Spoilt Food | ExpatWoman.com
 

Spoilt Food

4000
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 25 March 2011 - 20:02

Having just chucked a tub of riccotta cheese I bought yesterday into the bin I'm getting a bit tired of finding spoilt items in the shopping. The incidence of this seems to be increasing-Just in the last 7 days I have had from various different well known supermarkets

Salmon that was tainted
Riccotta that was sour
Steak that was rancid
Yogurt that was off
Mince meat that was high
Frozen green beans off

Its not practical to drive all the way back to return the item each time, I think a lot of the problem is due to some shoppers abandoning fridge items at the check out where they then sit until they go off and then I suppose staff return them to the shelves.

We have no way of knowing if sealed items are off and its a real nusiance and risk - anyone else experiencing this a lot or am I just lucky?

596
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EW GURU
Latest post on 27 March 2011 - 17:03
Pilotsprincess, take the 3rd one back to the store today and speak to a manager. Sounds like problem with the complete shipment.
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 27 March 2011 - 16:37
sorry but im LOL @ the irony of ppl complaining that sour cream is...well... sour !!! :D
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EW GURU
Latest post on 27 March 2011 - 15:35
I've bought the big casino tubs of creme fraiche at Lemarche and C4 (or was it geant?) and they've been perfectly fine.
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EW EXPERT
Latest post on 27 March 2011 - 14:43
I only buy the UHT cream as had too many of the other that is off. For sour cream, but single UHT cream, add salad, white pepper and lemon juice.... voila sour cream or use creme fraiche with a little more lemon juice.
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 27 March 2011 - 14:27
Whenever possible I ask the butcher to cut fresh pieces of meat, rather than getting the pre packed stuff on the shelf. This is especially important with any minced meat..as the surface area of mince is so great it is easily prone to developing bacteria quickly. Also, if you ask them to mince a cut for you then you know it's fresh, provided the cut is fresh of course. With chicken I only buy the French corn fed one now, as the Spinneys own ones are hideous. I got severe food poisoning a few weeks ago from their supposedly fresh kievs, and am convinced that old meat is used for any of those pre prepared fresh meal things like the kievs or kebabs. As for sour cream, that one has always baffled me as I have never yet managed to get a tub which isn't very very off. Generally we do ok, but I think only because i've gone very European Mama style and enquire a lot, am obsessed with inspecting produce before buying and insist on meats being cut and packed in front of me.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 27 March 2011 - 12:48
I've had perfectly lovely looking, perfectly ripe feeling mangoes that were full of maggots, also have had a lot of trouble with sour cream. The only brand of sour cream I've found that is consistently okay is Knudsen (from the US). It doesn't taste as nice as the British stuff, but then again I don't have to throw it away the moment I open it, so I'm happy enough.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 27 March 2011 - 12:35
Just been grocery shopping. Walked past the back entrance of Sys. Pallets of yoghurt, sour cream etc unloaded...walked past 45 minutes later..[u'>same [/u'>pallets still sitting there, baking in the sun. :\: I am begining to wonder about people saying they are having problems with food.I have lived a very long time in this part of the world and have not had any problems with supermarkets and if concerned about an item that is visibling not looking ok I don't purchase it. I wonder too. I've lived in various parts of UAE for the past 15 years and shopped from different supermarkets. We have a fairly balanced diet and buy veggies, meat [fresh and processed'>, seafood, cheese and dairy. And I've only had a problem with the food ONCE. A lot of the issues that people are recounting could have been prevented if they checked the production dates [as opposed to the expiration dates'> of the packaged foods [i'>and[/i'> visually assessed the physical appearance of the fresh food. I do check the production dates on everything I buy, I'm meticulous about it, but in my case, you can't open a pot of sour cream in the middle of the supermarket to check if it's off or not. I do look at the packaging to see if it's blown, I shake it to see if it sounds ok, but without actually opening it in the shop how do I know? And if the expiration date hasn't passed, and indeed is into the future, why shouldn't I expect it to be edible? Cream (sour and otherwise) is my only example, everything else I've had has seemed to be fine. But maybe that's because I'm the crazy woman in the fresh aisles assessing every packet of meat before I buy it.
