Via iStockphoto / @judyyyyyheartssss Tiktok
A Texas woman said she purchased what appeared to be a moldy Charmin toilet paper roll from H-E-B. But is it dangerous?
A Texas woman says she got an unpleasant surprise after taking a closer look at a package of Charmin toilet paper she bought from an H-E-B grocery store.
Judy (@judyyyyyheartssss) told her audience that she purchased Charmin toilet paper from an H-E-B in Burleson, Texas. But after opening the product, she realized at least one toilet paper roll had a grayish stain that she said looked like mold.
In a video with more than 3,000 views, the creator held up her receipt to show viewers how much the rolls cost at H-E-B. She then went through the Charmin package and showed her audience the roll in question.
“This s— looks like f—— mold, y’all. Like, I’m so upset because I’ve already used … B—-, no,” she said.
Does Toilet Paper Go Bad?
Unfortunately for would-be apocalypse preppers, toilet paper isn’t 100% impenetrable, although it technically doesn’t have an official expiration date.
Typically, toilet paper can last for months or even years in low-humidity spaces. Plumbing advisor Megan Douser told the Family Handyman that “Toilet paper is not that kind of product that can go bad because of age or mold. It absorbs moisture very well but dries out quickly — this sets it apart from other things like concrete, drywall, or fabric that are porous and hold moisture for long hours. Toilet paper can absorb some moisture, but it has no nutrients for mold to feed on.”
But mold inside toilet paper can be a cause for concern, as it can be allergy-inducing for some individuals.
Is Moldy Toilet Paper Dangerous?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advises individuals not to allow mold to spread, as it can cause a variety of health effects.
The CDC says that “mold can cause a stuffy nose, sore throat, coughing or wheezing, burning eyes, or skin rash. People with asthma or who are allergic to mold may have severe reactions. Immune-compromised people and people with chronic lung disease may get infections in their lungs from mold.” In addition, those with a mold sensitivity or allergy may experience worse side effects.
Mold can spread from product to product easily, especially after an initial contamination. So while a moldy paper roll doesn’t pose any specific risks when specifically used in the bathroom, it shouldn’t sit in a person’s home long-term.
What Should You Do With Moldy Toilet Paper?
Judy didn’t know what to do with the moldy toilet paper roll, but commenters had a few suggestions. Namely, viewers told the content creator to return the product to H-E-B and to contact Procter & Gamble.
“Most definitely reach out to the company. They will ask you for the product date to see what city and state it came from,” one viewer suggested.
Another commenter said, “Go ahead and send this to Procter & Gamble in a email.”
A third said, “You know you can take this right back to heb.” Judy replied, “No, I didn’t know that,” with an upside-down smiling emoji.
In the end, Judy confirmed that she returned the product to H-E-B. It’s unclear if she contacted Procter & Gamble.
@judyyyyyheartssss @H-E-B @Charmin
BroBible reached out to H-E-B and Procter & Gamble via press email. The publication also reached out to Judy via TikTok direct message for comment.