pig food safety

Question
Hello,

I have a pet pot pig.  I have purchased several different bags of feed.  I always put the food into an airtight container.  I keep finding worms or what looks like maggots in the food.  Is this normal and safe or not.  I am careful to keep it clean and dry and have thrown it out each time I find them but thought you may have insite if I am not storing it correctly or if this cannot be avoided.  I have purchased from different stores and each time within a day or two I will see them in waht seems to be normal dry pellet food.

Thank you for your help,
Pam

Answer
No, those worms are not normal and should not be there.

Rubbermaid, Tupperware, or similar plastic tubs with snap on lids are good for food storage. I use an ancient Coleman cooler. The drain on the bottom makes it easy to wash clean, the top locks, and I can tie the top shut to prevent the raccoons from opening it. Most feed stores and online stores like Valley Vet Supply and Jeffers carry rubber feed tubs with locking tops.

I'm not sure what you mean by sources, so I am guessing that these bags of food came from different stores. But, did they come through the same warehouse? If so they might have picked up the infestation there.

Are they from the same manufacturer? If so switching brands to one from a different manufacturer might solve the problem.

Also, document this problem, and contact the manufacturer. Keep copies of the receipts, save the bag, photograph it closed and open and the feed inside, and the inside of the storage tub and the worms when they appear in the food. Then let the manufacturer know about the problem. They are probably not aware of this and will want to take steps to correct it, plus, you may be able to get your money back for the infested bags.