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 27 March 2011 - 12:16
Production dates don't mean anything, if produce has got warm in transit....just on the weekend I went to buy milk, and the first bottle I went to pick up was warm, so I got the one behind, and gave the warm one to the spinney's man packing the shelves....unfortunately I am sure he will have put it back on the shelf once I was out of eyesight.......
251
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 27 March 2011 - 10:38
I am begining to wonder about people saying they are having problems with food.I have lived a very long time in this part of the world and have not had any problems with supermarkets and if concerned about an item that is visibling not looking ok I don't purchase it. I wonder too. I've lived in various parts of UAE for the past 15 years and shopped from different supermarkets. We have a fairly balanced diet and buy veggies, meat [fresh and processed'>, seafood, cheese and dairy. And I've only had a problem with the food ONCE. A lot of the issues that people are recounting could have been prevented if they checked the production dates [as opposed to the expiration dates'> of the packaged foods [i'>and[/i'> visually assessed the physical appearance of the fresh food. I do check the production dates on everything I buy, I'm meticulous about it, but in my case, you can't open a pot of sour cream in the middle of the supermarket to check if it's off or not. I do look at the packaging to see if it's blown, I shake it to see if it sounds ok, but without actually opening it in the shop how do I know? And if the expiration date hasn't passed, and indeed is into the future, why shouldn't I expect it to be edible? Cream (sour and otherwise) is my only example, everything else I've had has seemed to be fine. But maybe that's because I'm the crazy woman in the fresh aisles assessing every packet of meat before I buy it.
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 27 March 2011 - 09:44
Pomegranate, don't think this is an unreasonable amount, spend around the same including detergents and such. Just the gallon of fresh milk that the kids go through on a daily basis is 14 Dhs so that alone is almost 450 per month! That is for 6 persons eating most meals at home and packed lunch boxes for school. I buy local vegetable and fruits and Arabic bread a lot of the time but spend more on meat and chicken but don't buy the organic. A pack of fresh chicken fillets of 500 grams is now at 23 Dhs but a frozen can be had for 10 and the saline injected super sized one is 13 Dhs for 500 grams. That means a dinner for us would be 46+ for a kilo of chicken fillets or 20+ if frozen so savings could be made but the frozen stuff never looks or tastes as good. I agree HerewWeGo. I've got three small children and they go through at least 100 dirhams worth of apples a week alone! I spend a fortune on groceries but think it's worth it. I'd rather make savings in other areas and buy the best (in my opinion) food I can to feed my family.
488
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 27 March 2011 - 09:42
I am begining to wonder about people saying they are having problems with food.I have lived a very long time in this part of the world and have not had any problems with supermarkets and if concerned about an item that is visibling not looking ok I don't purchase it. I wonder too. I've lived in various parts of UAE for the past 15 years and shopped from different supermarkets. We have a fairly balanced diet and buy veggies, meat [fresh and processed'>, seafood, cheese and dairy. And I've only had a problem with the food ONCE. A lot of the issues that people are recounting could have been prevented if they checked the production dates [as opposed to the expiration dates'> of the packaged foods [i'>and[/i'> visually assessed the physical appearance of the fresh food.
251
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 27 March 2011 - 09:00
Yes!! Its happened like 5 times to me. About a month ago, I ate it. I am pregnant so figured maybe it tasted a little different because of being pregnant-2 days of food poisoning... Oh - you wouldn't have eaten the ones we have had! So curdled you would deffo have noticed! And yes - it is going back this morning!
