30 Disgusting Food Fails That Totally Ruined People’s Appetites (New Pics)
When you tell the chef “Surprise me” at a fancy restaurant, you’re usually hoping for something delicious — maybe a secret ingredient, stunning food presentation, or even a fun experience.
What no one expects is a surprise straight from a horror movie: a rusty screw, a bug, a slug, or a piece of plastic hiding in your food. Sadly, the people in this list got exactly that — and it completely ruined their appetite.
These shocking food discoveries are more than just bad luck — they’re proof of poor hygiene and careless food prep. So, if you’re scrolling while snacking, you might want to pause. Some of these photos are so disgusting, they could make you skip your next meal.
And remember, the next time you’re tempted to order from a low-rated restaurant at 2 A.M., think twice. Your late-night craving might come with an extra, unwanted topping.
#1 Found A Fake Nail In My Yiros
#2 Why Is There A Screw In One Of My Fries?
#3 Someone Did Not Close The Rice Cooker Lid Properly
Sorry in advance, Pandas — many of the entries in this list are far from appetizing. But while they may make your stomach turn, the topic of foreign objects in food is actually very serious.
Let’s be honest — nobody wants to find a stranger’s fingernail, a hair, or a piece of plastic in their dinner. But how does this happen? And what can you do if it happens to you?
If this list makes you feel anxious about biting into a fast-food burger and finding something weird, don’t panic just yet. According to food safety research, about 1 in 10 food recalls over the last 20 years were due to foreign objects. And in most cases, the main culprit wasn’t bugs or metal — it was plastic fragments. So while still gross, it’s not the absolute worst.
Still, these incidents highlight the importance of clean food preparation, proper restaurant hygiene, and quality control. Knowing what to look for — and how to report it — can help protect you and others from more than just a ruined meal.
#4 Found A Nose Ring In My Taco Bell Today!
#5 This Bee Was In A Vanilla Wafer, I Was Serving Food For Daycare Kids
#6 Lost My Appetite
On a more serious note, The Washington Post recently reported a rise in cases of foreign objects found in food in 2025. Major brands like Chef’s Line and Nestlé had to recall their products after customers found things like metal bolts and wood-like materials in their meals.
And while it’s bad enough to bite into something hard or strange, there’s another danger we often can’t see — food contamination. Unlike a bolt or a piece of plastic, pathogens like listeria or E. coli are invisible but much more dangerous.
Just last year, a deadly listeria outbreak was linked to Boar’s Head deli meats. E. coli outbreaks were traced back to onions used by McDonald’s, and even cucumbers were suspected of spreading salmonella.
These incidents highlight why food safety, proper food handling, and transparent recalls are so important. Whether it’s something you can see or something you can’t, knowing where your food comes from — and how it’s prepared — can protect your health.
#7 Disgusting
#8 Razor Blade Found In Food At Empire Halal Kabab & Grill
#9 Bit Into An Earring Back
It’s no surprise that many people no longer feel confident about how safe their food really is. In fact, a recent Gallup poll found that trust in the federal government to keep the food supply safe is now at its lowest point since 1999.
And it’s not just government agencies that people are skeptical about. Grocery stores aren’t getting full trust either — only 74% of respondents said they believe that food sold in supermarkets is safe to eat. That means more than 1 in 4 shoppers have doubts about what they’re putting in their carts.
With ongoing food recalls, reports of contamination, and foreign objects in packaged meals, it’s easy to see why public trust has dropped. These numbers show a growing need for better food safety regulations, transparency, and quality control across the entire food industry.
#10 Moldy Pasta From Pizza Hut
#11 Found A Dead Caterpillar In My Sealed Grocery Store Salad
#12 I See Your School Food And Raise You Us Navy Food!
People are paying more attention to what they eat — and that’s also driving the growing lack of trust in food safety systems. Today, at least 50% of Americans say they’re trying to eat healthier, which means they care more about the quality, sourcing, and safety of their food than ever before.
This rise in health-conscious eating has made food safety awareness more important in everyday life. Shoppers are now asking tough questions: Where is this food from? Was it handled safely? What’s in it?
Amanda Deering, an associate professor of food science at Purdue University, says this shift is real. “Ten years ago it was a different thing. People weren’t so wanting to have that information. Right now, they go looking for it,” she explains, pointing to how customers now actively seek out food origin and safety details.
This new level of awareness shows that consumers want more control over their health and food choices — and that means food brands and government agencies need to be more transparent and trustworthy than ever.
