From Snopes:
I recently made a batch of pancakes for my healthy 14-year-old son, using a mix that was in our pantry. He said that they tasted 'funny,' but ate them anyway. About 10 minutes later, he began having difficulty breathing and his lips began turning purple. I gave him his allergy pill, had him sit on the sofa and told him to relax. He was wheezing while inhaling and exhaling.
My husband, a volunteer Firefighter and EMT, heated up some water, and we had my son lean over the water so the steam could clear his chest and sinuses. Soon, his breathing became more regular and his lips returned to a more normal color. We checked the date on the box of pancake mix and, to my dismay, found it was very outdated. As a reference librarian at an academic institution, I have the ability to search through many research databases. I did just that, and found an article the next day that mentioned a 19-year-old male DYING after eating pancakes made with outdated mix. Apparently, the mold that forms in old pancake mix can be toxic!
When we told our friends about my son's close call, we were surprised at the number of people who mentioned that they should check their own pancake mix since they don't use it often, or they had purchased it some time ago. With so many people shopping at warehouse-type stores and buying large sizes of pancake mix, I hope your readers will take the time to check the expiration date on their boxes.
Also, beware of outdated Bisquick, cake, brownie and cookie mixes.
PASS IT ON! This is TRUE--Check it out!
http://www.snopes.com/medical/toxins/pancake.asp
DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
5 comments:
Easy pancake recipe (then you wont even have to worry about it):
2 cups flour
2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cup milk
2 eggs
2 tablespoons melted butter
Only a touch more complicated than the average "just add milk and eggs" premixed stuff, and it tastes much better!
IM FROM THE OLD SCHOOL AND NEVER CHECK MY PANTRY OR CUBBOARDS,MY DAUGHTER INLAW VISITED EARLIER THIS SUMMER AND THREW OUT MY OUT DATED PACKAGES FROM THE FRIDGE. SHE NEVER CHECKED WITH ME BUT I DIDNT GET MAD.THEN I RECALL AWHILE BACK I READ THIS SAME POST ABOUT OUTDATE PANCAKE MIXES AND I FORGOT ABOUT IT UNTIL MY SON VISITED.I DONT KEEP NOTHING ANYMORE.
Another simple recipe:
1 egg beaten
1 cup of milk mixed with egg
1 cup of flour then mixed in
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 tablespoon cooking oil of choice
Can always add berries, bananas etc. and various spices like cinnamon, nutmeg. Even use wheat flour or corn meal flour.
Makes good tasting pancakes!
It doesn't matter if it is a mix or do it yourself from scratch. Be sure your flour isn't old! And be sure any oil/shortening/butter is not old. These are what cause the problem. Rancid oil and old flour can harbor many dangerous microorganisms. And if you use baking powder, be sure it's not out of date either. Not so much dangerous as just won't work too well. My motto: Better safe than sorry. When in doubt, throw it out!
The easiest recipe... drive to IHOP!
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