My 15 year old son has been very disappointed with my weekly grocery shops over the last few months because I return without two items that he especially enjoys. Coffee milk (2 litres) and sesame seed buns.
A small thing maybe – but he’s a 6 foot 4 in teen with a big appetite and my kids have always been milk drinkers and it’s a family ritual – fresh bread for Saturday lunch. The sesame seed buns actually became a favourite at the grandparents – and I imagine they have been around for decades.
But no more.
For a long time, I just thought that because I shopped reasonably early on a Saturday morning that somehow they were not putting out the coffee milk (another weekend treat) or the said buns by say 9am. Recently I decided to take action, and emailed Thorndon New World to express my displeasure.
I got a response – that was good but … apparently Fonterra has replaced 2 litre coffee milk with strawberry milk – not the same appeal at all in my household, but I have to accept that as presumably a commercial decision.
But sesame seeds. There’s a risk of cross-contamination because of the allergens associated with them so they are no longer being produced. This seems to me to be ridiculous – having to cater for the tiny tiny minority of people with a sesame seed allergy – means everyone else who enjoys the taste and health-giving qualities of sesame seeds misses out.
I feel sorry for people with allergies – but like any health issue, ultimately it’s up to the person afflicted to take responsibility for managing that condition. And sorry to sesame seed sufferers – but stopping baking buns that have been around for decades seems really really stupid.
Like – has anyone ever even had an allergic reaction because of a cross-contamination from a little bun?
May be consumers should start fighting back!
