Aussie shoppers were warned to be extra careful when buying fresh produce from supermarkets after deadly spiders were spotted crawling out of two separate bags of grapes.

Both of the bags containing the creepy crawlies were reportedly bought from Coles supermarkets.

Credit: DailyMail. ​

On Thursday, a redback spider was spotted crawling out from a pack of grapes bought from Coles at Runaway Bay in the Gold Coast.

The redback spider (also known as the Australian black widow) is one of the world's most venomous spiders, known for its highly neurotoxic venom, which could kill an adult human with just one bite.

Andrew Bell, who bought the pack from the supermarket, said his daughter was munching on the fruit when she spotted the redback in the bag. He acted quickly, getting the packet away from his daughter because he identified the spider to be highly venomous.

However, he warned that other parents and children may not be fortunate enough.

“A young child sitting in a high chair that's been given some grapes to munch on, they're going to be sick,” he said.

On the other hand, a similar incident happened when Tony Marshall, from Terranora on the NSW Tweed Coast, discovered something crawling out of the red grapes he was enjoying at work.

The bag of grapes was bought from Coles and even though he had washed it in the sink and stored it in the fridge, the spider survived to make its way on his work desk. Had he not spotted the spider earlier, he would probably have been bitten.

“I was very concerned that mothers put bunches of grapes in their kid's lunch boxes, that could prove pretty bad,” he said.

Credit: DailyMail.​

A spokesperson from Coles has already released a statement regarding the incidents, mentioning that the repeated appearances of redback spiders in fresh crops have affected the entire supermarket industry.

“Coles is working closely with our suppliers and industry bodies to remove any risk. All Coles suppliers are required to keep their fields clean and have pest control systems in place to prevent product contamination during packaging,” they said.

“Coles takes the quality of all our products seriously and all grapes are visually inspected at harvest and packing for any pest presence.”

In December last year, we have also written about a similar incident where a Coles shopper spotted a redback spider in his pack of grapes.

Experts and crop farmers alike have warned that the recent increase in insect and animal infestations were indirectly caused by the rain and lower temperatures brought by the recent La Niña.

We must advise our members to be more mindful of the fresh produce you buy from supermarkets. Thoroughly wash them as soon as you take them home and ensure proper storage.

And if the unfortunate situation happens and you find yourself bitten by a redback spider, HealthDirect suggests applying a cold compress or ice pack (wrapped in a clean cloth), directly over the bite site for 15 minutes to help relieve the pain, reapplying as needed.

If symptoms persist or further signs of infection develop, call triple zero (000) and ask for medical assistance.

 

[DrChip]

Who wrote this rubbish? Peanuts are more deadly than red backs, yes they are dangerous, not deadly, caterpillars are more dangerous than butterflies. This is the Deadly Australia effect once again.

 

[KatKop]

I agree with @DrChip. The Australian Museum (https://australian.museum/learn/animals/spiders/redback-spider/) clearly states:

Danger to humans
Redback bites occur frequently, particularly over the summer months. More than 250 cases receive antivenom each year, with several milder envenomations probably going unreported. Only the female bite is dangerous. They can cause serious illness and have caused deaths. However, since Redback Spiders rarely leave their webs, humans are not likely to be bitten unless a body part such as a hand is put directly into the web, and because of their small jaws many bites are ineffective. The venom acts directly on the nerves, resulting in release and subsequent depletion of neurotransmitters.

Common early symptoms are pain (which can become severe), sweating (always including local sweating at bite site), muscular weakness, nausea and vomiting. Antivenom is available. No deaths have occurred since its introduction.

Apply an ice pack to the bitten area to relieve pain. Do not apply a pressure bandage (venom movement is slow and pressure worsens pain). Collect the spider for positive identification. Seek medical attention.

 

[zevon1956]

BEWARE: Deadly spiders found in grapes bought from Coles​

Aussie shoppers were warned to be extra careful when buying fresh produce from supermarkets after deadly spiders were spotted crawling out of two separate bags of grapes.

Both of the bags containing the creepy crawlies were reportedly bought from Coles supermarkets.

Credit: DailyMail. ​

On Thursday, a redback spider was spotted crawling out from a pack of grapes bought from Coles at Runaway Bay in the Gold Coast.

The redback spider (also known as the Australian black widow) is one of the world's most venomous spiders, known for its highly neurotoxic venom, which could kill an adult human with just one bite.

Andrew Bell, who bought the pack from the supermarket, said his daughter was munching on the fruit when she spotted the redback in the bag. He acted quickly, getting the packet away from his daughter because he identified the spider to be highly venomous.

However, he warned that other parents and children may not be fortunate enough.

“A young child sitting in a high chair that's been given some grapes to munch on, they're going to be sick,” he said.

On the other hand, a similar incident happened when Tony Marshall, from Terranora on the NSW Tweed Coast, discovered something crawling out of the red grapes he was enjoying at work.

The bag of grapes was bought from Coles and even though he had washed it in the sink and stored it in the fridge, the spider survived to make its way on his work desk. Had he not spotted the spider earlier, he would probably have been bitten.

“I was very concerned that mothers put bunches of grapes in their kid's lunch boxes, that could prove pretty bad,” he said.

Credit: DailyMail.​

A spokesperson from Coles has already released a statement regarding the incidents, mentioning that the repeated appearances of redback spiders in fresh crops have affected the entire supermarket industry.

“Coles is working closely with our suppliers and industry bodies to remove any risk. All Coles suppliers are required to keep their fields clean and have pest control systems in place to prevent product contamination during packaging,” they said.

“Coles takes the quality of all our products seriously and all grapes are visually inspected at harvest and packing for any pest presence.”

In December last year, we have also written about a similar incident where a Coles shopper spotted a redback spider in his pack of grapes.

Experts and crop farmers alike have warned that the recent increase in insect and animal infestations were indirectly caused by the rain and lower temperatures brought by the recent La Niña.

We must advise our members to be more mindful of the fresh produce you buy from supermarkets. Thoroughly wash them as soon as you take them home and ensure proper storage.

And if the unfortunate situation happens and you find yourself bitten by a redback spider, HealthDirect suggests applying a cold compress or ice pack (wrapped in a clean cloth), directly over the bite site for 15 minutes to help relieve the pain, reapplying as needed.

If symptoms persist or further signs of infection develop, call triple zero (000) and ask for medical assistance.

Redback spiders are not "deadly" but can cause significant pain in some people, as indicated in the final advice. I have not been able to ascertain a single death in Australia.. Golden rule in Australia is to avoid being bitten/stung by anything. Zevon 1956.