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Bob Evans

Bob Evans review: a million black specks of something is in this product and it is not pepper. 56

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4:40 pm EST
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I bought a Family Size Bob Evans Mashed Potatoes at Ingle's Grocery Store and it was unfit to eat. Millions of tiny black specks of something of various sizes were throughout this product plus the pieces that were definitely rotten places in it. This is disgusting! It is not Pepper! I don't know what it is maybe specks of
black metal. I don't want any coupons...that is not why I am writing to you. Bob Evans food products will soon go out of business if this keeps up. I know I will never again buy this product. A Bad reputation will knock your business for a loop.

56 comments
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Barbara Halda
, US
Nov 27, 2023 6:59 pm EST
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I used to love Bob Evans Original mashed potatoes. I only discovered them a couple years ago and that was because my back pain prohibits me from making my own from scratch. However the last couple times that I bought them, I was very unhappy because it appears that the potatoes are no longer being peeled prior to mashing. The other brand I tried don't peel either, which is why I preferred Bob Evans. I will be trying other brands until I find one without bits of peels in them. I only wish that Bob Evans would go back to their old recipe...no pieces of brown and black skins please.

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samsiarahaedyn
Sweetwater, US
Sep 30, 2023 4:42 pm EDT
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I have the same issue and the potatoes still have weeks until they are expired. The pieces are not potato skin. They are hard and needed a steak knife to cut through. These are the first 2 I pulled out. There were at least 20 more this size. The whole tray went straight to the trash. I've never experienced this before and I'm extremely disgusted.

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baby .lemonade
, US
Sep 11, 2023 7:03 pm EDT
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I am super disgusted and will never buy this product again, looks like black bugs to me. I could not eat any dinner.

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VAnthony
Lenoir City, US
Jul 09, 2023 6:22 pm EDT
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I just cooked my original Bib Evans mashed potatoes & they also had large chunks of black in them that was not pepper… one chunk was dime sized & was thick like a ground up mouse! So disgusting… Will never buy again… shame in you for letting your product go down hill! Used to be the best!

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Mic Gray
, US
Jun 25, 2023 9:59 pm EDT
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I just had found the black chucks for the first time after being a long time consumer. From the perspective of someone that cooks with actual potatoes from time to time, I confidently believe what this is, is rotten or bad patches of less than quality potatoes. I know when I make fried potatoes and am slicing potatoes up for that I will occasionally come across a potato that will have a brown to black spot kinda hollowed into the potato. It's not extremely frequent (typically 1 to 2 potatoes out of a whole bag might suffer from this) but is caused by internal bruising or a high concentration of the potatoes natural sugars. However, it could also be early onset decay of the potato the first 2 problems are mostly harmless to consume to where as consuming rotten or decay food in general is a lot more likely to be harmful. So it's best to just avoid the black spots in potatoes since it's hard to determine what is causing it. When cooking I typically just cut around these spots disposing of them and using the remaining good potato.

So with that said, I feel like Bob Evans has run into a bad batch of potatoes is obvious mass quantities. This doesn't excuse using lesser materials but does at least provide a little bit of an explanation. So yeah they definitely need to up their quality control game or switch their suppliers.

Pictured is some samples of the bad potatoes I'm talking about (which I might add those areas in the potatoes are usually hard or rubbery)

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John Fayson
, US
Jun 23, 2023 11:51 am EDT
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On Thursday June 22, 2023 I purchased a family size of Bob Evans mash potatoes from Walmart. My wife was eating and she noticed that it had several small black pieces inside, luckily for her she had only eaten small amount. I have purchased this product several times and this was the first time we've experienced this. Does anyone know what these are, or how to find out what they are. After reading other people's comments I now realize that this is an on going problem with this product and I refuse to purchase it anymore.

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Taxidermy Butterfly
, US
Jun 28, 2023 9:31 pm EDT
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This just happened to me. I'm so disgusted and I can't believe I ate one of the black things. Google what it was and came across this thread. Seriously feel like I'm gonna puke now. They need to recall this product.

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Mrs.logan And family
, US
Jul 10, 2023 9:56 pm EDT
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I have always bought these and just found the same thing In Mine and am not feeding it to my kids after finding it, I smashed some and they feel like potatoes that are just black and maybe some skins but idk it don’t look right

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Sarah O. Peters
Saint Louis, US
May 19, 2023 6:36 pm EDT

I found some black spots in a container opened today smh. Smelled weird too, like a sweet chemical. Probably mold or something worse. Luckily I only had about 3 bites before my instincts told me to look this up so I'm throwing the rest away and hoping I don't get sick. Never buying this brand again though.

