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Aldi review: poor quality 7

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2:52 am EDT
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Aldi has a habit of switching their store brands on a regular basis and often this has meant a poorer quality replacement. But nothing prepared me for my first and last can of Hereford Canned Beef Corned. The new (improved) pull-top lid failed immediately. Since the lid was clearly marked do not use a can opener I resorted to hammering it with the butt of my chef's knife to break the seal. After prying the lid partly open I tried to remove the contents with a fork but it resisted, holding together in a solid rubbery mass. Fair warning! I should have stopped then and there but I was hungry and determined to have made from scratch corned beef hash for breakfast. Using a slice and dice strategy I was finally able to remove spam-like chunks of beef and transfer them to a waiting hot skillet. But It didn't melt with the heat or crumble under the pressure of my spatula . Whatever was holding this mystery meat together wasn't fat despite the label claiming 70 calories from fat for every 120 calorie serving. I looked next at the listed ingredients: Beef, Water, Salt, Sugar, Sodium Phosphates, Sodium Nitrite. Not exactly healthy but nothing unexpected. Did they neglect to mention silicone? More likely, "Beef" is really finely textured beef AKA pink slime.

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7 comments
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Freda Chambers
, US
Dec 04, 2016 12:57 pm EST

I have been buying Hereford corn beef for 53 years (in ENGLAND and CANADA ) I think it started at 37 cents when I first came to Canada but price is not my complaint my family loves corn beef stew (Iv only ever use Hereford) and its a cheap meal BUT I started at age 22 when it was easy for strong young hands to open a can, now (today Dec $ 2016 at age 73 ) I think im making my last corn beef stew (or anything corn beef () because along with not changing the good quilty of your corn beef you haven't also changed your cans and as a senior (and there are a lot of us )my old hands can no longer turn the key to open the cans, , yes family will do it when they come over but that's not always convenit, , so can you put some thought in to an easier opening for us golden oldies ..thank you .

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Sherry Ridge
, US
Aug 17, 2015 7:53 pm EDT

I also bought a can of the new version of Hereford Corned Beef. I like SPAM so was not terribly turned off by the texture. I did liken the taste to beef flavored SPAM - not corned beef. But, I was adding it to boiled potatoes and onions, with other spices and knew the taste would be fine. My complaint is that as I was finishing my bowl of "hash" I almost broke my tooth as I bit into a rather large chunk of bone! Considering the texture of the rest of the items in my bowl I was really chomping down. I hope my tooth isn't cracked. I want to tell them about this problem. How can I contact them? The printing on the bottom of the can says:
FEB-14-15 13:32 FM
2B15 123 2AD
It was purchased in Tucson, AZ

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cudaguy
Springfield, US
Oct 29, 2014 8:29 am EDT

I'm sorry it is Brookdale not Herford. But it is Aldis brand and I love 98 percent of their products but this is the worst

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cudaguy
Springfield, US
Oct 29, 2014 8:22 am EDT

I love Aldis and there are very few of their products I do not like but Hereford corned beef hash was absolutely horrible. First of all the little meat that is in it is weird and ultra chopped up. Who knows what else was mixed in and what percentage corned beef. But I wasn't that worried about other additives in the corned beef because there was so little, it was basically 80 percent potatoes. My dog and I had a can with 2 eggs for super and it was most unsatisying as a meal living looking for something else to make. Corned beef hash is a comfort food to me and I enjoy it with a couple eggs and goobs of ketchup and it was so bad I will be making some homemade rather trying to find a decent canned product. Could have just bought a can of potatoes.

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rocknrolldiehard
Possum Kingdom, US
Jan 29, 2013 4:43 pm EST

For many years I have bragged that I had an advantage over the wealthier class version of corned beef and cabbage. Instead of sliced corned beef from the meat dept I would simply use canned corned beef. Unlike slices of corned beef, it broke down and perfectly blended with the cabbage, making a great meal.
I have just opened a can of Herefords 'canned beef corned.' The funny shaped can had been replaced by a spam can. The opening key had been replaced by a pull top. But worst of all, the substance in the can was not the same. I agree with the comments above calling for a general Herefords ### whipping. Herefords, hear our voices! Give us back the great product we have been accustomed too!

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paglue
saratoga, US
Sep 02, 2012 5:28 pm EDT

A major disappointment. I used to buy Hereford and Libby's for many years before the ban on the South American products a year or two ago. I bought a six pack when Costco carried it recently, with great anticipation. It was no way similar to the SA version...like eating plasticised goop...an awful poor imitation of SPAM...and as another user mentioned, you need a hacksaw to open the can...
I am awaiting Libby's version and hope it will be like the traditional product...

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lcreel44
Richmond, US
Jun 03, 2012 11:05 pm EDT

I ASKED BY DAUGHTER TO PICK UP A CAN OF "CORNED BEEF" FOR ME. SHE DID. IT WAS HEREFORD. I OPENED IT EASILY. THE CONTENTS WHERE DISGUSTING. A PLASTIC LIKE SUBSTANCE THAT DIDN'T BREAK UP INTO THE USUAL STRANDS OF BEEF.
I FINALLY REALIZED THAT THIS IS WHERE ALL THE "PINK SLIME" WENT WHEN IT WAS SUPPOSILY PULLED OFF THE MARKET.
GEE, WHAT DO WE DO WITH ALL THIS SLIME? LET'S PUT IT IN A CAN AN SELL IT AS CORNED BEEF. THESE PEOPLE, HEREFORDS, NEED TO BE ### WHIPPED. WHERE'S THE FDA? WHERE ELSE WAS THIS CRAP HIDDEN? FDA?