A trip to the supermarket turned into a terrifying experience for Neville Linton, a 63-year-old British grandfather, when he discovered a live snake hidden among the florets of his Aldi-bought broccoli. Neville, who has a lifelong fear of snakes, was preparing a meal when he noticed the reptile moving. Initially, he thought it might be a large insect or caterpillar, but as the creature stirred, he realized it was something much more alarming ¹ ².
Concerned for the safety of his household, which includes his disabled son and elderly mother-in-law, Neville quickly called his sister for help. She confirmed that the creature was indeed a snake, leaving Neville shaken and searching for answers. The reptile was eventually secured and taken to Dudley Zoo, where experts identified it as a young ladder snake, a non-venomous species native to southwestern Europe ².
According to specialists, it’s possible for wild snakes to be unintentionally swept up during farm harvesting and transported along with produce. While the snake’s journey startled Neville and his family, zoo staff reassured that this species poses no danger to people. In fact, the snake has now found a new home at the zoo, where it will help teach visitors about wildlife and dispel fears surrounding snakes ².
Aldi has issued a public apology to Neville and his family, stating that they’re investigating how this incident occurred and emphasizing their high food safety standards. However, Neville has expressed disappointment with the level of compensation offered, stressing the potential risk to his vulnerable family members. Despite this, the incident has had an unexpected silver lining, with the snake now playing an educational role at the zoo ².
