Someone sent this to me, and because I have some old pancake mix sitting in a cupboard, I thought this message needs to be seen. Thanks Pinky.


> DEAR ABBY:
> 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 found it was very outdated.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 outdated mix.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 Also, beware of outdated cake, brownie and cookie mixes. PASS IT ON!!!!
>
> Sharon Hall
> Rehabilitation Assistant
> Georgia Department Of Labor
> Vocational Rehabilitation Program
> P.O. Box 688
> Perry, Georgia 31069-0688

This leaves me wondering, what causes the mold.....the type of flour, or a chemical reaction with preservatives....?? I'm definately guilty on this one! My grandson won't touch anything that's one day past the freshness date so maybe he's smarter than his grandma after all!

nightowl