Expert: Carol Schlitt - 10/30/2006

Question
Just to know, are there any bugs that are lethal to humans if ingested?
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The text above is a follow-up to ...

-----Question-----
I have a large container of protein powder/meal replacement powder that I purchased several months ago.  I have only used maybe one tenth of the container so far (a spoonful each day).  This morning when I spooned up a heap to add to my oatmeal, I found a small (1 cm) tan-colored worm-shaped bug! It was dried up and dead.  I am wondering...do I need to throw out the whole container, now? Is there harmful larvae it may have left behind?  I'd hate to waste all the powder, but I value my health as well.
-----Answer-----
Hi Christine,

While it's not exactly appetizing, dead worm larvae are not harmful to eat and even add additional protein to your powder!  In other cultures worms are eaten as a protein source.

Food when manufactured is not sterile and powders, cereals, etc are prime foods for bugs and worms to be present.  So many parts per million of bugs/worms are allowed in our food. Undoubtedly, your protein powder contained this very small worm larvae that was able to pass through the grinding and powderizing stages.

Is it harmful -- no.  Is it unappetizing - yes.  It's your choice as so whether it's so unappetizing that you want to throw out the whole canister of powder.

In the future, you might want to store the powder in the freezer as this slows down the growth of bugs.  This is a good idea for all flour products.

If I can be of further assistance, please let me know.

Carol

Answer
Hi again,

There are worms and bugs that can make you very ill, such as the trichinella worm that can cause trichinosis.

I suggest you check out the FDA's "Bad Bug Book" and read the section on parasitic protozoa and worms.  http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~mow/intro.html

Carol