Forum Thermomix
Welcoming Center, Management and General Chat => Chit Chat => Topic started by: judydawn on October 16, 2012, 08:06:34 am
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I am asking this question because I have just finished off some of Tenina's chicken stock powder which was missing the dried mushroom ingredient. I managed to find some large packets today so blitzed the 40g packet to add to the already blitzed other ingredients. I noticed some cellophane pieces in amongst the blitzed mushrooms so went through them carefully and removed them all, wondering how the devil I missed a piece of the wrapping when putting the mushrooms into the bowl.
I went on to then blitz some beef stock powder ingredients which I have just finished drying in the oven. When it came time to open another packet of mushrooms and add it to the bowl, I saw what the problem was - a tiny packet of silica gel nestled amongst the mushrooms. Yikes, I might have picked out the cellophane but the crystals were all blitzed up with the other ingredients - a huge 520g packet of stock powder now completely useless.
Or is it? I googled the question and came across this (http://www.chow.com/food-news/53783/what-happens-if-you-eat-one-of-those-silica-gel-packets/) answer. Would anyone be game to use the stock powder after reading this information. I don't know if I am :-))
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I'd turf it Judy unfortunately....I have only known it to be toxic.
They use it in kitty litter....what a bummer!
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JD, i wouldnt give thm to dh, they might re-act with his meds.
H
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What a waste JD but I would definately bin it :(
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I just asked DH who has a chemistry background, and he said that its just like sand. Similar to that article.
I don't think I'd like to eat sand. - it would be gritty.
How awful!
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Judy - I agree with all the above . . .I'd toss it and not look back . . . what a shame! However, the peace of mind that comes from not having to wonder about it all the time is well worth the toss I think!
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Judy I would not worry a jot about it . Take a teaspoon add it to some boiling water and drink it . I doubt you will even notice that small amount in 1/2 a kilo of stock powder. If you feel you can't pop it in the mail to me. I would not hesitate.
Gert
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Thanks girls, I thought as much. Gretchen, now why did I know you were going to say something different :D I already did what you said before I found out what I'd done. I thought I'd see how my broth tasted and of course it was fine. If I am missing tomorrow you will know why ;D
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Do you think it will extend the stocks expiry date - or yours :D
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;D ;D ;D better get a good stock of moisturiser at least, JD . . .that stuff will keep you high and dry for a long time . . . ;D
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You will be fine. If you had not seen the cellophane you would not have known. You sometimes see the gel as blue just for this reason. In any case in an adult in that . quantity Ian positive it won't be a problem. My mother said you have to eat a peck of dirt in your life which is a heck of a lot of dirt.
How was the flavour of your stock? You could make some more dried chicken stock and add it to make a kilo and lessen the impact if you are scared.
Stick it into the freezer until you forget about what happened then eat it.
Gert
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Oh Judy you poor thing, it must have been a shock when you worked out what had happened.
I bet you wish you'd never found those dried mushrooms you've been hunting around the shops for.
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I'm not commenting. But I do hope you are still around tomorrow Judy.
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What a shame Judy, all that work. I don't think I would be game to use it but really wouldn't be sure if there would be a problem if you did. Perhaps you could ring a chemist and ask them what they think.
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I had to rush off and watch the news and BB so now that I have read all the responses again, I'd like to thank everyone again and a special thanks to ES's DH for his knowledgeable input. It just looked like white rock salt so it has probably been all ground up like the salt was. I know it's a very small amount for such a large amount of stock powder but I would find it very difficult to use it and not think about it every single time I dipped into the bag even though there is enough evidence to suggest it would not be harmful. I never know what is going to tip DH over the edge and for that reason alone I think I will send it to food heaven.
For the time being I will revert to some bought chicken stock powder as I don't think I could spend the amount of time needed to make another batch. Thank goodness my beef stock powder is untained as that took me 7.5 hours to make today - I sometimes wonder why there are not enough hours in the day to do everything I want to do so maybe I shouldn't even be trying to do so many things in the first place.
I will be here tomorrow, it would take more than 1/2 cup of broth to kill this old bird ;D Thanks for lending an ear to my problem, I was amazed at how calm I was when I discovered my mistake. All I said was damn ;D
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1/2 a kilo of stock powder, is alot to waste.
I would make up more and add it together... :)
whatever you decide though.
Love you Judy,, :-*
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Judy I just made 1/2 a kilo or two big jars of the stuff. Stick it into a post bag and send it to me. I would be happy to have it and I could mix it together. No worries.
Gert
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It's been in the freezer since yesterday Gretchen and I just added the mushies today, would it still be safe to use once it has thawed out and travelled?
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I'm game! I hate waste and I am sure it is delicious.
Once I add chillies and make it into a congee for breakfast it'll be great
I promise I won't feed it to,the doggies.
