Can you eat peaches with worms?

In this article, I will answer the question “Can you eat peaches with worms?” and explain the consequences if you do.

No, you shouldn’t eat peaches with worms. Peaches should be fresh and healthy, with no dark spots or any signs of animals inside the fruit.

Before eating, it is important to check the condition of the peach and, if possible, wash it under running water to remove dirt and impurities.

What are the larvae that live in peaches?

The larva comes from the common fly, they are small, white or cream in color. They can lay an average of 130 eggs within decomposing organic matter, which will result in larval formation.

In general, the larvae are visible and noticeable when present on the fruit. These flies are dirty animals that visit various environments throughout the day, which can contaminate fruit with bacteria.

What are the dangers of ingesting the worms in peaches?

There are some diseases that can be caused by bacterial infection, such as food poisoning. Bacteria like Salmonella and Escherichia Coli can contaminate food, causing very unpleasant symptoms

  • Salmonella (Salmonellosis): It is a bacterium that infects the gastrointestinal tract, caused by the ingestion of contaminated water and food. Symptoms vary from person to person, but diarrhea, stomach cramps, and fever can occur are very common. In general, it is not necessary to seek medical help as symptoms improve within a few hours.
  • Escherichia Coli: It is a bacterium that lives in the human gastrointestinal tract and is generally not harmful to health, but certain strains of Escherichia Coli can cause stomach problems such as diarrhea, stomach pain and high fever. Symptoms can be mild, but severe infection caused by Escherichia Coli can also be fatal.
  • Myiasis: It is an infection that is transmitted through mosquito larvae in several tropical and subtropical regions of the world. The symptom manifests itself through the appearance of a lump on the skin, which grows as the larva grows, and can move under the skin.

    The person may experience stomach pain, nausea and vomiting. Treatment should be done through surgery to remove the larvae.

What can happen if you accidentally ingest a larva?

If you accidentally ingest a larva, not knowing it was present in the peach, don’t worry. In most cases, the person does not have any symptoms, but it is necessary to be under observation to check for possible signs of intoxication, such as:

  • Abdominal pain
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Presence of larvae in feces
  • Skin eruptions
  • Fever and general malaise

If you experience any of these symptoms, see a doctor immediately.

Young children, adults with compromised immune systems and the elderly should pay extra attention in these cases.

How to properly sanitize peaches?

To avoid food poisoning, it is necessary to sanitize and clean food carefully before eating. When buying them, you should choose ones that look good, aren’t bruised or damaged, with dark spots and dirt marks.

Here are some tips on how to properly clean peaches and other fruits:

  • Sanitize your hands in running water with appropriate soap for 20 seconds
  • Wash the fruit in water before cutting using only water, as it is not necessary to use soap or any other product. Rub gently so as not to damage the food
  • For those fruits with a firmer skin like melon and watermelon, you can use a vegetable bush, always with care and softness when rubbing
  • Finally, dry the fruit with a paper towel or clean cloth. To preserve, you must store in the refrigerator at 40 degrees below.

How do you know if a peach is ripe and ready to eat?

There are some tips you can use to know if the peach is good and safe to eat:

  • It must have a very sweet aroma
  • The peach must be soft to the touch
  • Its color must be dark yellow, not being completely red or green, as green indicates that it is not ready yet
  • Its shape is round.

Summary

In some parts of the world, such as countries in Asia for example, it is common for residents of the region to ingest larvae in their food frequently, but it is still unclear whether this is a really safe habit.

Specialists have been studying these customs and trying to understand if there is any benefit in ingesting larvae and how to avoid the risks of contamination and food poisoning, but nothing is yet clear and defined on this subject.

Other FAQs about Peaches that you may be interested in.

Can you eat peach skin?

Can dogs eat a peach?

Can you eat an overripe peach?

Conclusion

In this article, I answered the question “Can you eat peaches with worms?” and gave important information about the health risks of ingesting worms and what to do in these cases, how to choose a good peach and clean it properly.

Feel free to contact me if you have any questions on this subject.

References

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/325319#intestinal-myiasis

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/salmonella/symptoms-causes/syc-20355329

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/16638-e-coli-infection
https://www.cdc.gov/parasites/myiasis/faqs.html

https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/7-tips-cleaning-fruits-vegetables

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