Mercadona's problem products: pork rinds and chocolate under scrutiny

Barbecue pork rinds and crisps: the dark side of Hacendado

Over the past few hours, several consumer complaints have focused on two of Mercadona's snack lines: the barbecue-flavoured pork rinds and the bagged crisps sold under the Hacendado brand. The accounts point to a common pattern: after eating them, digestive problems appear, ranging from diarrhoea to a general feeling of unwellness. The apparent culprit, according to those affected, is an excess of low-quality fat that the body cannot tolerate.

Glutamate and fat: a suspicious cocktail

Some analyses suggest that monosodium glutamate, present in many processed snacks, could aggravate the reaction. But the main suspect is the fat profile: it is described as "oil with a bit of potato", a formula closer to a cheap ultra-processed product than an occasional treat. This is not an isolated problem: several buyers report similar experiences with all of the Spanish chain's bagged crisps.

The chocolate that lost its Swiss origin

Beyond the savoury snacks, another product has raised eyebrows. Until about two months ago, Hacendado chocolate was made in Switzerland. Now, according to industry sources, production has moved to Alicante, and the taste has become "cloying and greasy". The packaging is the same, but the quality has taken a turn that some long-time consumers have not overlooked. The question remains: is Mercadona sacrificing quality for margins in its own-brand range?

Although there are no official studies or product recalls, the accumulation of complaints suggests a shift in trend that the company should keep an eye on. Meanwhile, those who trusted the "saber de tito Roig" (Uncle Roig's taste) may think twice before filling their trolley with treats.