Thursday, November 24, 2011

Woman purchases turkey with '07 expiration date



Reported By John Dwyer, Anchor

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - A Nashville woman was surprised to find that she had purchased a turkey from a local grocery store that had expired four years ago.

Libby Spires bought the out-dated turkey earlier this month from Apple Market located on Lebanon Pike.

"I was shocked because it said November 23, 2007," she recalled.  "I said, ‘Oh my gosh, I can't eat this turkey!'"

Spires continued, "I don't know why I didn't look [at the date when I bought it]. I was just busy. I didn't look at it then, but it's the first thing I did when I took it out of the freezer today."

Spires returned the expired bird to the store on Tuesday afternoon for a complete refund.

She said she decided to purchase a turkey for Thanksgiving at a different store and was sure to check the expiration date.

Nashville's News 2 contacted Apple Market on Tuesday evening. General Manager Ken Osborne did not want to speak on camera, but said he was horrified to learn of the incident.

In a statement, he said, "This is an honest mistake.  We donate unused food to needy families and area churches.  I don't know how this was mixed up.  It never should have happened."

Osborne said besides encouraging customers to check expiration dates, he is going to urge his employees to do so as well.

Despite the slip-up at the store, Spires said she will still continue to shop at the location.

"I understand. It's okay. I will shop there, but I will always look at the dates though," she said.

Officials do say that frozen turkeys should remain fresh up to three years past their sell by date.

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