South Dakota Woman’s Video of Moldy Culver’s Fries Sparks Online Debate About Food Safety and Home Conditions
SIOUX FALLS, SOUTH DAKOTA – A viral TikTok video showing a box of mold-covered Culver’s french fries has stirred debate online, with viewers questioning whether the incident reflects a natural food process or a potential mold issue inside the woman’s home. The video, shared by user @juliaalexandra.22, has reached more than 3.3 million views, sparking discussion about preservatives, humidity, and food storage safety.
The Viral Discovery
In her TikTok video, Julia displays a box of Culver’s fries completely covered in white and green mold, claiming the box had been left out for 48 hours. The overlay text reads, “You forget Culver’s fries for 48 hrs… and this happens.”
Julia explained that her children had ordered Culver’s two days prior and forgotten to finish their fries, leaving them out on the counter. “No fridge for two days, and this is what I open up the box to,” she said. “It’s disgusting, but I’m not blaming Culver’s. We eat there all the time.”
While many initially viewed the post as a simple cautionary tale about food spoilage, it quickly gained traction for another reason — the unusually rapid mold growth visible in the footage.
Commenters Question the Mold’s Source
Viewers flooded the comments with skepticism and concern, suggesting that such intense mold development in just two days was highly unusual.
“You should get your house checked out. That’s way too much mold for 2 days,” one user wrote. Another added, “This is not something food would do in two days. I would have your home checked for mold spores.”
Julia responded by offering her own explanation, saying the box had condensation build-up due to humidity and room temperature. “There was condensation collection inside the box,” she wrote. “43% humidity level, house temp between 68–72, and it was set out next to the stove.” She added that other foods left out in her home hadn’t shown similar mold growth, suggesting the moisture and warmth were contributing factors.
Experts Weigh In on Mold Growth
While no food safety experts have directly commented on Julia’s post, specialists generally note that mold requires moisture, warmth, and organic material to thrive. Even moderate household humidity, combined with proximity to a heat source, can create ideal conditions for rapid mold development.
Experts also say the absence of preservatives in certain restaurant foods can make them more likely to mold quickly. In contrast, some fast-food items are known for staying visually intact due to additives that slow spoilage.
Without lab testing, however, it’s impossible to know whether Julia’s fries were contaminated before being left out or if environmental spores in the home accelerated the process.
@juliaalexandra.22 Culvers Fries. How does that happen? #culvers #fries #foodtok #kidsbelike #parenting101
Social Media Reactions and Food Safety Concerns
The TikTok post sparked a divided reaction. Some users argued that the presence of mold proved that Culver’s fries are made from “real food” without heavy preservatives. “It’s real food. Real food molds,” one commenter said. Another joked, “Go to McDonald’s if you don’t want it to mold.”
Others remained unconvinced, suggesting the amount of mold indicated an underlying environmental issue. Some even advised Julia to get her home professionally tested for airborne mold spores.
In follow-up videos, Julia shared clips of herself cleaning the area around the stove and checking for visible mold, assuring viewers she was taking the warnings seriously.
A Reminder for Homeowners and Families
The viral incident has turned into a broader conversation about home humidity, cleanliness, and food handling. Experts recommend refrigerating perishable items within two hours, especially foods containing oil or starch, such as french fries, which can retain moisture that encourages mold growth.
Julia’s experience serves as a reminder that even everyday foods can spoil fast under the right conditions — and that it’s worth paying attention to humidity and ventilation in kitchen areas.
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