MAKHADO (LOUIS TRICHARDT) - A nauseating discovery awaited the De la Rouviere family when they unsuspectingly bought bread for the family on Sunday, only to discover a decomposed rat inside the loaf.

After buying the freshly baked bread, the family went hack home and devoured some of the warm bread. They also gave some to the dogs; their usual Sunday treat. On Monday (5th) Mr Willie de la Rouviere wanted to continue eating from the loaf, which they had bought from the local Shoprite. He was, however, repelled by the fact that black particles, like droppings, sifted from the loaf when he picked it up. He then decided to break open the loaf to give it to the dogs.

A sickening sight met his eyes. He saw a decomposed rat entrenched inside the loaf. Their 14-year-old son instantly became nau-seous at the mere thought of what he had eaten.

Mr De la Rouviere reported their shock finding to the manager of Shoprite.

“Mr Japie van Staden (local Shoprite manager) was very friendly but said it was totally impossible that it could be bread from Shoprite’s own bakery. I said that it had been inside a Shoprite paper bag and I had bought it hot over the counter.”

The family then brought their bread with the gruesome filling to the office of the Zout-pansberger where all stared wide-eyed at the decomposing rat. Questions like “Where is the other half of the animal?” arose, while some ran to the bathroom.

Mrs Annatjie de la Rouviere thereafter showed the revolting find to Mr Van Staden. She asked him how he could ever expect her to eat bread again.

“He apologized, gave my money back and presented me with a box of chocolates. He said it was impossible that a ‘fresh’ mouse could have landed in the dough, because it would never go through the rollers.”

Mr Van Staden apologized that, according to company policy, he was not allowed to make any official comment.

Mr Brian Weyers, Marketing Director of Shoprite Checkers, re-sponded on Wednesday.

“This incident is viewed in a very serious light and Shoprite has already launched an investigation into the matter to determine why this unfortunate incident occurred. The Shoprite group is very committed to honouring consumer rights and the safety of our consumers is something we have high regard for and will negotiate on,” Mr Weyers said.

Mr Weyers commented that in the group’s policy on food safety it was very clear that the products they sell must be handled and sold within the prescribed health regulations.

“Our stores are cleaned and regularly serviced by pest control experts,” he said.

In their reaction to the incident, the Makhado Municipality stressed the importance of the Health Act, whereby Certificates of Acceptability for Food Premises are issued. One of the requirements stipulates that food premises shall be rodentproof (free from rats or mice) in accordance with the best available method. Mr Daniel Mavhunga, Environmental Health Practitioner (Health Inspector) of the municipality also mentioned that foreign substances in food are prohibited by the Food stuff, Cosmetic and Disinfectant Act.

Commenting on the rat in the bread, Mr Mavhunga said: “It sometimes happens, but in town we want to keep the standard high. We don’t just issue certificates to anyone. We have closed down some shops that don’t meet the requirements.”

In the meantime, young Lena de la Rouviere (11) was never more grateful for her decision never to eat bread that has not been sliced in the shop.