access for bugs to get in or out!
Here's some info on my culprits: Psocids in home (http://www.kcl.ac.uk/ip/bryanturner/other/home_psocids.html)
I've heard freezing food will kill the bugs but then I've heard that really doesn't work with the beetles.