Chocolate munchers in South Korea were horrified to discover worms and moths crawling out of their favourite confectionery.

Customers made the gruesome discovery when unwrapping the Chinese-manufactured chocolates, which imitate a popular international chocolate brand.

The worms and moths were found crawling out of tiny holes in the chocolate when the consumers opened the foil wrappers.

The bugs had even managed to eat several chocolate balls.

Professor Ahn Young-chul, of Eulji University, said: “It seems to be seriously contaminated during the manufacturing process since the larvae of Plodia Interpun were found.”

One consumer, who bought the chocolate during a trip to China, said the manufacturers had insisted he go back to China with the chocolate if he wanted compensation.

Lee Nam-hee, researcher for consumer rights, said: “There can be a sort of argument with the consumers about whether these worms appeared during the manufacturing process.”

The fear is that the Chinese-made chocolates will add to concerns over goods manufactured in China.

Toothpaste, sweets, tyres and medicine exported from China in recent months have been found to be faulty.

However, several consumers have also found worms in a local Korean-made brand of chocolate.

Via news.sky.com