Deadly Dangers in the Foods We Love

[Joe]

The deadly danger in common foods

 

[MadamSarcastra]

21 Dangerous & Deadly Dishes | The Huffington Post

http://www.delish.com/food/g1543/foods-that-kill/?slide=17

Obviously we don't need to worry about the meat, shellfish, etc.... but I didn't know about castor oil!

 

[Joe]

but I didn't know about castor oil!

Stupid question: Is castor oil used as a cooking oil or as a food? I thought it was just a laxative.

 

[MadamSarcastra]

Stupid question: Is castor oil used as a cooking oil or as a food? I thought it was just a laxative.

I remember hearing about it as a very old-school remedy... a spoonful of castor oil before bed or whatever. That was before my time, thankfully.

Here's this, though: 20 Strange but Effective Everyday Uses for Castor Oil - DIY & Crafts

 

[Joe]

Here's this, though: 20 Strange but Effective Everyday Uses for Castor Oil - DIY & Crafts

Fascinating. I think I am getting bouts of arthitus, so may try this use out.

 

[MadamSarcastra]

FDA Finds Hazards Lurking In Parsley, Cilantro, Guacamole

 

[Lucian Hodoboc]

Why do they allow them to sell rhubarb with its leaves in stores if the leaves are known to be poisonous? That's irresponsible of the Bureau of Consumer Protection.

 

[Benjamin Ehinger]

Before we just assume everything we read is true, what's the source of the information? This article isn't about everyday foods, but about rare cases. Interesting read, however.

 

[Mischief]

Why do they allow them to sell rhubarb with its leaves in stores if the leaves are known to be poisonous? That's irresponsible of the Bureau of Consumer Protection.

Rhubarb wilts very quickly and much more quickly once the leaves are removed.

That being said, I don't think I've ever seen it in a store with the leaves still on.

 

[Mischief]

I knew that castor plants, and especially the seeds (beans) are poisonous, but I never made the connection to castor oil (which I've only read about, never encountered IRL).

 

[Joe]

I knew that castor plants, and especially the seeds (beans) are poisonous, but I never made the connection to castor oil (which I've only read about, never encountered IRL).

I picked up aq small bottle of castor oil in Kroger's. I think I read somewhere that if you apply it topically, it can help remove skin tags. I guess castor oil is or was also used as a laxative, but I'd be very hesitant to ingest it.

 

[Mischief]

My mother used to plant some castor beans for landscaping purposes when I was growing up. They were annuals, of course, but they grew rapidly, reaching the roof line by early July, and made a very spectacular show. I remember being cautioned to not put any part of the plant in my mouth.

 

[Andy_T]

Have been eating apples including the core for 40+ years, still alive

 

[Mischief]

Have been eating apples including the core for 40+ years, still alive

You're obviously a freak.

I eat the cores too. An animal the size of a human would have the eat a hell of a lot if apple seeds at a time in order to suffer adverse consequences.

 

[Andy_T]

How salad became a major source of food poisoning in the US

Of course, hidden somewhere in the article:

The bacteria are typically transmitted from animals to humans through animal excrement that has contaminated food or water.

 

[Skylark]

Why do they allow them to sell rhubarb with its leaves in stores if the leaves are known to be poisonous? That's irresponsible of the Bureau of Consumer Protection.

I have only ever seen rhubarb stalks for sale in stores and farmers’ markets. I grow it myself, and I was already aware of the danger in the leaves. I read that some people died during WWII by heeding US gov’t advice to grow and eat lots of rhubarb stalks and leaves. But a leaf or two won’t do more than make the average person queasy.