What was meant to be a simple grocery trip turned into a shocking experience for Neville Linton, a British grandfather. After purchasing a bag of broccoli from his local Aldi store, Neville returned home and placed it in his refrigerator. When he later unwrapped the vegetables to prepare a meal, he was stunned to discover a live snake hidden among the florets.
Neville, who has a strong fear of snakes, described the encounter as “absolutely terrifying.” His first thought was for the safety of his household, which includes his disabled son and elderly mother-in-law. At first, he thought it might be a large insect or caterpillar, but when the creature began to move, he quickly realized it was something far more serious. Seeking help, he called his sister, who confirmed it was indeed a snake.
The reptile was safely contained and taken to Dudley Zoo, where staff initially identified it as a young ladder snake, a non-venomous species native to parts of southwestern Europe. Experts explained that such incidents can occur when wild snakes accidentally get scooped up by agricultural equipment during harvesting and make their way into shipments of fresh produce. While the snake’s unexpected journey caused quite a scare, specialists reassured the public that ladder snakes are harmless to humans.
Aldi issued a public apology to Neville and his family, stating they were investigating how this could have happened and emphasizing that their usual standards of food safety are very high. Neville, however, has expressed dissatisfaction with the compensation offered, noting the potential risk to his vulnerable family members. On a positive note, the snake now has a new home at the zoo, where it will serve to educate visitors about wildlife and help dispel fears surrounding snakes.