You technically can eat earthworms, but it is only considered safe if they are properly cleaned, purged, and thoroughly cooked or commercially processed (for example, dried for human consumption).

Is it actually safe?

  • Wild earthworms can carry bacteria, parasites, and chemicals from the soil, which makes eating them raw or straight from the garden unsafe.
  • Studies on farmed earthworms show that when they are reared hygienically and processed (freeze‑dried or dried into a meal), they can meet food‑safety standards and be microbiologically safe.
  • Some sources note that worms can accumulate heavy metals and pesticides over time, especially in contaminated soil, so where they live matters a lot for safety.

How people make them safer to eat

  • Recommended steps usually include: letting the worms purge their gut (keeping them in clean material so they empty soil and waste), rinsing them well, and then fully cooking or drying them to kill microbes.
  • Controlled processing methods like freeze‑drying and proper storage significantly reduce microbial contamination, which is why commercial worm products are considered safer than anything you dig up yourself.

Nutrition side of earthworms

  • Earthworms are described as high in protein and also contain minerals like iron and others, which is why they are being researched as a sustainable protein source.
  • Some estimates suggest worm meal can have protein levels comparable to, or higher than, many traditional animal foods, which is why there is interest in using them in powders or feeds.

What about eating them raw?

  • Eating raw earthworms is generally not advised because of the risk of bacteria, parasites, and any pollutants they may have absorbed from soil.
  • Survival‑type discussions sometimes say a raw worm could be eaten in an extreme emergency, but even then it is usually framed as a last resort rather than a normal or safe practice.

Practical takeaway

  • From a safety perspective, if someone is curious, the safer route is a product specifically produced for human consumption (dried worms or worm meal) rather than garden worms.
  • For everyday life, most health sources still recommend sticking to conventional foods unless you are using properly farmed and processed edible worms from a reputable source.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.