Highlights
- A TikToker found live bugs in a Great Value Smoked Paprika seasoning bottle purchased at Walmart, shocking viewers and raising concerns about food safety.
- The TikTok video quickly went viral, with many viewers baffled and others making bug puns or joking about extra protein in meals.
- Commenters pointed out that bugs like Cigarette Bugs are known to infest spices like paprika, and it's unclear whether Walmart or the user's pantry is at fault.
A TikToker had an unfortunate surprise when they discovered live bugs in a seasoning product bought from Walmart. The internet was left shocked as several tiny, beetle-like bugs were found by the TikToker in a Great Value Smoked Paprika seasoning bottle purchased at Walmart.
While there are many shocking videos on TikTok, there are few things that can be considered more unappealing than finding insects in food. Such things not only spoil the appetite of viewers but also raise serious concerns about the hygiene and safety of the food they eat. Walmart is one of the most popular retailers in the United States and is mostly known for providing budget-friendly items. Its Great Value line which includes a wide range of consumable items products is the best example of the company's efforts to provide affordability without sacrificing quality.
In the TikTok video posted by RT_hemi345, the unsuspecting bug victim can be seen pouring the bottle of Great Value brand paprika into a white bowl, claiming they had a random thought to inspect the contents of the bottle before using it. The rest of the video depicts the truly horrifying sight of a myriad of small, round, brown bugs roaming around in the red paprika powder, as the TikTok user stirs the mixture with a spoon. RT_hemi345 claimed that the seasonings were not expired, as the product’s best before date was labeled February 16, 2024.
With more than 450k likes and thousands of comments, the TikTok video in question quickly went viral on the internet and got widespread attention, with many viewers left feeling absolutely baffled. While some of them swore that they would never use seasonings anymore, others were making bug puns and even joking around by claiming that this could offer some extra protein to add to meals.
Even though this scene may seem shocking, several commenters pointed out that Cigarette Bugs, or Drugstore Beetles as they are commonly referred to, are known to act as stowaways in paprika and cayenne pepper, among other spices. It's crucial to remember that these situations may be one-off occurrences, and Walmart itself may not be at fault. The bugs could very well have infiltrated the spice during the manufacturing process as the TikTok video does not show the paprika bottle being sealed shut before it was opened by the user. As such, the pests could also have gotten inside the bottle from within the user’s pantry.