E. Coli fears prompt cookie dough recall Issues Beyond Palo Alto, posted by Walter_E_Wallis, a resident of the Midtown neighborhood, on Jun 20, 2009 at 5:40 am Walter_E_Wallis is a member (registered user) of Palo Alto Online
How many more thousands have to die, how many millions every year become ill because the LibLudds have opposed irradiation sterilization of foods? Gutless politicians who have no hesitation taking away our mobility in obeisance to the Great God Gore against the warranted objections of the majority of the people, run for cover from the slightest criticism by the loony left. Along with resurgent malaria deaths, the left has probably killed more people with their rejection of halogens and other food saving policies than they did with their grand prescription for Eden in the last century, communism.
Posted by Perspective, a resident of the Midtown neighborhood, on Jun 20, 2009 at 8:36 am
I had no idea, Walter.
Gives me something to research a bit. Are you saying that we don't use halogens or irradiation of foods to kill bacteria because of warrantless claims, like those who claim the killing of malaria carrying mosquitos with DDT is more dangerous to humans than the malaria which kills millions?
Posted by Walter_E_Wallis, a resident of the Midtown neighborhood, on Jun 20, 2009 at 10:38 am Walter_E_Wallis is a member (registered user) of Palo Alto Online
Posted by Sharon, a resident of the Midtown neighborhood, on Jun 20, 2009 at 11:09 am
Per todays WSJ. "staff at the CDC...came up with the hypothesis",....."Dr Williams said the CDC hasn't been able to figure out what in the dough caused the infection nor have federal health agencies found samples of Toll House products contaminated with the same strain."
Posted by Walter_E_Wallis, a resident of the Midtown neighborhood, on Jun 20, 2009 at 12:03 pm Walter_E_Wallis is a member (registered user) of Palo Alto Online
"Crazy talk"? - Like the latest Palin panic?
"...random message board...." - Hey, Palo Alto is where it all starts, umm.
As for moving to Washington, the last time I was there I noted, when driving from Arlington back to DC, the first sight is two gold plated horses, er, posteriors.
Posted by Walter_E_Wallis, a resident of the Midtown neighborhood, on Jun 20, 2009 at 7:07 pm Walter_E_Wallis is a member (registered user) of Palo Alto Online
Radiation is neither the only nor even always the best germ killer, but it does fill a gap in the weapons against food borne germs. Ground meat and poultry especially both for the sake of their own consumption as well as their roll in contamination of prep surfaces. Pathogens grow.
Posted by Sharon, a resident of the Midtown neighborhood, on Jun 20, 2009 at 7:33 pm
irradiation makes sense, but in fact most of the people who get sick in these cases already have their immune compromised by AIDS, liver transplant or others matters requiring immuno-suppressant drugs.
At some point we have to do a cost benefit analysis, those on immuno-suppressant drugs are a very tiny fraction of the population, they should be careful, but they should not determine the choices of the vast majority.
Those who have a normal immune system will not be effected in any way.
Any one who has been to Mexico knows the difference between food safety here and in the 3rd world.
Posted by Walter_E_Wallis, a resident of the Midtown neighborhood, on Jun 20, 2009 at 7:43 pm Walter_E_Wallis is a member (registered user) of Palo Alto Online
The vast majority assign food safety to those trained in risk assessment and cost benefit analysis. We should not substitute the prattlings of ignorant ideologues for learned discussion.
Posted by Outside Observer, a resident of another community, on Jun 20, 2009 at 7:55 pm
Sharon,
"Any one who has been to Mexico knows the difference between food safety here and in the 3rd world. "
That distinction is becoming less and less true as a practical matter. Most food industry jobs are going to 3rd worlders, many of whom are illegals. An unintended consequence of having others do jobs Americans are "supposedly" unwilling to do..... That is, if you believe that's the case in the current economy.
Yes, we do have high standards of food safety in law, and a plethora of agencies for enforcement, but they can't be everywhere at all times, and that seems to be what's required now.
Posted by Walter_E_Wallis, a resident of the Midtown neighborhood, on Jun 21, 2009 at 5:10 am Walter_E_Wallis is a member (registered user) of Palo Alto Online
Being Sacramento raised I, as most young there, was aware of the canning industry. I was aware of the stainless fixtures, and the hosing and steam cleaning process and of some piping dismantled at the end of a run - but I was also aware of the jam pot or the soup pot, with the assurance the cookers would make it safe. A mouse in canned goods is upsetting but safe. Pasteurization, radiation and fumigation are just additional weapons, and each one must be used with an objective understanding of strength and weakness. I have even advocated taking the wash basins out of toilets and placing them where everyone can see you using or bypassing hand washing.
When both the science and the engineering are mature, it is time for the dilettantes to step aside and return to the Sunday Supplements for their passions.
Posted by Walter_E_Wallis, a resident of the Midtown neighborhood, on Jun 26, 2009 at 8:47 am Walter_E_Wallis is a member (registered user) of Palo Alto Online
Oddly enough you are partially correct. But it was the left politicians who made it policy.
Posted by Resident, a resident of Another Palo Alto neighborhood, on Jun 26, 2009 at 8:58 am
I was always taught, by science teacher, home economics (cookery) teacher and my mother, that we should never ever eat raw egg in any shape or form. Eggs always contain bacteria of some form and cooking kills them and makes them safe to eat. I even remember a time when eating "runny" fried or boiled eggs was considered harmful and that we should always cook eggs until the yolks were hard.
To get sick from cookie dough someone would have to eat a whole batch of raw dough rather than just lick the spoon as most of us would do.
Teaching healthy eating habits would be a lot more sensible than putting out a scare like this.
Posted by Paul, a resident of the Downtown North neighborhood, on Jun 26, 2009 at 12:42 pm
"Oddly enough you are partially correct. But it was the left politicians who made it policy."
Well, you know how spineless those Birkie wearing, brie eating, white wine sipping lefties are. Tell those rightie whackos to stick to fluoridation and back off on irradiation, and maybe we'll get somewhere with this.
Posted by Walter_E_Wallis, a resident of the Midtown neighborhood, on Jun 26, 2009 at 3:59 pm Walter_E_Wallis is a member (registered user) of Palo Alto Online
Paul, the right listens to me less than does the left. I'm just an old country engineer whose bibles were Marks and Keenan & Keys.
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How many more thousands have to die, how many millions every year become ill because the LibLudds have opposed irradiation sterilization of foods? Gutless politicians who have no hesitation taking away our mobility in obeisance to the Great God Gore against the warranted objections of the majority of the people, run for cover from the slightest criticism by the loony left. Along with resurgent malaria deaths, the left has probably killed more people with their rejection of halogens and other food saving policies than they did with their grand prescription for Eden in the last century, communism.
