Woolworths pulls broccoli from shelves after two redback spider finds this week
Woolworths has pulled broccoli from three of their suppliers off its shelves after a redback spider lunged at a man when he was cutting up the vegetable.
It’s the second time this week the deadly spider has been found in broccoli, reportedly purchased from the supermarket.
Maurice Wilson claims he was cutting up broccoli he brought from Woolworths Nambour in Queensland, when the spider lunged at his fingers.
He reportedly contacted the supermarket and was offered a $20 gift card.
The close call came after another woman, Dee Nott, also found a redback in her broccoli from Runaway Bay on Sunday.
Ms Nott shared her photo of the spider find on the supermarket's Facebook page and was asked by staff to contact them immediately.
“Hi team Woolworths. I just had a nasty surprise - a live redback spider in my broccoli purchased today at your Runaway Bay store,” Nott said.
“I am lucky it did not bite me as I washed it. I plan to take in the critter (now frozen) and my receipt tomorrow. I thought I should mention it in case there is an infestation.”
"We're very concerned about this, Dee, and take incidents like this very seriously," A Woolworths spokesperson wrote.
"Please let us know your phone number, and state, in a Private Message at (their message page) so that we can follow this up with you ASAP. Thanks."
The withdrawl affects stores in Queensland and New South Wales, according to Sydney Morning Herald.
Woolworths has said the supply of broccoli from three suppliers has been temporarily suspended while the supermarket works to ensure safety.
"We are currently in contact with customers who have brought concerns to our attention,” a Woolworths spokesman said.
The spokesperson said broccoli supply would not be affected as the retailer sourced from a number of suppliers.
