If so, you’ll dig this. (Not really.)
We spend countless amounts of time and money trying to keep bugs and other critters out of our homes. But did you know that it’s legally OK for manufacturers to allow bugs and, well, other things to hang out in your food?
Yep. It’s true. Creepy, crawly, wormy critters and other adventurous finds can legally infest our foods in small quantities. And apparently, that’s just fine with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Gross.
You see, the FDA has a nifty little manual called the Defect Levels Handbook. And it’s meant “to establish maximum levels of natural or unavoidable defects in foods for human use that present no health hazard.”
This neat little handbook defines some pretty tasty options. Maggots, rat hair and even mold can be found in the mix. These minor inconveniences are referred to as “Food Defect Action Levels.” And you’re not going to believe what this fancy phrase means. Food Defect Action Levels are the amount of bugs and whatnot (yes, whatnot) allowed in foods. Apparently, a little is OK. But a lot is forbidden.
Want to hear more? We thought so.