I Learn Something New

Everyday. Pretty much!

Today I learned that bean sprouts have been recalled in Ontario. Wow! From the Toronto Star:

"Most of the 506 cases the province is examining are in the Toronto area, but the people who may have consumed contaminated mung bean sprouts — and experienced the severe stomach cramping, diarrhea, fever and nausea that result from contracting Salmonella enteritidis bacteria — are spread across the province. Although not normally lethal, the bacteria can kill the very young, elderly and those with weak immune systems."

This article notes that bean sprouts are not being offered on menus around town. Did you know "sprouts pose a special challenge because of the way they are grown?" (taken from the first article I liked to.) "You take the seeds and you sprout them under conditions of high moisture and high temperature. Those conditions are ideal for microorganisms to grow as well."

Well, I did not know that!


Evil bean sprouts.

I don't know why, but I actually really hated bean sprouts in Canada. I'd go out of my way to ask they not be in any dish I ordered at a restaurant. In Korea, though, I LOVE them, and eat them all the time. They don't taste the same as back home. I never thought there could be a risk of contracting salmonella from bean sprouts. Now I do. Hmm.

I went to the doctor yesterday and was told I have bronchitis. This makes sense, as I didn't think a common cold could make my lungs hurt as bad as they have for a week. I wouldn't go to the docs for just a cold, even though people around me here kept telling me I should. Anyhow, I got some cough syrup (first time ever in Korea!) and 18 pills to take per day for the next 3 days. They seem to be working. Bravo doctor.

And yes, I gotz me an ass-injection. No visit to the doctor would be complete here without one.