Yes — you should definitely throw them away. Those white wiggling things are almost certainly fruit or berry pests, like larvae or worms, and they can carry bacteria or other pathogens. Even if you rinse or soak the berries, they are not safe to eat.
Here’s why:
- Soaking in salt water can make some pests float out, but it doesn’t remove microscopic bacteria or toxins they may have left behind.
- Eating contaminated berries can cause food poisoning, including vomiting, diarrhea, or worse.
- Freezing or cooking might kill the worms, but it doesn’t guarantee safety if bacteria or mold has already developed.
Safer approach:
- Discard the affected berries.
- Inspect the rest of your fruit carefully before storing.
- Wash all berries thoroughly in clean water before eating or freezing next time.
If you want, I can also tell you ways to prevent worms in berries before harvesting or storing, so this doesn’t happen again. Do you want me to do that?
