Finding something unpredicted in your lunch can be disturbing—especially when it looks like a cluster of tiny brown balls on your lettuce.

It might be amazing, but sometimes you may even look for insect eggs in salad. If you’ve stumbled upon something similar while eating out or prepping greens at home, here’s what you need to know.

What Are Those Tiny Brown Balls in Your Salad?

It’s possible that those tightly packed, perfectly round tiny spheres are insect eggs rather than food.

More precisely, they look like the eggs of an insect that feeds on leaves, such as a stink bug.

Lettuce and other leafy greens are frequently used as carriers for insect eggs in salads because these insects lay their eggs in precise patterns, frequently on the underside of leaves.

Are They Dangerous?

Insect eggs are generally not harmful if consumed by accident, but they are most clearly not intended for human consumption. The handling of food and cleanliness are the larger issues. Their presence raises the possibility that bug eggs were left in salads because the greens were not properly cleaned or inspected before serving.

Here’s what to do if you discover something similar in your food, particularly at a salad bar or restaurant:

• Quit eating right away. If there are suspected insect eggs in your salad, don’t risk eating the rest of the meal.
• As proof, take a clear picture, such as this one.
• Inform the store employees or restaurant in a kind manner. The majority of respectable establishments will consider your complaint carefully and might provide a replacement or reimbursement.
• If the problem appears to be part of a pattern or isn’t handled appropriately, report it to your local health department.
• Examine all leftover greens and give them a good wash under running water if you’re dining at home.

Tips for Preventing This in the Future

Sometimes, even greens that have already been washed can evade quality inspections. Here are some safety guidelines to help you avoid eating insect eggs in your salad:

• Always glance over your salad before eating, particularly if it includes leafy greens like spinach, romaine, or butter lettuce.
• Even “triple-washed” greens should be rinsed when preparing at home for safety and to be sure that any remaining bug eggs are gone.
• Purchase organic lettuce and other field-grown produce only if you can properly clean it, as insects are more prevalent in fields that aren’t sprayed.