The Lemon that Can Make You Sick!

Ok, we've heard the saying when life gives you lemons you should make lemonade. But what if it is not life that is giving you that lemon? What if it is your waiter or waitress that squeezes the lemon that never has been washed since it was picked and drops the whole wedge of lemon into the water? Have you ever thought of where that lemon has been? Or where the hands of the person or persons have been who touches the lemon from the time it is picked?

In the Journal of Environmental Health issue of December 2007, a study was done in which a total of 76 lemon wedges served in water were analyzed to find approximately 70% of micro bacterial growth on the rinds of the lemons. Ewwww! Gross! On top of that they found 25 different micro organisms including bacteria and yeast. Uh, oh, I think I'm going to be sick! Hey, one more, they said these lemons had a potential of creating infectious disease of different body parts! Huh? All from some lemon wedges, was this true?

Attached to this article are the details of the study from Snopes.com. They dissected the study to say that "the study" did not determine where the origin of the microbial came from. Perhaps it is from the workers not washing their hands after going to the bathroom? Perhaps it is airborne spores that landed on the fruit or knife? Come on, does it really matter? Then it goes on to say, that although lemons have been known to have antimicrobial properties and that a wide variety of microorganism could have also survived on the lemons. Like they mention, if you are going to look at lemons, let's look at olives, limes, celery and any other type garnish they put in drinks.

So, does this mean you should not ask for a lemon wedge in your water? No, I think it means that you should ask for the lemon on the side and squeeze it yourself and don't put the lemon wedge in your water. In fact, you should forget all garnishes that are dropped in alcoholic beverages. And for that matter I would say, ask for a straw for your beverage drinks so your lips don't touch the glass that a worker might not have cleaned properly; and eat with your fingers so you can rest assure that the utensils aren't contaminated. Or, how about not dining out at all and cooking at home. Then you know who has touched and cleaned everything.