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 27 March 2011 - 08:30
I haven't read all the thread, but does anyone else buy sour cream and find it is rancid? We are on our 3rd tub of inedible sour cream this week, from the same chain of supermarkets, but different stores. My DH is about to do his nut. I'm getting really fed up of being unconvinced we are going to be able to eat what I buy at the shops when I get it home. Grrr. Yes!! Its happened like 5 times to me. About a month ago, I ate it. I am pregnant so figured maybe it tasted a little different because of being pregnant-2 days of food poisoning...
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EW GURU
Latest post on 27 March 2011 - 08:25
I am begining to wonder about people saying they are having problems with food.I have lived a very long time in this part of the world and have not had any problems with supermarkets and if concerned about an item that is visibling not looking ok I don't purchase it. Pilotsprincess, take the 3rd one back to the store today and speak to a manager. Sounds like problem with the complete shipment.
251
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 27 March 2011 - 08:17
I haven't read all the thread, but does anyone else buy sour cream and find it is rancid? We are on our 3rd tub of inedible sour cream this week, from the same chain of supermarkets, but different stores. My DH is about to do his nut. I'm getting really fed up of being unconvinced we are going to be able to eat what I buy at the shops when I get it home. Grrr.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 27 March 2011 - 07:28
Here are [url=http://www.realfooddigest.com/2010/08/how-to-wash-your-produce/'>some ideas[/url'> on how to clean produce and remove bacteria. I have done this ever since seeing some dude sneezing right on top of the cucumbers without covering his mouth or nose - at LuLu in Barsha
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 26 March 2011 - 23:42
Do you know anywhere that regulary has wild salmon available? LOL the other week I bought salmon and the chap told me it was 'local salmon', it was only after I got home I realised how ridiculous that is??! Probably read "Salmon fishing in Yemen" :D Good book. :) PS. Just want to add: I do check everything very carefully when I shop but as another poster pointed out, you get what you pay for out here. I spend over 2K a week on groceries and in three years, have only had two 'off' items in my shopping. I refuse to be drawn into the histrionics in some of the posts here, but I agree it's better to be safe than sorry, and to demand justice if your shop lets you down. :) You spend "over" 2,000 dirhams a week on groceries? Or do you mean a month? Just checked some receipts from the past month and it's around 200 a day, so 2000 a week was an exaggeration. But that includes everything [not just food'> eg cleaning products/washing powder/that sort of thing. ETA: Just asked DH; he reckons 7K a month. . edited by WaxMuch on 26/03/2011 Thanks for clarifying - it's your money but all I can say is "wow" ;) Pomegranate, don't think this is an unreasonable amount, spend around the same including detergents and such. Just the gallon of fresh milk that the kids go through on a daily basis is 14 Dhs so that alone is almost 450 per month! That is for 6 persons eating most meals at home and packed lunch boxes for school. I buy local vegetable and fruits and Arabic bread a lot of the time but spend more on meat and chicken but don't buy the organic. A pack of fresh chicken fillets of 500 grams is now at 23 Dhs but a frozen can be had for 10 and the saline injected super sized one is 13 Dhs for 500 grams. That means a dinner for us would be 46+ for a kilo of chicken fillets or 20+ if frozen so savings could be made but the frozen stuff never looks or tastes as good.
