Woman Says She Found Bug in Packaged Meal After Biting It in Half

A New York woman says she got a little extra protein in her lunch.

ByABC News
January 7, 2016, 12:16 PM
Jessica Mills says she made an unwelcome discovery after she bit into what she thinks is a cicada while eating her lunch.
Jessica Mills says she made an unwelcome discovery after she bit into what she thinks is a cicada while eating her lunch.
Courtesy Jessica Mills

— -- The packaging on her lunch promised an "extra source of protein," but one New York woman got more than she bargained for after she said she crunched on a large insect in her lunch.

Jessica Mills, of Queens, New York, said she was having noodles from the Smart Ones Weight Watchers line of products when she made the unwelcome discovery on Wednesday.

"I knew something was not right because the meal itself is not crunchy," Mills told ABC News, noting she was eating lunch in her office. "All of a sudden you hear crunch. I reached into my mouth and pulled something out."

She said she then pulled out both halves of the green insect that she thinks is most likely a cicada.

"Every time I picture something green I don't think I can eat it," Mills said. "I'm really freaked out, and I eat a lot of vegetables."

Mills said she called the quality control number and they offered to compensate her for the meal or get her a complimentary box. Mills said she's not exactly eager to try another meal from the line.

"I'm pretty sure I'm not going to purchase a new one or eat one for a while," she told ABC News.

The Kraft Heinz Company, which produces the Smart Ones product line, told ABC News that the company is looking into the matter.

"Smart Ones takes the quality of its products very seriously. We're in contact with this consumer and are in the process of investigating the issue to learn more," the company said in a statement today.

Mills said right now she saved the bug as proof, but hasn't quite been able to put it into a container.

"It's sitting on the original plate," Mills said. "I can't bring myself to go near it.