Finding something unexpected in your lunch can be unsettling—especially when it looks like a cluster of tiny brown balls on your lettuce. It might be surprising, but sometimes you may even find insect eggs in salad. If you’ve stumbled upon something similar while eating out or prepping greens at home, here’s what you need to know.

What Are Those Tiny Brown Balls in Your Salad?

Those perfectly round little spheres arranged in a tight cluster aren’t part of your meal—they may be insect eggs. More specifically, they resemble the eggs of a stink bug or another leaf-feeding insect. These bugs lay their eggs in neat patterns, often on the underside of leaves, which makes lettuce and leafy greens common carriers for insect eggs in salads.

While it’s gross, it’s not a sign of personal uncleanliness or poor hygiene on your part. It’s usually the result of produce being harvested in bulk, sometimes from open fields, where these insects are naturally present.

Are They Harmful?

Generally, insect eggs aren’t dangerous if accidentally ingested, but they’re definitely not meant to be eaten. The bigger concern is sanitation and the food handling process. Their presence suggests the greens were not thoroughly washed or inspected before serving, possibly leading to insect eggs remaining in salads.

What Should You Do?

If you find something like this in your food—especially at a restaurant or salad bar—here’s what you should do:

• Stop eating immediately. Don’t risk continuing the meal with suspected insect eggs in your salad.
• Take a clear photo, like the one you see here, as evidence.
• Notify the restaurant or store staff politely. Most reputable places will take your concern seriously and may offer a replacement or refund.
• Report it to your local health department if the issue seems part of a pattern or isn’t addressed responsibly.
• If you’re eating at home, inspect all remaining greens and wash thoroughly under running water. You can also soak them briefly in a vinegar-water solution (1 part vinegar to 3 parts water) for extra precaution against any remaining insect eggs.

How to Avoid This in the Future

Even pre-washed greens can sometimes slip through quality checks. To avoid insect eggs in your salad, here are a few tips to stay safe:

• Always give your salad a quick look before diving in, especially if it contains leafy ingredients like romaine, butter lettuce, or spinach.
• When prepping at home, rinse even “triple-washed” greens to be safe and ensure the removal of any left-over insect eggs.
• For field-grown produce like lettuce, buy organic only if you’re able to clean it thoroughly—insects are more common in non-sprayed crops.