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 26 March 2011 - 23:02
tally-ho, your stats read perfectly well to me when one considers that around 70 percent of Dubai's population hails from Asia [India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka'>. Let's admit that most of those people will be sourcing their food from shops which sell produce which is familiar to them, hence a great many shops will be stocking Indian produce. On the other hand, a tiny TINY percentage of people living here -- of which I am one! -- come from Western nations like the US, Australia, NZ and Europe. We are not, as a rule, eating the sort of fruit and vegetables which are grown in India or other Asian nations, so will be looking for food whose provenance hails from countries like the US, Australia, NZ and Europe. We're the people, with apologies, who are buying fruit and veg which might be considered exotic to those in the sub-continent but which we consider a staple, in the same way that the staples of the Asian population here are different to ours. We are buying more processed food, a great deal more cheese and meat [apart from mutton'> as well as more high-end perishables. So of course, it stands to reason that there are specialty suppliers of these things because there are people living here who wish to buy them, in the same way that there are large importers of food enjoyed by the large Asian population here, the population covered by your statement that 'India is the biggest exporter of food to the UAE'. Of course it is. But it isn't importing to me. :) . <em>edited by WaxMuch on 26/03/2011</em>
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EW GURU
Latest post on 26 March 2011 - 22:46
According to the 2010 Gulfood Briefing, [b'>India is the biggest exporter of food to the UAE[/b'>, providing the country with 18 per cent of its produce. Brazil is second with 13 per cent, and China isn’t far behind with 12 per cent, followed by the United States (10 per cent), and Australia (eight per cent). Of these imports, vegetables account for the highest percentage, followed by prepared foods, then meat. The major supermarket chains import some of their products direct from overseas suppliers. Most items are sourced locally from exclusive agents.[b'> The major sources of supply are from the Asian subcontinent [/b'>and European markets that enjoy comparatively low freight rates. Australia is one of the major suppliers of beef and lamb with strong competition from US, Holland and the India subcontinent. France, Australia, the UK and Holland dominate the market for cheese. Australia currently exports US$77.8 million of beef to the UAE annually. Furthermore, Australia exports five times as much mutton to the UAE than to the US, and 39 per cent of lamb exports are to the UAE.
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 26 March 2011 - 22:27
Okay, possibly I shouldn't believe what I read but I do tend to when I read things in Annual Reports and things and it didn't take me long to find this. ;) Anyhoo, the Fresh Fruits Company, supplier to Spinney's, C4, Lulu & Choitrams [among other supermarkets and hotels'> states that it imports fruit, by AIR daily to the UAE. Other longer-term perishables do come in by sea. It sources its food from all over the world [and not just India and Thailand'>, and does so from the most appropriate provider for the fruit/vegies in question, depending on the season. Interestingly, also on my travels, I came across the Australian government guide/overview to importing food to the UAE and there was an incredible list of requirements thereon, all of which were designed to keep the food fresh and safe; labelling came in for particular attention. My point, I guess [!!'>, is that there are probably issues all the way down the food chain [no pun intended!'> from supplier to shop floor, and if we feel there is any stage of that process which is affecting us, we should do something about it. Complain, rather than just whingeing about it on EW, and assuming things about the food importation process which very possibly are just rumours and conjecture. As I said: I've only had two problems with food quality since I've been here and they were nothing major [certainly not enough to have me clutching my pearls about them'>. :)
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 26 March 2011 - 22:14
Hey-has anyone tried that fruit and veg wash? Also-what do you guys think of local produce? I dont buy it, usually...and I avoid anything from india and china because they have serious problems with irrigation water containing a lot of human poop. edited by NYCDoll on 26/03/2011 Most imported fruit and vegetables come from India and Thailand, chicken is almost exclusively from Thailand. Google health and safety in these two countries, its very scary. Huh? I buy tomatoes and oranges from Holland/Spain, grapes from SA, mangoes/avocadoes/potatoes: Australia, a great wodge of stuff from Kenya, various stuff from US/Europe ... To be honest, I can't recall buying anything from Thailand that didn't have the word 'chilli' in it and only spices from India. ;) How do you know they’re really from Spain, Holland etc..... did they have passports with them? well, that's a bit silly really isn't it - you can say it about anything you buy... I don’t buy anything there because I don’t live there. The last time I came over for a visit I was ill for a month with food poisoning. I've known more food poisoning cases in the UK than i have since i've been here and *touch wood* lol none of us have had any such problems since we've been "here" lol Sue, you are very lucky! Touch wood, and I hope you never experience. I have the opposite experience, been here five years have had it at least once a year-back home, maybe once in 5 years. I actually had it once from an Emirates flight meal. Other time, sour cream bought from spins. It had gone off, but because I am preggers, I thought it just tastes different because i am preggers (this was about a month ago). I guess its just luck sometimes.
