Thought this might interest those of you who deal with post-harvest
handling issues. From the ProMED list; just so's you know the
epidemiological community has interest in these things. Also, you can
expect this item to turn up on Dennis Avery's menu at some
point--see? "Health" food ISN'T REALLY HEALTY! Eat more
petrochemicals and pesticides! Live longer! Glow in the dark!
peace
misha
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BOTULISM, RISK FROM PACKAGED VEGETABLES: REQUEST FOR INFO
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A ProMED-mail post
From: William Muraskin
I am writing from Santa Fe, New Mexico. The local health markets in
the last week have stopped selling their various sprouts (e.g.,
broccoli sprouts) in the normal plastic boxes with holes, and have
started selling them in air tight ziplock bags (for freshness). The
suppliers in California, I am told, have made the decision to change
packaging. This seems to be in keeping the national TV campaign by
ziplock type plastic bag manufacturers to convince consumers that
salad ingredients at home should be stored in airtight bags to promote
freshness and allow consumers to keep vegetables longer.
I am aware of the Chinese debacle a few years back when they packaged
mushrooms in airtight containers and discovered that the mushrooms
continued to respire for a time after packaging. An anaerobic
environment was created and botulism was the result. Is a similar
problem being courted by sprout producers/supermarkets and/or ziplock
bag manufacturers? If the mushroom model applies, a real problem may
be brewing in the USA. Or, are sprouts radically different than
mushrooms?
- --
William Muraskin, Ph.D.
Professor, Dept of Urban Studies
Queens College, CUNY
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Michele Gale-Sinex, communications manager
Center for Integrated Ag Systems
UW-Madison College of Ag and Life Sciences
Voice: (608) 262-8018 FAX: (608) 265-3020
http://www.wisc.edu/cias/
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The black sesame rice crackers weren't sealed well,
so they're the slightest bit soggy. They stick to my
teeth like tamari Captain Crunch. --Mister 3D
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