Posted on 08/14/2006 10:57:09 AM PDT by blam
Fruity hitchhikers leave you heaving
14 August 2006
Beware the mild-mannered melon. Researchers at the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have found that since 1973 the cantaloupe melon has been responsible for at least 28 outbreaks of food poisoning in the US and Canada that have left more than 1600 people ill and at least two dead.
Of these outbreaks, 68 per cent occurred during the last decade, with Salmonella being the predominant culprit (Epidemiology and Infection, DOI: 10.1017/SO950268805005480).
The actual number of cases could be far higher, since one-offs often go unreported, say the researchers. "Fruit and vegetable produce is now a major source of outbreaks, at the same level as we used to see in meat," says CDC epidemiologist Christopher Braden at the National Center for Infectious Diseases in Atlanta, Georgia.
(Excerpt) Read more at newscientist.com ...
Biological warfare.
The Musk Melon (Cantalope) originated in Iran.
It's a little-known but lugubrious fact that life invariably ends in death.
I just returned from the grocery store, lugged a watermelon and two cantalopes up to the ninth floor and logged on the Free Republic to read this story.
Egads!
People get sick from slicing melons without washing the skins first. The action of cutting them puts bacteria on the fruit.
Unlikely. A lot of these fruits and veggies are grown south of the border, where the municipal sanitary systems double as irrigation systems.
Simple: wash 'em first.
According to an old doctor of mine, the cause is equally simple: field laborers relieving themselves.
Just the cantelope I wonder? Not honeydew or watermelon?
I would assume the melon has to pick it up the bugs from some other source like chicken and just provides them a fertile growing environment.
OK - In 33 years 50 people a year have gotten sick out of a population of 300 million. Must be a slow day atthe panic-science office.
People get sick from slicing melons without washing the skins first. The action of cutting them puts bacteria on the fruit.
now you tell me....
Wonder how many folks get ill from not washing their soda or beer can before drinking?
That's why I drink beer.
Put them in the bath tub and pour bleach water over them. Rinse well with pure water, eat.(3/4 cup bleach per one gallon water)
I've seen some nasty mystery sh!! on the tops of beer cans. Didn't faze the guys at all. Pulled the zip and put on their lip.
Me, I drink beer from a bottle. After I wipe it.
If you ever worked in a place that ships those containers you would NEVER drink from one again
I know someone who use to work at a brewery- he washed each bottle or can first then poured it into a glass- every single time
I figure the beer kills whatever might be lurking on the lid. Especially the stuff I drink.
Yup....fairly simple concept too. Just like washing your apples plucked from the store shelf before eating one.....Rule No. 1: Everyone....wash your fruits and veggies well before eating raw.
Yee gads, ya dont need that much bleach in the water. The USDA recommendation is about two tablespoons of bleach per gallon of water. Washing fruit and veggies in this, sterilizes the skins and prevents early rotting.
Also you might consider that a lot of the canteloupes are imported from outside of the US where they use human feces for fertilizer.
I'm calling the health department for their recommendations, but thanks for the advice anyway.
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