Finding something strange in your salad—like a cluster of tiny brown balls—can be alarming. But before you panic, here’s what you need to know.

Those tiny spheres aren’t part of your lunch. In many cases, they’re insect eggs—often from stink bugs or other leaf-feeding insects. These bugs lay their eggs in neat, tight clusters, typically on the underside of leaves.

Because lettuce and leafy greens grow low to the ground and have broad leaves, they’re common landing spots for insects to lay eggs. If those leaves aren’t thoroughly washed, the eggs can remain hidden and end up in your salad.

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Though it’s unpleasant, finding insect eggs in produce is not uncommon. Commercial farms and even organic growers deal with pests, and sometimes thorough cleaning misses a few hitchhikers.

If you spot anything unusual while prepping greens at home—especially small brown or white balls in a geometric pattern—it’s best to discard the affected leaves and rinse everything thoroughly under cold water.

While these eggs typically don’t pose a serious health risk, eating them is definitely not recommended. They’re a sign that the produce wasn’t fully cleaned, which could mean other contaminants are present too.

When dining out, if you find something questionable in your salad, notify staff immediately and request a replacement. Take a photo if needed, especially if you feel compelled to report it later.

The best prevention? Wash all produce thoroughly, even pre-washed or bagged greens. A quick rinse may not be enough to remove every contaminant, especially sticky insect eggs.

While unsettling, this kind of discovery is usually harmless—just gross. But it’s a good reminder to inspect what’s on your plate before digging in.