Yesterday I picked up what was meant to be a lovely meal from M&S — duck, La Ratte potatoes, and asparagus. Fancy, right?

Opened the potatoes tonight and surprise! There was a dead, shrivelled worm carcass tucked in it!

Now, I have autism and OCD, so let’s just say this wasn’t ideal. I physically recoiled, nearly hurled, and had to clear out the fridge like it was a biohazard zone.

I called customer service (because I’m a grown-up, apparently), and while the first person was helpful-ish, I got passed around more than a discounted Percy Pig. Eventually ended up talking to someone who laughed at me when I asked if she was still on the line — which made me feel like I’d called the wrong place entirely. Like… sorry for caring about worm-free potatoes?

I’m not even mad about the actual potatoes. It’s the principle. I was raised to believe M&S was the classy option. But right now I’m sat here worm-traumatised, dinnerless, and it’s 11pm! I better get some Percy pigs out of this!

Anyway — 0/10, do not recommend worm surprise.

by Mundane_Rug

30 comments

  3. Could be worse, I’ve found half a worm while eating an apple!

  4. You get my upvote for the effort and dedication you put into that crime scene.

  5. I would have probably fainted, so kudos for how you dealt with the situation! I’m autistic too and I understand the horror of the experience + the struggle of calling customer service. Though I’m sadden about how they treated you on the phone, definitely not what I would’ve expected from M&S!

    But I have to say I love how you created the whole crime scene, incredibly creative!

    EDIT: For those who don’t get it, when you’re autistic eating doesn’t come easy. Also dealing with something unexpected causes lots of stress and anxiety. Many of you might not understand OP’s reaction, but the thing is that we don’t experience the world like most people do because our brain works differently.

    Regardless of this, I think customer service should never laugh when a client expresses a concern. They can politely disagree, but laughing is not an acceptable response.

  7. You know potatoes come from the ground? Wash them, cook them and they will be fine eat.

  8. Dinnerless? What happened to the potato? Clearly the worm thought it was good to eat

  9. I love your dedication to the crime scene but also potatoes come out of the ground. Sometimes there will be insects and worms on them. Really that’s a sign that the plants were healthy in life, as there’s a developed ecosystem around them — the soil is obviously good quality, free of harmful pesticides, and being looked after. But I am afraid you will probably not have much recourse over finding a dirt creature in your food that comes from the dirt. Always carefully check and wash your veg!

  10. Potatoes are a natural product, sometimes it happens. I only got into the habit of washing salads when I found a big caterpillar in one.

    Most people would have just made sure to give them a good wash and ate them anyway. Maybe that’s difficult for you, but even so calling customer service is pretty out there. I’m not surprised they didn’t really know what to say to you.

  11. This just had to be the first post I see after sitting down with my dinner. 

  12. I have a worm phobia. This would have killed me.

  13. You say *you* feel bad, think about the poor worm! How do you think the *worm* felt, look at the state of it?!

  14. That’s a good sign actually, it means they don’t bombard them with pesticides. Unless it’s some hyperevolved worm that is pesticide combatant.

  15. Just to let you know, it’s not a worm it’s a potato root stem. Completely harmless, shouldn’t have made it in the pack but its literally the thing potato grows from.

  18. Looks like the hackers went too far with the worms in the cyberattack

  19. I think this is more likely a potato sprout or root than a worm 🪱

  20. You’re traumatised and dinnerless because of a worm? I really hope you’re joking

  21. Potatoes come from the ground, this is why they are washed before being eaten. If a dead worm in a bag of potatoes is a severe OCD trigger for you to the point you can’t eat any of the bag, you might want to consider seeing a therapist who is experienced in helping people with OCD so you can feel less stress about food going forward.

  23. I’m going to very gently suggest you get some therapy, because a) that’s clearly not a worm but part of the potatoes and b) a dead worm in a bag of raw, unpeeled potatoes shouldn’t stop you from washing cooking AND THEN eating them! What so you think happens to your potatoes and other fruit and veg before they get to you??

  24. potatoes grow in the ground, there’s going to be all sorts of stuff in there with them until they’re washed. i’d be more worried about what’s in the duck lol, worms are one of their favourite foods! i could kind of understand your reaction if you were vegetarian or something, but to be grossed out by one and not the other doesn’t really make sense to me.

    edit- i agree with the other comments, this just looks like a stem anyway

  25. I hope you get an Oscar at least out of that performance, bit over dramatic no?

  27. Potatoes are grown in worm infested soil, just wash them (potatoes) and move on.

  28. You could eat a worm whilst alive and be ok, just letting you know. Don’t eat slugs though

  29. Wait until you find out the constituent ingredient of duck…

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