How Many Insects Do We Unintentionally Eat?

A new study by Terro has found that the average person unknowingly consumes nearly a pound of insects every year. In the United States, it is estimated that the average person unintentionally eats a pound of insects every year. This is due to the fact that when we sleep, they get themselves eaten by insects. Insects are intentionally eaten in some cultures, but many people unknowingly consume them in everyday food products. The average person unknowingly consumes one to two pounds of bugs per year.

There are about 1, 700 edible insect species, and they contain lots of bugs. The USDA reports that the average American eats about two pounds of dead insects and insect parts a year, which are found in vegetables, rice, beer, and pasta. The idea that we swallow a certain number of spiders every lifetime/year/night is just an urban legend.

Insects are likely several hundred to a thousand at most, while arachnids are many thousands due to dust mites. The average person eats up to one POUND of flies, maggots, and other bugs accidentally each year, and their health impacts are not fully understood. The USDA estimates that the average American eats about two pounds of dead insects and insect parts a year, which can be found in vegetables, rice, beer, and pasta.

Do People Eat Bugs?

Eating insects, or entomophagy, is widespread across the globe, with more than two billion people from South America, Asia, and Africa regularly incorporating them into their diets. Over 1, 000 insect species are consumed in around 80 countries, making insect consumption a common practice in many cultures. However, in the United States and Europe, there's a prevalent stigma against eating bugs, often viewing them as pests rather than a viable food source.

Despite this, more than 2, 000 species of insects are recognized as edible, with practices like consuming roasted grasshoppers in Mexico and deep-fried mealworms in Thailand gaining attention. Insects also offer significant environmental benefits; their farming produces markedly lower greenhouse gas emissions and their waste, known as frass, serves as effective fertilizer. Various cultures enjoy different insects — from grasshoppers to ants and tarantulas — as nutritious and delicious food options.

Currently, around 3, 000 ethnic groups practice entomophagy, highlighting its historical and cultural significance across most nations. Although the idea of consuming insects remains taboo in Western societies, the environmental and health advantages of including them in our diets may challenge this perspective in the future. In summary, while the majority of the world's population embraces insect consumption, Western nations are notable exceptions with prevailing reservations.

How Many Bugs Can We Eat A Year?

According to a report from Terro, an insect control company, the average American could consume about 136, 080 insect fragments from coffee annually, based on FDA standards for allowable insect parts in food products. Coffee leads in insect content, followed by wheat flour with approximately 91, 650 fragments and macaroni and noodle products with about 7, 031. Reputable sources like the New York Times and Scientific American indicate that Americans generally consume one to two pounds of insects each year. Terro’s report estimates this to be around 140, 000 pieces of insects per person annually, with around 1, 500 edible insect species being part of the diet for over 3, 000 ethnic groups worldwide.

In practical terms, this means that food items such as frozen broccoli can legally contain up to 60 insects per 100 grams, allowing for significant insect consumption without awareness. Everyday foods, including chocolate, coffee, and bread, can also harbor parts from insects like mealworms, maggots, and roaches. The CDC notes that two pounds of flies, maggots, and other bugs make up part of the annual diet for Americans.

The complex relationship between diets, food production, and societal perceptions is highlighted by these statistics. While estimates vary, many suggest an average of around 100 grams of insect fragments consumed each year. Although this may seem alarming, it is an inherent aspect of food processing. Urban legends, such as the belief that people swallow spiders unknowingly, have been debunked. Ultimately, the notion that we consume one to two pounds of insects and their parts annually points to a striking reality about modern food consumption.

How Many Insects Do Coffee Drinkers Eat A Year?

According to Terro, the average coffee drinker could consume around 136, 080 insect fragments annually, which is almost 140, 000 if you include other foods. Beetles, making up 31% of global insect consumption, are the most commonly eaten insects. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) allows frozen broccoli to contain up to 60 insects per 100 grams. Coffee ranks highest in insect fragments, followed by wheat flour containing 91, 650 fragments and macaroni with around 7, 031.

Regular coffee drinkers can ingest a significant amount of bug matter, with chocolate lovers potentially consuming an extra 6, 000 pieces. The estimate reflects the unavoidable reality of consuming insects, as growing food outdoors attracts various pests. Over a year of eating three meals a day and drinking coffee or snacking daily, individuals could ingest close to 1, 100 insect fragments yearly—1, 465 with coffee, and 1, 930 with daily snacks. Despite it sounding unsettling, it's a historical norm for humans who have consumed pests for millennia.

Terro's findings illustrate how many fragments are present in everyday foods, stressing that coffee, in particular, can contain a higher concentration than actual coffee beans. Ultimately, while unsettling, insect fragments in food are an unavoidable aspect of diet, especially for coffee enthusiasts.

Are Bugs In Your Food?

A recent study by Terro, an ant and insect control company, reveals that insects may be present in many of the foods you purchase, including breakfast, lunch, and dinner items. Analyzing data from the FDA and FAO, Terro found that insect fragments are commonly found in various grocery store foods, and their presence is legally permissible. Insects are a "secret ingredient" in many global foods, appearing in products like peanut butter, chocolate, broccoli, and pasta.

The FDA allows specific amounts of bugs in food, which can enter during cultivation, storage, and transit. For example, Carmine, a vibrant red food colorant used in red candies such as Skittles and Swedish Fish, is made from the crushed abdomens of female African insects.

While the idea of insects in food might be off-putting, the FDA has established food defect standards to minimize their presence. Insects inevitably make their way into foods through the processing chain, and it is challenging to eliminate them entirely. Common pantry pests like moths, weevils, and mealworms can contaminate foods, but there are methods to remove and prevent their presence. Insect fragments, including heads, bodies, and legs, can accidentally end up in various food products, from pantry staples to fresh produce.

Despite the "gross" factor, consuming insects in food does not generally pose health risks. Insects are used intentionally in some food ingredients, such as confectioner’s glaze and food coloring. Regulatory bodies ensure that the levels of insect contamination remain within safe limits. Everyday items like tomato sauce, peanut butter, red lipstick, glazed candies, pasta, and seasonings may contain bug bits without consumers' knowledge. While it might be unsettling, the presence of insects in food is a standard aspect of the modern food industry, maintained under legal and safety regulations to protect consumers.

How Many Bugs Do Australians Eat A Year?

Skye Blackburn informs SBS Food that Australians consume approximately a quarter of a kilo of insects annually, a figure that may be higher for those on vegan or vegetarian diets. Insects have found their way into our food via various means, given that around 1, 500 species are edible and form a part of the diets of over 3, 000 ethnic groups globally. A 2006 report revealed that 20% of Australians expressed interest in trying witjuti grubs, a traditional food for First Nations peoples.

Interestingly, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) notes that frozen broccoli can contain up to 60 insects per 100 grams, hinting at how insect parts can be consumed without awareness. A survey of 601 Australians explored their attitudes toward edible insects and revealed that 40% are open to incorporating them into their diets.

Despite the historical presence of insects in indigenous "bush tucker" diets, there remains a cultural barrier to wider acceptance in Australia. Globally, insects are consumed by over two billion people from 130 countries, indicating their nutritional potential and sustainability as a protein source. Studies suggest edible insects like silkworms and mealworms can benefit gut health and lower blood pressure.

In Australia, three insect species have been approved for consumption—super mealworms, house crickets, and mealworm beetles—while native species are part of traditional diets, pointing to a growing opportunity for edible insects in mainstream Australian cuisine.