Neville Linton, a 63-year-old shopper, got more than he bargained for when he found a baby ladder snake hiding in his bag of broccoli from Aldi’s Stourbridge store in West Midlands. The non-venomous snake, native to southwestern Europe, sent shockwaves through Linton’s household.
Linton, who is afraid of snakes, recalled the frightening experience. “It was pretty scary,” he said. “I take a dislike to snakes. If I had just left the broccoli in the kitchen, it would have been scattered around the home. Considering that we have two vulnerable individuals living here, it would have been a significant danger for us.”
The snake’s discovery was a mere coincidence. Linton had stored the broccoli in his refrigerator for three days before using it for dinner. As he removed the plastic wrap, he spotted the snake nestled near the stem. His family rushed to catch the snake, and it was later sent to Dudley Zoo for identification.
Linton expressed dissatisfaction with Aldi’s compensation, citing potential danger to his disabled son and mother-in-law. “It’s simply not good enough,” he said. “We would have been in a very precarious situation if it had escaped inside the home. I also have a fear of snakes, which adds to the emotional impact.”
Aldi has launched an investigation into the incident, emphasizing their supplier’s robust preventive measures. “Our supplier has never had a complaint of this nature and has strong processes to stop such problems from happening,” a spokesperson said.
Ladder snakes, found in Spain, Portugal, southern France, and parts of Italy, are known to emit a foul odor when agitated. While not venomous, their bites can be painful.
As Linton seeks further compensation, the incident serves as a reminder of the importance of thorough quality control in food production and supply chains. For Linton and his family, the experience has left a lasting impact, highlighting the potential risks hidden in everyday household items.
