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| Bagged Spinach Blamed For E-Coli Outbreak; One dead and up to 50 people sick | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Sep 16 2006, 02:06 AM (440 Views) | |
| JeffLynnesBeard | Sep 16 2006, 02:06 AM Post #1 |
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Administrator & Moderator
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At least one person is dead and as many as 50 people are sick after eating contaminated spinach. The outbreak seems to be growing by the hour, and Nevada is now one of twenty states affected. Since the source of the contamination is still unknown, grocery stores and restaurants all over Southern Nevada are throwing away spinach, just to be safe. Las Vegas health officials are urging everyone to throw out any fresh spinach they have because of a multi-state E.Coli outbreak. By Friday, the outbreak had grown to include at least 20 states: California, Connecticut, Idaho, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, New Mexico, Nevada, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.klastv.com/Global/story.asp?S=5...5&nav=menu102_2 Hmm... I guess vegetarianism isn't always safe... |
| ...and in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make. | |
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| Jacaranda | Sep 16 2006, 02:59 AM Post #2 |
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Andy, the U.S. FDA is now urging all the U.S. to not eat bagged spinach, at least until it gets the all clear. FDA Statement on Foodborne E.coli O157:H7 Outbreak in Spinach Updated 9/15/06 As part of the agency's continued commitment to keep the public informed of food safety issues, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is providing this update on the outbreak involving spinach. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is continuing to alert consumers about an outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 in multiple states that may be associated with the consumption of fresh spinach and fresh spinach containing-products. Based on current information, FDA advises that people not eat fresh spinach or fresh spinach containing-products that are consumed raw. Individuals who believe they may have experienced symptoms of illness after consuming pre-packaged spinach are urged to contact their health care provider. At this time, Natural Selection Foods, LLC, of San Juan Bautista, California, is recalling all of its products that contain spinach in all the brands they pack with “Best if Used by Dates” of August 17, 2006 through October 1, 2006. FDA continues to investigate whether other companies and brands are involved. Natural Selection Foods, LLC brands include: Natural Selection Foods, Pride of San Juan, Earthbound Farm, Bellissima, Dole, Rave Spinach, Emeril, Sysco, O Organic, Fresh Point, River Ranch, Superior, Nature’s Basket, Pro-Mark, Compliments, Trader Joe’s, Ready Pac, Jansal Valley, Cheney Brothers, Coastline, D’Arrigo Brothers, Green Harvest, Mann, Mills Family Farm, Pro*Act, Premium Fresh, Snoboy, The Farmer’s Market, Tanimura & Antle, President’s Choice, Cross Valley, and Riverside Farms. These products include spinach and any salad with spinach in a blend, both retail and food service products. Products that do not contain spinach are not part of this recall. E. coli O157:H7 causes diarrhea, often with bloody stools. Although most healthy adults can recover completely within a week, some people can develop a form of kidney failure called Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS). HUS is most likely to occur in young children and the elderly. The condition can lead to serious kidney damage and even death. To date, 94 cases of illness have been reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), including 14 cases of HUS and one death. At this time, the investigation is ongoing and states that have reported illnesses to date include: California, Connecticut, Idaho, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. The affected products were also distributed to Canada and Mexico. FDA continues to work closely with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and state and local agencies to determine the cause and scope of the problem. As part of our investigation, we will test packages of spinach from confirmed cases of E. coli infection. |
![]() "If nothing else works, a total pig-headed unwillingness to look facts in the face will see us through." General Melchett, Blackadder Goes Forth | |
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| Merry | Sep 16 2006, 03:37 AM Post #3 |
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Yes, I've been hearing about this all day on the news, it's quite serious, but those who are most at risk are infants and the elderly. I don't buy bagged spinach myself, so I have no worries on this end, but I'm thinking of those who like to buy pre-packaged salad mixes and if that too can be affected. Several years ago there was a similar epidemic of contaminated vegetables. As I recall it was traced to a small city in Mexico where the vegetable (it may have been lettuce) was washed in small sheds with filthy water. I wish they would make stricter standards for food handling and processing, then things like this wouldn't happen. Merry
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| Jacaranda | Sep 16 2006, 03:48 AM Post #4 |
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Merry: Unfortunately prepackaged salad mixes can be affected. E coli has been found in those as well in the past though not to the level that has recently occurred with spinach. This apparently has been an ongoing concern of the FDA's. Washing the salad mix will not take away the E. coli either. I watched a news report on this a few months ago, and scientists interviewed seemed to think the contamination did not come as a result of processing (at least in the case of the prepackaged salad in question), but rather in the ground water because it was contaminated by E. coli from a nearby farm (domestic animal waste in the water table). I'm sure that at present no one knows what is responsible for the latest spinach-E. coli outbreak. I still buy prepackaged salad though maybe I should rethink that now because honestly even the rare chance of this type of illness happening isn't worth the small amount of time saved in preparing your own lettuce. |
![]() "If nothing else works, a total pig-headed unwillingness to look facts in the face will see us through." General Melchett, Blackadder Goes Forth | |
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| theonlyfab4fan | Sep 16 2006, 03:52 AM Post #5 |
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I AM THE BIGGEST JOHN FAN!
