AACHEN, Germany, Dec. 14 (UPI) -- Authorities in Germany said two shoppers were hospitalized following a brawl involving the use of salami and Parmesan cheese as weapons.

Police in Aachen said the incident began Saturday when a 74-year-old man and a 35-year-old woman engaged in a tug-of-war over an empty cart in the parking lot of a supermarket, Britain's The Daily Telegraph reported Monday.


The woman's 24-year-old brother punched the other man to the ground and the siblings proceeded into the store with their 53-year-old mother.

The man followed the trio into the store and attacked the 24-year-old using salami as a club. The mother used a piece of sharp Parmesan as a knife to jab at the man and she cracked her head on a glass counter top during the struggle.

Police said two of those involved in the fight were treated at a hospital for minor injuries. They did not say whether charges would be filed as a result of the incident.

Investigators said tensions were high at the busy supermarket due to a shortage of shopping carts.