Photo: n30m4u1 / Flickr, CC BY 2.0

Fresh Fruit Portal: New Zealand’s Ministry of Primary Industries (MPI) is working with produce retailers to have Mexican table grapes removed from store shelves, after spiders were found in 10 consignments around the country.

The authorities said the spiders, discovered in several locations on both islands, are not generally considered a serious danger to humans but their effects can be more serious for the very young or for people with a weakened immune system. Importantly, these spiders do not usually bite unless disturbed.

“We have received 10 reports of spider detections – 5 are suspected black widows, one is a suspected brown widow, 2 are likely to be yellow sac spiders and a further 2 are as yet unidentified,” said MPI surveillance manager Brendan Gould, emphasizing some grapes from the affected shipments had likely already been sold and consumers needed to be on the lookout.

Click here to read the full article from Fresh Fruit Portal.