Eight bug parts are allowed in chocolate bars, according to guidelines set by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Small trace amounts of ground insects materials are allowed to be present in chocolate, as long as the amount does not reach over 60 pieces of bug parts for 3.5 ounces (100 grams) of chocolate. Cockroaches and their droppings are not typically added on purpose or through negligence, but rather as the result of the insects contaminating the cocoa beans themselves that are harvested for the chocolate. The FDA allows the trace amounts of bug parts because they are considered less of a health threat than using higher amounts of pesticides on cocoa beans.
More about ingredients allowed to be processed in food:
- One rodent hair for every 3.5 ounces (100 grams) of peanut butter is allowed within the FDA’s guidelines.
- One maggot is allowed to be present in every one cup (250 milliliters) of canned fruit juice.
- On average, 5% of the total weight of hops used for making beer is comprised of bug parts.
