Not Kosher: Insects in Food Where You Least Expected

The Torah commands (Leviticus 11:43–44):

“You shall not make yourselves abominable with any creeping creature that creeps; any you shall not defile yourselves with them, that you should become impure through them.

“For I am the Lord your God, and you shall sanctify yourselves and be holy, because I am holy...”

The Torah is exceptionally strict regarding the prohibition against eating insects, even more so than with other forbidden foods such as meat that has not been ritually slaughtered, including even pig.

For example, a person who eats a kezayit (about one ounce) of pork incurs one set of lashes as described in the Talmud. When the Beit Hamikdash (Holy Temple) stood, this meant the offender was stripped to the waist and flogged with a donkey-hide strap—two strokes on the back and one on the chest—up to 39 lashes total (Ketubot 33b). This punishment was so severe that people would rather die than endure it.

When it comes to insects, however, the punishment is far harsher:

• Eating aquatic insects (like certain crabs or shrimp) incurs four sets of lashes—156 strokes.

• Eating land-based insects (like ants) incurs five sets of lashes—195 strokes.

• Eating flying insects (like flies or mosquitoes) incurs six sets of lashes—234 strokes.

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A Severe Warning: Spiritual Dullness

The Torah warns:

“Do not defile yourselves with them and become impure through them.”

Based on this verse, the Sages of the Talmud taught: “Venitmetem (become impure)—this implies timtum (spiritual blockage).”

Eating forbidden foods causes the heart, the seat of all emotions, to become dull and cut-off from spiritual energy, preventing Torah, the spiritual nourishment of the soul, from entering. Therefore, one must be especially careful with foods prone to infestation. Careful inspection is essential to avoid these severe prohibitions.

Examples of Checking and Preparing Foods

Fruit, Vegetables, Nuts, Seeds

• See updated guides published by reliable kashrut organizations.

• Guidelines vary from year to year depending on prevailing levels of infestation, overseas sourcing, etc..

Chickpeas, Dried Beans, and Pulses

• Chickpeas and dried beans should be soaked in water overnight, and then inspected on both sides (one may take a handful at a time and turn them over in one's hands).

• Holes or dark spots indicate infestation.

• If ground into falafel or hummus without prior inspection, one may eat them as any insects are crushed and indistinguishable. In practice, however, we only purchase such foods with reliable kosher certification, which indicates among other things that the ingredients underwent rigorous inspection.

• Pulses such as lentils should be sorted through thoroughly on a white plate or tray to ensure there is nothing crawling among the produce. Finding three or more bugs in a package indicates severe infestation and the package should not be used.

Fish

• Check intestines and spinal canal carefully, especially carp, as worms are common.

• Also inspect and clean thoroughly around fins, gills, and mouth.

Vegetable Soup

• If three insects are found in the soup, it is forbidden due to concern that there are more.

• One may, however, strain the liquid and drink it.

• The vegetables themselves remain forbidden, as they are soft and cannot be fully cleaned—washing will merely push the insects further inside.

If three flies or similar insects are found in soup which clearly fell in after cooking (i.e., they did not originate from the vegetables themselves), the insects are removed and the soup may be eaten.

Using Soap

Dishwashing soap sometimes contain ingredients sourced from insects. One may use this soap, even to wash dishes, but the dishes must be rinsed thoroughly afterward.

Insects are commonly used in the additives industry to create coloring and so forth. Even though the quantities are minute, such foods are strictly prohibited. (Any product with reliable kosher certification will not contain such additives.)

Accidental Consumption

If someone ate fruit not requiring inspection but later found it contained an insect, or an insect flew into their mouth while yawning and so forth, there is no concern of a negative spiritual impact.

All the same, bottom-line they ate something forbidden and nothing happens by chance. Therefore, they should learn the halachot of inspection for insects carefully as a form of teshuvah (spiritual repair).

Someone who is growing in Torah observance faces a similar situation in that he or she once ate insects out of ignorance. 

Steps for Teshuvah:

1. Admit and regret the sin.

2. Resolve to keep all kosher laws carefully in the future.

3. Take on extra Torah learning—especially these laws—to deepen knowledge and strengthen observance. According to many Torah leaders, including the Arizal, Torah learning can replace fasting as a key element of repentance.

4. Teach these laws to others, sharing the merit.

Embracing Joyful Teshuvah

Rabbi Shlomo Zalman Auerbach, a Torah leader of the previous generation, wrote:

“Those returning in teshuvah must believe with perfect faith that Hashem forgives all those who return sincerely. They must also thank Hashem for helping them find the truth and granting them a pure, understanding heart to repent fully and genuinely.”

They should serve Hashem with joy, leaving the past behind. This is God's will, that we serve Him with love and joy. Plunging into sadness and depression is the gateway to wrongdoing; fulfilling the Torah's commandments with happiness is a mitzvah in itself.