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chris dumas
, US
Mar 27, 2023 6:26 pm EDT
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Just had the same issue lots of black pieces in the sweet potatoes didn't notice right away now feeling sick from it

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Conniedilling
Montgomery, US
Mar 08, 2023 1:43 pm EST

My husband and daughter started vomiting after eating the Bob Evans Mashed potatoes within 8 hours. There were greyish/ black hard specs did not notice until halfway into the carton.

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Conniedilling
Montgomery, US
Mar 08, 2023 1:42 pm EST

I also purchased the family size and noticed afterwards while serving my 6 year old more. Within 8 hours both my husband and daughter were throwing up! Something needs to be done!

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Kelly Best
, US
Nov 07, 2022 11:45 pm EST

This is beyond disgusting and after seeing how many others it's happened to you should be ashamed. I feel we deserve an explanation! Not ok ! I'm sv

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Nancy1004
Middleburg, US
Nov 15, 2022 12:27 pm EST
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Replying to comment of Kelly Best

I am trying to find out where I can complain. I’ve had two containers now and it’s like they threw dirt in them. I can smell dirt while it’s cooking. Husband says to take it back to Walmart, but I already took the seal off and I no longer have my receipt. A couple weeks ago in Publix there were leaking containers. They have horrible quality control at Bob Evans. If anyone has a link for how to notify Bob Evans on their Original Mashed Potatoes issues please send me a link nasoto@aol.com (stop laughing at my e-mail 🤣)

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Rioo
, US
Dec 07, 2022 9:54 am EST
Replying to comment of Kelly Best

I literally JUST found this exact thing in the potatoes I’m eating right now (by Bob Evan’s).

It almost looked like a faded black bean, but the inside is uniform throughout unlikely a black bean.

I squished it all up in a napkin and now I have the heebie jeebies about what I may have eaten!

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Conniedilling
Montgomery, US
Mar 08, 2023 1:44 pm EST
Replying to comment of Kelly Best

I agree! We need an explanation on what your are going to do

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Connie Dilling
, US
Mar 09, 2023 9:38 am EST

I left them a message last night because now I am sick. Vomiting and severe diarrhea, stomach cramp and chills. This is Not the flu! I warned them if they did not respond to my complaint by noon today, I will be contacting channel 7 news! DO NOT buy there infested mashed potatoes! You will come down very very sick!

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samsiarahaedyn
Sweetwater, US
Sep 30, 2023 4:45 pm EDT
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Did they ever get back to you?

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MarriedOhioChristianMan
, US
Oct 09, 2022 7:34 pm EDT

I notice it all the time. It doesn't matter whether it's mashed potatoes or sweet potatoes. They are just grinding up anything into the mixture and they don't care either. Some of it may be skin or root spores on the potatoes which can be kinda gross also but I do believe rat poop or maybe mold in the mixture. The actual restaurant don't serve that crap. It's not right and disgusting. I wish Bob Evans would explain this. My family is not eating their store bought products ever again.

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Connie Dilling
, US
Mar 09, 2023 9:40 am EST

They DON'T care. You will after I notify Channel 7 news!

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AntiSocial916
, US
Sep 29, 2022 3:10 am EDT

Disgusting!

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lyndseykt
Little Rock, US
Sep 10, 2022 7:47 pm EDT
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Just happened to me this evening. After warming up the potatoes, I noticed black, almost pellet like shaped pieces. Almost looks like rodent feces. Done with Bob Evans!

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Judy LEEP
Carrollton, KY, US
Aug 05, 2022 8:47 pm EDT
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Just had a family size container of mashed potatoes. There were black specks throughout and small pebble sized chucks of potato throughout. I noticed the top of the potatoes under the clear film was watery. I have never had a bad batch until today.

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M15theeagle
Collingdale, US
Jul 31, 2022 6:51 pm EDT

Same here! It looked like a small black soft bean through out it, but it's not. I'm thinking mold. I don't want no coupons for any free either. I'm taking what I could find and left in container back to Acme for a refund. No more Bob Evan's for my family. I couldn't believe when I researched and found out how many of us this has happened too. I'm in NJ

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Lisa Benny
Avon, US
Jul 31, 2022 6:39 pm EDT

I Purchased Bob Evans Family Size original at Meijers in OH. We have the same black specks and found a peanut size black substance in the mix. Use by 9/17/22 KCL1

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Eddie Keefer
, US
Sep 03, 2022 9:41 pm EDT
Replying to comment of Lisa Benny

That’s exactly what I just had in mine, and this isn’t the first time I had it.. I’m sitting here getting ready to eat it, and thought I would look it up this time lol.. But my black thing is 💯 same as yours… 🤦🤦 I don’t think I’m going to eat it now.. I’m going to read more about it, to see if anybody knows what it is, this stuff isn’t cheap to just throw it away

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Tony Sash
, US
Sep 05, 2022 6:29 pm EDT

I'm eating some right now, noticed what I assume are "skins" in them. Cant find anything about it.

