Are bugs in grits harmful if they're cooked?

Answer 1

I'm not sure of the answer but my wife puts the opened box of grits in the refrigerator and we have never had a problem with bugs. When buying grits, flour, or cornmeal, freeze them. Some bugs will burrow into the packaging and lay their eggs. Freezing them will stop this. Ive had this happen with instant potatos and other products as well.

Answer 2

Just freeze it for 48 hours when first purchased. Do this with all grain products - rice, pasta, all flours. The eggs will be in the products when you purchase it, so the freezing will kill all the bug eggs. Then keep the flour in an airtight and insect proof container.

Answer 3

If you eat it, they are. If you see them in there and toss them out, they aren't.

It depends on where the bugs came from. If the bugs hatched from eggs that were already inside the grits then they are probably not harmful. If the bugs crawled into the grits from somewhere else then they can be harmful.

Bugs that are from the grits do not carry bacteria and diseases from other sources. Bugs from outside the grits can carry bacteria and disease to the grits.

Answer 4

I think this really depends on the kind of bugs you're thinking about ingesting. They're probably fine, to be honest.. just a little bit of extra protein for ya.