“Woolworths Rip Off”: Sunshine Coast Man Weighs 700g Brisket From Woolies and Gets Unfair Result

• A Sunshine Coast content creator shared a video after purchasing a 700g brisket from Woolworths, only to discover the actual weight was significantly different
• The viral video sparked heated debate about grocery store practices, with some viewers explaining the "E" symbol next to weights means estimated weight
• South Africans flooded the comments with mixed reactions, sharing their own experiences with Woolworths' pricing and weighing practices

A Sunshine Coast content creator has left social media users divided after sharing a video that questioned Woolworths' meat weighing practices.

The TikTok user @feed.me.social.me, known for sharing driving videos, scenic routes, and asking viewers for their opinions on various topics, posted the clip on 2 September 2025 with a caption that simply read:

"Woolworths rip off meat."

In the video, the gentleman explains that he had just purchased a 700g brisket from Woolworths. He then proceeds to remove the meat from its packaging and places it on his kitchen scale. The result left him fuming. The scale showed the brisket weighed only 407g, nearly 300g less than what was stated on the package.

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The frustrated shopper expressed his anger at what he felt was being ripped off by the popular grocery store. The video quickly gained traction, receiving over 2,000 reactions and more than 500 comments from viewers who had plenty to say about the situation.

Mzansi reacts to Woolies brisket drama

Social media users had plenty to say about the weighing incident, with opinions split on whether the shopper had a valid complaint.

@V….down….under… suggested:

"Take it back and also report it to the ombudsman."

@Nigel Josephs explained:

"On the packaging, it should say Frozen Weight and De-Frosted Weight."

@bris_tradie pointed out:

"See that big 'E' next to the weight? That means estimated weight, and that gets them off the hook."

@Tory_Maynard shared:

"I've stopped buying almost everything from Woolies, they will keep doing this if people keep coming back."

@💥🪬🧿barleystriking🧿🪬💥 added:

"The little 'e' next to the weight means it's estimated... So they legally can't get sued for selling less."

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@Martin Botha41 defended:

"People saying include the sauce are wrong. The meat is supposed to be 700g because they charge per kilo of meat, not sauce included."

@Missy concluded:

"Take it back. 400g is almost half. The estimate would be 50g, give or take."

Does frozen food weigh more

According to experts at BondMeds, frozen food typically weighs slightly more than fresh food due to ice crystal formation. Water expands when it freezes inside food cells, adding to the total weight. However, this increase is usually small, ranging from 2 to 8% depending on the food's water content.

The weight difference becomes more noticeable in foods with higher water content, like vegetables and fruits, which can gain 3-5% weight when frozen. Meat products show minimal change, usually no more than 2%. Pre-prepared frozen foods often weigh less than fresh alternatives because manufacturers remove excess water during processing before freezing.

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Watch the TikTok clip below:

Other stories about Woolworths

• Briefly News recently reported on a mother who shared her R10,000 monthly grocery haul for her family of three from Woolworths, with the amount leaving South Africans questioning how families can afford basic groceries in the current economic climate.
• A woman gave viewers an exclusive tour of the revamped Woolworths Tygervalley flagship store, but the luxurious new design had many questioning whether the store was now only catering to wealthy customers.
• A Johannesburg woman made headlines when she left a creative message instead of a tip at a Woolworths restaurant, with her R584 bill sparking fierce debate about the store's pricing and tipping culture.

Source: Briefly News