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

[Rendeak]

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.

If it’s compo you’re looking for, they’ve offered it to you. What more do you want. It’s bird poo. Not anthrax.

When DD1 was a baby, a bird pooed on her head. She was in the pram, not wearing a hat, and I didn't notice for a couple of minutes, during which time she had smeared it everywhere She was fine. As no poo got anywhere near your DBaby, I'm guessing they will too.

This won the thread for me.

I agree tbh, im not that shocked. Warehouses are full of rats and all clothing, goods and food is stored in them. I’ve seen rats in aldi inside the supermarket. When DS was a baby I hot washed everything before use including clothing bedding etc. Also I know that textile manufacturing conditions in many countries of the world are dire - do you think george at Asda are washing their items before ticketing? They absolutely aren’t. They’re likely being made in warehouses where hygiene is poor. I wash food before cooking and am a bit mindful of disinfecting worktops regularly after shopping delivery etc. Even things like post have been in warehouses and shipping containers op and they’re not clean places at all. I don’t think it’s reason to panic but just be aware new goods are far from sterile or even that clean.

Apart from the histrionics, yanbu. Asda have responded appropriately though and you have a story to tell people for years to come.

Ah OP, thank you for providing this week’s ✨Friday Thread✨

Cheers ladies! 🍷

Wtf you’re always meant to wash clothes first for this exact reason.. you need to chill

My next door neighbour, when I was young got the nick name "Boke", as his cat was sick and then he ate it 🤢

Both but mostly the unsanitary conditions.

The pigeon mustn't have liked them very much if they used them as a toilet. So rude of them not even to clean them

Exactly. I’d favour bird poo over the hands of shelf stackers who had been to the loo and not washed their hands. You have no idea what they got up to in there .

We can’t control our environment to guarantee sterility.

Just have yourself and your kid laminated, OP. You won’t regret it.

Thanks … ( I think?! 🤨)

Stop wasting your life getting so upset about silly things. Get the refund, move on with your day and work on being happy.

When I did some Christmas temp work at a supermarket we wore fabric gloves for putting items on the shelf, and our hands were so filthy after that you could see the water turn grimy, and that's from it going through the gloves! Supermarkets, stock and their warehouses are filthy.

Omg, get a grip. This is not the drama you think it is.

YOU should be washing new baby clothes before they are worn regardless anyway.

Reporting it is the common thing to do to make them aware, but the press is extreme. Like do you think we give a f about bird poo in baby hats from Asda in comparison to other worldly news. Like report to them and put on your local area Facebook group but I wouldn’t do more than that.

accidents happen, it’s not like you found a finger. Like press is a bit ott and crazy that it’s your first thought

You're all being very mean. Wikipedia tells us that

In 1930, during the 1929–1930 psittacosis pandemic, Lena Rose Pepperdine died of parrot fever. She was the first wife of George Pepperdine, the founder of Pepperdine University.

and yet you continue to mock the OP's concern about psittacosis, which neither you or her have ever heard of before.

Wash it and move on.

Surprised no-one else has commented on the hilarious attempt to make a trigger warning out of that notoriously traumatic experience...George at Asda.

Or a long stick?

What a ridiculous fuss! You got a refund, so everything is fine. Don't waste anyone's time on this non-event.

You should also wash all new items before you wear them.

I've never done this

Oh well the gloves are actually a comfort! I’m sure your hands were clean before you started but I’m certain there’s plenty of bum scratching etc goes on as well!

Life just has dirt in it.

Go to your local council's environmental health officers & ask them to investigate. That means your concerns will be taken seriously. More so than going to the papers.