ALDI are investigating a thermometer after a mother claimed it gave inaccurate readings which could have cost her baby’s life.
Angela Cochrane-Dyer said the scanning thermometer gave “normal” readings when her 16-week-old baby obviously had a high temperature.
When paramedics were called out they quickly discovered baby Meredith had a dangerously high temperature and rushed her to hospital.
Angela, from Todmorden West Yorkshire, paid £15 for the contactless scanning thermometer.
Meredith became ill on April 29 but the device gave readings between 36.7 and 37.4 degrees.
Angela, 35, became so concerned she called 111. Paramedics established the tot had a temperature of 39.1 and took her to hospital where she spent three days for meningitis and sepsis screening.
Meredith has fully recovered by Angela wants to warn the public about the thermometer.
She told Aldi online: “To say I’m upset is an understatement. I purchased one of your forehead scanning thermometers for my new baby.
“When she seemed unwell on Monday, I used the scanner regularly throughout that day with readings of between 36.7 degrees and 37.4 degrees. I gave her medicine anyway as she felt hot to me.
“Later that afternoon, she seemed to be really burning up so took her temperature with your scanner again giving me a reading of 36.9 degrees.”
Referring to the accurate reading taken by paramedics, she said: “As she is only 16 weeks old, this kind of temperature is quite serious and I feel your thermometer delayed me seeking important treatment.
“ I don’t want anything else from this post but for you to recall this product so that this or something much more serious, doesn’t happen to anyone else.”
Lisa Anne commented on Angela’s post writing: “That’s awful. Hope they listen to you and act quickly.”
Lisa Lunniss wrote: “This is really bad. Thank goodness you are so vigilant and thank goodness for warning others.”
Liz Walters said: “The forehead, under-arm & mouth thermometers are just not accurate and reliable enough. That’s why you will find that most medical/health services use digital ear thermometers these days.”
However, some users shared their own experience of the contactless thermometer.
Jill Hatton said: “I have a version bought last year. Same problem, ended up at the chemist buying head strips and one for under the arm.”
Speaking today Angela said: “I’m glad I went with my gut and disregarded the thermometer but someone else might not.
“I don’t want anything else from this post but to raise awareness and urge anyone who has one to return it.”
Aldi today confirmed that the thermometer is no longer for sale but insisted this was due it having been a special offer in January.
A spokesman said: “We are working with our suppliers to find out whether this product was giving false readings and, if it was, what may have caused those readings.
“Our initial findings suggest that dirt on the thermometer may have compromised its performance.
“We are sorry to hear of Ms Cochrane Dyer’s experience and wish her daughter a speedy recovery.”
Angela, who is still due to hand over the product, refuted Aldi’s claim that dirt could have affecting the thermometer.
She said: “It’s brand new and others are having problems. There is definitely no dirt on it.
“Aldi have been in contact with me and have asked that I take it back this Friday, fill in a complaint form and they will also issue a refund.”
Carla Collins, reacting to Angela’s story, said she had similar issues with the in-ear version of the digital thermometer.
She said: “There other thermometer isn’t much better – kept telling me my son, who is six, was in the normal range, for the doctors to read 40.2. I will never use it again.”
ENDS
