Aldi customers complain popular snack now tastes ‘really gross’ after change to product
ALDI customers are complaining about a change to a popular snack that has left it tasting “really gross”.
The Meatsters are an own-brand dupe of the Peperami salami sticks and they’re usually a hit with shoppers.
But numerous shoppers have flooded social media with complaints about the product.
One wrote on the Aldi UK Shoppers Facebook group: “Anyone having issues with the mini meatsters? My aldi didn’t stock them for a while and since they have come back they are awful!
“Not the best picture but that is fat in the packet the meat was covered in it, others have been really hard and dry.”
Others said they had similar experiences with the product.
“Agree. We can’t get the little ones, but got some big ones and there so greasy and full on liquid fat…gross!” one person said.
Another wrote: “Yes we had the same problem! They are disgusting now.”
Some of the social media users said they had enjoyed the meaty snack before but it seemed to be different to before.
The Sun understands there has been a change to the way the product is produced.
An Aldi spokesperson told The Sun: “While perfectly safe, we appreciate that this product did not meet our normal standards.
“Anyone experiencing this should return it to their nearest store for a full refund.”
It comes after shoppers recently complained they couldn’t find the Meatsters in stores.
At the time, Aldi said the product had not been discontinued.
There are three versions of the Meatsters available to buy.
These are the Mini versions, which come in a pack of 10 and are priced at £2.19.
The Classic Meatster Snack Salami comes in a pack of five and costs £1.99.
Then there is also the Hot Meatster Snack Salami, which has a spicy flavour but costs the same price as the classic version.
Recipe changes that have angered customers
Other popular brands have caused complaints after making changes to their recipes.
Heinz was slammed by shoppers last year after it changed the ingredients in its baked beans with sausages.
Sainsbury’s customers also recently complained about a change to its Sweetened Long Life Soya Drink 1L.
Nestle was bombarded with complaints on social media about its Fruit Pastilles and Jelly Tots.
Why are products axed or recipes changed?
ANALYSIS by chief consumer reporter James Flanders.
Food and drinks makers have been known to tweak their recipes or axe items altogether.
They often say that this is down to the changing tastes of customers.
There are several reasons why this could be done.
For example, government regulation, like the “sugar tax,” forces firms to change their recipes.
Some manufacturers might choose to tweak ingredients to cut costs.
They may opt for a cheaper alternative, especially when costs are rising to keep prices stable.
For example, Tango Cherry disappeared from shelves in 2018.
It has recently returned after six years away but as a sugar-free version.
Fanta removed sweetener from its sugar-free alternative earlier this year.
Suntory tweaked the flavour of its flagship Lucozade Original and Orange energy drinks.
While the amount of sugar in every bottle remains unchanged, the supplier swapped out the sweetener aspartame for sucralose.