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Question

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 We checked the date on the box of pancake mix and, to my dismay, found it was very outdated.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just that, and found an article the next day that mentioned a 19-year-old male DYING after eating pancakes made with outdated mix.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 Also, beware of outdated cake, brownie and cookie mixes. There's more info at snopes.com. Here's the link: http://www.snopes.com/medical/toxins/pancake.asp

Lesson learned; be sure to check dates on everything and basically, just don't eat anything old! PASS IT ON!!!!

This was sent to me, and I cut&pasted it to pass along. I THINK it was from an old "Dear Abby" article.

Answer 1

thanx

thats kinda scary when you think about it....ill watch out :) thanx again

ill tell other people

Answer 2

That's a legend, it's the mould that grows in the pancakae mix that can be dangerous if you have allergies:
Anaphylaxis is a rapidly developing immunologic reaction that occurs when those who have allergies come in contact with the substances they are allergic to. When it kills, it does so by triggering fatal respiratory or cardiac arrest.

The pancake mix that delivered a toxic payload was analyzed and found to contain four rather nasty molds: Penicillium, Fusarium, Mucor, and Aspergillus. The decedent had not been allergic to eggs (which are a component of pancakes), so there was no doubt as to which allergy had killed him. It had been mold, and nothing but.

There was a death, and it had been due to ancient pancake mix. Or, rather, to an allergic reaction to the mold that had grown in the stale pancake mix.

It needs be kept in mind there is nothing inherently toxic about pancake mix that has passed its freshness date, the product's getting old does not transform it into a poison, nor does the growth of mold within opened boxes of flapjack powder turn it into something that will fell all who ingest it. Only those who have allergies to mold are at risk, and even then, for the pancake mix to pose a hazard it has to contain mold spores, not just be over the hill.

For mold to gain access to a food product, the foodstuff has to be exposed to its spores. Pancake mix cocooned in an unbleached wax paper, plastic, or a foil pouch within its outer packaging wouldn't have this contact and should still be safe no matter how old it gets. However, mix sold unpouched in cardboard boxes or paper sacks would likely be at risk even if the box or sack hadn't previously been opened, because such packaging would not necessarily keep dampness out, and mold thrives in damp environments.

What does all this mean? If you don't have a mold allergy, you needn't fear your pancake mix; if you do have such a sensitivity, you shouldn't keep your flapjack makings around for a few years after opening the box or pouch it came in. It's not worth dying over 50¢ worth of pancake mix, so when in doubt, throw it out.

Answer 3

In the fall and in the summer just like spring/summer
clothes i have always gone thru the pantry and wiped down and check all dates on everything. Maybe this would be a good idea for you! My mom had all us kids do this every year, like part of spring cleaning, so I have always done this with my kids! In the fall we take inventory
and restock shelves for all the baking!

Answer 4

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Answer 5

wow that is scarey!

I grew up with my grandparents eating old candy and such, and im such theyve had really outdated stuff, who knew it could be toxic. I'ma go check the pantry...

Thanks alot, I learned something new this morning :)

Answer 6

I heard this on Dear Abby

Answer 7

Thank you, this is good information.

Glad to know your son came out alright from it.

Answer 8

Thanks for the head's up man. Crazy stuff like that happens all the time, and it's nice to know in advance!

Answer 9

Here is something worth knowing: GOD LOVES YOU!

Answer 10

that is worth sharing makes me want to always check dates now thanks for the info