Recent reports of worms found in chocolate, especially chocolate containing nuts, are likely the result of poor handling in the distribution process, according to the Chinese-language China Economic Net.

Worms have been found in chocolate products across China over the past six months, the website said, with the latest incident reported by Guangzhou's Yangcheng Evening News earlier in the month.

One theory doing the rounds on the internet is that worms have laid eggs in nuts which have been left to dry outdoors. Han Yanping, deputy chief of the China Association of Bakery & Confectionery Industry, said however that this is unlikely as the nuts are subjected to a series of processing measures.

Han also said that nuts are usually stored in bags filled with nitrogen, making it impossible for worms to survive.

The automated manufacturing process for chocolate products containing nuts ensures contamination cannot occur during production, but poor transportation and distribution conditions could create an environment for worm and insect infestation, Han said.

Han also accused supermarkets of opening and resealing products. "Supermarkets have many products on shelves and cannot match the sanitary conditions of factories," Han noted. "Therefore, it is unsafe to open and reseal items in such an environment."