A Morrisons shopper experienced a stomach-churning surprise when they discovered an unexpected extra ingredient in their pre-packaged salad - a live slug crawling among the leaves.
The disturbing find occurred as the customer was preparing what they believed to be a fresh, ready-to-eat meal from the supermarket giant. Instead of the clean greens they expected, they encountered the unwelcome visitor moving through their rocket and baby leaf salad mix.
"I Felt Physically Sick"
"I was absolutely horrified," the shopper recounted. "I'd bought this salad thinking it was pre-washed and ready to eat. When I saw something moving, I initially thought it was my eyes playing tricks on me. Then I realised it was a live slug crawling through the leaves. I felt physically sick."
The incident has raised serious concerns about food safety standards in major supermarket chains, particularly regarding pre-washed and prepared products that consumers trust to be clean and safe for immediate consumption.
Supermarket Response and Compensation
When contacted about the alarming discovery, Morrisons responded promptly, offering the customer a full refund and additional compensation. A spokesperson for the supermarket stated: "We have very high standards and are disappointed to see this. We're in touch with the customer to resolve this and are investigating with our supplier."
While the compensation was appreciated, the customer expressed deeper concerns about the potential health risks and the adequacy of current washing processes for pre-packaged salads.
Broader Implications for Food Safety
This incident isn't isolated. Food safety experts note that similar occurrences have been reported across various supermarkets, highlighting potential gaps in quality control procedures for fresh produce.
- Are current washing methods thorough enough?
- What additional checks should be implemented?
- How can consumers protect themselves?
Food standards agencies recommend that consumers always wash pre-packaged salads thoroughly, despite "pre-washed" labels, as a precautionary measure against potential contaminants.
The discovery serves as a stark reminder to both retailers and consumers that vigilance is essential when it comes to food safety, even with products marketed as ready-to-eat.