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Rikki Dalrymple
, US
Jul 22, 2022 2:24 am EDT

We had them last night for dinner & this js what I found. The concerning thing is, this post is originally from 2014 & clearly its still happening today. https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10229006600528258&id=1189423174&extid=a&mibextid=sfnhpe

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Gabby Kae
, US
Jul 21, 2022 11:42 pm EDT

I'm commenting to add that I just encountered what i think is the same issue, small pieces that I think kind of resemble slightly misshapen kibble/dry dog food, in a container of refrigerated Reser's Main St. Bistro mashed potatoes. Found this post after almost an hour of googling with no answers.

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MaryJones
Bella Vista, US
Jul 28, 2022 8:14 pm EDT
Replying to comment of Gabby Kae

I just bought and attempted to eat a family size container of Bob Evans mashed potatoes tonight. Besides having the black pea sized things in it, they had a sweet taste. Seriously nasty. I ordered pizza.

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M15theeagle
Collingdale, US
Jul 31, 2022 6:57 pm EDT
Replying to comment of MaryJones

Same here. Today actually. I described the look of it the same as you did.

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Scott Southard
Freeport, US
Jul 13, 2022 7:48 am EDT

This just happened to us. In the garbage they went. Never again will I buy Bob Evans products.

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Ruedi
Lexington, US
Jul 21, 2022 1:01 pm EDT
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We just opened a large pack of these potatoes. Large nasty black weevil-looking things. They were all throughout the product. I’ve never seen anything like it. Disgusting.

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Rikki Dalrymple
, US
Jul 22, 2022 2:22 am EDT
Replying to comment of Ruedi

We ate them last night for dinner and we found the exact same thing. Here's. My story.

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10229006600528258&id=1189423174&extid=a&mibextid=sfnhpe

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Eddie Keefer
, US
Sep 03, 2022 9:50 pm EDT
Replying to comment of Ruedi

Same here, I’m sitting here now, wondering if I should eat it, this isn’t the first time for me though, and I said I would never buy again, but I just keep buying it and more than not, it’s ok.. I thought it looked like rat poop, I wish I could find out what it really is And the macaroni and cheese, I had two things that was wrong with them, one was without a doubt, spoiled and one that had a green snotty looking thing in it, and I definitely didn’t eat them ones…🤬🤬🤦🤦

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AntiSocial916
, US
Sep 29, 2022 2:46 am EDT

Your sitting there wondering if you should eat something that you self describe as looking like rat poop?

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Gideon Green Jr.
, US
Jul 10, 2022 4:14 pm EDT

Black nasty pieces of something in Bob Evans Original Mashed Potatoes with use by date 07/06/22...Ate multiple forks before I noticed the alien substance...

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Tisha Long
, US
Jun 06, 2022 7:32 pm EDT

I had the sane thing happen to us today ! Af first I thought it was the skin from mash potatoes now I see that [censored] is not on the front cover ! This is nasty as hell ! I am going to sue if I get sick ! Y’all need to get it together !

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Jackie Taylor
, US
May 11, 2022 8:14 pm EDT

Wow, the exact same thing just happened to me 5/11/22. Thats it for me Bob Evans. Too many complaints. Gosh, I was so hungry!

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Mary Southern
, US
May 25, 2022 3:12 pm EDT

Just happened to us today!

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TiffiniT
Hazel Crest, US
Apr 15, 2022 10:53 pm EDT
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I tried these for the first time today and noticed the same unknown black chunks in the mashed sweet potatoes. Nothing on the ingredients list matches the size and texture of what I found in this product. Very unusual. Will never purchase again!

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dajerk
, US
Nov 25, 2021 4:13 pm EST

Got some mashed sweet potatoes for Thanksgiving. We have been eating this product for some time. This package today didn't taste like sweet potatoes and had a nasty perfume taste. Sadly I have another package in the fridge. Expiration date 7 Jan 2022.

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Melinda Gray
, US
Nov 25, 2021 10:21 pm EST
Replying to comment of dajerk

I also had almost dish soap taste today. Same expiration date.

