Purchasing some fresh produce lately in Tesco - dammit yes, one has to admit to shopping there sometimes - Stalker noticed a new sign up in the mushroom section. The signage indicated that " we advise customers to wash and cook all mushrooms before consumption."
This new advice is slightly at variance from the mushroom bag advice noted before in this column, which indicated "Rinse or wipe mushrooms before use."
Stalker knows the supermarkets try to cover themselves against any actionable events - but this advice seems to go against what the culinary experts recommend for mushrooms: their advice is generally to simply wipe them.
The more sinister aspect to the new notice is the idea that all mushrooms must be cooked before consumption. Gone then is the idea of the raw mushroom in the salad, a mainstay of summer repasts!
Stalker presumes the spectre of e.coli or listeria or some other microbe is to blame for this new injunction. It is fear of legal action no doubt that spurs the overcautious hand of the sign makers.
Stalker will continue to wipe the produce only and to eat them raw if the mood so dictates.
