Sainsbury's shopper discovers TOAD inside bag of parsnips - 'We could have been poisoned!'
WATCH: Vegan protesters block shopper in supermarket
GB News
A Kent mother was left "traumatised" after discovering a live toad inside a bag of Sainsbury's premium baby parsnips that had spent five days in her fridge.
Karen Bennett, who is a charity worker, made the shocking find while preparing a Sunday roast dinner after purchasing the Taste the Difference British Heritage Baby Parsnips from the Sittingbourne Sainsbury's store.
"I dropped my scissors and screamed. I had a bit of a panic attack. I couldn't work out what it was," Bennett told the MailOnline.
"I was screaming and jumping around the kitchen and my husband and son came to my rescue.""It was shocking. I couldn't believe what I was seeing. I am traumatised by it. It's taken me days to get over it. He looked like he was smiling when I first saw him," she added.
A Kent mother was left "traumatised" after discovering a live toad inside a bag of Sainsbury's premium baby parsnips that had spent five days in her fridge
Getty/ Google maps
The toad, which Bennett named Nippy, survived five days in her refrigerator before being discovered.
Bennett expressed concerns about potential poisoning risks, noting: "Had we eaten parsnips we could have been poisoned. He would have been scared and might have secreted on the parsnips."
Common toads can emit poison from glands on the back of their heads when feeling threatened.
"The worst bit is what the poor toad has gone through. First it has been washed, dried and sealed," she said.
Bennett attempted to contact Sainsbury's but received only an automated response after nine days.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
"I called them and they said wait for an email. I've not had much joy yet," she said.
A Sainsbury's spokesperson said: "We have strict quality control measures in place to prevent this type of thing from happening and are investigating this rare experience with our supplier."
"I've been put off Sainsbury's for a while. Their quality control can't be very good," Bennett added.
This is not the first time Sainsbury's has faced such an incident. Previously, a live frog was discovered in a sealed bag of watercress, spinach and rocket salad purchased from their North Clapham store.
Maddie McIvor, who found the amphibian in her £1.30 salad bag, said: "I was so surprised and my housemate just didn't believe me."
Karen Bennett, who is a charity worker, made the shocking find while preparing a Sunday roast dinner after purchasing the Taste the Difference British Heritage Baby Parsnips from the Sittingbourne Sainsbury's store
Google maps
The frog was later released into McIvor's garden, and Sainsbury's offered her a £20 Nectar points voucher as compensation.
Bennett took Nippy to a wildlife centre where the toad is now recovering.
"They had a pad ready with mealworms," she said. "I've asked for updates and he's looking stronger now than when I first saw him, which is wonderful."
Bennett plans to visit Nippy in the spring before he is released into the wild.
"Lots of people have been asking. It's a happy ending for the poor little fella!" she added.
You may like