Gert
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If you insist Gretchen but I'd rather throw it out.
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If you insist Gretchen but I'd rather throw it out.
Oh go on Judy you know you don't want to throw it out after all the work you put into it. The cellophane was probably more toxic than the silica!
Can't wait.
Gert
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I just spoke to my DIL who is a medical scientist and she said throw it away.
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That's what I'd like to do. :-\
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I just spoke to my DIL who is a medical scientist and she said throw it away.
Yup I am sure that is what most people would say.
I figure that less than 3 gms in 500 gms is negligible. When I add it to my stock powder it will be less that 3gms in 1000 gms I believe it is not a bad thing in keeping the powder dry. So long as cobalt has not been added I figure it is safe to ingest . After all it will be diluted even further when adding say a teaspoon to 250 mils of water.
Gert
Also I have to add that if silica were a dangerous or hazardous material it would not be allowed in food packaging as there is always the danger of the packet splitting thus spilling the contents into the food. Not good for children and might give you dry mouth but it won't kill you.
Gert
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I just dug the other sachet out of the bin Gretchen and there are pink crystals amongst the white ones. That's as dangerous as cobult I'm sure.
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Judy, chuck it. We can't afford to rub both you and Gert out.
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I just dug the other sachet out of the bin Gretchen and there are pink crystals amongst the white ones. That's as dangerous as cobult I'm sure.
Are you feeling ill Judy? Is your mouth so dry you can't speak? Let me know in the morning!!,
Going to read now. Got to finish my JK Rowling it is getting very interesting.
Gert
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Just ditch it JD and cuss as loudly and as much as you want. It's not worth the uncertainty. I'm sure there are a few of us who have learnt a lesson in the mean time as well.
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Yes, decision made, sorry Gretchen you are out voted. I couldn't live with myself if I caused you any harm even if it is highly unlikely. It is, afterall, only a batch of powder and if you like I'll make you a nice fresh batch and send that up to you. :-* :-* :-* :-* :-*
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Lol! You do what you gotta do Judy. I have two jars I just made. I am sad to see it wasted though. At least you will sleep better .
Gert
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I'm breathing a sigh of relief you ditched it Judy :-*
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That's good CC, we can all sleep easily tonight ;D
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Judy my DIL is not stressing now as she said not worth the slightest risk.
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Just read this thread for the first time. Glad you ditched the stock JD, you went to a lot of bother to make the stock, but I don't think there was ever any doubt about the outcome. Call me cynical, but I truly don't believe the manufacturers care whether the silica is toxic or not or whether there is any chance of it being ingested - they put it in to prolong the life of their product, not for our health!
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Lol! You do what you gotta do Judy. I have two jars I just made. I am sad to see it wasted though. At least you will sleep better .
Gert
I must say I'm with Gert on this one. That tiny amount in all that stock isn't going to make one iota of difference.
If you hadn't noticed it you would have made it into stock, eaten it and been none the wiser or worse off for it.
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DH, chemical engineer says its silicone dioxide. Not advised to eat, but he is more concerned about the plastic being eaten.
http://www.stopak.com/desiccants/MSDS-Silica%20Gel.pdf
H :)
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Jd ds ate a packet of one of those silica gel packets when he was a baby and i was in a panic and rang the anti poison line or whatever it is called and they told me that small amount is fine and just for him to drink some water to wash it down..Said it wouldnt harm him at all..They werent phased at all.. He found the packet i uad missed in a boardgame he pulled out of a cupboard... :(. How did you miss a silica gel packet??
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JD, I am now remembering that my first batch oh CSP had little bits of plastic in it and I was perplexed as to how they got in there, I think you just solved it I too must have just tipped the mushrooms in straight from the packet, I think I did it this time too, I still alive maybe a bit more crazy , you will be finer. ;D >:( :-)) :-)) :o :o
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Well, if nothing else, this thread has alerted members to the fact that they must check their packets of dried foods for these tiny packets of silica gel. Yes I'm sure everything would be OK if I used it but it worried me that what they say is in the pack is not what it seems so for peace of mind (and who doesn't need that) I prefer to start over again and be more vigilant.
Thanks Hally's DH for your input.
I was glad it was the chicken stock ruined and not my batch of beef stock as that took me all day to make and there is no way I would turn around and do that again in a hurry. I have enough of that mix to last me 12 months I would think.
AB, glad your mystery is solved - you are going to think of silica crystals everytime you dip into that container of stock powder ;D
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Glad you sorted it out Judy
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I wish I hadn't seen this post, I just cooked chicken livers and silver beet , the "CSP" with some SOS sauce and vermicelli noodles, was enjoying it until I crunched on a bit of grit,"........Now I know what it is ...think I might have to make another batch...
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Probably from not washing the silver eer thoroughly. Dont worry.
Gert