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 26 March 2011 - 22:13
Hey-has anyone tried that fruit and veg wash? Also-what do you guys think of local produce? I dont buy it, usually...and I avoid anything from india and china because they have serious problems with irrigation water containing a lot of human poop. edited by NYCDoll on 26/03/2011 Most imported fruit and vegetables come from India and Thailand, chicken is almost exclusively from Thailand. Google health and safety in these two countries, its very scary. Huh? I buy tomatoes and oranges from Holland/Spain, grapes from SA, mangoes/avocadoes/potatoes: Australia, a great wodge of stuff from Kenya, various stuff from US/Europe ... To be honest, I can't recall buying anything from Thailand that didn't have the word 'chilli' in it and only spices from India. ;) How do you know they’re really from Spain, Holland etc..... did they have passports with them? well, that's a bit silly really isn't it - you can say it about anything you buy... I don’t buy anything there because I don’t live there. The last time I came over for a visit I was ill for a month with food poisoning. I've known more food poisoning cases in the UK than i have since i've been here and *touch wood* lol none of us have had any such problems since we've been "here" lol A life time in the UK and 6 months in Dubai, stands to reason really doesn’t it? no idea lolol
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EW GURU
Latest post on 26 March 2011 - 22:11
Hey-has anyone tried that fruit and veg wash? Also-what do you guys think of local produce? I dont buy it, usually...and I avoid anything from india and china because they have serious problems with irrigation water containing a lot of human poop. edited by NYCDoll on 26/03/2011 Most imported fruit and vegetables come from India and Thailand, chicken is almost exclusively from Thailand. Google health and safety in these two countries, its very scary. Huh? I buy tomatoes and oranges from Holland/Spain, grapes from SA, mangoes/avocadoes/potatoes: Australia, a great wodge of stuff from Kenya, various stuff from US/Europe ... To be honest, I can't recall buying anything from Thailand that didn't have the word 'chilli' in it and only spices from India. ;) How do you know they’re really from Spain, Holland etc..... did they have passports with them? well, that's a bit silly really isn't it - you can say it about anything you buy... I don’t buy anything there because I don’t live there. The last time I came over for a visit I was ill for a month with food poisoning. I've known more food poisoning cases in the UK than i have since i've been here and *touch wood* lol none of us have had any such problems since we've been "here" lol A life time in the UK and 6 months in Dubai, stands to reason really doesn’t it?
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 26 March 2011 - 22:08
Hey-has anyone tried that fruit and veg wash? Also-what do you guys think of local produce? I dont buy it, usually...and I avoid anything from india and china because they have serious problems with irrigation water containing a lot of human poop. edited by NYCDoll on 26/03/2011 Most imported fruit and vegetables come from India and Thailand, chicken is almost exclusively from Thailand. Google health and safety in these two countries, its very scary. Huh? I buy tomatoes and oranges from Holland/Spain, grapes from SA, mangoes/avocadoes/potatoes: Australia, a great wodge of stuff from Kenya, various stuff from US/Europe ... To be honest, I can't recall buying anything from Thailand that didn't have the word 'chilli' in it and only spices from India. ;) How do you know they’re really from Spain, Holland etc..... did they have passports with them? well, that's a bit silly really isn't it - you can say it about anything you buy... I don’t buy anything there because I don’t live there. The last time I came over for a visit I was ill for a month with food poisoning. I've known more food poisoning cases in the UK than i have since i've been here and *touch wood* lol none of us have had any such problems since we've been "here" lol
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EW GURU
Latest post on 26 March 2011 - 22:06
Hey-has anyone tried that fruit and veg wash? Also-what do you guys think of local produce? I dont buy it, usually...and I avoid anything from india and china because they have serious problems with irrigation water containing a lot of human poop. edited by NYCDoll on 26/03/2011 Most imported fruit and vegetables come from India and Thailand, chicken is almost exclusively from Thailand. Google health and safety in these two countries, its very scary. Huh? I buy tomatoes and oranges from Holland/Spain, grapes from SA, mangoes/avocadoes/potatoes: Australia, a great wodge of stuff from Kenya, various stuff from US/Europe ... To be honest, I can't recall buying anything from Thailand that didn't have the word 'chilli' in it and only spices from India. ;) How do you know they’re really from Spain, Holland etc..... did they have passports with them? well, that's a bit silly really isn't it - you can say it about anything you buy... I don’t buy anything there because I don’t live there. The last time I came over for a visit I was ill for a month with food poisoning.