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A lot of the time the E coli contamination in produce comes from products that are harvested in fields where untreated manure is used in the growing process. Organic farming especially can cause this kind of risk. The problem stems from the fact that e coli is very common in feces and when it has been untreated before it is used as a fertilizer the e coli then in transmitted to the fruits and veggies if they are harvested off the ground. No amount of washing will remove this bacteria the only thing that will kill it is heat treating. Several years ago there was an about break of e coli deaths that stemmed from an organic apple juice that was being produced by a company called odwalla in Washington State. There were a number of deaths that were traced to this juice because it was not pastuerized and it was also discovered that the apples that they were buying from an organic farm were picked up off the ground and had been contaminated with the feces left by the local deer population. |
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You say you want to save humanity but it`s people that you just can`t stand John came to me in a dream and this is what he said. "I had a vision of a man on a flaming pie, and he told me that Betsy with a B not Lisa with a L is the biggest fan of mine". John trumps 'the boss' ! I WAS ROBBED BY THAT DEVIL WOMAN | |
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| Merry | Sep 16 2006, 04:40 AM Post #6 |
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Well, this will make me rethink my choice of fresh salad, too. I've always enjoyed buying packaged mixes because of the convenience...but even any one of the ingredients bought together or purchased seperately could be contaminated, and we'd never know...until it was too late. They do need to find higher standards for the growing of produce. Allowing the vegetables to be grown near animals like that should be an obvious danger. What's worrisome to me are the vegetarians who depend on these vegetables as an important part of their diet; I love them myself...and actually I almost picked up a package yesterday when I was out getting some grocery items. Merry
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| jayjay | Sep 16 2006, 05:15 AM Post #7 |
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I just read one dead, 100 ill and something like 26 states affected!
Very serious indeed. |
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| beatlechick | Sep 16 2006, 06:29 AM Post #8 |
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In Paul's Arms!
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Here's the latest: Dodge E. Coli: Throw Away Your Spinach Health Officials and Experts Advise Ditching Spinach Packages as E. Coli Cases Spread By STEVE OSUNSAMI Sept. 15, 2006 — - It doesn't matter what brand of spinach. It doesn't matter how long it's been sitting in the refrigerator. If it comes in bag, the Food and Drug Administration is strongly encouraging consumers, from coast to coast, to throw it out. Federal officials blame the bagged, grocery store spinach for what has now turned into a massive E.Coli outbreak, responsible for hospitalizing residents in at least 20 states. (So far, according the U.S. Centers for Disease Control: California, Connecticut, Idaho, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, New Mexico, Nevada, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming, ). One person has died, a 77-year old woman in Wisconsin. Dozens of people have fallen seriously ill. There have been at least 14 cases of kidney failure. Natural Selection Foods, which produces packaged products under the label "Earthbound Farm Organic" has announced a voluntary recall for spinach products with sell by dates August 17 through October 21. Earthbound Farm is the nation's grower of organic produce. It is in 74 percent of grocery stores nationwide and last reported to have $450 million in revenue. Dr. David Acheson, with the Center for Food and Safety and Applied Nutrition says, "the cases are increasing by the day." "We may be at the peak and we may not. I don't know," he says. "It is all preliminary data." The FDA has identified the strain of E. coli as O151:H7, and a typical infection takes a few days to develop and nearly two weeks to pass. It causes severe abdominal cramping and bloody diarrhea. In some cases, it can be fatal. Dr. Michael Donnenberg heads the Division of Infectious Diseases at the University of Maryland, and says he wouldn't eat any packaged spinach of any kind, and wouldn't advise anyone else to do so either. "This is an unusual thing," he says. "By now, investigators would normally be able to tell us what lot the spinach came from or what the packaging looked like. At this point, they've usually been able to take cultures of samples that were still sitting somewhere in the victim's home." None of that has happened, and Donnenberg says that means the FDA is most likely confused and still trying to figure it out. He believes that in the end it will come down to a cow. "Most likely," he says, the source is "fertilizer, from cow manure." "And hopefully," the source is "outside the plant," he added, "because if the exposure took place inside a vegetable processing plant, it's extremely hard to track and contain." This same strain of E. coli was responsible for an outbreak in Minnesota in September 2005. At least 11 people became ill. No one knows how many consumers