On September 25th, the news of a man receiving a large snake instead of a durian he ordered online went viral on social media, sparking widespread discussions. In Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, a man purchased a durian online and was shocked to find a snake over one meter long inside the fruit. This incident has raised concerns among the public regarding food safety in online shopping and the security of express delivery services.
According to reports from media outlets like Yingxiang Net, the man named Xiaogao from Nanjing recalled that he had bought the durian online a few days ago but forgot whether it was from Hainan or Guangdong, describing it as an imported durian. Upon receiving the delivery, as he was preparing to cut open the durian to enjoy it, he suddenly noticed some unusual movement and upon closer inspection, found a snake coiled up inside the box, over one meter long.
Fortunately, Xiaogao discovered the snake in time when he opened the box and quickly threw it aside without any harm coming to him from the snake. Still shaken by the experience, he immediately called the police and uploaded photos of the incident to social media, which quickly stirred up a heated discussion among netizens.
The snake was eventually captured and removed. Xiaogao stated that he has always been afraid of snakes, and this sudden scare has left a psychological impact on him. Tearfully, he vowed never to make such an online purchase again.
This incident highlights several issues related to food safety in online shopping and the transportation process. Firstly, it questions the quality control and safety supervision of food products purchased online. The fact that a snake found its way into the durian delivery undoubtedly exposes the negligence of some merchants in inspecting goods and packaging processes as well as potential regulatory blind spots in cold chain logistics. Netizens are particularly concerned about how the snake got into the delivery box.
An analysis by “Watching the World V” pointed out that durians are typically grown in warm and humid regions where snakes tend to seek warmth and concealment. If the interior of the delivery box is warm and moist, it could become a temporary shelter for snakes. Alternatively, snakes might accidentally enter warehouses or residential buildings while searching for food, and the snake found in the package most likely sought refuge in the crevices of the box after feeding, inadvertently becoming a “gift” in the durian.
If fruits are not carefully inspected before transportation or if merchants fail to notice hidden animals during packaging, the responsibility might fall on the merchants to ensure that the products are delivered safely. This could potentially lead to not just financial compensation but also compensation for mental anguish, as such psychological trauma can linger for a lifetime.