Spots small items of food (5)

I believe the answer is:

spies

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'spots' is the definition.
('spy' can be a synonym of 'spot')

'small items of food' is the wordplay.
'small items of' becomes 's' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should believe this answer much more).
'food' becomes 'pies' (I've seen this before).
's'+'pies'='SPIES'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for spies that I've seen before include "Secret agents" , "Eg, CIA" , "Double agents" , "Undercover agents" , "Snoops" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.

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