A World War II-era grenade was discovered on a conveyor belt at a hot chips factory in New Zealand, among hundreds of muddy potatoes. According to the Independent, a bomb squad was dispatched to Mr Chips’ Auckland factory after an explosive device was discovered among 28 tonnes of potatoes destined for french fries.

The old grenade was dug up during harvesting on a farm in Matamata, New Zealand. It was later confirmed to be a training grenade with no explosives. A night shift worker had spotted the grenade earlier this month. This is the factory’s first weapon sighting in 30 years.

The Independent reported that Richard Teurukura, the worker, was looking for stones in the delivery of 100,000 potatoes when he noticed the conveyor belt. Mr Teurukura initially mistook the explosive device for a large stone, but after dusting off the mud, he suspected it was something else. The worker then asked his engineer colleague to confirm his suspicions, and the area was sealed off.

The grenade was reportedly isolated and taped to a concrete parking sleeper. This alerted the New Zealand defence force’s explosive ordinance disposal team. The grenade was found to be a dud after an X-ray examination, probably used for training.

The bomb was an 80-year-old British-made “Mills bomb” hand grenade. It was widely used in WWII. Officials at Mr Chips told the Independent that this was the first weapon discovered in their 30-year history. He said the grenade first looked like a “muddy potato”.

The grenade is now with the cops for inspection. Mr Spitaels said he wanted the device back for the factory’s trophy room. Previously, such grenades were seen in potato fields in Europe.