failed to report illnesses. The outbreak was immediately linked to prepackaged Dole salads with lettuce, cabbage and carrots. The vegetables in the Minnesota case came from the Salinas Valley, in central California. Among growers, the valley is often called the "salad bowl of the world," for its millions of pounds of annual produce production. The region does have its issues. Vegetables grown in the valley have been connected to at least eight E. coli outbreaks since 1995. Federal health authorities are there now, inspecting farms and processing plants. Experts say what makes these types of investigations difficult is that it only takes a minuscule amount of E. coli contamination to trigger an outbreak. Finding the source for such a small amount of contamination is tricky at best. What makes it even more difficult for consumers is there's little a person can do to clean lettuce or spinach that has been contaminated with E. coli. The FDA says it's not enough to wash or even cook vegetables if they've been contaminated. The only effective preventive measure is to discard produce that fits the established profile. Dr. Robert Schooley, a researcher of infectious diseases and a professor at the University of California at San Diego, says this time federal health officials may not ever be able to identify the source of the E. coli contamination. "The cases of infection are so widespread across the country, and E. coli is so ubiquitous in the environment, I wouldn't be surprised if they don't ever figure it out." Copyright © 2006 ABC News Internet Ventures |
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| BikerLikeAnIcon | Sep 16 2006, 12:47 PM Post #9 |
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I thought I was safe because we don't eat bagged spinach, only canned. I buy the salad mixes though. |
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| BeatleBarb | Sep 16 2006, 04:10 PM Post #10 |
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The night before this story came out I had just consumed the last of a huge bag of spinach. I eat tons of spinach, - in fact it pretty much replaces most of my salad greens! But, I always wash all of it anyway. Still...pretty scary stuff. From the information given, it says washing doesn't help?? And that the stuff came from Salinas...that's where I am!! I even wash oranges and lemons before cutting or slicing into them, just to be sure. |
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| maccascruff | Sep 17 2006, 03:41 AM Post #11 |
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Sing the Changes
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I don't buy any pre-packaged salads and don't have any spinach at the moment. Don't think I will be buying any in the near future. |
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| mozart8mytoe | Sep 18 2006, 05:46 AM Post #12 |
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I eat baby leaf spinach almost every day and I will continue to do so. I would rather take my chances with fresh vegatables than a Big Mac any day. |
| Nurse, I spy gypsies. Run. | |
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| BeatleBarb | Sep 19 2006, 04:04 PM Post #13 |
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You make a good point. I do think it's time for my greenhouse, though! I live just a few miles from one of the plants in question and it's quite a thing going on here. I practically eat spinach almost everyday as well. It's sure weird not to see it in the stores. |
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| Magical Mystery Girl | Sep 19 2006, 06:26 PM Post #14 |
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Moderator
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Very true about Big Macs... but I'm not about to go buy US spinach right now anyhow. I usually consume tons of bagged spinach, so I'll have to look for some locally grown. Frozen spinach tossed into fresh homemade vegetable soup will have te be my source until then. Then there'salways broccoli and rapini for my enjoyment... Next year, i want to grow a lot of my own veggies, including spinach. |
| "What the caterpillar calls the end, the rest of the world calls a butterfly." - Lao Tzu | |
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| Jacaranda | Sep 19 2006, 08:01 PM Post #15 |
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The Spinach Recall: Q's and A's Food-Borne Bacteria Can Be Deadly for Some Tuesday, September 19, 2006 (from The Washington Post) Federal officials yesterday announced more recalls of bagged spinach potentially tainted with E. coli bacteria, as the number of people sickened by the products rose to at least 114. People have gotten sick in 21 states; 16 people have suffered kidney damage and one has died. An additional case in Illinois may be related. Recalls extend to 37 brands, including all that are supplied by California grower Natural Selection Foods. (See full list of brands below.) While the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) continues to investigate the outbreak, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) offers the following advice and information. What is E. coli O157:H7, and how serious is the illness it causes? E. coli O157:H7 is a bacterium that causes diarrhea that is often bloody; the diarrhea can be accompanied by abdominal cramps. Fever may be absent or mild. Symptoms usually occur within three days of exposure, but may occur as soon as one day after