 |
FREE Natural Health Newsletter
Receive natural health product reviews, recommendations and alerts.
Instant download of 20+ free health reports and exclusive interviews.
Join over 1.2 million monthly readers.
|
 |
|
(NaturalNews) Many supermarkets and food stores stock packaged, trimmed or cut lettuce and spinach as well as other green leaves. It is these minimally processed types of lettuce and spinach that attract food-borne pathogens such as listeria monocytogenes and yersinia enterocolitica. Listeria is the cause of a range of illnesses from flu to the very dangerous meningitis, and Y. Enerocolitica leads to gastric conditions such as diarrhoea.
The reason for the occurrence of the bacteria is that the bacteria have a supportive environment in which to develop. The moisture content, the possible temperature variation and the use of packaging contribute to the development and growth of the bacteria.
Food scientists claim that adhering to best practices in manufacturing and storage will help limit the growth of bacteria. These practices include good manufacturing processes and sanitation, effective control of temperature while storing and distributing products, and limiting the shelf-life expectancy of the products.
Consumers may consider further reducing health risks by purchasing whole heads of lettuce or complete bunches of spinach that are not kept in plastic packaging. These can then be washed using commercially available vegetable wash. Another method is to mix a drop of chlorine in a gallon of water and rinse all produce in the mixture (1).
Lettuce is prone to other forms of bacteria. E. Coli is a fecal bacteria that may also be associated with a range of fresh products. Washing produce is ineffective in removing E. Coli as it is typically within the plant.
Perhaps more well known is salmonella. According to plant scientist Michel Klerks, scientist at Plant Research International, salmonella can spread on and within the lettuce plant. Klerks is investigating ways to reduce the amount of both E. Coli and salmonella from cow manure and thus the fields where lettuce is grown (2). It is believed that one source of these bacteria is the high number of pathogens in cow manure and the aim is to reduce the amount of pathogens.
Both bacteria cause gastroenteritis (diarrhoea), and the elderly as well as young infants are typically prone to all bacterial infections. It is these groups that are likely to have less developed immune systems making them more susceptible to infection. Given this, the aim would be to improve and strengthen the immune system.
Authorities believe the solution lies in irradiating food as a step against bacterial infections. However concern about the value, logistics, consequent loss of quality, as well as the unknown impact of irradiated food on our health system are issues of concern. If the existence of the bacteria is due to unsanitary practices in growing, packing, shipping and storing then these must be addressed.
Some suspect that the nutritional value of the food would be impacted by the radiation which would lead to more nutritional deficiencies and hence disease for the general population, which would affect more than those that are prone to food-borne infections. Are we to be so managed we are given no choice? What level of control in a democratic country is appropriate over what is allowed to go into our bodies?
References:
1. (http://naturopathiccounselor.com/Ecoli.html)
2. (www.pri.wur.nl/UK/newsagenda/news/Food_...)
About the authorLynn Berry is passionate about personal development, natural health care, justice and spirituality. She has a website at www.lynn-berry.com.
Get articles like this delivered to you FREE in our popular email newsletter
|
 |
Is Your Fish Oil Supplement Obsolete?Why did the Health Ranger ditch fish oil and krill oil? He found something that's more potent and more sustainable.
Click here to find out more
This is the revolutionary omega-3 oil you've been hearing about. Click the link above to find out more.
|
The Health Ranger reveals financial protection strategies for tough timesThis eight-CD audio seminar was recorded LIVE by the Health Ranger in October. It reveals everything you need to know to survive the coming economic turmoil.
Click here to protect yourself now
"Guaranteed to deliver the most powerful financial protection advice you've ever seen or your money back!" - Mike Adams, the Health Ranger
|
Recommended Products Related to This Article*:Boku Superfood High-potency superfood powder for preventing numerous diseases
Living Fuel SuperBerry Ultimate Delicious superfood meal powder for disease prevention, antioxidant boost
Appetite for Profit (free download) Free download summary of this top book for discovering the truth about food companies
Vitamineral Green from Healthforce Nutrient-dense superfood powder for disease prevention, body alkalizing & more
Better Than Roasted - Macadamia Nuts☯ The most delicious raw nut spread ever for heart health, circulatory health
Additional Products of Interest to AllBreville Juice Fountain Elite 800JEXL☯ Simply the best juicer in the world for fast, easy juicing
Paraliminal Audio Courses☯ Powerful mind-enhancing audio therapy for reprogramming your mind for a new future
How to Halt Diabetes in 25 Days☯ Health Ranger guide to reversing diabetes for reversing type-2 diabetes
Preparedness Tools Natural News Bundle☯ For preparedness and safety: 60% off for preparing for natural disasters
Katadyn Exstream XR Water Purifier☯ #1 personal water purifier for clean, pristine water in seconds
Healing Cancer From the Inside Out (DVD) Amazing, eye-opening cancer documentary for anyone wanting to know the truth on cancer
Zeitgeist: Addendum - Must-See Movie A shocking documentary about money for people who wan to know the real truth
The Genie In Your Genes by Dawson Church A free, downloadable summary of this book for learning about the biology of intention
Spirulina Pacifica Pure, pristine spirulina superfood for cancer prevention, alkalizing, immune func
The Biology of Belief by Bruce Lipton A free download of Biology of Belief for learning about the mind-biology connection
The Weiss Method for Heart Disease☯ How to reverse heart disease naturally for heart disease, high cholesterol
Hair Soap A pure, simple and chemical-free shampoo for washing hair without chemicals
Exposed! The Toxic Chemistry of Products Free summary of this shocking book for learning the truth about toxic products
Aloe Vera 100 Pure, dried 100% aloe vera gel flakes for sludge blood, IBS, Crohn's disease
Free download: Selling Sickness (summary) Read the best book on disease mongering for learning the truth about Big Pharma
Revealed: Natural Health Solutions (free) Free summary of book by Mike Adams for learning censored natural health remedies
Katadyn MicroPur Water Purifier Tablets☯ The best water purification tablets for purifying almost any water source
Fucoxanthin with PinnoThin Natural appetite suppressant for obesity, overweight, overeating
Zyflamend Powerful anti-inflammatory herbal formula for arthritis, joint pain, inflammation
Nascent Iodine Miraculous nascent iodine solution for thyroid function, Alzheimer's, brain func.
Blood Support Halts growth of cancer tumors for breast cancer and all cancers
Amaz-a-Power Amazing wild berry tincture from Peru for eye & brain protection, cancer prevention
P-73 Oreganol Potent source of wildcrafted oregano oil for parasites, heart disease, immune func.
Ocean Minerals Pure Magnesium Oil #1 product for magnesium therapy for back pain, heart health, muscle health
MGC-5 Mushroom Extracts Potent extracts of medicinal mushrooms for reversing cancer, boosting immune function
* Products do NOT pay to be listed here. These are genuine, independent recommendations by the Health Ranger
☯ Products with this symbol are sold by NaturalNews or its affiliates and earn revenues for NaturalNews
|
|