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Green Food & Drink
Bagged Salad – How Clean Is It?
In 2006, there was an outbreak of E.coli in the United States. There were 5 deaths and more than 200 cases of illness. The cause was contaminated, bagged spinach which the victims had been eaten raw. Also in 2006, pre-packaged iceberg lettuce served in restaurants resulted in another outbreak of E.coli. Understandably, people became concerned about pre-packaged leafy greens. How safe is bagged salad now? Consumer Reports tested an extensive sample of bagged salads and released the results in March 2010. While the deadly E.coli was not present, many other bacteria were. This indicates poor sanitation in the growing and processing of the greens. What Does It Mean? Obviously, many people consume greens from bagged salads every day with no apparent ill effect. However, the presence of the non-deadly bacteria does indicate unsanitary conditions. Thus, it would seem that the conditions still exist that could result in another E.coli outbreak. The problem is, it's frustratingly difficult to pin down just what causes one of these outbreaks. And with unsanitary conditions still in place, the potential for an outbreak to happen again is undeniable. What Is Meant by "Unsanitary Conditions"? When salad greens are in the field and after they are harvested, they are exposed to various potential ...- Bookmark :
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Bottled Water Controversy
There is a real controversy going on about bottled water today. Is it really better than tap water? "The Story of Bottled Water" was released on YouTube in honor of World Water Day. This is an innovative narration on the problem with the bottled water we like to buy today. Almost immediately the "International Bottled Water Association" stated this video as sensational. Then it brought out its short film stating the practices of sustainability, which their members participate with including brands such as Nestle. The bottled-water story though stated that the companies that bring out bottled water are frightening consumers into believing their tap water is contaminated and dirty, when at the same time they use tap water in their bottling process. Two of the companies that do this that were mentioned in the video were Coke's Dasani and Pepsi's Aquafina. Annie Leonard is doing the narration for this video. The video points out landfills get about 80 percent of the used plastic bottles or they get burned up. Of course the "International Bottled Water Association" states that things are different that 30.9 percent of the water bottles are actually recycled. Tom Lauria, the VP of communications for the association, states "Consumers are ...- Bookmark :
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Smart Ways to Reduce Your Home Food Waste
Sometimes it seems like we throw out more food than we eat. While that probably isn't true, the average household does waste a lot of food. Here are some ideas for cutting down your home food waste. Compost While you are still discarding the leftover food when you compost, you are recycling it into a useful substance that can be used to grow more food (or anything else you like) in the garden. Only compost food that has no other use and can't be recycled in the kitchen anymore. Smaller Portions It's interesting to note that studies have shown that the size of the plate makes a difference in how much we eat. Smaller plates mean smaller portions, and while going back for seconds is not taboo, it still holds true that smaller plates result in less food being consumed at a meal. So break out the "salad plates" and other smaller dishes, and cook and serve up smaller portions. Larger Portions Yes, this is the opposite of smaller portions, but increasing the amount of food you cook in one session in the kitchen can actually help reduce waste. If you double a recipe, for example, you spend the same amount of time and energy in ...- Bookmark :
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Simple Steps to Eat More Ethically
Are you concerned about the farming methods and other processes that go into producing and growing food? More and more people are with you - there is a growing desire to know where our food comes from and to be more connected with it. Concerns about potentially unethical farming practices have prompted many people to become better shoppers and eat more ethically. Here are some steps you can take to make your table a more ethical one. 1. Find out where your food comes from. Make phone calls, do a search online, and don't be afraid to ask questions. If a store is not transparent and forthright regarding its food's origins, find somewhere else to shop. Local, smaller stores are probably less likely to give you the runaround, especially because the store's owner is often readily available. Ask for the name and contact information of the store's food supply sources. That way, you can research and contact the source directly rather than just taking the store's word for it. 2. Organic food is produced without the use of synthetic, toxic pesticides, herbicides, or fungicides, making it a healthier and more environmentally-friendly choice. Because of the lack of poisons, organic food should be ...- Bookmark :
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How Safe Is Chicken?
When you cook chicken, you are probably careful to cook it thoroughly. You probably also know to use bleach or other disinfectant on your cutting board and knife, or any surface with which the raw poultry has come in contact. And of course, you have to wash your hands before preparing the salad. Why all the precautions? The problem is, many chickens are contaminated with bacteria. Thorough cooking and cleanliness are supposed to protect you from these germs, but is that enough? Why is raw chicken so unsafe, or is it? Bacteria According to the United States Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), stringent inspection of chicken carcasses prior to their being up for sale in the store means that bacterial contamination is usually the result of how the chicken is handled by the food preparer. However, it's worth noting that chicken eggs also have been found to contain bacteria inside the shell, and bacterial contamination can penetrate the meat to the bone - this indicates the presence of bacteria on the farm and inside the chicken long before the cook gets a hold of it. The FSIS notes this list of food-borne bacteria associated with chicken. * Salmonella is found in chickens' ...- Bookmark :
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