[mg_2204]

Hello!

It's not a big issue but... a bit frustrating though I must admit. Ever been asked (in a grocery store) to taste something and then... they refuse because you're diabetic?

In an aisle, I was almost chased by this woman who wanted me to taste this new and improved chicken curry. Then I said ok, ok, I'll have a try. Since I had the time well why not? She proceeded to ask me a few questions first... and the second one being : 'Are you diabetic?' ... Because I am, she said I couldn't taste the chicken. Why? Is it chocolate covered or something?!?? Ok, perhaps I was a bit low... and short on patience again --- But she really made me feel like I was a leper or something. She went from nice and smiling to snappy and ... Ah well!

Just wanted to know if you ever had experiences like that...

Take care all!

Marie

[DeusXM]

I'm intrigued as to why on earth she asked you if you were diabetic....was this part of a survey of some kind, or just a regular store demonstration?

Once again though I think it's another sign of the ignorance of the general population towards people with diabetes. Everyone seems to think that people with diabetes can't have any sugar at all, which is a bit daft really since if we didn't eat any sugar we'd all be dead either of hypos or ketosis. Curry does have sugar, but then again, so does ketchup, bread, milk, pasta sauce, burgers, ready meals...in fact it's very hard to find ANY food (especially 'convenience' foods) that don't have any sugar in, but in all honesty, that's not the point. As I keep restating, you can eat ANYTHING you want even if you have diabetes, you just simply have to take more or less insulin as appropriate.

If I were you I'd raise an actual complaint with the store or company behind this promotion, demand some kind of formal apology. It's discrimination, pure and simple, and the law in the UK will look on this woman's refusal to let you try the curry as just a serious matter as if she had refused you on the basis of the colour of your skin. Unfortunately there's only one way teach people like this about diabetes - to make them learn, you've gotta make them burn.

[mg_2204]

... It was at Tesco's! The first question was : 'Do you work for any of these companies?' ... and there were many choices. Because if you did, you were not allowed to have a taste. The second question was : 'Are you diabetic?' ... On her questionnaire, there were other conditions like high blood pressure and such but diabetes was first.

I don't know why I didn't complain about it. I'm usually good at that! I was so surprised and yes a bit frustrated, I left and concentrated on more important things than... this silly woman.

I agree with you. Doesn't mean because you're diabetic that... you don't eat anything! Next time I go, I'll have a word...

Marie

[lgvincent]

I haven't had that to happen but I have had MANY people act like they were afraid they were going to catch something from me when they learned I have diabetes. Its sad how people who know next to nothing about the disease seem to act like they are experts on the subject. It's strange how many friends you can loose when they learn you have this wonderful little lifetime companion. Not quite the same as your situation though.

[fishy]

Maybe it was some kind of incredibly dangerous curry from Tesco's new "Be Bad To Yourself" range and they felt that it might be dangerous for diabetics.

Or perhaps Insulin is the new MSG?

[DeusXM]

Now I'm worried. I thought that you were just involved in some simple taste test, but it's quite obvious that they'redeveloping a deadly weapon of mass destruction, cunningly designed to eliminate people with high blood pressure, diabetes, and probably a whole host of other conditions like haemophilia, epilepsy and hairy nipples, and when they've finished unleashing it on an unsuspecting public, all that will be left will be blond, blue-eyed Ubermensch who shop exclusively at Tesco.

E-mail Tesco's customer services, or call them on 0800 505555, stating when you were shopping and in which branch you were in. From what I can gather, this should be a simple taste test, since I'd imagine that the majority of shoppers don't have the time to take part in a full scientific study. I really can't see why having diabetes or high blood pressure somehow stops you from tasting a mouthful of curry. I'm astonished that such a large and powerful chain could be so ignorant. Given their size, you'd think that they've probably got at least a couple of employees with diabetes. In fact, Tesco's own healthy living section even says 'The British Diabetic Association does not recommend a special diet for people with diabetes, but simply a healthy balanced diet that the whole population should be eating.' Admittedly, they don't update enough since the BDA is now called Diabetes UK, but clearly there's no excuse for Tesco's to exclude people with diabetes from food trials since they themselves admit they have no reason to do so.



