Johannesburg mother discovers mould growing inside pie she bought for her daughter at Food Lover’s Market branch in Comaro Crossing

What was supposed to be a simple food run for a quick snack ended in total disgust for one Johannesburg mom.

Nicole Koopman, a local entrepreneur and content creator, had picked up a pie for her daughter from the Food Lover’s Market at Comaro Crossing, hoping to treat her little one.

But instead of a warm, comforting bite, she uncovered something far more disturbing — a mouldy mess.

Mouldy Pie Leaves Mom Horrified

Nicole, who goes by @cola_pops on TikTok, took to the platform earlier this week to share her experience.

Her video — which has since racked up nearly 3 million views — shows the moment she cracked open the pie only to discover visible mould inside.

“This pie smelled funny,” she said, visibly shaken in the video.

What followed was a wave of outrage — not just from Nicole, but from thousands of viewers who were equally horrified by what they saw.

Management’s Response Raises Eyebrows

Not one to stay quiet, Nicole confronted the store’s bakery staff at the Johannesburg branch.

When she asked to speak to a manager, she was told to seek medical attention for her daughter and to bring back the doctor’s bill — a response that left many viewers stunned.

During her conversation with staff, Nicole was told the pies were not made in-house but were supplied by an outside vendor.

The bakery manager also admitted he wasn’t sure whether the stock had been rotated properly — raising serious questions about quality control at the store.

Nicole’s frustration was clear: “Why are you not checking it? How is mould getting in?”

Viewers Demand Accountability

South Africans didn’t hold back in the comment section of Nicole’s post.

Many expressed their shock and demanded answers from Food Lover’s Market — a store that prides itself on freshness and quality.

Some even called for broader investigations into the chain’s food safety practices.

The incident clearly struck a chord with consumers who expect higher standards when it comes to food safety, especially when children are involved.

Food Lover’s Market Responds

In response to public outcry, Food Lover’s Market told The South African that they had reached out to Nicole directly and issued an apology.

They also confirmed that they’re investigating the incident and are currently waiting for lab results to understand the exact cause of the contamination.

Whether it’s a supplier issue or a lapse in internal quality checks, the chain now finds itself under intense scrutiny — and shoppers are watching closely.