Bug Bits Secretly Permitted in 9 Foods

A 250 ml can of fruit juice may contain five fly eggs or one or more maggots.

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The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) allows small quantities of bugs and insects in most processed foods due to their protein, healthy fats, calcium, and iron content, and low-calorie levels. According to FDA guidelines:

1. A single cup of coffee can contain around 120 insect parts.
2. Approximately 125 grams of chocolate may contain between 60 to 74 bug parts.
3. A cup of raisins can harbor up to 35 fruit fly eggs and 10 whole insects.
4. A 100 gram jar of peanut butter could contain up to 30 insect parts before being considered contaminated.
5. A 100 gram can of mushrooms may contain around 20 maggots and 75 mites.
6. Frozen broccoli is permitted to have 60 aphids, soft-bodied insects that can grow up to 2-5 millimeters in size.
7. Canned tomatoes may contain more than 10 fly eggs or one maggot.
8. A 250 ml can of fruit juice may contain five fly eggs or one or more maggots.
9. Up to 100 insect fragments are allowed per 25 grams of curry powder.

Insects have been a part of human diets in many regions globally, particularly Asia, Africa, and Latin America.

Despite gaining attention as a food source to help address global food security and environmental challenges, they can still make people unfamiliar with them as food, squeamish.