A London mother has been left feeling physically sick after making a stomach-churning discovery in her weekly Tesco grocery delivery. Chelsea White, from Chingford, received what she thought was a routine online order - until she spotted something that shouldn't have been anywhere near her food.
The 28-year-old was unpacking her bags when she made the shocking find: a used COVID-19 lateral flow test nestled among her fresh produce and household items.
'I Felt Physically Sick'
"I was putting away my shopping when I noticed this plastic wrapper at the bottom of one bag," Chelsea explained. "When I picked it up and realised it was a used COVID test, I felt physically sick. My immediate thought was that someone had been handling my food after using this test."
The mother immediately contacted Tesco, who apologised and refunded her entire £60 order. However, Chelsea says the incident has left her questioning the supermarket's hygiene standards.
Tesco's Response
A Tesco spokesperson told The Mirror: "We have very high standards of food safety and we're sorry that on this occasion we've fallen short. We've apologised to Ms White and will be reminding colleagues at the store of the importance of following our procedures."
Despite the apology and refund, Chelsea remains concerned about how such a serious breach could occur. "This isn't just about getting my money back - it's about public health," she stressed.
Broader Implications for Food Safety
This incident raises important questions about:
- Supermarket delivery hygiene protocols
- Staff training and awareness
- Consumer confidence in online grocery services
- Food safety standards in the post-pandemic era
Chelsea has vowed to be more vigilant with future grocery deliveries and is considering switching to a different supermarket. "I'll definitely be checking every item carefully from now on," she said.
