Micro-biologist Ann Loving, a Professor at Passaic County Community College in New Jersey, put together a team to study whether or not bacteria is transferred from the lemon slices restaurants use in water, sodas and other drinks. Her summarized test and findings were:
- The team tested the lemons in 21 restaurants.
- 77% of the lemon slices tested (2 of 3) had disease-causing organisms.
- The flesh and rind of the lemon slices were tested, both of which had organisms.
- 25 different organisms were found including those causing Staff Infections to Fecal Bacteria.
All together now, YICK!
Although this is obviously a serious health concern for anyone, it is particularly important for those with impaired health or a suppressed immune system. Don't stop eating or using lemons at home, however, as they are a wonderful source of vitamin C and very useful for balancing the body's Ph. For those of you who prefer limes the implications are pretty obvious, aren't they.
A final thought on the micro-organisms transfer and illness issue. Recent studies in Europe determined that those who eat out and drink alcohol with their meal have a much lesser chance of picking up a micro-organism from their restaurant-prepared meal. So when your boss does an intervention with you about your drinking habits, be prepared. As s/he points out the expensive whiskey you put on the corporate tab during your last few business trips, just tell her/him the truth. You were only protecting your health.
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Comments: 54
Thanks.
John: Oh sure, question the funding for the study, no comment about what it reveals. Many universities use these studies for training tools for researchers, pre med students etc. Assuring food safety is not in any way a waste of funding.
I eat a lot of lemons at home, but I wash them first. I will not have lemons outside anymore. However, the situation here is NOT nearly as bad as Mexico, where you WILL get sixk if you have a salad or fruit if it is not
'lavabo en agua purificado'.
Elizabeth, your article is a Feature in the Triple Name Club.
Otherwise this reminds me of the video of the glasses in Hotel rooms. Even the best hotels had staff cleaning the classes with the same rags they cleaned the toilets with - it was a hidden camera disgusting expose - UGH!
What about the various things they put in mixed drinks? I assume the alcohol sanitizes them?
So I'm not exactly sweating about it.
Thank you for posting to : Recipe Tips, Household hints and More. Your recipe, tip or household hint is really appreacited in helping us all make a happy home.
Whatever I do I'd better keep my husband away from this article, or he'll never take me out to eat or on vacation.:)
Michael H., you are completely correct. Some germ interaction is good for humans, only because otherwise our immune systems don't know what to do with themselves and cause us other auto-immune issues.
Rachel, I think it wasn't the number of organisms that was of concern, but what types of organisms they were. On the other hand, I have known restaurant owners and service workers who were so immaculate about themselves and their work spaces that I'd be safer eating there than at home.
I guess this 'lemon-gate' thing just really got to me as I love lemons and I've been drinking that lemon water every day for several months. Maybe those of us who have a favorite restaurant should clue in the managers/workers/owners and hopefully it will make a difference. Lemons are so good for you (unless you take certain medications).
Since the US has no long standing food traditions of its own, the regulation of food connected businesses is an imperative. I have had a restaurateur friend tell me that he has not had an inspector on the premises in years. Dinning with friends at a famous chain restaurant, I remarked to one of my companions, - as she removed a piece of china from her mouth - "Eating out these days has become a leap of faith."
Alcohol is still regarded by many as an evil. It would be wise, however, to regard it as a useful tool. Use it judiciously, as you would any other tool, and you will benefit. It has long been known that the addition of wine to meals is not only enjoyable, but also beneficial. A study many years ago found that those who drank wine with shellfish dinners were much less likely to acquire food-born illnesses.
It is my practice to enjoy 375 milliliters of wine with dinner every night. In addition to that, I recommend that we choose foods that have been only minimally handled and processed.
Sorry Elizabeth, for being so long-winded on this one.
Thanks!
At home, i always scrub lemon, lime and other rinds with a brush and a drop of dish detergent because I know they will touch food and drinks.
Thanks for publishing to What's the Point?
Please check out my husband's First Tracks entry. Voting starts March 3.
I bring my own bottled water to drink sometimes, I keep one in my purse when I 'm on the go...
Thats interesting about the drinking alcohol part :))
It's like the study of bar nut's- we don't eat them but the study says there soaked in urine...another ewwww..
And my hubby said he just watched a thing the other day "about how dirty airplane bathrooms" are, covered in germs ,and that many of the visiters in there don't wash thier hands..another yuck !!
A good reason to stick with my wine anyway. I just pray they don't come out with an expose on the grapepickers next :).