Just because we’ve heard of people finding black widow spiders in their grapes doesn’t make it any less icky this time around: A Vermont woman was reportedly hospitalized after a stowaway arachnid hiding in her produce bit her.
The woman bought the grapes at a Shaw’s supermarket in Massachusetts, reports WPTZ. Her mother says that when she reached her hand into the bag of fruit, the spider crawled up her daughter’s arm and took a bite.
They were able to catch the spider, bringing it along with them to the hospital. A nurse confirmed to WPTZ that the spider had been identified correctly.
A representative from Shaw’s Public Affairs office issued a statement regarding the incident, saying that the the health and safety of products it sells and its customers are of the highest priority.
“We have been closely monitoring the situation and been in contact with the family. We replaced product in the customer’s refrigerator as a precaution and took immediate action to inspect the product at the customer’s store,” the rep says. “We also are inspecting the product in all of our stores and have been in touch with the supplier, which has an extensive food safety management system in place.”
People bitten by black widows might experience some muscle pain, experts say, requiring treatment at the hospital to have the situation monitored. Severe cases can require anti-venom, and most people are back to normal after a few days.
Previously in hitchhiking arachnids: Whole Foods Organic Grapes: Now With Free Black Widow Spiders; Great, Now We Have To Worry About Black Widow Spiders Hiding In Grapes
Colchester woman hospitalized after being bitten by black widow spider [WPTZ]
SOURCE: Consumerist – Read entire story here.
