If you have ‘making seafood pasta’ on your to-do list today, maybe add ‘shellfish manslaughter’ under it. A San Diego woman thought she was just grabbing clams for dinner–only to receive the craziest advice from the grocery store worker.
Suddenly, she’s standing there, bag of ice, live mollusks, and a whole new understanding of marine biology she never asked for. According to her, it might be “common knowledge,” but she’s pretty sure no one handed her the Clams 101 manual.
They’re Alive!
Kels (@kelsiosterbuhr) (and many other viewers) learned something new that day. Her minute-long recounting of her story has already gained 23,000 views. She begins the clip with, “So, fun fact. I didn’t know this, maybe this is common knowledge. I go to the grocery store to buy some seafood to make seafood pasta. And as I am obtaining the clams, he hands me a bag full of ice and clams.”
Kels explains how knowing herself, she wants to prevent a catastrophic mess in her car with the seafood. So, she ties the bag closed. This is when she receives the weirdest line ever: “If you’re going to tie the bag, make sure to poke a hole in it so the clams don’t suffocate and die.” Kels then stares at the camera in silence for a few seconds before saying, “So…that blew my mind.” This is where the video ends.
Do Clams Need to Be Bought Alive?
If you’re on the same boat as Kels, allow us to fully burst your bubble. Clams are, in fact, sold live and definitely do use oxygen. Sara Moulton shares on her cooking website, “Clams are purchased alive and must be kept alive. If you do purchase them several hours in advance, they should be kept cool and moist on ice or in the refrigerator. Don’t wrap them in anything airtight; they need oxygen to survive.” Alongside this advice, she also shares how to tell if they are alive or dead before cooking.
For those scared and trying to avoid killing any animals, unfortunately, clams should always be bought alive. Yahoo posted in February 2025: “Dead clams start to decompose quickly, making them susceptible to bacterial growth that can lead to food poisoning and no one wants that.” Therefore, all clams should be purchased alive, should have oxygen prior to cooking, and must be cooked until they’re dead to be safely consumed.
@kelsiosterbuhr #funfact #fyp #clams ♬ original sound – kels
The Viewers Argue
Interestingly enough, Kels’s viewers have two opposing views. One, that this should be common knowledge, or two, the wrong assumption that clams don’t need oxygen…duh!
One viewer says, “This can’t be real? Clams live in water they don’t breathe air.” Another says, “Don’t they breathe water?”
Lastly, a viewer says, “Do people put a hole in a gold fish bag? I would think it would be fine for the short ride home.”
On the other hand, people are bewildered at the ignorance of others. One viewer says, “They are living things. There is literally no hope for the world.”
While another writes, “Did you think you were buying dead sea food? They’re bivalves. You don’t buy dead oyster’s and you don’t buy dead lobsters and don’t buy dead crabs. Clams are the same.”
Finally, one viewer says, “Me coming to the comments assuming this is common knowledge, but alas…..”
The Mary Sue reached out to the creator via email.
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