The “Monster” in Your Food Might Not Be What You Think

Have you ever opened a package of food, noticed something strange, and immediately wondered, “What is that?”

A dark spot, an unusual shape, a strange seed, or an unfamiliar piece of food can trigger an instant reaction. Our brains are remarkably good at turning uncertainty into a story—and sometimes that story is far more frightening than reality.

One recent example involved what appeared to be a mysterious object that looked almost like a tiny creature. At first glance, it