One spooked shopper got the shock of a lifetime after they discovered a humongous Huntsman spider inside a bunch of Tesco bananas originating from the Dominican Republic.
Huntsman spiders are known as the world's largest spiders and can grow up to 12 inches in leg span - equivalent to one foot long.
Craig Harrison, 35, an IT worker, from Windsor, Berkshire, had tucked into one of his bananas before noticing the huge female spider inside the banana bag, clinging onto a large egg sack that could've contained up to 200 babies. and begs people to start checking pre-packed produce.
Having bought the bananas from Tesco in Dedworth, Windsor on March 14, 2023, Craig is now begging people to start checking pre-packed produce.
In a battle for compensation, Craig had to manoeuvre the eight-legged monster into a Tupperware box to be sent off to the supermarket's pest control service who confirmed that the spider had actually travelled over 4000 miles from the Dominican Republic.
Giving him the fright of his life, Craig was left stunned when the banana bag moved and the beast crawled out - still clutching its eggs.
Craig said: "I don't think I've ever had a shock horror reaction like it before, I was completely gobsmacked to discover it.
"I had no idea the package I picked up in store had a Huntsman spider hidden inside, the spider had been nestled between the bananas out of sight, clutching onto its egg sac. The bag wasn't fully transparent, which obscured any view of it.
"I opened the bag at home, ripped off and ate a banana oblivious to the spider being right there in the bag. It was only afterwards, when the bag was moved, that it crawled down the bananas and gave me the fright of my life.
"I don't consider myself to have a spider phobia, generally. This one was in a completely different league though!
"My friends and family couldn't believe it. They were just stunned.
"I kept the spider, clutching it's egg sac, in a Tupperware container and took it in to Tesco the following morning.
"Tesco have offered £100 in compensation, which I'm yet to make a decision upon whether to accept.
"I encourage others to be vigilant when buying pre-packaged fruit and vegetables, it's not impossible for creatures to work their way into our homes in this way.
"I'll be checking all my pre-packaged fruit from now on, or preferably buy loose goods."
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