The Gross Reason People Are Checking Their Everything But The Bagel Seasoning From Trader Joe's

The last thing we want to hear after finally getting used to disinfecting hands and surfaces with every trip to the supermarket, is that there might be danger lurking inside your groceries too. That's right, according to Daily Dot, two TikTok users have found tiny bugs inside their Everything but the Bagel seasoning from Trader Joe's. The first TikTok video shows a small, live worm in a bottle of spilled seasoning, while the second, shot two weeks later, shows a worm that appears to be dead.

Now, before you get out your magnifying glass and tweezers and start picking through sesame seeds, keep in mind that many other users have dueted — a feature that allows someone to respond in a split screen with another user's video — the original TikTok looking for worms in their seasonings, and so far only the original two worms have been found. So, chances are, there isn't some massive conspiracy going on at the packaging plant. Instead, it's likely the jars weren't stored or sealed correctly, and that's how the worms got in. The truth is, this isn't all that uncommon. 

While it's unlikely that there are worms living in your Everything but the Bagel seasoning, there are ways to avoid it. First, you could try making your own! It might cost a little more upfront than $1.99 a bottle, but it's still simpler than you might think. In a small bowl, mix together 1-1/2 tablespoons poppy seeds, 2 tablespoons white sesame seeds, 1 tablespoon black sesame seeds, 1-1/2 tablespoons dried minced garlic, 1-1/2 tablespoons dried minced onion, and 2 teaspoons of flaked sea salt. Then transfer to an airtight jar and label it (via The Edgy Veg). That's it, and no worms were harmed in the process.

Of course, the important thing is keeping bugs out of your spices once you have them, whether or not they are homemade, and it's not just the bagel seasoning you should be worrying about. According to Delish, you can find worms in your paprika and cayenne, too. To keep them at bay, check out your spices at the store for damaged packaging before you buy. Stick them in the freezer for four days at zero degrees Fahrenheit to kill off anything living inside, or even store any bulk spices in the freezer until you're ready to use them (via HuffPost). Finally, clean up any spills in your kitchen as soon as they happen, and keep your eyes peeled for any tiny hitchhikers.