Mini Bugs That Are Found In The Food We Eat

1. Strawberries

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Berries such as raspberries, strawberries and blackberries are susceptible to worm and larvae  infestations.  When the eggs hatch, the larvae feed on the flesh of the berries, obviously spoiling them and affecting the quality.  Fortunately, there is no evidence that it causes issues to our health.

2. Apples

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Occasionally apples can be infested by apple maggots and codling moths.  These tiny pests tunnel into the fruit.  You may notice the texture or taste of the apple has been affected but it is almost always safe to consume the fruit.  If you see obvious signs of infestation, such as deep brown areas through the core, discard the apple.

3. Citrus Fruits

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It's not uncommon for citrus fruits such as oranges, lemons and limes to contain aphids and mites.  Their presence is harmless to us humans so don't become paranoid but their presence will usually result in discoloration and blemishes.  Apart from that, there's nothing to concern yourself with.

4. Stone Fruits

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Fruit flies are naturally attracted to stone fruits like plums, peaches and cherries.  These insects will lay eggs on the surface of the fruit, leading to larvae developing.  They are harmless but can cause soft fruit to go off quicker than usual.  Be sure to thoroughly wash the fruit skins before eating.

5. Bananas

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Bananas are relatively resistant to insect infestations but there is still a chance that they will harbour tiny mites.  The mites are harmless to us when eating the banana and do not affect the taste or even the quality of it but they can lead to the banana looking a bit unsightly.

6. Peanut Butter

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Don't panic but a large jar of peanut butter can contain up to 130 insect PARTS.  Having said that, unless there are more than that number, the peanut butter is safe to eat.  The  The fragments of insects, bits of arms, legs and bodies (sorry) end up in the jar during the manufacturing process.

7. Bread & Pastries

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You are likely to find insect bits in your bread or pastries if they have been baked with contaminated flour.  They are harmless as any toxins will have been killed off by the heat of the oven. Insects can also sneak into your bread when it's in the bread bin.  These can be slightly more detrimental to your health so be on the lookout!

8. Pancake & Cake Mixes

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Pre-packaged pastry mixes save so much time time and can work out cheaper than buying in all the individual ingredients so it's no wonder they are extremely popular. The sweetened flours contain so many chemicals and additives and their aroma and the ingredients are a beacon for pantry pests if the packaging isn't tightly sealed.

9. Pasta

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The food authorities legally allow up to 225 insect fragments per 225 grams of pasta as a safety aspect.  More than that and they should not be consumed.  Insects usually find their way into the pasta through the wheat.  This can contain up to 75 insect parts in a quarter of a cup of dried pasta!

10. Chocolate

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You should bear in mind that a four ounce bar of chocolate can contain up to 74 insect fragments.  This means that a chocoholic could be adding over 6,000 pieces of bugs to their calorie intake!  This isn't the worst - cockroach parts are a common contaminant in our favorite chocolate bar!

11. Canned Fruit Juice

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Everything from snails to mites can enjoy feasting on fruit juice, and there is a possibility they could end up in your daily glass of orange juice.  We know this sounds quite drastic, but it's a fact that insects are part of the normal process in growing and processing the food.

12. Coffee Beans

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A sip of steaming hot coffee can be the most enjoyable hot drink of the day. After a quick hit of caffeine we are ready to face the world.  Even with up to ten per cent of your beverage containing insect fragments, this won't affect your zest for embracing the rest of the morning.

13. Raisins

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It will shock you to learn that just one cup of raisins can have up to 35 fruit fly eggs as well as ten whole insects.  Luckily, these critters will do NO harm to your health. The FDA “allows for a small amount of insect material that is guaranteed safe for human consumption to pass into our food."  This is reassuring I suppose!

14. Mushrooms

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It sounds gross to imagine chomping down baby bugs, even when they are small fragments but you could well be doing so when you eat mushrooms.  On the plus side, mealworms, a form of insect larva, can provide you with extra protein - more than salmon or chicken!

15. Frozen Broccoli

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We all know that frozen vegetables can be as healthy for you as fresh because they are frozen just after picking so maintain all their vitamins.  With frozen broccoli, you are maybe getting more than you bargained for as aphids are notorious for infesting broccoli crops.  The small, sap sucking insects are not harmful if eaten.

