Yes — you should throw them away. Those white wiggling things are almost certainly fruit fly or insect larvae, or possibly nematodes, depending on the type of berries. Here’s what’s happening:
Why this happens
- Berries are soft and porous – tiny insects can lay eggs inside them.
- Saltwater soaking makes the larvae wriggle out — it’s a common trick people use to check for infestation.
- Even if the larvae are washed away, the berries may still be contaminated with bacteria or fungi from the larvae.
- Eating them could cause stomach upset or foodborne illness.
What to do
- Discard the berries completely — do not try to salvage them.
- Check other berries from the same batch — larvae can be spread throughout.
- Prevent future infestations:
- Wash berries thoroughly and store them in the refrigerator.
- Buy berries that are firm and free of soft spots.
- Consume them within a few days.
If you want, I can also explain a safe method to check and clean berries to avoid this in the future — it can save a lot of wasted fruit.
Do you want me to show that?
