Is it okay to eat apples that have maggots in them? A number of devastating fires have plagued eastern Washington. Governor Jay Inslee provided affected residents with baskets of apples as a goodwill gesture.
Unfortunately, they were infested with apple maggots, and people are understandably asking – what health risks do apple maggots pose when eaten by accident?
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What are apple maggots?
Apple maggots, also known as fruit flies, may be found in a variety of fruits including hawthorn, sour cherries, plums and pears. They’re a worldwide problem that occurs across regions where these fruits are cultivated.
Apple maggots are also known as “railroad worms” because their larvae manufacture chitin-based hooks to cut tunnels through the fruit’s pulp. This results in parallel brown markings on the afflicted apples, hence the name.
Are apples with maggots safe to eat?
It’s a little more complicated than that. Maggots are only considered safe if they’re eaten deliberately and not contaminated with harmful germs. So, finding maggots in your dessert fruit may make the entire trip memorable, while ingesting maggots on purpose might ruin the experience.
Maggots, on the other hand, can be consumed in certain cases. The Sicilian casu marzu is one such example. Those who want to try eating maggots should avoid washing them, since this may cause them to die and/or spread infection.
Sardinian delicacy
To make casu marzu, Sardinians on the Italian island of Sardinia combine maggots with cheese. It is translated as “maggot cheese.”
The cheese is designed specifically to support maggot growth. If the maggots are still alive and the cheese is still decaying as you eat it, it’s safe to consume.
I’ve tried a few things that other people wouldn’t think about – cockroaches and snails, for example – but I’m not sure if I could swallow such a meal. All of you daring souls who want to try it out, please let me know whether or not it’s worth your time!
Stick to processed maggots
For culinary explorers, eating dried, cooked, or powdered maggots is the most secure option. These procedures are more likely to eliminate parasites, germs, and bacteria.
Risks
However, eating maggots has drawbacks. It appears that avoiding maggots altogether is preferable to dealing with the consequences listed below.
Risk 1: Myiasis
Maggots feed on and infest the living tissue of humans or animals to cause myiasis. It is horrid, but proper oral hygiene can help you avoid it. The disease is prevalent in countries with warm climates and subtropical weather. Internal organs and tissue might be put at risk if you consume maggots, as they become vulnerable to larva.
Myiasis is a disease caused by the larvae of flies or midges. The larvae can linger in your stomach and intestines for months, requiring hospitalization. Stomach cramps, nausea, and diarrhea are symptoms of myiasis.
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Risk 2: Bacterial poisoning
Because larvae frequently come into touch with feces, most foods that have maggots are not edible.
They may also be found breeding on decaying organic waste or garbage. Maggots may be contaminated with salmonella enteritidis and e. coli bacteria, causing illness. Fever, diarrhoea, nausea and vomiting are symptoms of these illnesses. These generally occur alongside profound tiredness.
Risk 3: Allergic reaction
Some people may have an allergic reaction to maggots or be subjected to their presence. This can result in respiratory difficulties and, in severe situations, anaphylactic shock.
Those who consume maggot larvae as fishing bait are more likely to experience this adverse effect. Although other research has yet to confirm it, some believe that larvae may trigger an adverse reaction in people who are sensitive to foods they’ve eaten previously. In the end, only eat maggots at your own risk!
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