You Won't Like It: What Happens to Your Food Every Time a Fly Steps on It

At some point in our lives, we've all had to shoo away a fly that wanders around our drinks or food while we're eating or doing some other activity.

And although these insects sometimes land on food without us noticing, if they spend even a few seconds they can leave quite a harmful mark on the body. See more: Do you already know them? Some innovative apps that are powered by AI. According to a study conducted by Nangyang Technological University (Singapore) and published in Scientific Reports, unwanted flies —which often live with humans—are a vehicle for bacteria throughout their bodies, from their legs to their wings. For the research, the genetic material of 116 flies was analyzed using genomic sequencing techniques and metagenomic analysis. The findings showed that both the legs and wings are the parts that transport the greatest number of microbes, making them a great tool for bacterial dispersal. See more: Unemployment, economic stress, or bereavement could increase Alzheimer's, according to a study.

Furthermore, the study shows that transmission is mechanical, not biological, meaning these insects don't need to bite a person or excrete on a surface to contaminate it. Regarding this, Stephan Schuster, director of the study, stated that " flies collect bacteria on their legs, spread them on their wings, and disperse them wherever they land."

Similarly, the study found that flies transmit Helicobacter pylori, a bacteria that causes stomach ulcers and affects both adults and children, in addition to being linked to gastric cancer.

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In addition, they found that bacteria such as Escherichia coli, Enterobacter cloacae, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, and Proteus mirabilis cause gastrointestinal, urinary, and respiratory infections.

On the other hand, the researchers were particularly struck by the fact that one of the flies in the study left behind up to 30,000 viable bacterial colonies on a sterile surface . See more: Colombian cuisine among the 18 best in the world so far in 2025: these are the leaders . However, the researchers explained that the presence of bacteria is not entirely a bad thing, but emphasized that it depends on the type of bacteria, as well as the person's immune system.

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