You were having a relaxing dinner at a stylish restaurant, enjoying good company and a healthy salad when your friend suddenly froze mid-bite. “What’s that?” she asked, pointing at a few tiny, perfectly round black and white specks on a lettuce leaf. At first glance, they looked like chia seeds, a common topping. But then…
They started to wiggle.
Your first thought: “That’s not normal.”
Panic started to set in. These weren’t seeds. They were moving.
You called the waiter over, visibly disturbed. He leaned in, looked at the salad, and visibly recoiled. The manager came next. After an awkward silence, they admitted it looked like insect eggs — possibly laid by a bug attracted during food storage or transport.
In shock, and not knowing whether you’d ingested any, you rushed to the nearest hospital to get checked. The doctor explained that while most insect eggs won’t harm you if ingested, some carry bacteria or parasites that can cause gastrointestinal or allergic reactions.
Thankfully, you and your friend got treatment immediately — a precautionary activated charcoal cleanse, a tetanus booster, and lab tests.
What Were They?
From the photo you sent, these closely resemble lacewing insect eggs, often laid in clusters. They’re small (1–2 mm), black or brown with a patterned texture, and can look harmless at first glance. Some true bugs or parasitic wasps also lay eggs in these patterns.
They may have gotten into the restaurant’s produce stock during farming, harvesting, or poor storage — especially in organic or farm-to-table setups where pesticide use is minimal.
What Can You Do?
- Inspect Your Food: Especially salads, herbs, or leafy greens.
- Wash Produce Thoroughly: Even if it’s labeled pre-washed.
- Report It: Inform local food safety authorities if something similar happens.
- Get Medical Help: Always better to be safe — some bugs or parasites can transmit disease.
Final Thoughts
Your quick reaction likely saved you from serious illness. These cases, while rare, do happen — especially in natural or organic food chains where bugs aren’t entirely eliminated.
You did the right thing sharing this — your story can help others stay safe and aware.
Let me know if you’d like a visual comparison of common insect eggs or how to file a food safety complaint in your area.