Peanut Butter: Friend or Foe?

Protein. We always hear it's good for you, and even the health studies show its one of the most important nutrients you need in order to function. Protein comes from meats, beans, some dairy and even nuts.


It is said for years that peanut butter has an excellent source of protein. Lunches have always been packed with the classic peanut butter and jelly because there is protein in it, which is healthy right?

However, the FDA confirmed that there may be up to "an average of 30 or more insect fragments per 100 grams" in peanut butter according to an article from the Huffington Post.


They also confirmed that "an average of one or more rodent hairs per 100 grams" that may appear in some jars of peanut butter.


When you go to the FDA website, peanut butter is listed under the category of levels of natural or unavoidable defects in foods that present no health hazards for humans.

DEFECT SOURCE: Insect fragments - preharvest and/or post harvest and/or processing insect infestation, Rodent hair - post harvest and/or processing contamination with animal hair or excreta, Grit - harvest contamination
Significance: Aesthetic

The excerpt is directly from the FDA's website and it shows that the fragments of insects and rodents are just aesthetic.


This is a controversial topic to think about in your mind. I know that I have always loved peanut butter on top of apples, pretzels, or crackers. But to think that I'm eating parts of insects and rodents? Gross.


I thought this whole predicament to be very interesting, so I decided to interview my family to know what they think when they receive tis information.


Kevin, my dad claimed, "As long as you slap it (the peanut butter) between two pieces of bread, and eat it with jelly, a banana and cheddar cheese, it's all good."


However, being presented the shocking information, my mom Andrea said with disgust, "Thanks for ruining peanut butter for me, I think it's disgusting."


Even though the FDA says there is no harm to the defects of peanut butter, the thought of consuming insects and rodents is uncomfortable. It is just the fact of if you can look past that it's harmless or not.