A MAN has spoken of his horror and disgust at discovering a dead mouse embedded in the base of his McCain Foods' pizza.
Peter Box was about to sink his teeth into a slice of ham and pineapple pizza when he saw a tail dangling from the crust.
Mr Box yesterday told Ballarat Magistrates Court that he initially thought the "little black bit" was a piece of burnt cheese.
But his curiosity turned to instant revulsion when he flipped the slice over.
The Adelaide man told the court he jumped from his lounge room chair in horror, swearing as he made his way to the bathroom.
"It made me feel quite sick," he said.
"I got very close to biting the tail."
McCain Foods (Australia) yesterday faced court over the incident, fighting allegations that the rodent was squashed in the pizza during the production process.
Defence counsel Peter Rozen told the court he would call evidence to prove the mouse became stuck to the pizza in Mr Box's oven when it was cooked on October 28 last year.
But Mr Box's partner, Julie Testi, said she cooked the pizza and had never seen a mouse in the couple's house or oven.
The court heard the rodent, a common house mouse, displayed puncture marks consistent with a pattern of holes punched in the pizza during production.
Zoos South Australia director Kevin Evans said the mouse, which was "significantly attached to the base", had dislocated legs, hips and "splayed" teeth.
He said a "significant force" would have been needed to flatten the mouse and cause the injuries.
Prosecutor Tony Burns, who appeared on behalf of the City of Ballarat, said the pressure exerted would have been "more than the weight of the pizza itself, or even a hand".
McCain Foods (Australia) has pleaded not guilty to selling food unsuitable for human consumption and supplying food not of the nature or substance demanded by the purchaser.
It has admitted, however, to failing to maintain fixtures, fittings and equipment and failing to take all practicable measures to prevent pests entering the food premises.
The hearing, before Magistrate Luisa Bazzani, continues.