Supermarket Marks & Spencer has offered an apology after putting daffodils on display alongside spring onions in a store, it has been reported. The "seasonal favourites" banner was displayed above the flower, which can be poisonous if eaten, while it sat beside a selection of fruit and vegetables, the BBC reported.
The display was shared by botanist and presenter James Wong on Twitter, who cautioned that consuming daffodils "is like swallowing a box of tiny needles". A spokesperson for M&S said the plant's placement was a "genuine error in one of our stores".
Daffodil stems, which are currently in season, can look somewhat like certain vegetables at first glance, but the danger of consuming one makes the error more serious. Public Health England warned supermarkets of the bad consequences in 2015 if there were to be a mix-up.
Daffodils contain toxic alkaloids which can cause severe vomiting, with 27 cases of poisoning reported in 2022. Daffodil poisoning accounted for 10 hospitalisations in Bristol in 2012 according to health officials, due to their similarity in appearance to a chive commonly used in Chinese cooking.
Mr Wong's mother spotted the misplacing, who snapped the display. He said that "excruciating" pain can be caused by accidentally eating them, and asked M&S to ensure staff are aware of the difference in future, as it could have dire consequences.
An M&S spokesperson said in response to the Twitter post: "We have contacted the store and the signage has been updated and onions moved. As a precaution we're reminding all stores to make sure the flowers are displayed properly", they added.
"Customer safety is our priority and all daffodils have an on-pack warning that they are not safe to consume."
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