The Mary Sue
‘I'm actually losing my mind’: Miami woman buys Trader Joe’s microwaveable rice…
Trader Joe's microwaveable rice is a kitchen staple for many, but TikToker Nikki Murci's (@nikki_murci) discovery may put you off for life.
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Trader Joe's Rice Customer Finds Live Insect, Sparking Food Safety Debate
Consumer Alarmed by Live Insect Discovery in Trader Joe's Rice Miami, FL – A recent social media post by user Nikki Murci has drawn significant attention after she documented finding a live insect inside a sealed package of Trader Joe's pre-cooked rice. The video, uploaded on August 30, 2025, shows Murci expressing her shock and dismay, stating, "Devastating to say the least." The incident, which quickly went viral, features Murci holding the rice package and zooming in on a small, dark creature moving among the grains. Viewers in the comments section were quick to identify the insect as a rice weevil, a common pantry pest. The discovery has sparked a broader conversation online regarding food safety and quality control for pre-packaged goods. Many commenters shared similar experiences or offered advice. One user remarked, "Girl you need to report this. That’s recall material," while another added, "Rice weevils are just one of the many reasons to never buy precooked packaged rice, seriously." Others provided more context about rice weevils, with one comment explaining, "Rice Weevils, are harmless little beetles that love rice grains. Usually if you wash your rice first, they drown and rise to the top. When you cook your rice properly, it kills all of them & any larvae they may have laid inside of the individual rice grains. However, ingesting them isn’t harmful at all." The video has garnered over 2.8 million views, prompting consumers to scrutinize their own food purchases and consider alternatives like traditional rice cooking methods. Trader Joe's has not yet issued a public statement regarding the incident.
