Man sues Bejam after two-hour defrost pie explosion mishap.

By Our Norfolk Reporter: Ian Bred

A Suffolk man has launched legal action against frozen food retailer Bejam after a lemon meringue pie allegedly exploded in his face during what he described as a “routine defrosting procedure”.

Kevin Scragg, 32, of Ipswich, who works as a playground swing tester, claims he suffered “emotional distress and light cream-related injuries” when the dessert erupted moments after being removed from his microwave. The pie had been purchased earlier that day from Bejam’s Ipswich branch.

Mr Scragg told reporters he had followed what he believed to be standard practice when defrosting frozen goods. “I put it on the defrost setting and then set the timer to two hours, just to be safe,” he said. “Next thing I know, it’s like a citrus volcano.”

Egg on his face

Experts have long warned that microwave defrosting can be a complex process requiring careful timing, rotation, and constant monitoring. Consumer groups note that extended defrost cycles can lead to uneven heating, structural instability, and, in rare cases, “catastrophic pudding failure”.

In a statement, Bejam said it was “robustly contesting” the claim, citing what it described as “clear user error”. A spokesperson added: “Our products are designed to be defrosted responsibly. Two hours in a microwave exceeds both recommended guidelines and, arguably, common sense.”

Legal representatives for Mr Scragg argue that instructions on frozen desserts are “insufficiently explicit” about the upper limits of defrosting times and fail to account for “the very hungry”.

The case has drawn attention to the broader issue of microwave literacy, with some calling for clearer guidance on packaging, while others suggest that consumers might benefit from fresh cream cakes