Severe Nausea and Explosive Diarrhea
Posted: Saturday, July 11, 2009
by Jon Searles
The descriptive and slightly displeasing phrase that titles this has been stuck in my brain for over 20 years since I sat through lectures on Veterinary Public Health at Texas A&M University on my way to my degree in Food Science and Technology. The reason this course was taught by those in the Veterinary Sciences had a lot to do with the fact that most of the most serious food borne illnesses are a result of contamination of our food products by animal sources. This contamination leads to food poisoning, as we generally call it, and has resulted recently in several high profile national stories concerning contaminated food.
In the not so distant past, most people, doctors, and hospitals were not able to link cases of illness and death as it related to investigations involving what the victims consumed. Many times the illness came and went so fast that the health professional's first job of healing was more important than reporting the results of bacterial colonies found in stool samples of their patients or whether their patients had eaten unbaked cookie dough. National medical databases were just not a normal reporting practice, not to mention the over abundance of news channels working hard to find the next story that can occupy the air time for every minute of every hour on a slow news days. Let me assure you that food borne illness had been around as long as man, and as long as man views every new discovery as a possible food source and financial possibility for nationwide distribution, food borne illness is here to stay. The stories of national outbreaks will only grow and food manufacturing companies will face much more scrutiny than ever before.
My goal for this column is to bring information as it relates to the industrial food manufacturing, food trends, and generally what we are willing to put in our mouths and digest. This column will be used to review books, magazines, movies, and television shows as they relate to the consuming habits of our nation. Organic, natural, free range, grass fed, feed lot cattle, preservatives, why lemon juice is great in a marinade and bacon fat makes everything taste so good will all eventually be part of the topics covered. Although my intent is not to swap recipes, there may be enough room on a slow writing day to share a tomato and Vidalia onion pie recipe that my kids really like. As the dominant species on this planet we are all victims and we also the part of a group that can be categorized as a Capitalistic Omnivore. Remember as you read this please take a moment to look down below your nose before you put it in your mouth.
Hi Jon."Food manufacturers" all by itself is a scary concept. Shouldn't the food we eat be grown or raised? Not cobbled together with all kinds of crap to make it last longer on the shelf. Shouldn't it be fresh?Personally, I am very glad that you are going to address the issues surrounding the food we eat. I hope everyone pays close attention.Singing in the choir :)DiannePlease log in to respond to this comment.Hi Dianne,In college I purchased a book that lists ingredients on the GRAS list. GRAS stands for "generally recognized as safe." The word "generally" has always bothered me because many items in the book qualify as the "crap" you refer to. Thanks for reading and hopefully I can share something useful.Please log in to respond to this comment.
Hi Jon, count me in but only if that tomato and Vidalia onion pie recipe is included. I look forward to reading your future articles for this column, Jon. I'm trying to become a vegetarian and I believe you have been sent my way! A foot and mouth article that should be read by the masses. I'll look down and think of you! *grin* Hoping all's well with you, your bride and family.Please log in to respond to this comment.Hello Avis,I have been trying to decide what type of column to write and finally decided to write about what I have been doing for over 20 years, manufacturing food. I thought it a good idea to actually write about something I know about. As a vegetarian you have a host of edible options that do not require any additives or preservatives. Keep egg whites, peanut butter, cheese, and yogurt in mind since it will stop some of the meat craving until you have mastered your vegetarian goal. I hope all is well.Please log in to respond to this comment.
