Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

AIBU to go to the press after finding bird poo inside baby hat from George at Asda?

269 replies

Rendeak · 09/05/2025 17:44

WARNING - George, Asda, baby clothes unsafe and dangerous!

I’m honestly still in shock and disgusted. I ordered a two pack of baby sun hats from George at Asda, and when I opened them, I found two separate bird poos inside one hat!!! Not just on the outside – inside the fabric where my baby’s head would go. And there was poo on the outside of both hats too.

It’s not just a hygiene issue, it’s a genuine health risk. Bird droppings can carry serious bacteria and diseases like salmonella, E. coli, and even psittacosis. The idea that this was meant to go on a baby’s head is horrifying.

Even worse – other items in the same parcel are now contaminated. This wasn’t a one-off mark. This was clear evidence that birds have been inside their stock or warehouse, and if it happened to my order, it could be happening to others. If they have birds, do they also have mice and rats?!

I contacted customer service expecting a serious response, but all I received was:

  • A refund for the hats
  • A £10 voucher

Not even a refund for the pack of bras that were in the same package. VILE. I was told to return them, but thinking about touching any of the items is making me sick!

That’s it. No escalation. No real investigation update. Just a generic apology.

This isn’t about money – it’s about safety. It’s absolutely unacceptable for a baby clothing supplier to be shipping out items in this condition. It makes me worry about how many other babies could be exposed if people don’t inspect and wash everything before using it.

PLEASE – if you’re buying baby clothes from George (or anywhere) – inspect and wash thoroughly before letting your baby wear them.

I’ve attached photos so you can see for yourself.
@GeorgeAtAsda @foodgov @WhichUK @UKGovcomms – this needs to be looked into properly.

Should I contact local media to raise awareness more widely? I feel this is being swept under the rug, and I’m truly shook, disgusted, and very concerned for other parents.

AIBU to go to the press after finding bird poo inside baby hat from George at Asda?
OP posts:
BotterMon · 09/05/2025 18:25

So you Googled what the worse case scenario is : "Bird droppings can carry serious bacteria and diseases like salmonella, E. coli, and even psittacosis" of which none happened.
How on earth are you going to protect your baby's head from bird shit when out and about?
In Shakespeare's words Much Ado about Nothing......

Stressmode · 09/05/2025 18:24

It isn’t like you could miss it and accidentally place it on your kids head.

You will be horrified when you find out that you ingest insect matter and bird poo all the time. In the UK there is no prescribed limit on how much indecent poop or bodies are in things like cereals or flower or mustang vegetables that get ground up for stock. It is definitely there!

FancyCatSlave · 09/05/2025 18:23

You’ve not yet reached the stage where your baby licks the bird shit then I take it?

When you do you will realise this really was an overreaction. I’d be very annoyed at the faff of the return and not having the items but that’s it. The hysteria is unwarranted.

NewBinBag · 09/05/2025 18:22

Yeah warehouses are full of living things.

We had a nesting pair of robins make their home in one. Fucking impossible creatures - they're clever and protected so we had to try and politely persuade them to leave, which they obviously didn't.

Occupational hazard of warehousing.

Hiker27 · 09/05/2025 18:20

They will publish your age and how much your house is worth. And your kid will be a tot.

Poppyyoutwat · 09/05/2025 18:20

I had similar once from Asda, clothing stained and packaged with some sort of animal droppings (looked like mice). They refunded me and gave me vouchers too when I emailed them a photo of the package.

I mean, these things sit in warehouses for god knows how long, there’s bound to be birds and small animals in those places, these thing happen.

steff13 · 09/05/2025 18:20

TheSilentSister · 09/05/2025 18:15

I'm with you OP. Can't understand why anyone wouldn't be upset.
Someone packed them to send to you. It's disgraceful.

They offered to refund her money and give her a gift card for $10. That's ample compensation. There's no need to take it further.

thisfilmisboring123 · 09/05/2025 18:19

This is a wind up…. Please please tell me this is a wind up

Nominative · 09/05/2025 18:18

I was told to return them, but thinking about touching any of the items is making me sick!

