I’ve been on a serious cereal kick lately. I love mixing different cereals, and one of my favorites is Coca Crispy Brown Rice.
This brings me back to my Cocoa Pebbles days (even though I was always more of Cap’n Crunch gal). It even leaves a bowl full of chocolate milk behind!
From the moment I broke into this box of cereal, though, it also brought back a very bad memory. Look closely:
Closer…
Notice any resemblance? 
I must admit that my first bowl of this cereal wasn’t exactly the tastiest…but only because of the disturbing mental image it resulted in. However, I’m not one to waste food – especially not tasty food – so I overcame the obstacle. I’m happy to say that I no longer have trouble eating a bowl full of cereal that resembles the Indian Meal Moth larvae found in my Luna Bar.
Yes – you read that right. Indian Meal Moth larvae. Yuck!
While we’re on the topic, I feel the need to address how this situation unfolded – especially since many of you were concerned and anxious that I contact the company. I did contact them, and it was about 10 days later that I received the following response.
Thanks for taking the time to contact us about your unpleasant experience with finding bugs in your LUNA Bar. I am so sorry this has happened to you and apologize for your discomfort. There is a simple explanation for what has occurred with your Bar. What you discovered is an Indian Meal Moth. I assure you that while Indian Meal Moths are definitely unappetizing, they are not harmful to ingest, and do not become parasites.
The moths are pantry pests attracted to grains, dried fruits, chocolate, nuts, cardboard, birdseed and other preservative-free foods. The moths seek out food sources and can penetrate packaging when they are ready to lay their eggs. This can occur at any point in the distribution chain, but is most prevalent in retail locations.
We are confident the Indian Meal Moths do not originate in our warehouse or bakeries. Several of our products are baked at a high enough temperature to eliminate pests. Our warehouse and bakeries are kept scrupulously clean and equipped with pheromone traps to monitor any activity. Traps are checked frequently.
I recommend disposing of this as well as any other CLIF Bar products you purchased in garbage that is located outside of your house or place of business.
I hope that this information will help to ease your concern. I would like to send you a box of fresh-from-the-bakery LUNA bars (or a box of another product we make) as our sincere apology for this incident. Please reply to this email with your mailing address if you are interested.
Thank you again for taking the time to alert us to this incident.
We hope you will give our products another chance.
I have a couple of thoughts on this. I was glad to have received a response somewhat shortly after contacting the company, and I appreciated the apology that was extended. It was also a relief to find out exactly what I found in my Luna Bar and learn that it was not harmful.
However. I definitely cannot say that I’m entirely satisfied with this response, and here’s why.
First of all, I was sort of surprised that the company knew exactly what this bug in my Luna Bar was. That means that they either a) spent time researching it or b) have had experience with these bugs in the past. Am I missing any other alternatives…?
Secondly, I was also surprised that the company so adamantly believes that the problem did not originate in their factory. In fact, my response to this email included a comment about how I believe there is the possibility of at least some sort of issue at the factory – whether it be where the bars are made or in the packaging department. Stuff like that can’t just permeate through packing that is created for the sole purpose of protecting the food.
Bugs get in food…I get that. In fact, when I find bugs in salad/fresh produce, it doesn’t really both me. That’s natural. But this? This wasn’t. According to this email, Indian Meal Moths/Worms are supposedly very prevalent. But if that’s the case, why have I never heard of them, nor any other incident involving them in packaged foods?
So, in short, I was and still am not satisfied with the response. I’m not looking for attention or a lifetime of free Luna Bars (I turned down the free box, in case you were wondering), but I guess I was looking for a bit more conviction from the company and some sort of indication that they would at least look into the problem further.
I’m sad to say that I no longer feel comfortable buying Luna Bars. If you ask any of my family members or friends they’ll tell you how often I used to buy Luna Bars – I loved them! But, as you can imagine, the experience isn’t one that I’m going to be able to forget any time soon…
…especially not while I’m eating my new favorite cereal. Ahem.
