Family discovers black widow in bag of grapes

[OhioChick]

Posted: 6:57 AM

DETROIT - One family got more than they bargained for when they brought home a bag of grapes.

When a Detroit area woman bought a bag of grapes from her local Kroger and found a black widow spider inside.

Her 20-year-old son first noticed a web and then saw the spider as he enjoyed the usually healthy snack.

They put the spider in a jar and called Kroger.

Kroger released the following statement on Wednesday:

"Kroger is obviously concerned about the well being of our customers. We are extremely grateful no one was harmed in this incident. We recognize the customers reached out to our store team. The store team addressed their concerns with the customer. Kroger works extensively with our growers to insure there are inspection processes points in place to make sure we are providing safe and quality food at all times. We also encourage customers to practice safe food handling if this is ever a concern to contact your local Kroger store."

http://www.newsnet5.com/dpp/news/local_news/water_cooler/Family-discovers-black-widow-in-bag-of-grapes

[ProdigalJunkMail]

1. this is why you dump then in a collander

spray them with fruit-wash and then rinse them...

sP

[randome]

2. Now THAT'S talented!

[hr][font color="blue"][center]There is nothing you can't do if you put your mind to it.
Nothing.[/center][/font][hr]

[hollysmom]

3. this is like the story about the family that found African spiders in a nest on a banana -

they had to evacuate their home until the spiders were removed. Firs the store offered them a 10 dollar coupon but eventually paid for the fumigation.

Check that fruit, people. (or check that, fruit people or Check, that fruit people) Sorry, punch drunk from raking.

[OhioChick]

4. They first offered the family a $10 coupon??

[hollysmom]

5. yes, a store credit.

[stevenleser]

6. One kind of banana spider is really dangerous. The Brazilian wandering spider

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brazilian_wandering_spider
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The genus Phoneutria includes some of the relatively few species of spiders known to present a threat to humans. Danger to humans is not merely a question of toxicity, but requires the capacity to deliver the venom, a sufficient quantity of venom, a disposition that makes a bite likely and proximity to human habitation. The actual incidence of death or serious injury must also be considered.
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The spider's wandering nature is another reason it is considered so dangerous. In densely populated areas, Phoneutria species usually search for cover and dark places to hide during daytime, leading it to hide within houses, clothes, cars, boots, boxes and log piles, thus generating accidents when people disturb it. Its other common name, "banana spider", comes from its tendency to hide in banana bunches or plantations, and it is occasionally found as a stowaway within shipments of bananas. These spiders can also appear in banana crates sent to grocery stores and bulk food centers around the world. One such instance happened in 2005 with a shipment of bananas arriving at Bridgwater, England, when a man was bitten by a P. fera. Due to quick medical care he survived, taking nearly a week to recover from the bite following treatment.

[hollysmom]

7. that was it, I remember them saying a wandering spider.

[OhioChick]

9. That sounds awful

Makes me think twice about going through the bunches of bananas at the store to find the greenest ones.

[stevenleser]

10. I'm arachnophobic due to an incident as a kid so I tend to remember these things

I'm half Panamanian and at age three I was visiting the grandfolks down there and I woke up one morning to a massive spider on the ceiling directly over my head.

Have had issues with spiders since then. Getting better, but slowly.

[OhioChick]

12. Reading that gave me a chill up my spine as an adult

I can't fathom the fear you felt as a child.

I'm glad to hear that you're slowly conquering your fear. It can be done.

[MagickMuffin]

8. I Had This Experience Years Ago

Except the spider wasn't black but brown instead. I called our local fumigator and took it to them. They also had never seen a brown widow spider. I believe they wanted to keep it as a trophy in a bottle sort of thing to show it to customers.

These were organic grapes. Kinda scary, but I survived!

[TwilightGardener]

11. LOL--I guess I should be in a constant state of terror, I've got black widows in my garage, my

window wells, my exterior lights and door jambs. I picked up a rake last year to move a tumbleweed pile and one crawled out of the hollow metal tube where the handle attaches. Until they can fly, I'm not too concerned--just need to shake out shoes and boots, and especially don't stick your hands and fingers where you can't see. That goes for rattlesnakes, too.

[OhioChick]

13. "rattlesnakes, too?"

In my mind, spiders are bad enough, but snakes?

I'd probably give myself a heart attack.

[TwilightGardener]

14. Pretty common in my region to find rattlesnakes (west/southwest), but they are usually shy and

try to get away as fast as they can. Coachwhips (red racers) on the other hand aren't venomous but are pretty assertive and can bite, from what I've heard. You just can't surprise them, is all, or put your hands and feet into their hiding places. Pets usually get into trouble with them, more than people.

[Initech]

15. Good thing I'm allergic to grapes!