A Londoner today told of his shock after he reached into a bag of Waitrose watercress only to find a large live moth.
Zach Moss, who works in digital marketing, had bought the reduced-to-clear watercress at a bargain price - but said he did not expect to find an insect inside too.
The bizarre-looking critter, thought to be a large moth, was around one inch in size, Mr Moss said.
The 28-year-old, who lives in Muswell Hill, told the Standard: “I bought it a couple of days ago and had eaten some it and then only realised the other night.
“I was about to take another handful and then I saw it.
“It was still alive and moving but it was near death, its wings were stuck to the bag.
“Then, as you do, I took some photos. I tweeted Waitrose and they said take it back to the shop and they will sort it out.”
But Mr Moss said he binned the bag straight away.
“It was a pretty big insect, it was not your standard kind of moth,” he said.
He said he was surprised but added: "I wouldn’t say I’ve got PTSD, I think I’m over it.”
Mr Moss bought the salad bag from his local Little Waitrose on Muswell Hill Broadway.
“I thought it was a good bargain. That was my thinking when I bought it.”
Asked if he has been put off the so-called super-food, he said: “No, not at all. I love watercress.”
On Twitter Mr Moss said: “Hi @waitrose I think the discount on watercress should be bigger if there's an enormous insect in the bag...thoughts?”
The company replied and said: “I'm sorry to see that, Zach. Please can you bring the packaging back to one of our stores on your next visit.”
Others commented on his photo. A Twitter user called Being Me said: “But insect protein could be a new line!”
Gill Smith, senior manager at Waitrose, said: "We're very sorry our customers had an unpleasant experience. Our mixed salad is always washed twice before being thoroughly checked - so we're investigating with our supplier how this happened."