I totally agree with you - how could that insect/bug/whatever have gotten into the packaging, when it wasn’t clearly opened anywhere? I haven’t bought Luna bars in years, but I do occasionally buy Clif’s. Now I’m freaked out.
Calla says
I know I commented about my wood-chip incident before, but I wanted you to know that I got the SAME type of reaction from the company. It was as if I should have said “oh, okay, you’re right….that is totally normal. Going to the hospital because of this is no big deal.” Ummmmm nooo, LUNA Bar company, that is NOT normal. Nor are bugs. Of any kind. I am so sorry you had to go through this!
Eek!
I dont even know what I’d think in that situation…other than OHMAHGOSH. I love my Clif Bars with a passion, but now I’m kinda leary to buy them. I get that stuff happens but like you said - it sounds like it’s a bit too prevalent!
I’m with you! The only place that Indian meal moth thing (..eww) could’ve gotten into the bar was in the factory. I used to work in a grocery store (or “retail”, as they put it”) and there is no way that thing could’ve gotten into the bar when it was already sealed. The wrapper would’ve had to be open for that to happen, and that’s still the factory’s fault if a wrapper is open.
I’m pretty sure I won’t be buying Luna bars anymore.
Why would anyone want a box of Luna bars after that? It didn’t even happen to me and I’ll never buy one. That’s disgusting, parasitic or not. Although I do have to say, I’m impressed you even got a response.
And I will also never eat Cocoa Crispies. They look way too similar.
I totally agree with you…how could have it gotten in anywhere but the factory? It just doesn’t make sense. Them saying that makes the company looks worse, not better.
Yuck!
Yeah, I wouldn’t be entirely satisfied with that response either…it’s one part disturbing and one part apathetic. Ugh.
eeek well im glad they responded, but yeah, the apology seems like a well researched problem that they casually informed you of.
Lisa @ Endeavourous says
Uh I just had a huge Indian meal moth problem in my apartment! It took a while for me to connect that all the tiny moths flying around were actually living in my food but my roommate and I basically had to throw out everything…they chew through paper and plastic and get underneath lids and other things I thought were sealed tightly. In the flour, sugar, oats, nuts, breadcrumbs, tea, coffee, dried peas…YUCK. And they leave behind that tell-tale white webbing.
I am finally (I think) free of them. Sorry to hear you found one too!!
This makes me cringe even more than the original post! Eek! I think you’re perfectly right in your reasoning to not accept that as a real excuse for the bug in the bar. It’s absoutely impossible for the bug to get into the bar if it wasn’t originally in the bakery…does Luna think that it’s customers are really going to believe that? Ugh, anyways, I’m sorry this whole deal had to happen to you! It’s definitely not a good experience for a foodie.
Anyways! Enjoy your day girl!
meg
that IS kinda funny how the cereal resembles the bug you found. kinda ironic, huh? sorry about both experiences
i read a book a while back about gross things called “Why fish fart and other useless or gross information about the world.”
anyway, it basically stated that in processed foods (especially peanut butter) there is an acceptable amount of bug fragments that is allowed by the FDA. So, it is quite common and normal and there is even a PPM (parts per million) standard.
but, i think that meal moth EXCEEDED the standard.
ew.
p.s. here’s a link that outlines some of the same info as that book
http://www.sixwise.com/newsletters/05/06/29/how_many_insect_parts_and_rodent_hairs_are_allowed_in_your_food.htm
it doesn’t really minimize the trauma of your incident, but it’s not uncommon or rare at all
Right, I understand that it’s not uncommon, but in *packaged* foods? You know? The packaging should prevent bugs from getting in, and I wish the company would’ve at least *somewhat* acknowledged that. But I am definitely thankful that it wasn’t anything harmful!! Thanks for the link
“I assure you that while Indian Meal Moths are definitely unappetizing, they are not harmful to ingest, and do not become parasites.”
