Most people will throw away any food that has had a fly perch on it, but the hardier ones will simply cut or scrape off that portion, and continue with their meal! Which of the groups do you belong? And is it really necessary to throw away food that has received a fly as guest?
No! According to University of Sydney food hygiene lecturer, Cameron Webb.
He says that – in most instances – there’s no need to, as there’s only a small chance that the fly in question is carrying dangerous bacteria. He continued by saying that pesticides and improved hygiene means that there is little chance – especially in a city – that flies have just been sitting in animal waste or on a dead animal.
While there is little doubt that flies can carry bacteria, viruses and parasites from waste to our food, a single touchdown is unlikely to trigger a chain reaction leading to illness for the average healthy person.
Flies that land out of sight and then wander about for a few minutes, vomiting and pooping on your food or food preparation area are more of a concern. The more time passes, the greater the chance of pathogens left behind by the flies growing and multiplying on our food. That’s when health risks increase.
For the most part, insecticides and improved hygiene standards assist in fly control (in the city, and in some cases) and minimise the risk of contact with contaminated substances.
Did what the learned professor say allay your fears any? Would you stick to the “rather safe than sorry” principle, seeing that Lagos is not exactly Sydney, and their respective hygienic standards are as far apart as the geographic distance between them? Or “deny the fly its joy,” by simply scrapping off the affected part, and munching on as you sing along to Godwin?