16. Ground Pepper

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The yin and yang of condiments has to be salt and pepper and most of us will season our food generously with both of them.  Those days could possibly soon be behind you because up to 475 bug parts can end up in 50 grams (a quarter of a cup) of ground pepper.  It's not just the pepper that's spicing up your food!

17. Sauerkraut

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Sauerkraut has been deemed to be one of the best fermented foods for our gut health and we are encouraged to eat more of it to stay healthy.  Just to let you know that a few helpings of sauerkraut can contain up to 50 small, stick critters, called thrips.  They won't harm you and you'll be unlikely to notice them.

18. Cinnamon

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Cinnamon is a great spice.  It can work magic on bringing our taste buds to life in both sweet and savory foods. It also holds a secret.  When you're flavoring your cookie mixture, you might be adding insect fragments to the bowl.  The good news is it won't affect the taste or your stomach.

19. Flour

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When you buy flour from the dry goods store, you won't give it a second thought.  It's a pantry staple and often used almost every day.  You should be mindful that weevils, beetles and moths all love flour and they can be spotted in clumps, bumps or bits of brown/grey dust.  Keep the packet sealed at all times to reduce the risk.

20. Cookies & Crackers

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Baked goods usually have decent shelf lives but it's fair to say that they can attract ants, moths and other pantry bugs.  The goodies should be kept in an airtight container and not allowed to get damp or too warm.  During the summer months, it's best to store in the fridge and remove a few minutes before eating them.

21. Dried Nuts & Seeds

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It’s cost effective and smart to purchase in bulk but when you're bringing in large bags of nuts, seeds and even popcorn, there's every chance that there are some weevils and other bugs in there.  They could have been picked up by larvae, eggs and insect shells in the fields.

22. Canned Foods

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Unless you canned them yourself and that is unlikely, then you could find bits of bug bodies and casings in your canned foods.  This can happen even when products, at the factory, are vacuum packed to cook them before they are transferred to the cans.  At least the bugs are harmless.

23. Cured Meats

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Cured meats are regularly found in the refrigerator at home and make a simple and tasty sandwich for lunch.  The meats are smoked in the manufacturing process and can attract bugs when they are suspended over the embers.  If they can't get in at that stage, they can creep into the plastic packaging in the grocery store.  Best to microwave before eating to be on the safe side.

24. Ketchup

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It's a fact that fruit flies, together with their maggots, adore tomato ketchup.  This is why they lay their eggs in the popular sauce.  Sounds totally gross but you won't even notice them and they will be harmless.  The Food Association says that no more than 15 fruit flies and no more than one maggot should be allowed in a bottle before it is deemed fit to sell.  Don't know how they check!

25. Pantry Products

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Pantry pests usually infest products that have already been opened but they can also get into unopened paper, thin cardboard and plastic as well as foil or cellophane-wrapped packets.  They will chew their way into the packaging or crawl inside through seams and folds.  Keep your food products as airtight as you can to avoid an infestation.

26. Dried Milk Powder

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Dried milk powder is extremely useful, especially if you run out of fresh milk or prefer a long life product.  However, you MUST pay attention to the manufacturer's recommendations for shelf life and storage to avoid contamination of visible bugs or larvae.

27. Tea

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Tea can contain bugs or fragments of insects. Like many agricultural products, tea leaves are grown outdoors and they will come across insects which are a natural part of the environment. During cultivation, harvesting and the processing of the tea leaves, it's possible for insects, or bits of them, to end up in the final product.

28. Rice

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Rice is a natural product and the most popular food in the whole world!  As it is harvested from fields where insects are naturally in the environment, it is possible for insects, their eggs or larvae to be present in the rice grains.  Be sure to purchase a reputable brand that abides to strict quality control standards and check for tears in the packaging before buying.  ALWAYS rinse before use.

29.  Choosing To Eat Bugs!

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So we have talked about accidentally eating bugs but in places like Mexico, crickets can be found on the menu.  They are full of protein and contain zinc, iron, calcium and magnesium.  If you fancy a crunchy, low carb, low fat snack then don't rule crickets out!

30. Best Not To Think About It!

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The average person accidentally eats about a pound of bugs every year, without even seeing, smelling or tasting them!  They are found in everyday food and are pretty much harmless.  Coffee beans, chocolate and wheat flour are the main culprits, followed by fruit.  Best not to be paranoid as there is no need!