exposure or up to one week after. Healthy adults can typically recover completely from exposure within a week. But some people, especially young children and the elderly, can develop hemolytic uremic syndrome, a condition that can lead to serious kidney damage and even death. What does FDA advise? The FDA advises people not to eat any fresh spinach or salad blends containing fresh spinach that are consumed raw. What if I've eaten one of these products in the past few weeks? If you think you've gotten sick after eating fresh spinach or salad blends containing fresh spinach, contact your health care provider. Where have illnesses occurred? So far, most cases have occurred in Wisconsin. Other states where cases have occurred are California, Connecticut, Idaho, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Utah, Virginia, Washington and Wyoming. Some product was also distributed to Canada and Mexico. The number of illnesses and states involved may grow. What company and brands are included in the current recall? Natural Selection Foods of San Juan Bautista, Calif., is recalling all products containing fresh spinach in all brands they pack with "best if used by" dates of Aug. 17 through Oct. 1. Products include fresh spinach and salad blends containing fresh spinach. Does the FDA's advice apply to both organic and non-organic products? Yes. What brands are involved? Brands include: Natural Selection Foods, Dole, Trader Joe's, Pride of San Juan, Earthbound Farm, Bellissima, Rave Spinach, Emeril, Sysco, O Organic, Fresh Point, River Ranch, Superior, Nature's Basket, Compliments, Ready Pac, Jansal Valley, Cheney Brothers, Coastline, D'Arrigo Brothers, Green Harvest, Mann, Mills Family Farm, Premium Fresh, Pro-Mark, Snoboy, The Farmer's Market, Tanimura & Antle, President's Choice, Cross Valley and Riverside Farms. Another California company, River Ranch Fresh Foods, is recalling its spring mix containing spinach. River Ranch obtained bulk spring mix containing spinach from Natural Selections. Brands involved: Farmers Market, Hy Vee, Fresh and Easy. When was the first case of illness related to this outbreak? The first case was reported on Aug. 2, although most illnesses so far cluster with onsets from Aug. 26 to Sept. 9. What's being done to determine the cause? Federal and state governments are working to analyze samples from ill people and product samples in an attempt to identify sources of the outbreak. The states are collecting and analyzing samples. Have there been similar outbreaks before? Since 1995, there have been 19 outbreaks of food-borne illness caused by E. coli O157:H7. All have involved lettuce or leafy greens. The majority of the outbreaks were traced to products farmed in California, many in the Salinas Valley. Did any previous outbreaks involve fresh spinach specifically? Yes. An outbreak involving fresh spinach occurred in California in October 2003. Sixteen cases of illness were reported and two people died. The same strain of E. coli was involved. Can people cook the fresh spinach or salad blends containing fresh spinach? The FDA recommends that people not consume uncooked spinach or salad blends containing fresh spinach. But E. coli O157:H7 in spinach can be killed by cooking at 160 degrees for 15 seconds. If consumers choose to cook the spinach, they should follow these cooking instructions. They should also take steps to avoid cross-contamination of the fresh spinach with other foods and contact surfaces. Wash hands, utensils and preparation surfaces with hot, soapy water before and after handling the spinach. · For more information and updates, visithttp://www.cdc.govandhttp://www.fda.gov. |
![]() "If nothing else works, a total pig-headed unwillingness to look facts in the face will see us through." General Melchett, Blackadder Goes Forth | |
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| LennonLoverForever | Sep 20 2006, 01:25 AM Post #16 |
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I read that other countries are affected...So if you live in Canada or Taiwan...throw out the spinach. Frozen spinach is not affected but I am not taking chances! |
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| tinybubbleca | Sep 20 2006, 02:06 AM Post #17 |
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we just had our first reported case here in vegas.
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| Deleted User | Sep 20 2006, 04:24 AM Post #18 |
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I love spinach very much. And I eat them fresh most of the times. Sometimes I do buy spinach with cream (frozen). |
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| BeatleBarb | Sep 20 2006, 01:44 PM Post #19 |
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I haven't had a salad since this all began. I think I'm being a bit paranoid, but I'm avoiding most salad type greens. Not fair, since I live in this place called the "salad bowl"! |
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| maccascruff | Sep 20 2006, 02:39 PM Post #20 |
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Sing the Changes
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It's now confirmed in Colorado and there are two suspected cases in Boulder. I won't be eating any fresh salad greens any time soon either. |
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| Deleted User | Sep 20 2006, 05:27 PM Post #21 |
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Don't be paranoid, Barb. Just eat it.
