Long-Expired Food Found Floating On Amazon

The following news will likely scare Amazon-stuff addicts and those who regularly order food there. According to CNBC's report, in the race for the food freshness, Amazon is losing ground to Whole Food as a number of its third-party vendors are being exposed to shipping expired food products. For example, Teavana unsafe goods were discontinued two years ago while Hostess brownies have been stored for years. A data analytics company recently also revealed that at least 40% of sellers encountered five negative complaints about their food quality. In food segments, in which there are numerous vendors selling the same products, it will be confusing for buyers to figure out if the food ordered is fresh or not. 

On Amazon's side, the company has tightened its product portfolio. The spokesperson emphasized to CNBC that vendors are responsible for complying with Amazon's regulation and policies, including ensuring the shelf life of any items of 90 days or more. The company is also enhancing technology usages such as Artificial Intelligence in conjunction with shoppers' reviews to research the feedback, thereby preventing counterfeit products or disobedient sellers. 

Even so, expired food somehow is still making its way to people’s meals, and partly due to the company’s approach to its third-party sellers. Amazon also has operational loopholes when it has confusion with the sellers and cancels feedback which is for orders that can be retrieved from its warehouse, a move which shows their “accountability” to customers. Clearly, this has hidden possible recidivism. And therefore, greater guarantee is essential for food freshness, as well as higher responsibility when the incidents occur. However, so far we have yet known until when these failures will be resolved.