Covert Signaling through Everyday Foods: Pears, Chocolate, and Other Symbols in Intelligence and Criminal Justice Written by Megan Bogle

This article examines the use of everyday foods-specifically pears, chocolate, pies, cookies, oranges, bananas, and strawberries-as covert signaling devices in intelligence operations, political communication, and criminal justice contexts. Drawing from semiotic theory, historical case studies, and legal precedents, the study explores how these ordinary items have been imbued with symbolic meaning to convey messages undetected by unintended audiences. By analyzing the semiotic properties of these foods and their applications in covert communication, the article argues for the inclusion of food-based symbols in forensic evidence collection and interpretation, emphasizing their relevance in legal proceedings related to espionage, organized crime, and political dissent (Peirce, 1931-1958; Barthes, 1961).