What was meant to be a routine grocery run turned into a startling experience for British grandfather Neville Linton. After buying a head of broccoli from Aldi and preparing to cook it at home, he was stunned to find a live snake tucked between the florets.
Linton, who has been afraid of snakes since childhood, said the moment was “deeply distressing,” especially because he lives with his disabled son and elderly mother-in-law.
Initially believing the small creature was just an insect, he realized the truth only when it began to move. Unsure how to react, he immediately called his sister, who helped him safely contain the unexpected visitor.
The reptile was later taken to Dudley Zoo, where staff identified it as a young ladder snake — a non-venomous species native to parts of southwestern Europe. Experts noted that such incidents, while rare, can happen when wildlife is unintentionally collected during crop harvesting and transported abroad. They emphasized that ladder snakes pose no danger to the public.
Aldi issued a formal apology and confirmed that an internal review would be conducted to determine how the snake ended up in the produce section. The company restated its commitment to strict food-safety procedures. Linton, however, felt the compensation he received did not fully reflect the shock and potential risk to his family.
As for the snake, it now has a permanent residence at the zoo, where it will be used in educational programs that highlight biodiversity and the importance of wildlife conservation.
