FROG found in Lidl bananas travelled 3,200 miles from the Ivory Coast

Hoppy holidays! Tiny FROG found in pensioner’s Lidl bananas that travelled 3,200 miles from the Ivory Coast

A woman was left shocked after finding a frog in her Lidl bananas – that travelled 3,200 miles from the Ivory Coast.

Jan Giovinazzo, 71, from Epsom, bought the £1.20 bunch as part of her normal weekly food shop.

But when she went to eat one of them she noticed the tiny amphibian staring back at her.

She popped the frog in a small plastic box and placed him on top of her radiator to keep him warm before calling the RSPCA.

Lidl get their bananas from the Ivory Coast which is 3,200 miles (5,150km) from the store.

Jan Giovinazzo, 71, from Epsom, was left shocked after finding a frog in her Lidl bananas – that travelled 3,200 miles from the Ivory Coast

She popped the frog in a small plastic box and popped him on top of her radiator to keep him warm before calling the RSPCA

Jan did a bit of research and she thinks it’s a Reed frog from the west African country.

The pensioner, of Epsom, said: ‘I’ve gone off them now. I religiously check for spiders whenever I buy bananas.

‘I was walking over to the sink to peel it when I noticed something on it.

‘I looked down and thought ‘What the hell is that?’

‘Looking closer I realised it was a tiny frog.

‘It’s not quite what I was expecting.

‘I’ve got to say it was very cute.

‘I looked online and I found it was a Reed frog from The Ivory Coast.

‘So after his long journey he was sleepy.

‘My next step was to keep him warm.

‘I kept him by the radiator all night and he survived.

‘As I said he was cute but it is actually illegal to release a non-native species into the outside world.’

Ironically, Lidl bananas contain the Rainforest Alliance logo – which is a little frog – on it to prove they are sustainably grown.

Ironically, Lidl bananas contain the Rainforest Alliance logo – which is a little frog – on it to prove they are sustainably grown

Lidl get their bananas from the Ivory Coast which is 3,200 miles (5,150km) from the store (pictured, the tiny frog)

Jan shared her find on social media.

Fellow shopper Gary Blythe said: ‘I’m surprised they didn’t charge you for it.’

Pen Reed said: ‘Yay. Free pet frog with every bunch of bananas is much better than Waitrose.’

Beth Giles added: ‘Congratulations on your new pet.’

Customer Nathan Bracewell joked: ‘This story is ribberting.’

Nicola Inglis said: ‘This is so much better than the crappy toy you used to get at the bottom of the cereal box.’

Martin Juni added: ‘Extra protein. Bon appetit darling.’

Chris Taylor joked: ‘Froget about it.’

The frog was collected from Jan’s home and is spending time in quarantine before it is rehomed.

Lidl and the RSPCA have been contacted for comment.