From slasher films to haunted decorations, October is the time to celebrate all things frightening. But the scariest thing about this year’s spooky season? The possibility of biting into your favorite treat; only to get a mouthful of creepy crawlies.
Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups are America’s most loved Halloween candy, but these fuzzy feelings might take a turn for the worst after the company’s emerging scandals. On October 4th, @veronicaaispuro31 posted a video of a Reeses’s cup on TikTok. Splitting the chocolate apart on camera, she revealed an anomaly inside the candy, appearing to be white worms. “Bought these at Walmart, just letting people know to please be careful buying the Reese’s,” she warned to her viewers.
Unsurprisingly, the comment section under the viral video was mortified. One user suggested that the candies “were in the heat, melted and chilled and re-solidified” over a long period of time in the warehouse, making them susceptible to infestations.
This isn’t the first case of insects being spotted in these peanut butter sweets. In 2014, an almost identical video of worms inside a Reese’s Peanut Butter cup sent the internet into a frenzy. During this online pandemonium, Reese’s actually apologized on social media, blaming the infestations on food storage and distribution issues.
Walmart is now conducting a massive recall of the candy. On top of this setback, the company is currently under fire after accusations of misleading packaging. In drugstores nationwide, special Reese’s wrappers read “You could WIN $25,000. See details inside,” which some argue is a violation of sweepstake laws. With rising legal trouble and the ongoing worm affair, Reese’s reputation could be in for a dreadful Halloween.
Despite these turbulent times for the company, Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups are sure to be a dominating presence in trick-or-treating bags. The inevitable excess of this confectionery brings up a serious question; to eat, or not to eat? We’ll leave this up for you to decide. Take a peanut butter cup if you dare; but consider taking a look inside before sinking your teeth in.
Professor • Sep 3, 2024 at 10:01 am
Thank you so much for this article! I’ve been using it for almost a year now in my English 101 and AP English Language classes to show how easily one can be fooled by social media and how important it is to check your sources, especially before passing on false information. It’s one thing to be a young reader and believe what you see, as Ms. Stevens did, but it’s another to be an adult who falls for this sort of thing. It’s such a great example to use for my classes: I can’t believe it’s still the third or fourth link Google gives when you search for “Reese’s worms”.
Scott Smith • Aug 14, 2024 at 6:40 pm
Well I can say for a fact it’s true happened to me yesterday opened up a reeses mini and there on top were about 4 worms that had burrowed from the middle of the cup. Needless to say I won’t be eating My used to be favorite snack. So bummed that the company hasn’t taken any action to keep this from happening. And haven’t even had a press release or anything guess they have gotten greedy and don’t care about their customers.. the ones that made them rich in the first place
Jamie Wyatt • Dec 29, 2023 at 10:31 am
I have a video I took on November 8. I threw out my Reese’s. I got more in December, and a friend found another.
Paul Stanbrook • Nov 3, 2023 at 7:01 pm
Worms probably healthier than the candy lol. Plus it’s just extra protein, Seriously this is horrible if true, I’ve read some think it was staged but better to be safe.
Melissa Schwallie • Nov 3, 2023 at 9:55 am
I saw pictures of worms in Reese cups in past on TikTok and thought it was fake photography. How believable is this?
DM • Nov 2, 2023 at 3:07 pm
Is there a link to the recall?
J • Nov 2, 2023 at 1:23 pm
You should go back and re-read the article. There is not a Reese’s recall. It does not say that.
CHANDALEE BECK • Nov 1, 2023 at 8:15 pm
A link for the FDA recall regarding this infestation would be helpful please. As with the lettuce issue a few years back. I cannot seem to locate it anywhere and because I work within the FDA requirement regulations this should be reported as a major recall on the FDA site. Help! Thank you
Shelly • Nov 1, 2023 at 9:06 am
Reese’s are my favorite candy. They are the 1st candy I stock up on for Halloween so any left overs are mine! I noped out on them this year. I didn’t want to risk handing out worm infested candy to my trick or treaters
Michelle R Vasquez • Oct 31, 2023 at 3:54 pm
I appreciate being told about this situation (true or not) I will be telling people I know so they will be informed or ALERT for issue.
Angie F • Oct 31, 2023 at 2:35 pm
This article is peak journalism. Love.
Linda Ducas • Oct 31, 2023 at 1:44 am
That is absolutely disgusting–and unforgiveable!!
Dave J. • Nov 2, 2023 at 12:48 pm
I’m a little on the slow side, just read it. Being one of my favorite candies, I can appreciate both sides of the issue. Hopefully nobody will get sick ?. As for Hershey’s, they ( and anyone else) shouldn’t be stock piling such perishable items. In fact, all these types of warehouses, should take stock in hand and pass those goods around and feed the unfortunate right here at home! If they can be considerate with other countries, they can be MORE considerate of the people at home.
Kathy Dugan • Nov 2, 2023 at 5:05 pm
Agree