I think this is more a question for Lapis. As of 2011 herbal medicines will require full licensing throughout the European Union. In any European country after this date it will be illegal to sell or supply any herbal medicine that has not been licensed.

Will this law affect the sale of cassia bark in the UK do you think? I believe this law was introduced into Germany some time ago, and if what my sources tell me is true, then you can't buy cassia bark over there.

Sid

Sid, I don't think it will affect the sale of any spice, as they are for culinary use, not medicine. If cassia has been sold as a medicine, it will need to be regulated, but for culinary use, there is no suggestion it has any medicinal qualities.

I am aware that cassia can contain up to 7% coumarin, which is a substance that reduces blood clotting, but if people are concerned about their blood pressure, I would always suggest they contact their GP. Most spices have been suggested as cures for nearly everything, without any scientific basis. I'm not saying some might not have value, but I would not put my life in the hands of a non-qualified (and regulated) person.

It would be a sad day if spices and herbs had to be regulated for cooking! (although your recent brush with the 'chilli of death' would make a strong case for it!).

I wrote to the shop where I bought the mouldy chillies from. Hopefully they will look into it!

although they would not have packed them themselves, I assume, in law they are responsible! Doesn't seem fair that they should shoulder all the responsibility.

My sentiments exactly.

Incidentally. Does that mould you mentioned affect onions? I notice from time to time that when I peel an onion there is a burst of dust comes from between the layers of the skins and quite often there will be a greyish blue mould on the onion itself.

Sid

I peel of the onion mould completely and use the onions. It has been okay so far. Mind you, I never buy them in such bulk that they don't get used up within weeks. Problem occurs when some are mouldy when bought and I am too lazy to drive back to the shop. I would be interested in what Lapis and others have to say about this.

I often find veg from the supermarket isn't fit for purpose (and I do my best to check before buying) but its too much hassle to go back... !

Steve

Yeah, the too lazy to go back syndrome is interesting to me. I have been exactly the same before now. Last pancake day my mum bought a cheap pancake pan for ?2 in Tesco. When she put it on the heat for the first time it bevelled and the Teflon started to burn and it filled the kitchen with a horrible smell. She just threw it in the bin and had done with it. Then it got me to thinking how many other people had bought one of those pans, had the same experience and thought, because it only cost ?2 it wasn't worth taking back. The manufacturer would have been reaping in the profits for selling something that, in my opinion, was of unmerchantable quality.

I have also found black mould growing on fresh (or maybe not in this case) garlic too.

I never buy too many onions at one time. I have found that TESCO don't sell very good onions. No matter how I buy them, in bags, nets or if I pick my own, they always appear to be poor quality. I should have learnt my lesson by now. Maybe I have contradicted myself here LOL.

Sid

I think mold found on root veg is fine, its the mold found on fruit and veg from hot moist countries that's the problem.

Whenever I can, I pick my onions very carefully, and always test the tops to see if they are soggy, suggesting rot has already set in.

I must admit to liking Indian onions. These are quite different to ordinary medium sized onions that I use in Indian cooking. They are pink (but not red), are not too pungent, and excellent raw. My SIL says they don't make her cry, either! In the early summer I can get a bag of these for 50p (well, last year I did) but I had to throw away a few. So far this year, they have been ?1.50 a bag!

In my 'kitchen garden, (that's nine test tubes in a holder), I'm growing four shallots (and an avocado pear!). The shallots root very quickly at the hint of wetness!

Back to the plot, I believe everyone should be aware of aflatoxins. There are several deaths a year in the UK from people eating peanuts. NEVER eat the ones for birds!!

I kept an avocado stone for planting but someone threw it away. I have read that they make nice house plants but they will only live for part of the year due to the climate in the UK.