Could something be hiding in your juice? One woman’s surprise discovery has others checking their bottles
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Most of us trust that what we buy off the shelf is safe to drink—especially when it comes to something as familiar as a bottle of juice.
After all, it’s a staple in many homes, often tucked into the fridge for cooking, baking, or just a splash of flavor in a glass of water.
We read the label, check the expiration date, and rarely give it a second thought.
But a surprising story out of Australia is reminding folks that even everyday items can hold unexpected surprises.
A social media user recently discovered something unsettling inside a store-brand bottle of lime juice, and her experience has many shoppers asking themselves a new question: how closely do we really inspect what’s in our fridge—especially if the bottle doesn’t let us see what’s inside?
Naomi Brosnan, an Australian social media user, had just finished off a bottle of Coles brand lime juice when she heard something odd while giving it a shake.
Curious, she cut open the opaque plastic bottle—and was shocked to find a reddish-brown glob settled at the bottom.
“I actually feel violently ill,” she said in her video, which has since been seen tens of thousands of times.
Holding up the strange object, she asked, “Someone needs to tell me what that is, because… oh my gosh.”
As with many moments on social media, the reactions ranged from humorous to horrified.
Some joked about what it could be, while others chimed in with similar experiences.
“This happened to me two nights ago,” one person wrote.
“Got to the end of the bottle—never using lime juice again!”
Another added, “I just opened ours and it’s literally the same—and the juice is brown.”
Clearly, Naomi’s experience wasn’t as rare as one might hope.
While there's no confirmed answer, commenters offered several possibilities: a vinegar “mother,” a kombucha-like SCOBY (a culture of bacteria and yeast), or a biofilm that can form in acidic liquids.
These aren’t always harmful, but they can form under certain conditions, especially if a product isn’t stored properly.
Without lab testing, it’s hard to say what Naomi found—but it served as a good reminder that even common products can have issues.
Incidents like this aren’t unheard of.
Contamination or spoilage can occur during production, packaging, or storage—whether at the store or in your own home.
Quality control plays a big role, but so does how long a product has been open, whether it’s been refrigerated, and the type of packaging used.
Opaque bottles, like the one Naomi used, make it difficult to see inside.
That’s why food safety experts recommend checking expiration dates and giving items a quick smell or shake before use—especially if they’ve been open for a while.
Source: TikTok / @naomibrosnan
In response to the widespread video, Coles, the Australian grocery chain behind the lime juice brand, issued a statement saying they take customer concerns seriously and encourage anyone unhappy with a product to return it for a refund or replacement.
They also shared a positive update: the company is transitioning from opaque to clear bottles for their lemon and lime juice products.
While Coles didn’t link the change directly to Naomi’s video, the move could help customers spot problems before opening the bottle.
“At Coles, we take pride in providing our customers with great quality and value,” a spokesperson said.
“We’re transitioning our lemon and lime juice bottles to transparent packaging that is also recyclable.”
Most of the time, food and beverage products are perfectly fine—but a few small habits can help you stay safer:
Naomi’s story highlights how important it is for both shoppers and companies to be transparent—whether it’s in packaging or communication.
Clear bottles, clearer labeling, and responsive customer service all make a difference.
Read next: Forget expensive cleaners! This 49¢ cleaning find at Target works wonders
Have you ever had a similar experience? Found something unexpected in your food or drink? Share your story in the comments—it might help someone else know what to look out for!
After all, it’s a staple in many homes, often tucked into the fridge for cooking, baking, or just a splash of flavor in a glass of water.
We read the label, check the expiration date, and rarely give it a second thought.
But a surprising story out of Australia is reminding folks that even everyday items can hold unexpected surprises.
A social media user recently discovered something unsettling inside a store-brand bottle of lime juice, and her experience has many shoppers asking themselves a new question: how closely do we really inspect what’s in our fridge—especially if the bottle doesn’t let us see what’s inside?
A surprising discovery in a bottle of lime juice is prompting shoppers to take a closer look at what’s in their fridge. Image Source: TikTok / @naomibrosnan.
A surprise inside a bottle
Naomi Brosnan, an Australian social media user, had just finished off a bottle of Coles brand lime juice when she heard something odd while giving it a shake.
Curious, she cut open the opaque plastic bottle—and was shocked to find a reddish-brown glob settled at the bottom.
“I actually feel violently ill,” she said in her video, which has since been seen tens of thousands of times.
Holding up the strange object, she asked, “Someone needs to tell me what that is, because… oh my gosh.”
Also read: Delivery gone disgusting: This Amazon delivery left more than just a package
Viewers react with disbelief—and similar stories
As with many moments on social media, the reactions ranged from humorous to horrified.
Some joked about what it could be, while others chimed in with similar experiences.
“This happened to me two nights ago,” one person wrote.
“Got to the end of the bottle—never using lime juice again!”
Another added, “I just opened ours and it’s literally the same—and the juice is brown.”
Clearly, Naomi’s experience wasn’t as rare as one might hope.
Also read: Protect your home’s value: The “disgusting” invader causing chaos to West Coast forests
So, what was it?
While there's no confirmed answer, commenters offered several possibilities: a vinegar “mother,” a kombucha-like SCOBY (a culture of bacteria and yeast), or a biofilm that can form in acidic liquids.
These aren’t always harmful, but they can form under certain conditions, especially if a product isn’t stored properly.
Without lab testing, it’s hard to say what Naomi found—but it served as a good reminder that even common products can have issues.
How common are food surprises like this?
Incidents like this aren’t unheard of.
Contamination or spoilage can occur during production, packaging, or storage—whether at the store or in your own home.
Quality control plays a big role, but so does how long a product has been open, whether it’s been refrigerated, and the type of packaging used.
Opaque bottles, like the one Naomi used, make it difficult to see inside.
That’s why food safety experts recommend checking expiration dates and giving items a quick smell or shake before use—especially if they’ve been open for a while.
Source: TikTok / @naomibrosnan
Also read: This disgusting clog could be lurking in your sink. Here's the quick fix to prevent it.
How Coles responded
In response to the widespread video, Coles, the Australian grocery chain behind the lime juice brand, issued a statement saying they take customer concerns seriously and encourage anyone unhappy with a product to return it for a refund or replacement.
They also shared a positive update: the company is transitioning from opaque to clear bottles for their lemon and lime juice products.
While Coles didn’t link the change directly to Naomi’s video, the move could help customers spot problems before opening the bottle.
“At Coles, we take pride in providing our customers with great quality and value,” a spokesperson said.
“We’re transitioning our lemon and lime juice bottles to transparent packaging that is also recyclable.”
What you can do to stay safe
Most of the time, food and beverage products are perfectly fine—but a few small habits can help you stay safer:
- Check expiration dates before using or purchasing.
- Inspect packaging for any odd smells, discoloration, or floating bits.
- Follow storage instructions, especially for items that need refrigeration.
- Trust your senses—if it looks or smells off, don’t risk it.
- Shake and listen—if something sounds unusual inside the bottle, take a closer look.
- Report concerns to the store or brand. They often appreciate the feedback and may offer a replacement or refund.
Naomi’s story highlights how important it is for both shoppers and companies to be transparent—whether it’s in packaging or communication.
Clear bottles, clearer labeling, and responsive customer service all make a difference.
Read next: Forget expensive cleaners! This 49¢ cleaning find at Target works wonders
Have you ever had a similar experience? Found something unexpected in your food or drink? Share your story in the comments—it might help someone else know what to look out for!
