Some Dole salad mixes have been recalled due to finding E. coli in the lettuce. So far the lettuce recall is limited specifically to a salad mix type called "Hearts Delight" and affects nine U.S. states and parts of Canada.
You can read more about it at the Associated Press (AP) release.
This CBS news story explains that the problem with E. coli may be due to contamination in the irrigation of the lettuce.
According to the Center For Disease control, E. coli bacteria can cause severe bloody diarrhea and abdominal cramps. The disease is most serious for young children and the elderly.
When I heard about the recall my first thought was "how is this work-from-home mom ever going to manage to get fit if even salad is contaminated?" (Regular Work From Home Momma feed readers know that I blog often about the struggle to stay fit.)
My next thought was, "Oh no, I just bought four bags of salad yesterday." (It was a relief for me to find out that, so far, the contaminated bags have not been traced to my state.)
Earlier food recalls this summer include a spinach recall and a popcorn recall.
What should a work-at-home mom do? The recent food recalls don't mean that we should give up our quest to be fit or that processed food is suddenly healthier than fresh food.
What it does mean is that the food producers should investigate their growing processes to see if contamination can be reduced. This might indicate a need for more frequent testing.
In the meantime, it might be a good idea to wash fresh produce before you eat it. Washing might not protect you -- but if you have clean water it surely won't hurt. (Washing produce is something that I was taught to do as I was growing up.)
What about you? Are you trying to stay fit? Do you worry about contamination of the nation's produce?
Leave a comment and let us know.
Image used by permission: Dan Shirley through Stock Xchng.
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