SERIOUSLY? gag.
i’m not satisfied with their response either…
Hmmm, I would not be satisfied with that response. It’s sort of like “oh bummer, but you’re not dead, so that’s good and really it’s not our fault, but we’ll send you some more meal worms, err I mean Luna bars soon”. Yeah, um, no.
Stay away Gracie! Every since your first post on this I have run away from Lunas!
Ever since you posted that on your blog, I can’t get myself to eat a Luna bar. Now that I’ve seen the response and it seems like they have heard about these moths before, I definitely won’t!
On a positive, cocoa pebbles were my absolute FAVORITE cereal growing up!!! Yumm!!
Not harmful? I would find that psychologically harmful! Ick.
That is definitely not a satisfactory remark. They almost sound flippant about the whole issue. I haven’t bought a Clif product (except for shot bloks) since I heard about this as I was incredibly disturbed by it.
bummer…that’s not a response i would be excited about getting either! it is kind of weird that they practically knew the genus and species for the bug…but don’t have any experience with them in the warehouse.
Lindsay says
I totally agree with you, that’s a ridiculous response.. it was totally growing in there!! I’d never even heard of Indian Meal Moths until I had 6 moths in my apartment one night. Luckily, I found out they were flying in through cracks around the air conditioner bc they liked my energy efficient light bulbs. Anyway, before that I googled moths in my apartment, which I don’t ever recommend doing since I started reading about Indian Meal Moths and practially had a panic attack before searching my kitchen for larvae…aka a totally awful experience. From what I read their eggs can be in all sorts of grains/processed packages and then in the right conditions they grow.. um disgusting. Then they eat their way into other grains and the boxes to keep growing. I guess once you get them in your house they are impossible to get rid of.. eww I have chills just thinking about it. I’ll never buy Luna bars again!!
eeeky gross. thats disgusting. I may never look at bars the same!
Ugh… I might have to rethink buying Luna bars as well, especially since they were so aware of what kind of bug it was. They apologized, but it was kind of “Oh, these things happen” kind of response. These things shouldn’t happen.
I feel a lite funny as the I’m one of the few dissidents here. I completely understand your disguist. Yesterday there was a stink bug on my shirt from the closet and I squealed like a five year old.
However. Bugs are inevitable and much more prevalent in our food system than we’d like to think. From food dyes that use insect parts to various make ups, bug fragments are not uncommon. Yes, is gross to think about. Yes, if I found an Indian moth big, or any other bug in my food, id throw it away, too (and squeal loudly). But I don’t think you should discriminate against the Clif bar company. Yes, mistakes happen. I fully believe they do what they can, and I’m sure the health department does the same. Indian moth bugs are sneaky, sneaky little pests that can get into many packaged foods easily. To ensure 100% that there aren’t any bugs, a food manufacturer would probably have to use a lot of chemicals, which I think would be much more harmful to injest. Yes, the Indian moth bug is gross, but it won’t hurt you like nasty chemicals can.
Like I said, I completely understand your squeamishness. But it doesn’t affect my occasional consumption of Clif products.
I have to agree with above- I don’t think this is any reason for you to discriminate against the clifbar company. You found a bug in a lunabar, but there is probably a person who has found a bug in every single type of bar there is. I understand if you personally don’t want to consume them anymore because of the bad memories, but to say that the company did anything wrong is not really fair. I also don’t find it the least bit suspicious that they knew what kind of bug it is; I’d hope that a food company is completely aware of every potential issue that can arise with their food production, including the various types of larvae. Furthermore, what kind of response DID you want? You’re not satisfied, but they apologized and offered you free products. There isn’t anything else they can do, especially since the product wasn’t harmful. I just think you should do a little research and think a little more before giving a personal opinion that could hurt a reputable company.
Hi Tamar! Thanks for the response. You do bring up some valid points.
