Is this food safe?

[PacMan]

I bought this mix of legumes (online) to cook for my birds, but it has some 'dust' and small white things that looks like eggs from insects

 

[Vampiric_Conure]

It looks safe. Some companies add Millet to their cooking mixes, so that might be the 'eggs' you're seeing. I would rinse it well before serving and/or cooking.

If it **IS** eggs, you can freeze them. Larvae and eggs aren't bad for parrots. They're high in protein. It just causes problems when the eggs hatch.

 

[PacMan]

It looks safe. Some companies add Millet to their cooking mixes, so that might be the 'eggs' you're seeing. I would rinse it well before serving and/or cooking.

If it **IS** eggs, you can freeze them. Larvae and eggs aren't bad for parrots. They're high in protein. It just causes problems when the eggs hatch.

Thanks! I put it in the freezer, How many hours is enough to kill them?

 

[rheashard2]

Thanks! I put it in the freezer, How many hours is enough to kill them?

I leave in freezer for as long as I have room. But I'm lazy and don't want those bugs to get into other products. It can keep for a year or more. Dried beans, legumes are supposed to be rinsed, drained multiple times because of the fine particles and insect eggs. Some of that dust may be the disintegration of the extra fine natural seed coating. It's what holds the seed in shape after soaked in water. Some seeds also crack, crumble during processing. Freezing helps extend the shelf life of flour, rice, beans etc. Place in glass or plastic container is best.

 

[DonnaBudgie]

It looks like a nice healthy mix with maybe a little extra protein. Birds eat insect eggs in the wild all the time. Very few birds are strictly vegetarian.