‘It’s alive’: D.C. woman picks up pack of bread at Walmart. What she sees inside the bag has her ‘literally shaking’
Concerns about food safety are constantly on the rise. Millions of Americans lack faith in the institutions meant to protect them from food-borne illnesses.
According to a survey conducted by The International Food Information Council in September of last year, only 55% expressed any confidence at all in the food safety in America.
The loss of confidence isn’t without reason. The Food Safety and Inspection Service estimates that each year, foodborne illnesses affect 48 million people and cause 3,000 deaths nationwide.
For example, just recently, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration recalled certain lots of Live It Up dietary supplement powder due to a Salmonella outbreak.
A few days ago, one unlucky Walmart customer in D.C. witnessed firsthand just how fast a food-borne illness can spread.
What Did the Shopper See at Walmart?
TikTok user @reallyfaithalliyah shared a clip that horrified viewers and went viral, garnering over 1.2 million views.
In it, she’s standing in front of the bread aisle at Walmart while filming, talking to another shopper who noticed something strange.
“Oh my [expletive] gosh,” the shopper says. “It’s alive!”
Both of the women are horrified to discover that inside a pack of Ciabatta-style rolls is a live mouse.
“Walmart is cancelled,” Reallyfaithalliyah exclaims.
She begins to explain that it was the other shopper who made the discovery, when all of a sudden the mouse jumps out of the bag and appears to run away. Both of the women scream in horror.
“I wouldn’t eat none of this [expletive],” Reallyfaithalliyah says.
“I’m literally shaking,” the other shopper says.
“They gotta remove all this stuff,” Reallyfaithalliyah states.
“They gotta close the store, honestly,” the other shopper responds.
In the video’s caption, Reallyfaithalliyah apologizes for her emotional reactions. “Please don’t mind my gaspss, I was literally in shock and a little dramatic,” she wrote.
The TikToker also posted another video where you can clearly see a mouse inside the bag of rolls as she picks it up. She shared more details in the caption of that clip.
“I really couldn’t believe my eyes. This woman in the store stopped me because she was shaking and asked me to tell her if what she is seeing is correct,” she wrote. “I proceed to look and said yes that’s exactly what you think it is. It was alive too, then had the nerve to blink.”
Commenters Are Outraged
In the comments section, viewers also couldn’t believe what they were seeing.
“I would’ve been in the middle of Walmart screaminggggggg,” one commenter wrote.
“You know why? Walmart BARELY gives their employees time to rotate products properly,” another claimed. “They micromanage them & things like this happen.”
Others weren’t too surprised. “As someone who’s worked in a big box grocery store for many years i can say with confidence that this happens way more than yall realize,” someone alleged.
Some commenters found it funny. “Ciabatta and a pet,” joked one user.
The Issue Isn’t Uncommon
Rodent infestations are a huge public health concern in America’s big cities. In fact, Washington D.C. is often listed as one of the cities with the biggest rat population in the nation.
A rodent infestation at a grocery store or other food establishment is particularly dangerous due to the diseases rodents can carry.
Having said that, shoppers have been reporting rat and mice sightings inside grocery stores for years. Just recently, health inspectors shut down a Walgreens in Northwest D.C. after finding evidence of a major rat infestation.
The DC Department of Health urges residents to file a complaint if they spot a rodent where it shouldn’t be. On its website, the agency lists different reporting options based on the type of business you saw a rodent in.
@reallyfaithalliyah Please don’t mind my gaspss, I was literally in shock and a little dramatic ?? #walmart #mice ♬ original sound – reallyfaithalliyah
The Mary Sue has reached out to Walmart via contact form and Reallyfaithalliyah via TikTok messages for an official comment.
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