If you thought your biggest concern in the bakery aisle was choosing a croissant or a blueberry muffin, think again!

Shoppers at a Woolworths recently got more than they bargained for when a surprise visitor was caught red-handed in the baked goods section.

The unexpected guest left both customers and staff doing a double-take, reminding us that even a quick grocery run can take a wild turn.


Valentina Olivos, a quick-thinking customer, was browsing the bakery when she spotted something decidedly unappetising: a mouse making itself at home among the muffins.

Not one to let a moment like this pass by, Valentina whipped out her phone and captured the furry intruder on video.

The footage shows the mouse attempting to scale a box of blueberry muffins, its tiny nose twitching as it sniffed out the sweet treats.


After documenting the rodent’s muffin mission, Valentina did the right thing and alerted a Woolworths staff member.

The supermarket responded swiftly, conducting a thorough clean of the affected aisle.

In a statement, Woolworths said: ‘We hold ourselves to the highest standards in store hygiene, so we’re really disappointed to have missed the mark at our Bourke Street Metro in Melbourne on this occasion.’


The video, which Valentina later shared on TikTok with the caption ‘A regular Tuesday’, quickly gained traction and sparked a lively debate among shoppers.

Some were understandably horrified, with one commenter remarking, ‘If this is in broad daylight, can you imagine what happens when the store is closed and the lights are off?’

Others took a lighter approach, joking that the mouse was ‘just looking for the cheese aisle’ or that ‘Woolies are now selling pets apparently!’

While it’s easy to have a laugh, the incident does raise some important questions about food safety and hygiene in our supermarkets.

Mice and other pests are a constant challenge for food retailers, especially in busy city locations where food, warmth, and shelter are in abundance.

Even with strict cleaning protocols and regular pest control, the occasional critter can slip through the cracks—sometimes quite literally!

Woolworths, like all major supermarkets, is required to adhere to rigorous food safety standards.

This includes regular inspections, staff training, and immediate action when issues are reported.

In this case, the store’s quick response and public apology show a commitment to maintaining those standards, but it’s a timely reminder for all of us to stay vigilant.

Incidents like this are rare, but they do happen—and they’re a good reminder of why it’s crucial for supermarkets to maintain high standards of cleanliness and for shoppers to speak up when something’s not right.
Have you ever had a surprising or stomach-churning encounter at your local supermarket? Maybe you’ve spotted something odd in the aisles, or had a funny run-in with a ‘furry’ shopper? We’d love to hear your stories! Share your experiences in the comments below.

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