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Vegetarian 'Sick For Days' After Being Mistakenly Served IKEA Meat Hot Dog

Vegetarian 'Sick For Days' After Being Mistakenly Served IKEA Meat Hot Dog

The lifelong vege says she has been left 'mentally shaken' by the mix up

Jake Massey

Jake Massey

A woman who has never eaten meat says that an apology isn't enough to settle her beef with Swedish furniture giants IKEA, after they served her a meat hot dog.

Fern Jackson, 22, was served the sausage at the Exeter branch of the store and says she knew instantly that something was wrong.

Speaking to DevonLive, she said: "I was so angry - it's the first time meat has passed between my lips in 22 years.

"I have never eaten meat, fish or even gelatin my entire life. My mum was even vegetarian when she was pregnant with me.

"I put some ketchup on and took a bite, but as soon as I did I knew something was not quite right."

An IKEA hot dog meal.
IKEA

Fern and her grandma subsequently called over the manager, who confirmed that it was not a vegetarian hot dog. By the time she had made it back to her home in Dorset, Fern said she was suffering from stomach pain, which persisted for days, as well as a psychological impact.

She said: "My body isn't used to meat so I think I had a bad reaction. It lasted for about two days.

"I think it left me pretty mentally shaken as well, I have never liked the idea of eating something that was once living and that has really played on my mind."

The manager of the store apologised at the time of the incident, but Fern said this didn't cut the mustard, as she fears their misleading menu could result in a similar mistake in the future.

WATCH: Woman says her dog is vegetarian - pup proves her wrong

Fern said: "I ordered a vegetarian hot dog from the deli area and when it arrived it looked just like the picture that was shown next to it on the menu board.

"I want to know that they are changing the picture of the vegetarian hot dog on the menu so people don't get confused. If it has happened to me, it's bound to have happened to others elsewhere.

"If it were a Muslim and they had served them pork, that wouldn't be acceptable - so why is it any different for me?"

PA

Food manager for IKEA UK & Ireland, Lorena Lourido, said: "We understand that this incident would have been extremely distressing for the customer and we have been in direct contact with them to apologise.

"We take this matter very seriously and we have reviewed our co-worker training on allergens and dietary preferences as a result."

Fern explained that she isn't looking for compensation from the multi-national home store, but she said if she did receive any she would donate it to an animal charity.

Featured Image Credit: PA / IKEA

Topics: Food, UK News