When you reach for a chocolate bar or stir that jar of peanut butter in Wisconsin, chances are you’re eating more than you bargained for. While it might sound like something out of a horror movie, it’s a fact backed by science and even government regulations: many of our everyday foods contain insects—yes, legally.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) allows a certain level of insect fragments in processed foods. Why? Because it’s nearly impossible to produce food entirely free from these microscopic intruders. The FDA calls these “unavoidable defects,” and they’ve even set specific limits on how many bug parts are considered acceptable.
The Hidden Guests in Your Favorite Foods
Here are 13 popular food items consumed regularly across Wisconsin that might include insect parts—either unintentionally during processing or intentionally as part of local culinary experimentation:
- Peanut Butter
It’s a pantry staple in Wisconsin homes, but peanut butter can legally contain up to 30 insect fragments per 100 grams. It’s still safe to eat, but you’ll never look at your sandwich the same way again. - Chocolate
Whether it’s a bar or a baked good, chocolate is a frequent offender. The FDA permits up to 60 insect fragments per 100 grams. - Pasta
This one’s a shocker—pasta can include up to 225 insect fragments in a 225-gram sample. That’s nearly one bug bit per gram. - Canned Mushrooms
A favorite in casseroles and stews, canned mushrooms are allowed to have up to 20 maggots per 100 grams. That creamy mushroom soup just got less appetizing. - Frozen Broccoli
Yes, even your healthy green fix isn’t off the hook. Up to 60 aphids or thrips per 100 grams can be found in frozen broccoli. - Canned Tomatoes
You might find up to 10 fly eggs or 5 fly larvae per 500 grams. Tomato sauce from a can just lost some appeal. - Raisins
That sweet snack in your trail mix can contain up to 35 fruit fly eggs per 100 grams. - Coffee Beans
Believe it or not, up to 10% of coffee beans can be insect-infested. That morning brew? Not entirely bug-free. - Canned Corn
Up to two larvae per 100 grams are permitted in canned sweet corn. That side dish might not be as innocent as it looks. - Apple Butter
A rustic favorite in Wisconsin, apple butter is allowed to contain up to five whole insects per 100 grams. - Fig Paste
Used in fig bars and other sweets, fig paste can legally include up to 13 insect heads per 100 grams. - Canned Sauerkraut
Commonly paired with brats, canned sauerkraut may contain up to 50 thrips per 100 grams. - Spinach
Fresh, frozen, or canned, spinach can harbor up to 50 aphids or thrips per 100 grams.
When Bugs Are on Purpose
In Wisconsin’s more adventurous culinary circles—especially at events like the Wisconsin State Fair—insects aren’t just tolerated, they’re celebrated.
Cricket Tacos are offered as a crunchy, protein-rich alternative to beef.
Ants on a Stick—pretzel rods dipped in marshmallow and rolled in ants—offer a sweet and earthy twist.
Earthworm and Cricket Jerky are also finding their way into local markets, promoted as sustainable snacks.
Snake Soup, although rare, has made appearances at niche food stands aiming to highlight alternative proteins.
These aren’t just novelty foods. Across the globe, over 2 billion people consume insects as a regular part of their diets. They’re rich in protein, vitamins, and minerals, and farming them requires far less land, water, and feed than traditional livestock.
Why This Matters
While it might be off-putting at first glance, the presence of insects in our food is not a safety issue—it’s a practical one. Completely eliminating all insect fragments during harvesting and processing would drastically increase food waste and prices. The FDA sets limits that are safe for consumption and ensures consistent food quality.
But it also sparks an important conversation: Could embracing insects as food be a sustainable way forward?
With environmental concerns rising and food security becoming a global issue, insect-based diets might not just be a quirky trend—they could be the future of food.
The idea that you’re regularly eating bugs may sound alarming, but it’s perfectly normal—and legal. Whether it’s the fig paste in your cookie or the canned tomato in your chili, chances are there’s a little insect protein in there somewhere.
So next time you’re grocery shopping in Wisconsin, remember: a few bugs might already be part of your diet—and that might not be such a bad thing after all.