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| JanaW | Sep 20 2006, 08:04 PM Post #22 |
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This is one of the reasons I make sure I plant a very large garden each year. I know everything that goes onto my garden from start to the table. I always say this to people and so often they say "Yes but I live in the city, or I live in an apartment and can't plant a garden!" Yes you can! lettuce and spinach make beautiful edging around flower beds. Plant a tomato plant in a pot and put it on your apartment balcony...and plant spinach or leaf lettuce around the bottom. It looks beautiful! I know it sounds like I'm preaching here...but take over your life so you don't have to rely on suppliers who cannot be counted on to have your best interest at heart. |
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If slaughterhouses had glass walls the whole world would be vegetarian. Linda McCartney | |
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| Deleted User | Sep 20 2006, 08:14 PM Post #23 |
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you don't use chemicals, do you?? Me to have tomatoe plants in mine garden. And I don't use chamicals. Also lots of strawberrys hmmmmmmmmmmm. |
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| BlueMolly2009 | Sep 21 2006, 12:00 AM Post #24 |
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Well, I wish I could grow my own veggies, but I live in an apartment building with no balcony and not much sunlight. I'm not going to eat spinach unless it's frozen, but I'll still eat bagged veggies and resh veggies. I'm not going to be paranoid like Barb and not eat any veggie, that's a bit ridiculous don't you think? |
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Molly Myspace My Twitter My FriendFeed My Facebook ![]() Boston Chihuahuas (I took this while at a Starbucks) | |
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| theonlyfab4fan | Sep 21 2006, 12:10 AM Post #25 |
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I AM THE BIGGEST JOHN FAN!
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Barb didn`t say she was not eating her veggies. She said she was avoiding salad type greens. I gather she was implying that she was avoiding fresh salad greens and for her that especially sucks since she lives in a part of the country where the vast majority of this nations salad greens are grown. It is a real shame not to be able to partake of that which is cheap, plentiful and readily available right in your own backyard so to speak. |
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You say you want to save humanity but it`s people that you just can`t stand John came to me in a dream and this is what he said. "I had a vision of a man on a flaming pie, and he told me that Betsy with a B not Lisa with a L is the biggest fan of mine". John trumps 'the boss' ! I WAS ROBBED BY THAT DEVIL WOMAN | |
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| BlueMolly2009 | Sep 21 2006, 12:41 AM Post #26 |
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LOLcat Freak
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I'm sorry if I implied that. I just don't think we should go overboard on this. I ate salad greens from a bag a few days ago and I feel fine. I'm going to continue eating the bagged greens unless they say not too. |
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Molly Myspace My Twitter My FriendFeed My Facebook ![]() Boston Chihuahuas (I took this while at a Starbucks) | |
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| theonlyfab4fan | Sep 21 2006, 12:45 AM Post #27 |
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I AM THE BIGGEST JOHN FAN!
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I guess it means you won`t be eating them raw then based on what you just said. This is quoted from and article that was posted on the previous page yesterday by jacaranda with the FDA recomendations for what to do at the present time concerning this problem. |
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You say you want to save humanity but it`s people that you just can`t stand John came to me in a dream and this is what he said. "I had a vision of a man on a flaming pie, and he told me that Betsy with a B not Lisa with a L is the biggest fan of mine". John trumps 'the boss' ! I WAS ROBBED BY THAT DEVIL WOMAN | |
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| King_Kameamea | Sep 21 2006, 01:03 AM Post #28 |
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Has anyone contacted Popeye? :lol: |
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| JanaW | Sep 21 2006, 04:22 AM Post #29 |
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Feact, you are absolutely right. i use NO chemicals. What I do use, if I need to use anything, are hydrosols and sprays made with herbal essential oils. For instance, if I need to spray my tomatos with something, I will add a few drops of basil essential oil to water and spray them with a spray bottle. These essential oil sprays work wonders at keeping the bugs at bay and the plants really seem to like them too. |
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If slaughterhouses had glass walls the whole world would be vegetarian. Linda McCartney | |
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| BeatleBarb | Sep 21 2006, 02:48 PM Post #30 |
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I said I'm not eating most salad type greens, including spinach. I'm eating other veggies, so I'm not being as ridiculous as you might think. |
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