Expert: Carol Schlitt - 9/13/2007

Question
Hi Carol,
I saw a worm which is dead in food.  If any person takes it (without knowledge) will it cause any infection on that person?  Even though it is a well cooked food, i have a doubt on this?
I hope that you will reply to my question with great care.

Regards,
Karthik.

Answer
Hi Karthick,

As you are probably aware, in many cultures, cooked worms are consumed as a source of protein. While this may not be popular in your cuoture, it is done safely every day in some parts of the world.

If the worm carried a bacteria that produced a waste product prior to being cooked, there is a remote possibility that a intoxification could occur. Thoroughly cooking the worm would kill any live bacteria and if the bacteria did not produce a toxin prior to death, the worm would be safe to eat.

FYI -- an infection is caused by live bacteria while an intoxification is caused by the waste product of the bacteria.  In the former the bacteria must be alive and grow to a number that can cause harm. In the later, the bacteria can be dead and you become ill in direct relationship to the amount of waste product you consume.

Chances are a well cooked worm will not cause a problem.

Carol