Another QF catering fail

[JessicaTam]

Well QF have come though in spades - not!

Three weeks ago I booked a Y flight SYD-MEL and then upgraded it with points to J. So QF had about three weeks notice before I flew this Monday (31st).

I select AVML (asian vegetarian) to ensure no nuts. And yes, you guess it, no meal loaded for me - again. Fail #1

Another pax did not want their VGML (standard vegetarian) meal so it was offered to me. It looked very much like AVMLs I have had in the past so I accepted it. (Don't get me started on the lack of variety). Now I only had a few bites as I was not that hungry, but was still grateful for the meal. The dessert/snack with the meal was Howies Rocky Road. Now rocky road can often contain nuts so I checked the ingredients. No issue if it did have nuts in it mind, as that pax's was labelled VGML not AVML. It did not contain nuts.

But what I did see in the ingredients was gelatin. Gelatin is made from tendons/sinews/bones of cows and pigs so is clearly not vegetarian. Fail #2

I have sent a detailed letter using QF's customer care form. It will be interesting to see how they reply.

 

[TomVexille]

I'll be interested to see if you get a proper response

 

[opusman]

Most likely:

"Dear JessicaTam, we are sorry we didn't live up to your expectations on this occurrence. We will try to do better next time, blah, blah, blah..."

 

[Hvr]

I'll be interested to see if you get a proper response

I reckon they'd be too scared to not make a proper response.

A pity that such a basic requirement cannot be filled without problems.

 

[JessicaTam]

On occasion I have had a phone call or detailed email response. Trouble is, they seem more and more just like personalised platitudes.

 

[moa999]

Was it listed as gelatin, or as E441

 

[JessicaTam]

Was it listed as gelatin, or as E441

It is listed as gelatin.

Gelatin is specifically an animal based product. Vego replacements include agar agar, vegetable gum, carrageenan and even corn starch. None of which are known as gelatin.

I appreciate that E441 is gelatin, which is why I have taken pains to explain that gelatin is a specific product.

 

[Pushka]

Gelatin is often forgotten when it comes to things like icecream and sweets, like jellybeans, and thus cant be consumed by Jewish and Muslim people.

 

[JessicaTam]

Gelatin is often forgotten when it comes to things like icecream and sweets, like jellybeans, and thus cant be consumed by Jewish and Muslim people.

OT: I miss mint leaves.
The chemist's guild brand jelly beans don't contain gelatin.

 

[Pushka]

OT: I miss mint leaves.
The chemist's guild brand jelly beans don't contain gelatin.

I love mint leaves. More OT.

 

[jackthomas]

*interested vego subscribing*
Let us know if you hear back JT!

 

[JessicaTam]

*interested vego subscribing*
Let us know if you hear back JT!

You will hear it here first!

 

[boomy]

QF solution to most customer complaints is throwing some FF points at the problem and make it go away, until next time...

 

[TomVexille]

QF solution to most customer complaints is throwing some FF points at the problem and make it go away, until next time...

And I'm not sure that's good enough in this instance.

 

[zainman]

Gelatin is often forgotten when it comes to things like icecream and sweets, like jellybeans, and thus cant be consumed by Jewish and Muslim people.

Unless it's Halal or Kosher gelatin which a lot of gelatin in Australia is.

 

[clazman]

On a particular short flight the diabetic meal was a wholemeal sandwich with tomato and ham and the Halal was the same sandwich minus the ham

 

[boomy]

And I'm not sure that's good enough in this instance.

Off course not. JT reported issues with Vegetarian meals on QF Dom in the past, clearly nothing changed since.

I know for a fact that QF can do a very good job providing special meals. Numerous times over the years I traveled on QF Dom Y with a mate who only eats Kosher food. Each time he ordered the Kosher meal he didn't just get what he asked for, he was also served first and the meal looked and tasted very good (according to him).

 

[TomVexille]

Off course not. JT reported issues with Vegetarian meals on QF Dom in the past, clearly nothing changed since.

I know for a fact that QF can do a very good job providing special meals. Numerous times over the years I traveled on QF Dom Y with a mate who only eats Kosher food. Each time he ordered the Kosher meal he didn't just get what he asked for, he was also served first and the meal looked and tasted very good (according to him).

Good to hear that they can get it right. But that just raises the question of why it keeps happening to JT

 

[Rourke]

Unless it's Halal or Kosher gelatin which a lot of gelatin in Australia is.

True, but Kosher gelatin isn't going to make the ice-cream Kosher. Under Halal I think it's ok. Anyway, I'm vegetarian like the OP and always hunt for gelatin-free yoghurt & dairy. A number of times I've been offered a sample or dish to be told "But it's Halal / Kosher gelatin!" Not the point (for us) ...

 

[zainman]

True, but Kosher gelatin isn't going to make the ice-cream Kosher. Under Halal I think it's ok. Anyway, I'm vegetarian like the OP and always hunt for gelatin-free yoghurt & dairy. A number of times I've been offered a sample or dish to be told "But it's Halal / Kosher gelatin!" Not the point (for us) ...

Correct. Kosher gelatin will not make the ice-cream Kosher.

Naturally all vegetarian and seafood dishes (prepared without alcohol of course) are halal.

Back to the topic, I think it's disappointing service from QF and I would be expecting some vouchers or points