Many people have been unsettled by viral social media videos showing tiny, wriggling white creatures emerging from strawberries after they are soaked in salt water. This discovery has caused some individuals to stop eating strawberries altogether due to the unsettling nature of the sight. However, the reality behind these organisms is far less frightening than the initial reaction suggests.

These small “worms” are actually the larvae of the spotted wing drosophila, a type of fruit fly that lays its eggs inside the fruit. Because these larvae develop inside the strawberry, they are often invisible to the naked eye until the salt water solution forces them to emerge. Their presence is a natural occurrence in many fruits, rather than a sign of something sinister.

Regarding safety, consuming these larvae is not known to be harmful to human health. While the visual of finding them can be unappealing, there is no evidence to suggest that eating strawberries containing these larvae poses a risk to those who consume them. Most people have likely consumed them unknowingly at some point without any adverse effects.

If you find them in your berries, the best approach is to wash your fruit thoroughly or soak it in a saltwater solution if you wish to remove them before eating. Ultimately, understanding what these organisms are helps to replace fear with knowledge, allowing you to enjoy your strawberries with confidence despite their natural inhabitants.