Does it need checking? Usually not. Banana is among the clean fruits that do not need checking for worms. It is not commonly infested, in Israel or in the USA. Small grey insects are sometimes found on the peel. (Rav Moshe Vaya)
Rav Vaya’s rating
| USA | ✓ | not commonly infested (muchzak k’naki) |
| Israel | ✓ | not commonly infested (muchzak k’naki) |
Rav Moshe Vaya, Bedikat HaMazon K’Halacha, Degree of Infestation chart, p. 936 (Banana)
Which bugs
- Grey insects are sometimes found on banana peels. They can stick to the fruit when you peel it.
- They are small and grey, and they run fast. (Rav Moshe Vaya)
How to check
- Shake the bunch over a white surface.
- If small grey insects fall onto the surface, wash each banana before you peel it. (Rav Moshe Vaya)
Sources
- Rav Moshe Vaya, Bedikat HaMazon K’Halacha, Degree of Infestation chart, p. 936 (rating).
- Rav Moshe Vaya, Bedikat HaMazon K’Halacha: summary sheet “Tu BiShvat Without Worms: All the Fruits and How to Check Them” (published by Machon Aliya).
- Rav Moshe Vaya, Bedikat HaMazon K’Halacha: summary sheet “How to Find Worms in Summer Fruits” (published by Machon Aliya).
- cRc: Dried bananas do not need to be checked for insect infestation. (Fruits & Vegetables Checking Guide)
Related
References: cRc — Fruits & Vegetables Checking Guide · Rav Moshe Vaya — “Tu BiShvat Without Worms: All the Fruits and How to Check Them” (Machon Aliya, Hebrew) · Rav Moshe Vaya — “How to Find Worms in Summer Fruits” (Machon Aliya, Hebrew)
Source: Rav Moshe Vaya, Bedikat HaMazon K’Halacha, p. 936
