Mama Mangia
Super Moderator
OLD PANCAKES CAUSE HEALTH REACTION
Dear Abby: I recently made a batch of pancakes for my healthy 14-year old son, using a mix that was in our pantry. He said 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We checked the date on the box of pancake mix and, to my dismay, found it was very outdated.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just that, and found an article the next day that mentioned a 19-year old male DYING after eating pancakes made with outdated mix.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 they should check their own pancake mix since they don't use it that often, or 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.
---Sue in Wyantskill, NY
Dear Sue: Thank you for the warning. I certainly was not aware that pancake mix can turn moldy and cause and allergic reaction in someone with an allergy to mold - but it's logical. I wonder if the same holds true for cake mix, brownie mix and ookie mix. If so, then a warning should be placed on the box for people like me.
We hear so often about discarding prescription and over-the-counter medications after their expiration dates, but I don't recall warnings about packaged items in the pantry. Head up folks!
from my files:
Baking powder - store no more than 18 months
Baking soda - store no more than 2 years
Biscuit, brownie and muffin mixes - store no more than 9 months
Bouillon products - store no more than 12 months
Bread crumbs, croutons - store not more than 6 months
Cake mixes - store no more than 6 to 9 months
Casserole mix - store not more than 9 to 12 months
Cereals - ready to eat - store no more than 12 months
Chili powder - store no more than 6 months
Cocoa mixes - store no more than 8 months
Cornmeal - store no more than 12 months
Cornstarch - store no more than 18 months
Dried pasta - store no more than 2 years
Dry milk - store no more than 12 months
Canned frostings - store no more than 3 months
Frosting mixes - store no more than 8 months
Flour - cake, all purpose - store for no more than 12 months
Herbs - store no longer than 6 months
Spice blends - store 2 years unopened, no more than 12 months opened
Not only should you check the expiration date of the foods you buy, but you should buy labels and sticker the date you open them! Once opened, these foods do not last as long.
Dear Abby: I recently made a batch of pancakes for my healthy 14-year old son, using a mix that was in our pantry. He said 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 they should check their own pancake mix since they don't use it that often, or 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.
---Sue in Wyantskill, NY
Dear Sue: Thank you for the warning. I certainly was not aware that pancake mix can turn moldy and cause and allergic reaction in someone with an allergy to mold - but it's logical. I wonder if the same holds true for cake mix, brownie mix and ookie mix. If so, then a warning should be placed on the box for people like me.
We hear so often about discarding prescription and over-the-counter medications after their expiration dates, but I don't recall warnings about packaged items in the pantry. Head up folks!
from my files:
Baking powder - store no more than 18 months
Baking soda - store no more than 2 years
Biscuit, brownie and muffin mixes - store no more than 9 months
Bouillon products - store no more than 12 months
Bread crumbs, croutons - store not more than 6 months
Cake mixes - store no more than 6 to 9 months
Casserole mix - store not more than 9 to 12 months
Cereals - ready to eat - store no more than 12 months
Chili powder - store no more than 6 months
Cocoa mixes - store no more than 8 months
Cornmeal - store no more than 12 months
Cornstarch - store no more than 18 months
Dried pasta - store no more than 2 years
Dry milk - store no more than 12 months
Canned frostings - store no more than 3 months
Frosting mixes - store no more than 8 months
Flour - cake, all purpose - store for no more than 12 months
Herbs - store no longer than 6 months
Spice blends - store 2 years unopened, no more than 12 months opened
Not only should you check the expiration date of the foods you buy, but you should buy labels and sticker the date you open them! Once opened, these foods do not last as long.