broccoli and ?whitefly problem

[sinopa27]

I picked a huge bowl of broccoli. I washed them like normal and did a baking soda soak like I normally do. I don't know why I do the baking soda. It seems to make me think I am washing them good. Anyway, I cooked 1/2 of the broccoli since it was so much. They were delicious.
Now, I forgot to put the other broccoli up. I started doing other things and then went to bed. I suddenly remembered during the night and went into the kitchen to put them in the refrigerator. Well, I had these small little bugs all over my counter. I think it may have been whitefly but I am not sure at all. I have never seen this. I have been eating from my broccoli plants for months.
So, now I am scared. Did we eat something that will make us sick? I didn't see a thing when I washed the broccoli and cooked them. Where were they?? Was this something on them anyway and they hatched because they were refrigerated or cooked immediately.
Help....please. Now, I have more broccoli ready to cut and cook and I am scared to eat them.
I am so new to this gardening stuff it is ridiculous!
thanks in advance!
Sinopa

[Durgan]

If you had or have white butterflys around your garden, there will be worms. The white butterfly is a most prolific insect present in all parts of NA.

Broccoli is always prone to insects. The plant must be protected or sprayed. I use diatomacious earth, and often wash the eggs off with a water jet almost daily.

Commercially grown broccoli is heavily sprayed with insecticide or the plants would walk across the field.

Look upon the crawlers as extra meat. They are harmless.