Woman finds black widow spider in grapes

[KIISQueen]

This would of freaked me out!!! I hate spiders!!! Can you imagine your eating these grapes knowing this spider was all over them!!


HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) -- Price Chopper removed a brand of black seedless grapes from the shelves at its Newington supermarket Thursday after a woman said she found a poisonous black widow spider.

Sheryl Rosen of Rocky Hill bought a bag of Autumn Royal black seedless grapes on sale Tuesday. It wasn't until Thursday, when she was eating some grapes at work, that she found the spider in the bag.

"I couldn't believe it," said Rosen, who was not injured. "I never thought I'd see a black widow around here."

The spider was taken to the Connecticut Poison Control Center at the University of Connecticut Health Center, where Rosen works, and verified as a black widow.

"Right now, we have it in a jar and we will wait until we hear if anyone is investigating further about the source," said Bernard Sangalli, toxicologist and administrative director of the center.

Though a black widow's venom is not usually fatal to humans, the bite is extremely painful. The spider is best known for a distinctive red hourglass shape on its abdomen.

Mona Golub, Price Chopper spokeswoman, said the grocery chain confirmed the incident and removed the grapes as a precaution. She said they came from California.

Golub called the incident "rare" saying the supermarket chain has had only a few such cases over the past 20 years.

Paul Hutcheon, director of health for the Central Connecticut Health District, cautioned consumers to stay alert.

"I think it's important for consumers to know this is a possibility and to keep your eyes open and look at what you're doing," he said.

[riskykougra]

Thats not that rare. I used to work in a giant grocery/ superstore here and they found them all the time. They used to tell us in the store room to keep and eye out for them and I worked in the toy department. It was really creepy sometimes cause they would warn you if they thought there was a higher risk of finding one at times. Hated that job!

[Sirrich3]

that is why you wash them out before eating them.....

[Houdini]

I don't see it as a big deal. Bugs crawl on plants. Occasionally a bug may stay on a plant during transport. No biggie.

That said, the more dangerous Brown Widow spider is evidently descending on the NOLA area right now and is posing a big threat. Then again, alligators have been found in pools, and an opossum was found to have taken up residence - kinda catlike - in a nice house a couple of miles down on St. Charles Ave from me.

[Napoleon54]

Reminds me of the time the local chinese joint was fined for the presence of pigeon meat in some of the cuisine. Though I don't think that was accidental.

[MrGreg]

I saw several black widows when I was in Claremont (aka Hell)

[Kevster]

I've been bitten by a black widow. It happened 16 years ago when I was working in home construction during the summer. I don't want to experience that again anytime soon.