A routine grocery trip turned into a horrifying ordeal for 63-year-old Neville Linton. He discovered a snake hiding in his Aldi-bought broccoli, leaving him shaken and seeking compensation.
Linton purchased the broccoli from an Aldi branch in Stourbridge, England, and stored it in his fridge for three days. When he unwrapped it, he was met with an unexpected guest.
“I’m not good with snakes,” Linton admitted. “It’s lucky I didn’t just leave the broccoli out in the kitchen, or it would have been loose in the house.” His sister, Ann-Marie, identified the creature and helped him contain it.
The snake was taken to Dudley Zoo, where specialists identified it as a young ladder snake. However, herpetologist Dr. Steven J R Allain suspects it might be a viperine water snake, a harmless fish-eating species found in southwestern Europe and northern Africa.
According to Dr. Allain, the snake likely hitched a ride in the broccoli field and survived the journey to the UK due to its ability to go months without food. The fridge’s chill helped slow its metabolism.
Linton seeks compensation for the distressing experience, citing the risk to his disabled son and vulnerable mother-in-law. Aldi has apologized and offered compensation, but Linton finds it insufficient.
The incident highlights the importance of education and understanding about snakes. Dr. Allain emphasizes that viperine water snakes are non-venomous to humans and pose no threat unless you’re a fish or frog.
As Linton navigates the aftermath, his story sparks mixed reactions from the public. While some find humor in the situation, others sympathize with his phobia and concerns.
Aldi reassures customers that their supplier has robust processes in place to prevent such incidents. However, for Linton, the experience has left a lasting impact, and he seeks fair compensation for his ordeal.
