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Monday, August 10, 2026

Health Secretary Robert. F. Kennedy Jr.'s call for Americans to "eat real food" to combat chronic illness is being tested by a parasite that's driving consumers away from fresh produce.

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CHECK YOUR FRIDGE: Albertsons Companies is recalling some Taylor Farms items for possible Salmonella contamination

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-- WAFB (@wafb.com) 8:00 PM · Aug 8, 2026

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Who could have thought, even two years ago, that Americans would fear lettuce? Or have to fear lettuce?

#1 | Posted by Zed at 2026-08-10 08:14 AM | Reply

"...the only thing we have to fear is fear itself, unless of course we are discussing Republicans ever leading the US again." cropper.watch.aetnd.com

#2 | Posted by C0RI0LANUS at 2026-08-10 08:24 AM | Reply

Americans need to learn how to clean their food, not rely on or assume corporate supermarkets to do it for them. Lettuce should also be slightly cooked, too. That's why food poisoning is less likely in China and cultures that prepare food in a similar way.

#3 | Posted by sentinel at 2026-08-10 08:37 AM | Reply

"Americans need to learn how to clean their food, not rely on or assume corporate supermarkets to do it for them."

Tell me Sentinel, How do you clean Taylor Farms' prepared salsa and/or guacamole? Do you boil it first or add antibacterial soap to to it?

www.cnbc.com

#4 | Posted by NerfHerder at 2026-08-10 08:45 AM | Reply

Americans need to learn how to clean their food,

#3 | POSTED BY SENTINEL

And just pay that extra 33% in fuel costs, you wimps.

#5 | Posted by Zed at 2026-08-10 09:14 AM | Reply

Lettuce should also be slightly cooked, too.

#3 | POSTED BY SENTINEL

Seems to ignore the entire point of lettuce.

#6 | Posted by Zed at 2026-08-10 09:15 AM | Reply

I know that some of you have noticed: Trump/MAGA is making a concerted effort to guilt Americans into not wanting good things, because Trump/MAGA finds itself unable to provide good things, or even keep the good things that we've had for generations.

#7 | Posted by Zed at 2026-08-10 09:17 AM | Reply

"Argh! Stupid Americans should eat cooked lettuce and tomatoes! Blargh!"


#8 | Posted by C0RI0LANUS at 2026-08-10 09:20 AM | Reply

"How do you clean Taylor Farms' prepared salsa and/or guacamole?"

You don't. You make your own salsa and/or guacamole from fresh ingredients.

#9 | Posted by sentinel at 2026-08-10 10:05 AM | Reply

"Seems to ignore the entire point of lettuce."

If you like to eat raw lettuce, you can't really look down on those who drink raw milk.

#10 | Posted by sentinel at 2026-08-10 10:09 AM | Reply

"You don't. You make your own salsa and/or guacamole from fresh ingredients."

Very good! So how do you clean a raw, fresh, store-bought jalapeno or tomato or bunch of cilantro that may or may not have salmonella or cyclospora? Do you boil them or just pour some antibacterial soap into them?

#11 | Posted by NerfHerder at 2026-08-10 10:14 AM | Reply

That crunching sound you may hear is Sentinel's spade digging his hole deeper and deeper.

#12 | Posted by NerfHerder at 2026-08-10 10:15 AM | Reply | Funny: 1

If you like to eat raw lettuce, you can't really look down on those who drink raw milk.

#10 | POSTED BY SENTINEL

1) We do wash our lettuce

2) I won't get bovine tuberculosis from lettuce

#13 | Posted by Zed at 2026-08-10 10:28 AM | Reply

#10 | POSTED BY SENTINEL

Why can't the government help with food quality, like it did before Trump?

#14 | Posted by Zed at 2026-08-10 10:28 AM | Reply

"Very good! So how do you clean a raw, fresh, store-bought jalapeno or tomato or bunch of cilantro that may or may not have salmonella or cyclospora? Do you boil them or just pour some antibacterial soap into them?"


To safely clean fresh produce like jalapeos, tomatoes, and cilantro, you should submerge and agitate them in a bowl of cold tap water, or rinse them thoroughly under running water, while using a clean brush on firm skins.

Recommended Cleaning Method0

Use running water: Wash produce under a cold stream to mechanically remove dirt and pathogens.

Friction works: Rub soft items with your hands. Scrub firm items like peppers and tomatoes with a clean vegetable brush.

Dry thoroughly: Wipe the produce with a clean paper towel to further reduce remaining bacteria.

Trim cilantro: Wash cilantro in a bowl of cold water, swish it around to drop debris, lift it out, and spin or pat dry.

What to Avoid (Addressing the Sarcasm)

Never use soap: Food and Drug Administration (FDA) guidelines warn that fruits and vegetables can absorb household soaps and detergents, which can make you sick.

Do not boil: Boiling changes the texture and flavor, turning fresh salsa ingredients into a cooked sauce.

Chemical washes are unnecessary: The FDA states that commercial produce washes are no more effective than plain clean water.

Crucial Safety Steps

Wash hands first: Scrub your hands with soap and warm water for 20 seconds before handling any food.

Clean the kitchen: Sanitize your countertops, cutting boards, and knives before and after prepping produce.

Cut away damage: Bruised or damaged areas on tomatoes and peppers can harbor bacteria and should be cut out.

Refrigerate immediately: Keep your finished homemade salsa and guacamole in the fridge below 40F (4C) to stop bacterial growth.

#15 | Posted by sentinel at 2026-08-10 11:00 AM | Reply

"Why can't the government help with food quality, like it did before Trump?"

It can and should, but Americans should still change their lazy cultural habits so they're not at the mercy of corporations who helped put people like Trump in office.

#16 | Posted by sentinel at 2026-08-10 11:03 AM | Reply

Re 15

An easier method:

1. Invite a maga maroon to lunch.

2. Let them eat first.

3. Wait five minutes to see if they explode.

4. If no explosive diarrhea detected then enjoy your meal!

#17 | Posted by donnerboy at 2026-08-10 11:14 AM | Reply

Sentinel doesn't seem to realize that Salmonella exists inside of vegetables, not just on them, and Cyclospora can resist the cleaning methods he so exhaustively copied and pasted above.

#18 | Posted by NerfHerder at 2026-08-10 11:24 AM | Reply

"Why can't the government help with food quality, like it did before Trump?"

Speaking of Trump, MAGA and checking food quality, remember that other cult of stupid Americans who followed a similar psychopath and willingly consumed fare that ended up making them fatally ill?

#19 | Posted by NerfHerder at 2026-08-10 11:35 AM | Reply

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