Wash your hands before preparing food.

And avoid using untreated water to wash or prepare foods.

For leafy greens, separate the leaves and rinse them carefully.

What About the Worms Shown in Viral Images?

Images like the one accompanying this article can be extremely misleading.

A photograph showing worm-like organisms on meat does not automatically prove that the food shown contains a human parasite.

The organisms could potentially be larvae, worms, food contaminants, or even something unrelated to the claim made in the caption.

Some online images are also digitally altered, staged, mislabeled, or generated for engagement.

So don't diagnose a foodborne parasite based solely on a photograph.

If you actually find something unusual inside food, don't eat it.

Keep the packaging and, if appropriate, photograph the product and contact the retailer or relevant food-safety authority.

Does Freezing Kill Parasites?

Freezing can kill certain parasites under specific conditions, which is why commercial seafood intended for raw consumption may undergo controlled freezing procedures.

But not all freezing methods are equally effective.

The temperature, duration, parasite species, and food involved all matter.

A few hours in an ordinary household freezer should not automatically be assumed to make every raw food safe.

Cooking remains one of the most dependable ways to destroy many foodborne parasites.

What Symptoms Could Suggest a Parasitic Infection?

Symptoms depend heavily on the parasite involved.

Possible symptoms include:

• Persistent diarrhea
• Abdominal pain
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Unexplained weight loss
• Fever
• Fatigue
• Persistent cough
• Muscle pain
• Anemia in certain infections