This is ridiculous. Why would other stuff be contaminated if the hats were wrapped? And how hard would it be to chuck the stuff into a bag to return it? If touching them is so dreadful, use disposable gloves or something.

MollyRedSkirtsChandler · 09/05/2025 18:17

cocoloco23 · 09/05/2025 18:14

I boil washed my nephew and he shrank. M&S won’t refund - AIBU to stand in front of my local store with a placard?

Did you buy the nephew in M&S? Any idea if they still have stock?

fuckislessoffensivethanpardon · 09/05/2025 18:17

🦇 💩 (or 🐦 💩 in this case...)

SlashBeef · 09/05/2025 18:17

You're completely mental.

TheSilentSister · 09/05/2025 18:15

I'm with you OP. Can't understand why anyone wouldn't be upset.
Someone packed them to send to you. It's disgraceful.

KarmaKameelion · 09/05/2025 18:15

Cherry8809 · 09/05/2025 17:48

Arms folded, angry face at the ready.

Not sure if she can fold her arms as she will be pointing to the offending item with her sad face

Lucyintheskywithadiamond · 09/05/2025 18:14

Good grief, get a life!

ginasevern · 09/05/2025 18:14

I suggest you never take your baby outside. Did you know that humans cause all manner of pollution, the air isn't safe to breath.

cocoloco23 · 09/05/2025 18:14

Hoppinggreen · 09/05/2025 17:59

Send the child back, ask for compensation and/or boil wash it

I boil washed my nephew and he shrank. M&S won’t refund - AIBU to stand in front of my local store with a placard?

Nov902 · 09/05/2025 18:13

So overdramatic OP you’ve had a refund and a tenner job done you can wash the hats now! And your bras. Yes it’s a pain in the arse but you’ve made your point to go on about it being some sort of public health risk is ridiculous.
Lets all boycott George clothing I think not.

ItGhoul · 09/05/2025 18:13

Get a grip. You’ve had refund and a tenner which is precisely how much this is worth.

And if you do go to the press, expect to get ripped to shreds on the Angry People In Local Newspapers Facebook page for your ‘compo face’.

Moveoverdarlin · 09/05/2025 18:10

I’d maybe tweet them and / or tag them on Instagram with the pictures. It is pretty gross.

WonderingWanda · 09/05/2025 18:10

Just put it all in the wash....what a lot of fuss over nothing. Don't you wash newborn clothes first anyway? I would given the chemicals they've likely been exposed to....PFAFs, Formaldehyde and phthalates for example....far more working than a bit of bird shit that could see and so know to wash off.

PaintYourAssLikeRembrandt · 09/05/2025 18:10

A source, who wishes to remain anonymous, says that Asda pay them to do things like this in order to get free advertising. After all no publicity is bad publicity.

You fell for their marketing scam op.

AIBU to go to the press after finding bird poo inside baby hat from George at Asda?
DustlandFairytaleBeginning · 09/05/2025 18:10

Wait till you find out where your eggs come from!

RabbitPlate · 09/05/2025 18:09

Maddy70 · 09/05/2025 18:07

Calm down! Every single warehouse in the world has rats, mice, birds, insects etc
They did the right thing they refunded you. Job done. Going to the papers is ridiculous and attention seeking

Actually I think OP SHOULD go to the press. It’s so fun when stuff like this gets printed with their sad face photos and everyone gets a good laugh.

MrsBennetsPoorNerves · 09/05/2025 18:09

I honestly wonder how some people cope with everyday life when such minor issues take on such huge importance.

Yeah, there is shit in one of the hats. It's a bit gross and I would have taken them back to the shop too.

But they apologised, refunded you, gave you a £10 voucher and offered to refund you for the other stuff if you brought it back.

That's an entirely reasonable and proportionate response, but you want to go to the press? Sorry, but you're being ridiculous.

Swipe left for the next trending thread