#13 Found Inside My Taco Bell Meal. I Feel Sick
#14 Was Opening A Fresh Loaf Of Bread
#15 Ordered Indian Takeout And Found A Baggy In My Curry
So, how can we protect ourselves from harmful bacteria and pathogens in our food?
When it comes to foods we cook — like meat, poultry, and many vegetables — heat usually takes care of the problem. Proper cooking temperatures can kill most dangerous microorganisms.
But it’s the fresh fruits and raw vegetables that we need to be more careful with. These aren’t usually cooked, so cleaning them properly is key to staying safe.
Running fruits and vegetables under clean, running water is a good start. To make the wash even more effective, gently rub them with your hands to help remove dirt and germs. Applying light pressure during rinsing helps loosen anything stuck to the surface.
After washing, it’s also helpful to dry produce with a clean paper towel or cloth, as this can remove even more bacteria that water alone might miss.
Using these simple steps in your kitchen can go a long way in reducing the risk of foodborne illness — especially when it comes to fresh, raw foods.
#16 Thai Man Discovers Venomous Snake Frozen Inside Ice Cream
#17 I Found Blue Plastic In My High End Brand Deli Meat
#18 I Found Blue Plastic In My High End Brand Deli Meat
Some people go the extra mile and use vinegar, baking soda, or lemon solutions to wash their fruits and vegetables. While these natural cleaners are popular, food safety experts say they’re not really necessary.
According to food scientist Linda Harris, who spoke to NPR, using these solutions can be overkill — and they don’t guarantee better results than plain water. In fact, she warns against soaking produce in a bowl of water. Why? Because if just one piece of fruit or vegetable has harmful bacteria, it can spread through the water and contaminate everything else in the bowl.
Her recommendation? Rinse produce under running water and use your hands to gently scrub the surface. It’s simple, safe, and helps prevent cross-contamination — especially when you’re cleaning food you plan to eat raw.
#19 I Ordered Some Food For Delivery Today (In Sf) And There’s A Massive Metal Handle In My Food. Got A Partial Refund From Doordash
#20 This Rotisserie Chicken My Sister Bought Came With The Rod Still Attached
#21 Chipped Tooth From Screw In Pizza
#22 On Valentine’s Night, During Dinner, Guess What I Bit Down On!
When it comes to food safety, one of the biggest worries for food manufacturers is finding metal fragments in fresh produce. These foreign objects can be dangerous for both consumers and companies. To avoid serious problems like food contamination lawsuits or food recall costs, many manufacturers now use X-ray inspection systems. These advanced machines help detect tiny pieces of metal that don’t belong in the food.
However, it’s important to note that X-rays don’t catch everything. Items like plastic, wood, rubber, or even pieces from gloves or tools can still end up in your food. This is why companies also use metal detectors, optical sorters, and proper hygiene protocols to increase food safety.
Keeping our food free from foreign materials is a big part of maintaining quality control in food processing—and it helps protect both the brand and the customer.
#23 A Side That Wasn’t Expected
#24 My Wife’s Salad At Texas Road House Last Night
#25 Had A Roach Baked On My Pizza
Sometimes, insects, larvae, and other small pests can accidentally end up in our fruits and vegetables. While this may sound gross, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) actually expects a certain level of these “extra ingredients” in food. According to the FDA Food Defect Levels Handbook, it’s almost impossible—and very expensive—to grow and process food that’s completely free of small, non-harmful natural defects.
The FDA explains that it’s economically impractical to remove every single bug or bit of debris during harvesting and packaging. That’s why there are strict FDA food safety guidelines in place to make sure these defects stay within safe limits. These rules help protect consumers while keeping food production costs manageable.
#26 A Small Spider Appeared In My Cereal
#27 There’s A Dead Moth In My Cadbury’s Chocolate
#28 I Ordered A Cheddar Mcmelt Without Onions. It Came Not Only With Onions, But With Whatever Rubber Thing This Is In It
What should you do if you find something like a latex glove in your burger? Experts say the best thing to do is preserve the evidence right away. This is very important if you’re planning to file a food safety complaint or even take legal action for food contamination.
Here’s what to do:
- Place the food and the foreign object in a clean, sealed container.
- Put the container in the freezer to keep it safe from spoiling.
- Save the original food packaging and purchase receipt.
- Take clear photos of the food, the foreign object, and any packaging.
Keeping strong evidence can help you when contacting the restaurant, food manufacturer, or even if you need to speak with a food safety lawyer. This also helps consumer protection agencies take proper action to prevent the same thing from happening to others.
