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September 8, 2011
What is it?
Answer here this time tomorrow.
Hint: smaller than a bread box.
Another: melamine.
September 8, 2011 at 01:01 PM | Permalink
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@6 The color was called Uranium Red. Pictures I have seen do make it look orange. Must have burned the film negative.
The plates today would set off alarms at airports.
Poisonous materials in the pipes,cups, bowls and cookware did make Ancient Rome a fun vacation spot. Best lead laced grape products ever made. Guess we still "do as the romans do" in various ways.
Posted by: neil | Sep 9, 2011 1:36:34 PM
Neil,
It was the Orange Fiestaware that used U as a component of the glaze....
My cookware (as opposed to other kitchen tools - say an aluminum ravioli form) is limited to stainless steel, cast iron and cast iron with a ceramic coating. All serving pieces are ceramic (my sisters have the lead crystal), stainless or silver.
The Hg laden fish - well.... Can I sell you a hat?
Posted by: 6.02*10^23 | Sep 9, 2011 3:06:27 AM
I know the Chinese problem is sanitation and a disregard for safety regulations to increase profit and decrease cost. But in reading what this chemical can do, if mishandled ever so slightly, I'll pass on the green bean casserole this Holiday Season. Stick to the bird cook in the Alzheimer inducing aluminum roaster. Please pass grandma's red Fiesta Ware gravy boat. Keeps that gravy hot for days.
Posted by: neil | Sep 9, 2011 1:03:31 AM
So is my lettuce poisoned or not?
Posted by: kay | Sep 8, 2011 8:06:56 PM
It is the bottom of a Wario Hat!
Posted by: Joe Peach | Sep 8, 2011 5:20:05 PM
Neil: the use of melamine as an adulterant is because it is a non-protein source of Nitrogen (derived from Urea and a host of other N compounds) that will show up as "protein" when the adulterated product is run through the Kjeldahl reaction. It makes products appear to have more protein when melamine is merely a N source. It has caused renal failure according to the CDC.
The Kjeldahl digestion is the gold standard for total nitrogen - and it has been the gold standard for well over 125 years. Time to include a melamine differential test prior to Kjeldahl.
Melamine is nearly a perfect adulterant - a fine white powder at room temp with no taste or smell - and it is cheap to synthesize from uric acid / urea (urine from CAFO operations is something that they pay you to take away in the USA and a fine source of Urea)
Posted by: 6.02*10^23 | Sep 8, 2011 4:26:32 PM
I was just reading today on the AP news, Milk powder laced with the industrial chemical melamine killed at least six children and sickened 300,000 in 2008. It has showed up again. 300 Chinese primary and middle school students have been sickened by unsafe food or water provided by their schools in five separate incidents over the past week.
Melamine is an organic base chemical most commonly found in the form of white powder. When mixed with formaldehyde, the compound is used in making everything from whiteboards to fire-retardant fabric.
Not in my pantry.
Posted by: neil | Sep 8, 2011 3:41:50 PM
Mixing bowl, yes? I have a similar one that comes with a lid and keeps salad greens ultra fresh in the fridge.
Posted by: Kay | Sep 8, 2011 3:07:44 PM
Egg poaching cup?
Posted by: jim` | Sep 8, 2011 2:43:46 PM
It is a mixing bowl.
Posted by: 6.02*10^23 | Sep 8, 2011 1:31:08 PM
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