A British grandfather, Neville Linton, had a shocking experience after a normal trip to Aldi. While unpacking his groceries, he froze when he saw something moving inside his bag of broccoli. What was supposed to be dinner “instead revealed a shocking discovery that left him shaken.”

Linton, who has a fear of snakes, was especially worried for his disabled son and elderly mother-in-law. At first, he thought it was an insect, but when it moved, he called his sister, who confirmed it was a snake.

The reptile was safely taken to Dudley Zoo, where experts identified it as a young ladder snake, a non-venomous species from southwestern Europe. Specialists explained that wild animals can sometimes be “unintentionally swept up during farm harvesting and transported along with produce.”

Aldi issued an apology and began an investigation, noting their “high food safety standards.” However, Neville was disappointed with the compensation, saying the frightening situation could have endangered his family.

The story ended positively for the snake. Rehomed at the zoo, it will now live safely while helping educate visitors about wildlife and “the surprising ways it can cross paths with everyday life.”