You may also want to give Diabetes UK (http://www.diabetes.org.uk) an email too. They're very good at taking companies to task over discriminatory policies, and although this might seem very insignificant and you wouldn't want to make a fuss, at the very least you should report it to make them aware of the problem in case there are others who've also been unfairly treated.

If you'd been refused because you were black or Jewish, you wouldn't stand for it. Don't stand for this either.

[DeusXM]

Sorry, the email for Tesco's customer services is customer.services@tesco.co.uk

[rzrbks]

DeusXM

Now I'm worried. I thought that you were just involved in some simple taste test, but it's quite obvious that they'redeveloping a deadly weapon of mass destruction, cunningly designed to eliminate people with high blood pressure, diabetes, and probably a whole host of other conditions like haemophilia, epilepsy and hairy nipples, and when they've finished unleashing it on an unsuspecting public, all that will be left will be blond, blue-eyed Ubermensch who shop exclusively at Tesco.

If this were true, they'd have let Marie have all of it she wanted.

I think you've got it just backwards. It is something to get rid of all the healthy people who aren't doing their fair share of supporting the Drug Cartels, Merck, Bayer, etc, and then there will be only people beholding to these Cartels and then the Crtels can run the countries however they want. We will be at their mercy.


On another note, I would have asked why Diabetics weren't supposed to eat this wonder curry. That would have put the person on the spot and gotten you an answer or would have led to someone who could answer your questions.

Which Tesco's was it so we can all e-mail them about the way you were treated?

My friend was recently shopping at your (fill in the blank) store and was denied service because she is Diabetic. Could you please explain this to me.

Probably shock them getting e-mails from outside the U.K.

[mg_2204]

You guys are just hilarious to read!!!

One consolation : it wasn't my awful French Canadian accent this time!!!!

I came this close to make horrible faces and sounds, pretend I had rabbies or something... and run after that lady as if I was mad. Come to think of it... I should have!!!!

LG, I understand what you mean. When I was on insulin (while pregnant) some people close and dear to me were (jokingly but still!) calling me the 'junkie'. I was hurt beyond what I will ever be able to express.

Marie

[Jon]

I have noticed when I go into Costco, that kids can no longer try food without a parent present, in case of food allergies or something. Maybe the lady misunderstood her instructions, and thought that she couldn't give it to diabetics for the same reason. Many people who don't understand try to treat diabetes like an allergy to sugar.

I have seen some medicines that have warnings about consulting a doctor before taking if you have diabetes, maybe this food had the same warning, and they don't want the liability if your bg goes through the roof. Or maybe something in it can't be used with certain diabetes medications.

There are a lot of possibilities here.

[mg_2204]

Hello Jon!

Costco over here too no longer allows children to try food without a parent present. Allergies may be the main reason... but it's also to prevent kids from eating everything

Now that I've read your post... just remembered something! My sister takes something (ok lots of 'somethings') for cardiac arythmia... and obviously she must avoid caffeine and such... but also grapefruits. I was very surprised when she told me. Grapefruits and cardiac meds being a dangerous mix... who would have thought of that?

Many cough and cold syrups have a warning on them. Especially if you have diabetes and/or high blood pressure. I always check before taking anything... but food??! There is always a question of liability. What if the person chokes on a piece of food?

Marie

[DeusXM]

Tesco's should be specially clued up on food allergies etc. since Project Manager Patricia Wheway's son has multiple food intolerances and cannot eat anything dairy or with gluten, which led to Tesco developing their 'Free From' range, a range of foods free from gluten, wheat or milk.

Therefore they're no stranger to dietary needs (and isn't it odd that the Free From range only seems to help those with exactly the same problem as Ms. Wheway's son?) so again, I'd say they've got no excuse.

For the life of me I still can't see how a mouthful of curry could be particularly dangerous to someone with HBP or diabetes. At the very worst, surely you could just taste the food and spit it out, like a wine tester, and therefore it wouldn't actually be able to affect the body?

[mg_2204]

... perhaps it was just a question of 'education' too? Of 'not knowing any better', on the part of that woman... or, more likely, from the people who came up with questionnaire? Came across someone who didn't know that glucose and fructose meant sugar. I guess we're better informed because we have to be careful about our health.

Marie