Monday, February 23, 2009

Pas d'appétit

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We all know that the FDA mandates strict guidelines for food quality and safety, right? Have you ever read any of those guidelines, though? In light of the following, perhaps those guidelines truly are more guidelines than actual rules.

Were you aware of these examples of what is acceptable and permissible by the FDA?

* Canned mushrooms may contain "over 20 or more (whatever the hell that means) maggots of any size per 100 grams of drained mushrooms; or 5 or more maggots 2 millimeters or longer per 100 grams of drained mushrooms

* Tomato juice may contain 10 or more fly eggs per 100 grams, or 5 or more fly eggs and 1 or more maggots

That "or more" wording just kills me. 1 or more maggots could mean 1,000 maggots, because 1,000 is more than 1!

Other allowable "nasty" levels:

* curry powder - 100 or more insect parts per 25 grams

* ground thyme - up to 925 or more insect parts per 10 grams

* ground pepper - up to 475 insect parts per 50 grams

* sauerkraut - up to 50 thrips (tiny winged bugs)

* beer - may contain as many as 2,500 plant lice per 10 grams of hops

* an 18-ounce jar of peanut butter may contain 145 bug parts, or 5 or more rodent hairs, or 125 milligrams of grit

Bottom line, we may eat a pound or two of flies, maggots, and bug parts every year without even knowing it. Are you feeling sick yet? Sorry.

Happy Monday!

11 comments:

G-Man said...

Well, I can see right now that you are done with...
Canned mushrooms
Tomato juice
Curry powder
Thyme
Pepper
Kraut
Beer
Peanut Butter...:-)

snowelf said...

it's really the maggots that gross me out the most. I can deal with the insect parts...but the maggots...ewwwww. I think I just threw up in my mouth a little bit.
I may never be able to eat mushrooms again... so gross...


--snow

dons_mind said...

well aren't you just plumb full of good tidings this fine monday morning!!! lol 'scue me whilst i finish this pbj and rinse it down with a tomato juice with lots of pepper in it. lunch will be weinnies with sauerkraut and a beer!! mmmmmmmm

rkfinnell said...

I am reminded of a conversation of how many bugs are allowed in a Fig Newton to which I replied "That's what makes those little crunchy things in them."

If it comes down to eat a bug or starve well then-yummy bug. LOL

Serena said...

Exactly, Malnurtured.:)

It's a shame, too, Galen, because I kind of like tomato juice and an occasional PB sandwich.:)

Oooo, I know, Snow. I can stand the possibility of the occasional bug part, but the very thought of a maggot just gags me. I think I'll stick to fresh mushrooms, too; no canned.:)

Sure, enough, Don. Little Merry Sunshine, that's me. So, how was your lunch?:)

I'm glad I don't like Fig Newtons, Roxan. LOL. I guess I'd rather eat a bug than starve, but if I ain't starving, I don't wanna do it.:)

Ed & Jeanne said...

This really BUGS me...

Serena said...

I thought it would, VE.:-)

Anonymous said...

I always wondered how there could be a percentage of daily protein listed on some of those things. :P

Serena said...

And now we know, Kaknu. Ugh!:)

BB-Idaho said...

Hey, thrips in saurkraut are considered a delicacy. Er...aren't they?

Serena said...

I believe they are, BB. Especially in certain cultures on alternating Wednesdays. Thanks for the visit and the comment, and welcome.:)