### ‘Salmonella Sussex’: Meghan Markle’s Thanksgiving Turkey Clip Ignites Viral Hygiene Backlash

In late November 2025, Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, aimed to share a cozy, relatable holiday moment via her Instagram Stories and As Ever lifestyle brand newsletter. The short clip showed her preparing a raw Thanksgiving turkey—mixing spices, rubbing seasoning into the bird, and adding lemon zest—all set to Bob Dylan’s playful “Turkey Chase” track. Captioned with a light-hearted “Let the ‘game’ begin 🦃🦃🦃 Get it? #momjokes,” it was meant to evoke warmth and gratitude as she hosted family and friends in Montecito.

Instead, the video exploded into controversy, earning Meghan a savage new nickname: **”Salmonella Sussex.”**

Eagle-eyed viewers quickly zeroed in on a detail many deemed a major food-safety blunder: Meghan handled the raw poultry while wearing multiple rings and a gold bracelet, bare-handed and without gloves. Critics argued that jewelry can trap bacteria and juices from raw turkey—a common carrier of Salmonella, Campylobacter, and other pathogens—potentially leading to cross-contamination. Even though she appeared to wash her hands afterward, some noted she touched a pepper grinder and grater without re-washing, amplifying concerns.

Social media erupted. On X, Reddit, and TikTok, posts flooded in: “She has the worst kitchen hygiene,” one viral comment read. “Jewelry rubbing up against the meat… gross!” Another quipped, “Meghan, what in the ‘Salmonella Sussex’ is going on here?!” The hashtag and nickname trended rapidly, with threads like “Salmonella Sussex” on Reddit garnering thousands of views. Celebrity blogger Perez Hilton joined the fray, joking “Martha Stewart would never!” while highlighting CDC guidelines warning that raw turkey germs can spread easily.

Detractors portrayed it as proof of Meghan’s “clueless” domestic side, contrasting her polished image with perceived carelessness. “The ‘domestic’ goddess is clueless. The more she pretends to be a cook, the more fake she shows herself to be,” one user wrote. Others called the video “disgusting” and a “guaranteed spread of bacteria.”

Supporters dismissed the outrage as overblown nitpicking, noting many home cooks wear jewelry casually and that no one reportedly fell ill. Yet the polarized reaction underscores Meghan’s enduring scrutiny—every post dissected for flaws.

As Ever’s Thanksgiving newsletter, expressing gratitude for her husband, children, and supporters amid “navigating the timing on the turkey,” ironically fueled the fire. Sources say Meghan was “shaken” and “devastated” by the backlash, though no official response came from the Sussex camp.

In the digital age, a simple holiday prep clip became a viral roast, proving even festive moments aren’t safe from controversy. Whether a genuine oversight or harmless habit, “Salmonella Sussex” has stuck—adding another layer to Meghan’s polarizing public persona as 2025 ends.