In response to your last sentence - I did do research and think before writing this post - a lot, in fact! It’s been over 2 weeks since I received the response from the company, and it took a while to even decide if I would post again about the situation. But, given the initial response from my readers and the responsibility that I as a blogger *have* toward my readers, I felt it necessary to address.
The most difficult part for me was to speak negatively about a company that I really did love. It is not and never has been my intention to cause trouble for Clif/Luna. However, once again, I feel a responsibility to share my honest opinion and thoughts about what happened. Of course not everyone will agree, which is why I appreciate your comment, but I felt as though *not* speaking out would be ignoring a duty of mine as a blogger.
Regarding what kind of response I did want - I addressed that in the post. While I appreciated the apology and product offer from the company, I was hoping for at least some indication that they would look into this problem further. I received no such impression from the email.
Once again - thanks for your comment, and I hope that I answered your questions!
Fair enough; we will agree to disagree. Thanks for answering my post and allowing both sides to be heard.
Hey Maya!
You’re right - bugs getting into food is unfortunately inevitable. I’m thankful that Indian Meal Moths are not harmful and are supposedly a common occurrance (although, like I said, I’ve never heard of nor have I been able to find another instance where they got into packaged foods).
I believe the company when they say that they take measures to ensure bugs do not get into the bars while they are being made, however I wonder if there is some sort of flaw in the packaging. As I mentioned, aren’t the packages supposed to be sealed specifically to keep these sort of things out?
I wish it didn’t come across that I was discriminating against Clif/Luna because that wasn’t my intention at all. I just felt the responsibility to share how I felt about the situation and how it was handled. While I appreciated the response and apology extended, I would’ve been much more pleased if they said something along the lines of “we’ll be sure to check into this to make sure it doesn’t happen again.” Instead I was left with the impression that they did nothing wrong and I was somehow being irrational by having concern. Does that make sense?
Thanks for this comment! Take care girl.
I know you had the best of intentions, Gracie, you’re a sweetheart! I suppose I should disclose that we has had a problem with these bugs in my house before. They will get into anything except maybe if it’s a vacuum sealed container. Packaging can only do so much. I find their response to be satisfactory , and even generous, but that is just my opinion. I guess the bottom line is I feel we live in a buggy world and we can only do the best we can while realizing that it really isn’t that harmful at the end of the day. I hope you have a great weekend.
Yeah, reading about yours and another commenter’s experience with the moths does give me something else to consider. So thanks for that!
I’ve had a really hard time eating Luna bars since reading your first post about this
Oh dear, I thought you had found ANOTHER bug in your cereal - I’m glad you didn’t. As much as I would have wanted to accept the box of free bars, I think I would have also turned it down.
Lucy says
We actually had a problem with moths at our work. With the help of pest control, we found the source of the problem. Larva in a packet of the dried fuit from Starbuck’s that goes with the oatmeal. Our pest control guy said the same thing, they can somehow get eggs in the packaging and then they can get out of the packaging once they are hatched! So, not just Luna bars.
I am just beginning to love Luna bars but I have to say I’m a bit freaked out now!
Ali says
Gracie, you are totally right to not be stratified with that response, I would not be either- for pretty much all the reasons you listed. In addition, I think that should have offered to reimburse you for the bar. You spent money on their product and found a bug in it= you should get your money back.
PS. I love, love, love your new header! It is adorable- JUST LIKE YOU xoxoxo!
Oh that is rough! I might check my Luna bars more carefully now
I read about a lady the other day who opened up a bad of sliced bread, and saw a MOUSE cooked into it. Gross doesn’t cover it!!
