Friday, August 19, 2016

The Food We Eat

*

Tehina and Hummus pastes and salads are very popular in Israel. So, whenever salmonella or other such bacteries are discovered in these products, consumers get hysterical. 

The latter react to the news as if they don't really know what is in the food sold at supermarkets or that served at restaurants  - all the time -  not only in the sample test results. The truth is salmonella and its friends cause unpleasant stomach and bowel issues, but one rarely dies of it, so people go on eating and ignoring, ignoring and eating.

Anyway, salmonella was found recently  not only in the above food items but also in granola (breakfast cereal). The Ministry of Health is busy now checking the hygiene standards of all involved as well as cancelling licenses of suppliers.
*
The other day, while at the supermarket, I came upon a jar with four big white fish meat balls. The label on the jar looked attractive: low calorie/high protein value, no sugar added. But then I saw the expiring date: 2020; we're not even in 2017 yet! That means the fish balls are packed with lots of preservatives.



*
The sad thing is that even if one prepares one's food at home, still the ingredients ( including veggies which could be contaminated  either by worms  or by chemicals used to destroy those worms)  - are bought from external sources:  the store or farmer markets. 

Those who grow their own food (veggies, meat, eggs, fruit) - do better, of course;  however a lot depends on the standard of hygiene in their homes and garden areas.

* internet pictures


22 comments:

  1. Well! This was not the post to read during my lunch hour when I'm having lunch at my desk! Luckily I'm not too squeamish. It's difficult to worry too much about the foods we eat. But I often wonder about all those preservatives. I can remember years ago my mom would buy a loaf of bread and if we didn't eat it right away in a few days it would be covered in green mold, now a loaf of bread never goes bad! Makes you realize why you shouldn't eat it!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Alicia,

    You're right. We cannot worry too much about the foods we eat. Afer all, bacteries and preservatives have been there for quite a long time , and yet we've managed to survive and, thank God, even live well.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I am a big fan of Israel cooking, Ottolenghi is my favorite autor of recipes ever!😀

    ReplyDelete
  4. Ola,

    Really? I'm glad to hear that. Yotam Ottolenghi is an israeli born who has become a british chef. His style of cooking is middle eastern/mediterranean - a combination of israeli and her neighbors' ingredients and dishes.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Like Gefilte if it's Mothers, do not Like carp, only whitefish.
    That date is awful. yvonne

    ReplyDelete
  6. La Petite Gallery,

    The expiring date is indeed awful. I should go have a word with the manager of the supermarket, and if the jars aren't taken off the shelves make a complaint to some higher authority.

    ReplyDelete
  7. We don't use pesticides in our garden. We use the old analog method of pulling the critter off the plant and stomping them with a tennis shoe.
    We're thinking of investing in a small greenhouse to extend our growing season. We much prefer eating the produce out of our garden.
    R

    ReplyDelete
  8. Rick Watson,

    That's very clever.
    Good Luck with your plan for a small greenhouse! It goes without saying that it's preferable to eat products out of your own garden.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Yes I see panic in our food manufacturers here, hubs works for one, over all these bacteria. They scrub, dress like they are doing surgery when they only make waffles! It is taken serious but I agree how can it be avoided. Part of the earth??

    ReplyDelete
  10. Kim@Stuff,

    Hi Kim,
    Your comment made me smile. The workers at the food plants do dress like surgeons, but it appears they can't do much about the evil organisms that are in the food products.

    ReplyDelete
  11. A very interesting post, Duta. I can't believe that the fish label said it expires in 2020! You have to really watch out for fish products. I've never tried Hummus, but many people like it. Yes, homegrown veggies are the best, but not all people have a vast area to grow the garden. Thanks for the latest info.

    Have a delightful week, Duta.

    ~Sheri

    ReplyDelete
  12. Red Rose Alley,

    With all due respect to Omega 3 (fish oil), as you say, one has to watch out for fish products. We have mercury and fish issues, freshness of fish, all kinds of microorganisms that connect to fish. And now this unbelievable expiring date...

    ReplyDelete
  13. interesting! in recent years I've been way more conscious of what i'm eating - ever since I did whole30 (which is only whole foods). i'm glad to see the world changing a bit and grocery stores stocking more and more things that I can deal with. its almost impossible to find something without sugar in it, but I have hope! one thing I read about recently (and this is just one tiny pebble in the midst of the quarry of problems) but is how a certain species of monkeys will become extinct if we don't stop destroying their rain forest habitat and how one thing that we can start by is not eating palm oil (its in SO MUCH). but anyway...yes, whole foods is the way to go really!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Krystal//Village,

    Well, awareness, consciouness to what we eat is the way to go.
    Sugar and salt are considered "silent killers" (diabetes, hypertension), and I promised myself to watch out. Too much of it is dangerous.

    ReplyDelete
  15. There have been recalls here on so many food items, and one even recently on lettuce. There are so many things that go on before food gets to our table that it is a bit scary and packing veggies in plastic is another huge issue that promotes bacteria but they continue to do it because people want convenience. And those fish balls dated good until 2020 makes me cringe.
    Happy Week Duta.

    ReplyDelete
  16. We're also in the middle of recalls due to salmonella and listeria bacteries found in various food products.
    "People want convenience", as you say, is the key to a lot of food problems. Suppliers fully exploit this convenience thing.
    Happy week to you too Nikki!

    ReplyDelete
  17. I so love hummus! I love the way people traveling have shared things like food with people, like me, who haven't traveled!
    Thank you for your kind comment on my blog! I appreciate it!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Jennifer A.Jilks,

    Me, too. I love it both as a dip and as a sandwich spread. The hummus paste has to be smooth with a delicate texture.

    ReplyDelete
  19. I always get sick in Central America. But it doesn't stop me. I worry though. About when it will strike! I love hummus. I'll try to ignore the possibilities. As always.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Ssharon Wagner,

    That's typical of human beings; we suspect or know things are not as they should be, and yet we ignore our fears and go right on and eat the stuff.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Can you believe that I have never tried hummus! Hugs ♥

    summerdaisycottage.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  22. Summer,

    You should. It's very tasty as an appetizer and as a dip scooped with some pita bread. Hummus is very popular in the Middle East.

    ReplyDelete