Does this video of a Pringles potato crisp under a microscope show that they are infested with bugs?
We came across several posts on X claiming to show Pringles potato crisps under a microscope. These posts feature a video where a Pringles chip is crushed and examined under a microscope. In the next frame, small white bugs can be seen crawling among smaller particles, implying that Pringles chips may contain multiple bugs that consumers are unknowingly ingesting.
The videos circulating on X originated from a TikTok account called “justmicroscope,” where the user films various products being examined under a microscope, including tap water and hotdogs. In nearly all of these videos, some form of bug or microscopic creature is detected.
Insect or illusion?
We used reverse image search tools to find matches for the bugs and particles shown in the footage. The search results did not provide any evidence that such bugs have been identified in other examinations of Pringles chips, nor were there any similar videos corroborating the presence of multiple microscopic creatures in the product.
Although we were unable to find an exact match for the bug portion of the video, reverse image searches revealed images of sand that closely resemble the texture of the alleged crushed chips shown in the video.
[Google reverse image search results of screenshots taken from the video on X]
To further verify the claim made in the viral video, we reviewed other videos of Pringles potato crisps being examined under a microscope. These videos were sourced from various platforms and creators to ensure a broad perspective. In every case, the examinations consistently showed no evidence of multiple small bugs on the chips. The uniformity of these findings strongly suggests that the claims in the viral video are likely inaccurate or misleading.
Bugs in the mix: what is allowed?
We also reviewed various food safety regulations, including global standards and guidelines in Singapore, designed to ensure food safety and prevent food-borne disease outbreaks.
These regulations play a crucial role in maintaining high standards for food production and handling, helping to protect public health and ensure that food products meet rigorous safety criteria. As a result of these stringent regulations, foods contaminated by bugs or other contaminants are not likely to be easily sold or distributed.
While certain insects and insect products are permitted for human consumption, such as in Singapore, these must undergo thorough studies and adhere to strict safety practices before being sold commercially.
Given these rigorous safety measures and the consistent absence of bugs in other similar examinations of Pringles chips, the likelihood of microscopic creature contamination, as suggested by the viral video, is highly improbable. Therefore, the claim circulating on X, that a video shows a Pringles chip infested with bugs under a microscope, is likely false.
Addressing fears through scepticism
The video’s misleading portrayal of Pringles chips seems to be part of a broader trend where unsettling visuals and claims about toxic ingredients are used to exploit consumer fears about food safety. This fearmongering tactic leverages disturbing imagery to provoke strong emotional responses, potentially overshadowing the more nuanced and less sensational reality of food safety.
Hence, it is crucial for consumers to approach such claims with scepticism and seek verification from reliable sources. Sensational content might often distort the truth, and in this case, the evidence suggests that the video could be a misleading attempt to provoke unnecessary concern among consumers.
