All Foodstuffs stores in the country, including Pak’nSave and New World supermarkets, pulled out all all Mexican grapes after bites of venomous spiders were discovered in some products.
A total of 10 venomous spiders were discovered, The Ministry for Primary Industries’ (MPI) investigations show that five of those are black widow spiders, one was a brown dies, and two were yellow sack spiders–all venomous. A bite could cause intense pain, like having skin ripped off.
“What widow venom does is it causes an extreme amount of pain and that doesn’t respond to usual pain medication. But antivenom is easily available,” explained spider expert/Canterbury Museum curator Cor Vink.
According to Foodstuffs PR director Antoinette Laird, one spider was discovered at the New World Rolleston.
“Foodstuffs has taken a very conservative approach to withdraw all affected product as customer safety is our top priority,” she said, explaining that they are currently working with the MPI.
Foodstuffs is asking all customers who bought the grapes to wash and inspect the grapes before consumption.
Brendan Gould of the MPI said that they investigations are ongoing, adding that importers of the Mexican grapes that are in transit in the country are being given the option of treating or destroying them on arrival.
Gould also said that Mexico’s exporting season is finished for the year.
The issue has prompted New Zealand First to request the Auditor General to ask for investigations into the performance of MPI. “Enough of this honesty box biosecurity,” said Richard Prosser, New Zealand First’s Primary Industries spokesperson. “Last week, we revealed in Parliament that imported Bulgarian maze was riven with noxious weed seeds and now Mexican table grapes are found to be harbouring black widow spiders. What will be next?”
“I cannot believe imported high risk fruit and vegetables is based solely on a visual inspection. Then again, when MPI does see unwanted weed seeds they look the other way.
