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Eating bird seeds to save money
FlaatusGoat
Posts: 304 Forumite
I was in my local high street earlier and noticed big bags of peanuts and bird seeds. It was a massive bargain at Wilko and if I'm honest they really don't taste bad at all. I'm pretty stuffed and pleased with the value so thought I'd share this? How come regular nuts and seeds are so expensive? Seems like exactly the same thing.
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As a guess…The seeds and nuts used for bird food are probably those that don’t meet the standards to be sold for human consumption. The levels of aflatoxins and other chemicals are strictly controlled in seeds and nuts for humans. I suspect bird seed does not have to meet these same standards. Some seed / nut processing plants might sell off their old stock, or products not suitable for humans to bird food suppliers as a way to recover some costs.The side effects of eating products not intended for humans might be cumulative rather than experienced after one meal.The levels and types of pesticides present are also probably different. Bird seed could be sprayed with a pesticide to allow it be kept longer. This pesticide may not be allowed on food for humans.The hygiene conditions during production may also not meet the same standards that they would have to for human food production. I would guess they would have to meet the requirements for animal feed hygiene.Personally, bird food is not for me…20
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Hmmmm. Is this a real question? I have some doubts.
But anyway, if you look on the wild bird peanut pack from Wilko it says quite clearly that the contents are not for human consumption. In bold.
https://www.wilko.com/en-uk/wilko-wild-bird-peanut-kernels-1kg/p/0080609
That's because peanuts and seeds prepared for wild birds don't have to undergo such rigorous testing as those for humans. I'd rather pay more for the human version than end up in hospital because I thought that eating food designed for wild birds was cheaper.
Hopefully your body will do its thing and get rid of all the detritus. . . but if I were you I'd leave those bags for the birds. Because you're going to be really ill. And you shouldn't eat nuts and seeds until you're 'stuffed' even if they are fit for human consumption because well, you know, detritus again. . .
But I really do suspect that this is just a wind up . . . I've seen something very similar recently on this forum. . .Please note - taken from the Forum Rules and amended for my own personal use (with thanks) : It is up to you to investigate, check, double-check and check yet again before you make any decisions or take any action based on any information you glean from any of my posts. Although I do carry out careful research before posting and never intend to mislead or supply out-of-date or incorrect information, please do not rely 100% on what you are reading. Verify everything in order to protect yourself as you are responsible for any action you consequently take.7 -
HiOutdoorQueen said:As a guess…The seeds and nuts used for bird food are probably those that don’t meet the standards to be sold for human consumption. The levels of aflatoxins and other chemicals are strictly controlled in seeds and nuts for humans. I suspect bird seed does not have to meet these same standards. Some seed / nut processing plants might sell off their old stock, or products not suitable for humans to bird food suppliers as a way to recover some costs.The side effects of eating products not intended for humans might be cumulative rather than experienced after one meal.The levels and types of pesticides present are also probably different. Bird seed could be sprayed with a pesticide to allow it be kept longer. This pesticide may not be allowed on food for humans.The hygiene conditions during production may also not meet the same standards that they would have to for human food production. I would guess they would have to meet the requirements for animal feed hygiene.Personally, bird food is not for me…
Many thanks for a very informative post and one of the best posts around!!
I'm not sure if the OP is serious (sorry OP) but whatever the reason, you have taught me something new and that is rare these days.
Thanks3 -
Not just pesticides, but fungi, yeast, bacteria, rodent and insect leavings... If you are going to eat them it might limit the risk to wash them. As needed to be done with far more foodstuffs before modern western hygiene.
But a banker, engaged at enormous expense,Had the whole of their cash in his care.
Lewis Carroll2 -
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Well I feel absolutely fine having had a good nibble and a gorge on the bird seats. I'm going on the assumption that they simply wouldn't sell this stuff if it was 'that' dangerous. It's absolutely inevitable that sooner or later someone or some kid is going to try and 'eat' one? Meanwhile, I was reading that in the Welsh Valley's some people are resorting to eating dog food due to financial circumstances!! Some might laugh at all this, bird seed, dog food etc but a lot of us are really struggling to survive and feed ourselves properly right now. This might seem utterly alien and bizarre to the M&S and Waitrose shopping elite (which I suspect lurk these supposed money saving halls)
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In September you were complaining you only had £50 winnings on £50 k premium bonds. Maybe you could cash some in.14
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Why are you buying it? If you Lots of people havie it hanging in their garden where you can get it for free.
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In not sure why people who shop at m&s can't also 'lurk' or even post here?FlaatusGoat said:Well I feel absolutely fine having had a good nibble and a gorge on the bird seats. I'm going on the assumption that they simply wouldn't sell this stuff if it was 'that' dangerous. It's absolutely inevitable that sooner or later someone or some kid is going to try and 'eat' one? Meanwhile, I was reading that in the Welsh Valley's some people are resorting to eating dog food due to financial circumstances!! Some might laugh at all this, bird seed, dog food etc but a lot of us are really struggling to survive and feed ourselves properly right now. This might seem utterly alien and bizarre to the M&S and Waitrose shopping elite (which I suspect lurk these supposed money saving halls)
Re the dog food - I've heard of this way before now. When I was growing up mam used to mention a couple used it in pies as they liked it more than steak. So I don't think it's a 'new' theory. Not for me, but if other want to, it doesn't affect me.
To be honest though, careful shopping and buying of cans can be far cheaper than a can of dog food anyway.Forty and fabulous, well that's what my cards say....9 -
Is a tin of dog food cheaper than a tin of basic baked beans??
How's it going, AKA, Nutwatch? - 12 month spends to date = 2.60% of current retirement "pot" (as at end May 2025)0
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