MNN - Mother Nature Network

Ew. Ew. Ew.

 

The Telegraph is reporting that Ikea has recalled almond cakes in 23 countries after it was found that the cakes contained “high levels of coliforms which failed to meet hygiene standards.” The recall doesn’t apply to the United States.

 

Coliforms are bacteria. They can be found in feces, soil or water. While they don’t usually cause illness, their presence could indicate that there is also more dangerous bacteria present like E. coli.

 

Ikea also recently had to recall its iconic Swedish meatballs because the company, along with dozens of other companies in dozens of countries, bought meat labeled as beef that contained horse meat.

 

So what’s the lesson to take away from this? “Know your farmer, know your food” comes to mind. The more you know exactly where the ingredients in the foods you make in your kitchen come from, the less likely you are to be affected by a food recall. It doesn’t mean it won’t happen, but I’m betting that the more processed convenience food you feed yourself and your family, the more often you’ll be affected by recalls.