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Kerry McKenzie
, US
Feb 18, 2020 10:45 am EST
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Scan Code: [protected] - Use by 03-23-20 KCL4

Was VERY disappointed with product when found, what appeared to be a foreign material. Do to the fact that it was garlic mashed potatoes, thought it was some garlic seasoning. Looked at the ingredients to see what we thought it might be, it only listed garlic powder. Initially, saw only one, pulled it out and stirred and found four more. It looked like mold balls; and because we could not identify it according to the ingredients, we had to throw it away.

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Kathy Tobin Cruz
, US
Jan 31, 2019 5:46 pm EST

This just happened to me tonight with the sweet potatoes. I can only eat soft foods so all of the mashed Bob Evans were my go to. I saw a local comment about this so I took notice this time while eating. It is really disgusting. I am sooo disappointed. Crushing. The taste is amazing but I cannot think about buying these again

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Mary Connelly Boyle
, US
Sep 06, 2018 5:24 pm EDT

I have black specs of unknown origin in Bob Evans mashed potatoes. I'm throwing them out. I'm surprised. This has been my favorite brand but now I'm not sure if I should continue to buy them.

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Marissa Rodriguez
, US
Aug 05, 2018 6:46 pm EDT

Just had the same black balls in our Bob Evans mashed potatoes, so disgusted with this. We could not even eat them. So I just threw away $3.49. I will never buy these again. Honestly i cant see how this isnt happening to more people.

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Becky Sherrill
, US
Oct 07, 2017 6:51 pm EDT

Hete it is oct, 2017 and I just found the same stuff in my garlic farm stype mashed potatoes. They were almost bean size but all jagged. I picked the bigger ones out and washed them and got a very bright flash light. They were actually a deep green in color. We just could not eat them. Nasty nasty.
Beckasher@aol.com

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JEQ
, US
Feb 23, 2017 10:44 am EST
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I too had BE Mashed Potato singles with one particularly nasty, hard, black, "thing" in them. It was about the size of a blueberry...so gross. I have seen little pieces of what I guess were bad potato in them before but this was really gross. I filled out the customer service form and attached the photos I took. I tried this 5 times from my phone, where the photos were and everytime it said an error happened and they were sorry! I finally sent it from my PC without the photos...haven't heard anything back yet. This is so gross I may never eat them again.

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amalvoso
, US
Feb 23, 2017 5:37 pm EST
Replying to comment of JEQ

I got a bored look from the store manager when I returned the potatoes. Looks like no one cares anymore.

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Linda54
, US
Feb 20, 2017 10:02 am EST

I recently purchased a container of Bob Evans Garlic Mashed Potatoes from a store. Expiration date was okay [protected]). We never tasted them because of "worm-looking" pieces throughout when I stirred them after microwaving. My husband commented that these worm-looking things were probably garlic pieces. But the potatoes had only a very light garlic aroma, and I've never seen garlic that color.

HERE'S YOUR OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE THINGS RIGHT AND BACK UP YOUR PRODUCT AND REPUTATION (and I don't mean with a replacement box of garlic mashed potatoes!)

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Indy Pressa
, US
Jul 01, 2016 9:17 am EDT

I have had the same experience TWICE! The first time was over a month ago, I always buy the B. E. Mashed potatoes and when I microwaved them, I saw a lot of black specks in it, so I threw them away. Yesterday I purchased another container of the mashed potatoes, the same black specks appeared again! This time I am returning back to the Kroger store. I am in Lawrence IN, so it is not just in one specific store. I am not going to purchase them again. Sorry Bob Evans, but you have ruined our appetite for your mashed potatoes!

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W G Martin
, US
Jul 09, 2023 8:02 pm EDT
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I had Bob Evans Mashed Potatoes Original bought at our local Food Lion for dinner tonight. There was large black chunks in the potatoes. I thought at first it was some kind of spice or herb but the ingredient label didn’t mention anything like that in the ingredients. I laid the pieces aside and don’t think I ate any. I won’t be buying any more of Bob Evans Mashed Potatoes. I took a picture and am going to try to add the photo to this comment.

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W G Martin
, US
Jul 09, 2023 8:42 pm EDT
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Replying to comment of W G Martin

Well I must have ingested some of the black things. It is about 1 1/2 hours after dinner and I now have gas and diarrhea.

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Steven Tyler
, US
Feb 14, 2024 9:09 pm EST
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Replying to comment of W G Martin

That’s mouse I got the same [censored] in my tonight I’m out of my mind

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Kenneth M. Thomas
, US
Apr 11, 2016 7:52 pm EDT

I agree as well. Only i had huge chunks of mashed potatoes and black things the size of a peanut. PLEASE FIX THIS. This is one of my go to meals at least once a week. Now I can't even think about buying these anymore. It was disgusting.