A recent conversation in our household centered around one of the dwarves finding a tiny ladybird clinging to a salad leaf. The salad leaf came out of our garden.

RESULT: Said dwarf now had the perfect excuse to not eat salad. I then asked him if he loved eating chocolate – naturally the answer was in the affirmative. Then I pointed out to him that along with chocolate and other sweet stuff he was probably also ingesting cockroach parts. Cue – open mouthed disbelief.

Kudos to the young dwarf though as he took this little nugget of information to his teacher who actually researched the veracity of my remark and found it to be true (to an extent – see below).

This occurrence has been widely reported in the media mainly on the back of criteria limits laid down by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration of the USA) dated 5 May 1985 and revised in March 1995, August 1996 and August 2000 which states; “The chocolate in six (6) 100 gram sub-samples contains an average of 60 or more insect fragments per 100 grams.”

Strictly speaking the criteria guideline SHOULD read; “The chocolate in six (6) 100 gram subs-amples MAY NOT contain an average of 60 or more insect fragments per 100 grams.” At least this cannot be misconstrued so as to make everyone believe that ALL chocolate always contains contaminants.

With reference to the accepted level of Rodent Filth in foodstuffs the FDA states; “The chocolate in six (6) 100 gram sub-samples (Editor: should read MAY NOT contain) contains an average of more than 1.0 rodent hair per 100 grams, regardless of the size of the hairs or hair fragments.”

Do you think I should tell the young dwarf that insect and rodent contaminants could also found in other foodstuffs that he consumes?

Allergists say that most foods contain natural contaminants. Aside from chocolate, cockroach parts also make their way into peanut butter, macaroni, fruit, cheese, popcorn and wheat. The roach bits can affect people with asthma, as well causing migraines, cramps, itching or hives in people who are allergic to them.

Anyway – we have been so conditioned to only trust food that comes from a factory that we forget about the wholesale harmful contaminants and additives that are pumped into our food and still have a distrust of anything grown in our gardens.

The bottom line here is; “Processed factory food is NOT as good as fresh live food from your garden!”

Views Since 15 July 2022: 87

Gqeberha’s Latest News and Events can be accessed on MyGqeberha.com.

The following two tabs change content below.

• Bio
• Latest Posts

Alan Straton

Chief Cook, Bottle Washer and Broom Mechanic at MyPE

Passionate about Port Elizabeth and definitely NOT packing for Perth. Alan's ethos is epitomised in the words of Nelson Mandela; "I have fought against white domination and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the idea of a democratic and free society. If need be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die." See more articles by Alan.

Latest posts by Alan Straton (see all)

• RS SOUTH AFRICA APPOINTS KHUPHUKILE NDEBELE AS FINANCE DIRECTOR - 14 November 2026
• Decor Handles Spotlights Its Solid Brass Door Handles From Portugal and Italy - 14 November 2026
• PaperTrail Puts a Risk Score on Every Contract With Scout AI - 14 November 2026
• Pay@ Puts Automatic Reconciliation at the Centre of Year-End Collections - 13 November 2026
• Renal Supplies Water Systems Plans Dialysis RO Plants From Tap to Drain - 13 November 2026