Oxford Woman Sues After Finding Dead Mice in Beverage Can
In Oxford, a woman has taken legal action after her experience with a can of AriZona Arnold Palmer Lite beverage turned into a horrific nightmare. Shannon Sellers, who alleges that her drink’s weight felt off, made a shocking discovery that would lead her to file a lawsuit against the manufacturer, US Beverage Packers, LLC.
The Unsettling Discovery
On May 1, 2024, during a department meeting, Sellers cracked open her drink, only to feel that something was amiss. “I realized that the weight of the can felt weird even though I was fairly sure I had finished the drink,” she explained. As she attempted to drink the remaining tea, she noticed something unusual at the bottom of the can.
Leaning the can towards her, *a rodent paw* unexpectedly emerged through the opening. “I became horrified and nauseated before running to the restroom to vomit,” recalls Sellers. The incident left her traumatized, and she took the can with her to a subsequent doctor’s appointment, where it was confirmed that *there were two dead mice inside the can, not just one.*
Emotional and Physical Impact
Sellers stated that the experience was so distressing that she had to take two days off work due to anxiety and nausea. “I just felt so disgusted and struggled to eat or drink for several days because I was so terrified of consuming something else that was tainted,” she remarked. The long-lasting effects have caused her to be constantly on edge every time she faces a drink in an opaque container.
The Lawsuit
In January 2024, Sellers filed a lawsuit against US Beverage Packers in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Mississippi in Oxford. Her claim includes allegations of negligence in the manufacturing and bottling process, as well as claims for product liability and breach of warranties.
Consumer Complaints Reveal Larger Issue
During the legal discovery process, it was revealed that Sellers is not alone in her experience. US Beverage provided a staggering 79 pages of consumer complaints connected to ***rodents in their beverages***, with reports coming from various regions, including the Eastern United States, the Midwest, and the South. This alarming number of complaints indicates a worrying pattern for the company and other consumers.
Lasting Effects on a Daily Life
Sellers expressed the emotional toll the incident has taken on her life. “Even now, more than a year later, I still struggle to eat or drink any of the foods I had the day I drank the contaminated tea,” she shared. The fear of finding something dead in a sealed container haunts her daily life, making simple acts like eating or drinking a source of anxiety.
Conclusion
The fallout from this incident raises significant questions about food safety standards and the manufacturing processes of popular beverage companies like US Beverage Packers. As this case unfolds, it serves as a crucial reminder of the importance of consumer vigilance and the potential consequences of neglect in food production.
For many consumers, the thought of finding something unexpected in a sealed beverage container can be a nightmarish scenario catalyzing distrust toward companies once taken for granted. Sellers’ experience has sparked conversations around product safety and corporate responsibility as the case proceeds through the legal system.
