A WOMAN has said she has been put off nectarines for life after dozens of ants poured out of the piece of fruit she was eating.

Michele Jones, from Brighton, has recounted the horror she felt when the “black dots” in the nectarine she had just bitten into sprouted legs and multiplied in her hand.

The 67-year-old had purchased the bag of nectarines on August 12 from Asda’s store at Hollingbury in Crowhurst Road.

The next evening, she took out one of the nectarines to eat, but after a bite she thought it tasted a “bit weird”.

The Argus: Ms Jones found the ants in the nectarine she had just bitten intoMs Jones found the ants in the nectarine she had just bitten into

“I got it out of the fridge, gave it a rinse, and took my first bite,” she said.

“It tasted a bit odd.

 “I spat it out and I saw these little black dots in the bit of nectarine I’d chewed.

“And then I looked at the rest of the nectarine and the black dots were getting bigger and bigger.

“Then I got the shock of my life.

“Legs started to appear on those moving dots, and I then realised that those dots were ants that had started to crawl out of the centre where the pip was.

The Argus: When she cut into the nectarine's pip, Ms Jones found more ants insideWhen she cut into the nectarine's pip, Ms Jones found more ants inside

“They quickly spread around the nectarine.

“I totally freaked out.”

Ms Jones, who is retired, put the ant-infested piece of fruit in a bag and her shock intensified as more and more ants appeared.

“I felt traumatised,” she said.

“There was probably about 60.”

Ms Jones contacted Asda and was promised a £5 e-voucher, which she says she is yet to receive.

An Asda spokesman apologised to Ms Jones and said the company carries out "multiple" checks to ensure the quality of its produce. 

"We carry out multiple checks to ensure the quality of our fresh fruit and veg," he said.

"Unfortunately there will be occasions where, due to the nature of the fruit being grown outdoors, insects may hitch a ride.

"We have spoken to Ms Jones to get to the bottom of the issue with her voucher not being sent through properly and apologise once again."

Ms Jones said the “traumatic” experience has put her off nectarines “for life”.

“I was in shock for quite a while,” she said.

"It was a horrendous experience.

“I was freaked out by this and the thought of eating or chewing ants.

"I've vowed to buy tins from now on.

“This has obviously put me off nectarines for life-or until I've completely forgotten this horrendous experience.”