While the discovery can be alarming, food experts say the phenomenon is not uncommon in soft-skinned fruits such as raspberries, blackberries and blueberries.
The tiny organisms are typically larvae from fruit flies, including species such as the spotted wing drosophila, an insect known for laying eggs inside ripening fruit. Because raspberries have delicate skin and are often grown outdoors, they can be particularly vulnerable.
According to food safety specialists, the salt-water solution does not create the problem. Instead, it exposes larvae that may already be hidden inside the fruit. The salty environment causes them to leave the berries, making them visible to the naked eye.
