Oranges: How to Check for Bugs

The peel

Orange peels are frequently infested with insects. Must be checked.

If one is not using the peel―it Need not be checked. However, it should be rinsed before peeling or cutting open the orange, or squeezing it―so the infestation does not travel to the inside.

If using the peel, rub it with steel wool or with a brush. Then, check to make sure there are no signs of infestation

Even though the peel of an orange is frequently infested, when one purchases a product that uses the peel, such as a candied product or a jam, and it is produced by a major firm―one need not be concerned about the infestation, since the peels are cleansed in processing

The inside

Rarely Infested. Need not be checked

Normally, the inside of an orange Need not be checked. It is rarely infested. However, if the orange is not commercially grown and is from a private grove or from a grove that was not tended properly, it could be infested.

Orange Juice

Even though the peel of an orange can be infested, one need not be concerned when purchasing orange juice that is commercially produced. In processing, the oranges are cleansed of any such infestation

However, if one has orange juice that is squeezed in a store that does not wash its oranges prior to squeezing―the juice should not be used as is.