Moldy Ham Found on Sale at Migros in Pratteln
Pratteln BL, Switzerland – A shopper discovered country smoked ham covered in mold at a Migros Partner branch in Pratteln, despite the product having an expiry date of January 14, 2026. The ham, sold under the M-Budget brand for CHF 3.90 per 100 grams, also showed mold on its packaging, raising concerns about quality control at the supermarket chain.
The discovery isn’t isolated. A review on the Migros product page from a year ago reported a similar issue, with a customer stating thay found mold on the ham a month before its expiration date. This incident highlights potential lapses in inspection procedures and raises questions about the freshness of products on Swiss supermarket shelves.
Migros spokesperson Mélanie Honegger acknowledged the issue, stating, “In fact, a product is not allowed to be sold in this condition.” She explained that leaks in the packaging of unrefrigerated products can allow oxygen to enter, leading to mold growth. “Though, relevant products should of course be discovered and sorted out during inspections,” Honegger added.”We are sorry that this did not happen in this case and is simply a mistake that we very much regret.”
Following publication of the initial report, Migros reviewed surveillance footage and found that an unknown individual intentionally placed the moldy ham on the shelf and photographed it.The supermarket chain now believes the incident was a intentional act and distances itself from any packaging defects. The ham in question came from a recent batch delivered to the store last week, and no prior complaints had been received.
