Flies can potentially make food dirty and contribute to its contamination. Flies are known to be carriers of various microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, and parasites, which they can pick up from their surroundings, such as garbage, feces, or decaying organic matter. When flies land on food, they can transfer these microorganisms onto the food, thereby potentially causing contamination.
Additionally, flies have mouthparts that are designed to liquefy solid substances, such as food, before they can ingest it. In the process, they regurgitate digestive enzymes onto the food, which can further contaminate it with bacteria and other pathogens present in their gut.
Consuming food contaminated by flies can increase the risk of foodborne illnesses, such as diarrhea, vomiting, and gastrointestinal infections. It is generally advisable to take precautions to prevent flies from coming into contact with food, such as covering food, using screens on windows, and maintaining proper hygiene and sanitation practices in food preparation areas.