Walmart is the largest grocery retailer in the United States. However, just because it’s everywhere, that doesn’t mean the stuff it sells is always the best.
According to Supermarket News, Walmart controls about 20.3% of the U.S. food and beverage market. This isn’t just prepackaged snacks and soda, either; in the past two decades, Walmart locations have substantially increased their stocks of fruits, vegetables, and meat.
Like any grocery retailer, the fresh food that the chain stocks can be a mixed bag. You might get a good deal on a bunch of bananas—or you could find yourself sorting through a pile of apples to find one that isn’t bruised.
One shopper recently went to Walmart to purchase some Great Value frozen burger meat. When he got home, however, he realized something about it wasn’t quite right. Should he really be concerned?
Uh, What’s Wrong With These Great Value Beef Burgers?
In a video with over 123,000 views, TikTok user Michael DaBaker (@dabaker32) explains that he recently bought a pack of 32 Great Value Beef Burgers from a Walmart in Fort Myers, Florida.
“Yesterday, I’m getting home. I’m like, ‘Oh, I’m getting hungry,’” he says, showing the box. “Open this up. I’m like, ‘OK, these look incredibly gray.’”
DaBaker then shows a patty. It is, in fact, incredibly gray.
“Then I put one out,” he continues. “I’m like, ‘This is like, completely and utterly freezer burnt.’ They’re all like that.”
The TikToker concludes by saying that he plans to take the burgers back, though he believes that he may be unable to do so as he did not save his receipt. He has not provided an update about whether the store took the burgers back.
Is There Really Something Wrong With These Walmart Burgers?
In the comments section, some users said that there was nothing wrong with the burgers shown in the video.
“Not freezer burnt, [they’re] 25% fat, hence the color and texture,” wrote a user.
“My family buys those burgers and they are really good,” added another. “yes they even look like that but they aren’t nasty, they are really good.”
“These burgers are delicious,” stated a third.
So, is there really something wrong with the burgers?
To start, one should not be immediately suspicious just because their frozen beef is gray. According to the USDA, ground beef that has turned gray in the freezer is not necessarily unsafe. Southern Living adds that beef that has been frozen can also turn gray.
Instead of being unsafe, the meat is likely just freezer burnt. This just means that the burgers have dehydrated during the freezing and storage process. The meat remains safe to eat, though the flavor and texture can be severely impacted.
Can He Return Them To Walmart?
Whether the freezer burn is reason enough to return them without a receipt is another question.
Walmart’s return policy is pretty wide-reaching. According to the company’s website, “Returns are available for nearly everything Walmart sells.” This means that food returns are generally accepted within 90 days, with some exceptions.
This can be done by simply returning the item to the store with your receipt. If you do not have a receipt, a customer service worker may be able to locate your receipt using the card with which you bought the item.
Alternatively, Walmart’s website offers a receipt lookup tool. This allows customers to supply information relevant to their purchase and, in many cases, find their receipt.
Even if a receipt cannot be located, Walmart will likely still accept the return. If the customer shows government-issued photo identification, they can either exchange the item for a replacement or get the amount refunded to a Walmart gift card.
In short, DaBaker will likely be able to receive a refund for his burger patties.
BroBible reached out to Walmart via media relations contact form and DaBaker via TikTok and Instagram direct message.