A woman in Slovenia who found a preserved mouse foot in her jar of pickles complained to the Health Ministry. A ministry official wrote back with a summary of how mice parts end up in factory-made food products, and then concluded, “A mice-foot therefore could be classified as a special additive to the pickles.”

Ministry spokeswoman Vivijan Potocnik said: “It is completely normal in big factories to have mice wandering around, and yes, every now and then they get caught amongst the machines and do get bottled, seasoned, preserved and even make it in one piece to consumers.

“Although not very pleasant to see, however, they pose no health threat at all.

“During the preservation process even traces of any salmonella bacteria are eliminated in food. A mice-foot therefore could be classified as a special additive to the pickles.”

The Ministry will not be supporting the woman in a lawsuit against the pickle company.

(Thanks to Michael!)

“Mouse foot in pickles ‘normal'” [Ananova via MSNBC]
(Photo and special additive illustration: Getty; “Mickle” coinage and quite possibly trademark: “>Dwayne_Dibbly)

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