Ahh that sucks about the bar! Im sorry girl. I dont know though, I feel like it was a total mistake and I feel kind of sorry for them because it’s not like they meant to put the bug in there, ya know? (haha obviously!) I totally understand you being upset about it but there are many more important things in life than finding bugs in protein bars (not saying you feel this way at all!) SO I guess that is why I dont really see a HUGE deal w. it! But again, totally understand you being upset/frustrated about it! I know it would be different if it happened to me personally. I do love the white chocolate macadamia luna! Haha.
hehe, of course there are more important things in life
But, as a blogger I felt that it was my responsibility to address how the situation unfolded, that’s all. It was a very difficult decision to speak negatively about the company because I *love* me some Luna and Clif bars, but I would’ve been much more satisfied with a response indicating that they’d look into the problem, rather than leaving me with the impression that I was being irrational for being bugged about it (pun totally intended, haha).
After reading your post and the majority of comments, I feel as if I need to check my food for larvae before eating!! Especially when it comes to bars! Yuck!!
I totally thought you had a found another bug in your cereal when I started reading! Good thing I was wrong about that one!
Michelle... says
I’ve got to agree with the company as well! I too have had a problem with these moths (aka Pantry Moths) in my apartment. There’s no good way to figure out how they got in since it could be pretty much any grain-type product. And YES they do get through packaging! I found them in all sorts of unopened plastic packaging. As they said, the food in their factory is cooked to a high temperature, so it is very likely that the bugs got in there from the store, especially if you bought it at a store like Whole Foods that sells grains in bulk bins. Having an infestation sucks. They get into everything. I had to throw everything out and start over from scratch, and anything they might like to eat that I don’t have an air tight glass container for, I store in the fridge now. Even now I’m afraid that they’ll somehow get back in or one has been hiding out all summer in my apartment! And again, let me reiterate that they can and do easily get through sealed plastic and cardboard (the box the cars came in, and the plastic packaging) and if you’re having issues the only way to store tasty moth food is in air tight glass or metal containers (I use the IKEA glass jars with the rubber seal on top).
Hey Michelle! Thanks for this - your experience definitely adds something to consider. So sorry to hear that that happened to you!
Michelle... says
of course sorry to hear about the larva in food as well…admittedly that would have grossed me out beyond belief too. Just wanted to add my two cents about those sneaky little jerks!
uggghgh!! Gross!! I love cereal, too..but now I’m freaked out as to how mnay bugs are in those boxes. It’s a really common thing with commercial products and I’m aware of that..but that makes me shiver. :/
You are exactly right! Luna must def have had complaints about this before if they knew what it was. Therefore they need to change something in their production SYSTEM. That was so nasty. I told everyone about that haha. Since your post, I have NOT enjoyed a luna bar!
That cereal looks amazing. Does it taste as good as the real thing?
It’s not as sweet as Cocoa Pebbles, but I do find it to be delicious!
Amy says
Ewww! Pretty gross! Ya know, I guess you can either go through life searching your food to make sure there are no bugs, or just enjoy the food and hope for the best. =) Sometimes it is just better not to know, rught? =)
I was pretty skeptical about their response while reading it too. The fact that they immediately blamed the store kind of had me raising my eyebrow. And you’re right? How the heck can a bug get into a package like that without leaving a noticeable hole. I don’t blame you for not wanting to buy Luna bars anymore either!! Luckily there are plenty of other delicious bars out there.
i TOTALLY agree with you and in fact I think that your rebuttle to their letter was so well said. As I was reading their respond I thought the SAME thing which is how can they be so confident that this worm didn’t originate in their factory and also he offered to send a “fresh just baked box” what does that even mean? will the bars be hot out of the oven? I mean really
Anyways, I think I woudl have turned the box down and never buy them again, I get traumatized when it comes to food. I once threw up right after eating a tomato sandwich and didnt eat tomatoes for about 8 years. Yeah, I’m wierd, but Im just a but paranoid! haha
Lauren says
I’m so glad I saw this on twitter this morning. I had the some thing happen with a Luna bar and got the EXACT same response. Leads me to believe it happens a bit more than people think!
You were right to write a letter.
They were right to reply and offer a free box.
You were right to blog about it.
