293261 Mon Jun 23 16:52:48 -0700 2003 4 27 General Chowhounding Topics 0 1603902 From Wired magazine... A food chemist is developing a tasteless, odorless antibacterial powder. The idea is you sprinkle this stuff on your food and it prevents nasties like E. Coli and salmonella from taking hold in your gut. The chemist "envisions a day when you could dine anywhere--even at a grody roadside stand--pepper your eats with disinfectant, and chow down with confidence." My money says the side effects are worse than the rare attack of the runs. Link: http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/11.07/start.html?pg=4 Mon Jun 23 16:52:48 -0700 2003 0 nja 1 1603903 "My money says the side effects are worse than the rare attack of the runs." Oh, so that's what the squib meant by "human trials"! Mon Jun 23 16:56:27 -0700 2003 1603902 0 Karl S. 1 1603929 (A) Bacteria develop resistance (B) Our intestines are lined (and are supposed to be lined with) with billions and billions of bacteria ... many of them E. coli. Without the bacteria in the gut, two things would happen: We would starve because they are essential to digesting food; and we would die of other diseases because they crowd out harmful bacteria. Only a few strains of E. coli are harmful, and their prevalence is a "gift" of American agribusiness. Mon Jun 23 23:41:44 -0700 2003 1603902 0 Timowitz 1 1603938 The vast majority of potential food poisoning can be, and is, prevented. According to the NYC Dept. of Health, most food poisoning is caused in the home, not in restaurants. The food poisoning that occurs in restaurants is mostly caused by lack of attention to well known food handling standards. What makes you think that an eating place that is careless about cleanliness and food handling is going to be conscientious about sprinking on this miracle powder? Tue Jun 24 09:35:01 -0700 2003 1603902 0 Deven Black 2 1603939 Hi all, interesting thread. Issues regarding health are best suited to the Not about Food board, though. Please continue on that board, if there are further comments. Just note here that the thread is moving to Not about Food. We appreciate your help. Thanks. Tue Jun 24 09:49:56 -0700 2003 1603938 2 The Chowhound Team