3901
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 26 March 2011 - 22:01
Hey-has anyone tried that fruit and veg wash? Also-what do you guys think of local produce? I dont buy it, usually...and I avoid anything from india and china because they have serious problems with irrigation water containing a lot of human poop. edited by NYCDoll on 26/03/2011 Most imported fruit and vegetables come from India and Thailand, chicken is almost exclusively from Thailand. Google health and safety in these two countries, its very scary. Huh? I buy tomatoes and oranges from Holland/Spain, grapes from SA, mangoes/avocadoes/potatoes: Australia, a great wodge of stuff from Kenya, various stuff from US/Europe ... To be honest, I can't recall buying anything from Thailand that didn't have the word 'chilli' in it and only spices from India. ;) How do you know they’re really from Spain, Holland etc..... did they have passports with them? well, that's a bit silly really isn't it - you can say it about anything you buy...
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 26 March 2011 - 22:00
You're right: I wouldn't know about the tomatoes/oranges. But I'll take the Pepsi challenge any day on the ability to spot an Aussie mango or avocado! :D
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EW GURU
Latest post on 26 March 2011 - 21:57
Hey-has anyone tried that fruit and veg wash? Also-what do you guys think of local produce? I dont buy it, usually...and I avoid anything from india and china because they have serious problems with irrigation water containing a lot of human poop. edited by NYCDoll on 26/03/2011 Most imported fruit and vegetables come from India and Thailand, chicken is almost exclusively from Thailand. Google health and safety in these two countries, its very scary. Huh? I buy tomatoes and oranges from Holland/Spain, grapes from SA, mangoes/avocadoes/potatoes: Australia, a great wodge of stuff from Kenya, various stuff from US/Europe ... To be honest, I can't recall buying anything from Thailand that didn't have the word 'chilli' in it and only spices from India. ;) How do you know they’re really from Spain, Holland etc..... did they have passports with them?
1257
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 26 March 2011 - 21:55
Hey-has anyone tried that fruit and veg wash? Also-what do you guys think of local produce? I dont buy it, usually...and I avoid anything from india and china because they have serious problems with irrigation water containing a lot of human poop. edited by NYCDoll on 26/03/2011 Most imported fruit and vegetables come from India and Thailand, chicken is almost exclusively from Thailand. Google health and safety in these two countries, its very scary. Huh? I buy tomatoes and oranges from Holland/Spain, grapes from SA, mangoes/avocadoes/potatoes: Australia, a great wodge of stuff from Kenya, various stuff from US/Europe ... To be honest, I can't recall buying anything from Thailand that didn't have the word 'chilli' in it and only spices from India. ;)
648
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EW GURU
Latest post on 26 March 2011 - 21:55
Hey-has anyone tried that fruit and veg wash? Also-what do you guys think of local produce? I dont buy it, usually...and I avoid anything from india and china because they have serious problems with irrigation water containing a lot of human poop. edited by NYCDoll on 26/03/2011 Most imported fruit and vegetables come from India and Thailand, chicken is almost exclusively from Thailand. Google health and safety in these two countries, its very scary. What about the fruit thats labeled "South African Pears", or "Gala American Apples"? surely these are not? I am too afraid to google.... edited by NYCDoll on 26/03/2011 They sell sparrows and label it as chicken so I suppose they can get away with anything LOL
 
 

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