And you have a right to choose whether or not to buy the bars again.
as for me…im a big-o-phobic so I would have FLIPPED out if I was you haha
on the other hand…it’s nice to know that the food is chemical free….would these little bug chomp on a Big Mac?
That iss absolutely disgusting! Bad response. Its gross that they know exactly what it is.
blehhhh.
seriously that picture makes me want to vomit. hehe. seriously though. that’s disgusting.
ewwwww that’s just gross. And i agree with your skepticism. I love luna bars but i suspect this may have a negative effect - similar to that faux finger in the wendy’s chili thing back in the early 2000’s - i still can’t eat wendy’s chili without thinking about a random finger in it. Gag!
Bugs in any of my food grosses me out, produce not as much but definitely any sort of packaged goods.
Wow! This post disturbed me! I have never really been a fan of Clif or Luna bars but this just grosses me out more. I ate a Luna bar this am for the first time in *months* and reading this just grosses me out. Sorry you had this experience!
will says
forgive me, but i kinda think they gave you the info and their word, and you gotta take ‘em at that.
may be a bit naive, but like you said they appear to know what they’re talking about, and if moths can eat through clothing, what’s a bit of plastic packaging?
however, i think you’re right to be suspicious…i mean, gross!
and they do seem awfully sure that there’s no possibility it could’ve happened on their end. what’s a company to do, but it sort of makes more sense that it would have gotten in their pre-packaging.
great post! the cereal looks delicious, by the way!
Amanda says
I just found your post after searching “luna bars worms”. I searched this because I found a live worm in my Luna bar (after eating half of it). I put the bar and packaging into a ziplock bag and left it in my house until I had time to mail it attend to it. I hate to admit, but with my busy schedule it took me a week to do something about this. Now that I was ready to mail it to the company, SEVEN. SEVEN! worms have made their way out of the bar and into the open (visible in the ziplock bag).
Although I was horrified before, now I am completely disgusted. Thank you for posting your initial experience. I’m sorry you had to experience this, but I am glad to know it is a company-wide problem.
Previous to this I ate a Luna bar or Clif bar every morning for breakfast. Anyone who wants my leftover stash is welcome to them!
Oh my gosh…this is so disturbing. This should NOT be a normal occurance! And you don’t even know how many people find my blog by searching “worm in Luna bar”….
I feel like I’m going to be sick. Seven wormssssssssssssss eek!
Molly@This Life Is Sparkling says
I don’t think I will ever be able to eat a Luna bar again. Good thing I wasn’t that big of a fan of them…
Cassandra says
I stumbled across your blog after searching “worms in my clif bar” on google. I just wrote to an attorney about Clif bars. I basically live off of clif bars when I’m training for running events, so I find this very disturbing.
Today I split up a clif bar for my kiddos to keep them satisfied before dinner. My 5 year old said “mama, theres worms in this” sure enough.. there were TONS of worms inside the bar!! It had never been opened, I grabbed it straight from the box. At this point my one-year-old had already eaten some of the bar. The worms were still alive in the bar. Shes currently on antibiotics. This is definitely a problem that THEY need to fix!!
Wow.
WOW.
I’m so sorry to hear this. I still can’t believe how many responses I’ve received from people who have had a similar (or in this case, much worse) issue. Clif/Luna HAS to address this!!
Would you mind leaving a comment with your attorney’s response? I’m very curious what he/she thinks about the situation…
Steve Nolan says
Just seeing this. This same thing happened to me and I got the exact same response. I posted my experience on a consumer complaint site and two other people emailed me to say it happened to them as well. I took photos and pushed it with Clifbar Co. They offered me a free case of Luna Bars. Unbelievable. I’m not litigious so I let it go. What a tremendously irresponsible company
Ugh, unbelievable. This is clearly an ongoing problem that Clif/Luna is not addressing. Thanks for sharing - but sorry you had to experience this as well! I wonder what sort of uproar they’ll need to actually fix this disgusting problem…