How to check dates for bugs

Does it need checking? Yes. Dates are sometimes infested, in Israel and in the USA. (Rav Moshe Vaya) Bugs in dates are not rare. Open each date, take out the pit, and look at it against a good light.

Rav Vaya’s rating

USA	★	sometimes infested (mi’ut hamatzui)
Israel	★	sometimes infested (mi’ut hamatzui)

Rav Moshe Vaya, Bedikat HaMazon K’Halacha, Degree of Infestation chart, p. 941 (Dates)

Which bugs

Worms inside the date. Some are big. Against the light they look darker than the flesh.
Beetles inside the date.
Thrips. The dark color of the date hides them, so they are hard to see without light.
Worm eggs. Sometimes there is no bug, only many eggs. Eggs are forbidden just like the bugs.
Waste of the worm inside the date. This is a sign of infestation.
A package from Turkey was much more infested than others.

How to check

Take each date, open it in half and take out the pit.
Hold it up to a light. Sunlight at a window, a good house light, a light box, or your phone’s flashlight all work.
In poor light it is very hard to find anything. In good light the date becomes see-through, and a bug shows clearly because it is darker.
Look for worms, beetles, eggs and waste. If you see waste, check well for the worm.
If you remove the worm, the date may be eaten.
Do this every time you open a date: take it to the window or the light.
For Rosh Hashana you can open and check them beforehand, then keep them in a sealed box.

Watch

▶ How to Check Dates for Bugs

▶ How Do We Check Dates and Figs?

▶ Shocking. Worm Eggs In Dates

▶ Worm Eggs In Dates

▶ How to Clean Black Eyed Peas, Leek and Dates for Rosh Hashana

Pictures

An opened date held up against the light box for checking. (“How to Check Dates for Bugs”, 0:28)

A beetle being pulled out of a date with a toothpick. (“How Do We Check Dates and Figs?”, 1:56)

A date held up to the light, showing dark worm waste inside. (“How Do We Check Dates and Figs?”, 3:00)

Sources

Rav Moshe Vaya, Bedikat HaMazon K’Halacha, Degree of Infestation chart, p. 941 (rating).
OU Kosher: worms, inside the date. Slice lengthwise and examine. No checking is necessary when using pitted dates. (Fruit and Vegetable Inspection Chart)
cRc: fresh and dried dates: slice open each date and check for worms and beetles inside. (Fruits & Vegetables Checking Guide)

References: OU Kosher — Fruit and Vegetable Inspection Chart (PDF) · cRc — Fruits & Vegetables Checking Guide