AboutCarol Schlitt Expertise I can answer questions on home food safety, sanitation, home food preservation and commercial food safety (HACCP).
Experience I am an Extension educator, nutrition, wellness and food safety. I am a certified HACCP manager and a food safety instructor for the Illinois Department of Public Health.
Organizations International Association for Food Protection, American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences (Certified CFCS), National Extension Association of Family and Consumer Sciences, Society for Nutrition Education.
Education/Credentials BS - University of Illinois
MS - Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville
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.
