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Wheat Kernel In Popcorn

lonewolf

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lonewolf Collaborator
lonewolf
Posted

I'm hoping this was a once in a million occurance. I was cleaning up the big popcorn bowl (we popped our own) and saw what looked like a rat dropping in with the "old maids". I decided to check into it, since I was a little concerned that the bag of popcorn might be contaminated. Well, it wasn't a rat dropping (thankfully), but it was a slightly burned kernel of wheat, or possibly barley. Now I'm wondering if I need to be concerned about the whole 25 pound bag being cross-contaminated. Has anyone else had this happen? Should I just let the rest of my family eat the popcorn or consider that it was an errant kernel?

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RiceGuy Collaborator
RiceGuy
Posted

Could it have been a grain of rice?

I'm not sure what would make me more concerned though - a grain of wheat or a rat dropping. That's a tough call LOL.

The way I might look at it is this: in the entire 25 pounds, what are the chances that the handful you used would have the one and only piece of contamination? Due to differences in size and weight, would that piece be more likely to settle to the bottom of the bag, or rise to the top?

angel-jd1 Community Regular
angel-jd1
Posted

Buying in such large quantities like that probably increases the chances for having other grains. They are probably only run through the cleaner once to take out debris (and other grains). You might try purchasing in a smaller bag. I have never had a problem with a small bag of kernels.

-Jessica :rolleyes:

I'm hoping this was a once in a million occurance. I was cleaning up the big popcorn bowl (we popped our own) and saw what looked like a rat dropping in with the "old maids". I decided to check into it, since I was a little concerned that the bag of popcorn might be contaminated. Well, it wasn't a rat dropping (thankfully), but it was a slightly burned kernel of wheat, or possibly barley. Now I'm wondering if I need to be concerned about the whole 25 pound bag being cross-contaminated. Has anyone else had this happen? Should I just let the rest of my family eat the popcorn or consider that it was an errant kernel?
lonewolf Collaborator
lonewolf
Posted
  • Author
Could it have been a grain of rice?

I'm not sure what would make me more concerned though - a grain of wheat or a rat dropping. That's a tough call LOL.

The way I might look at it is this: in the entire 25 pounds, what are the chances that the handful you used would have the one and only piece of contamination? Due to differences in size and weight, would that piece be more likely to settle to the bottom of the bag, or rise to the top?

It really didn't look like rice. Believe me, after 10 years wheat-free I know my rice. (Which reminds me, I like your screen name - I toyed with the idea of "Rice Girl", since my sister in law used to call me that.) I was actually happy that it wasn't a rat dropping because I would have thrown the whole thing out immediately.

The one (if it's only one) kernel would have "sunk" to the bottom, when we turned the bag upside down to put it in the bucket the kernel was at the top. It's a brand new bag of popcorn and we had only used it twice before.

I think I will carefully monitor each popcorn kernel that goes into the pan now.

RiceGuy Collaborator
RiceGuy
Posted
It really didn't look like rice. Believe me, after 10 years wheat-free I know my rice. (Which reminds me, I like your screen name - I toyed with the idea of "Rice Girl", since my sister in law used to call me that, but saw that it was too close to yours and chose something else.) I was actually happy that it wasn't a rat dropping because I would have thrown the whole thing out immediately.

The one (if it's only one) kernel would have "sunk" to the bottom, when we turned the bag upside down to put it in the bucket the kernel was at the top. It's a brand new bag of popcorn and we had only used it twice before.

I think I will carefully monitor each popcorn kernel that goes into the pan now.

OK. I guess I agree with angel_jd1 on the small bags. Last I had a large quantity though, it came in a nice clear plastic container.

Thanks for your feedback on the screen name :) It was the first thing that came to mind, so I used it. Not surprising since we are what we eat - I must have rice on the brain! I don't know if "Rice Girl" would have really been too close though. Obviously it would look like I copied you, since you registered first. I'd feel like crap, and have changed mine instead. Now, if you're name was Patty...well, that's just corny...

Getting back on topic, I don't suppose the dry kernels can be washed off first. I guess you'd have to consider your own level of sensitivity. You know what they say - where there's one, there's more. Maybe use a tea strainer as a scoop.

Almost as bad as finding half a worm in an apple...

Wheat-Free, Egg-Free, Soy-Free, Dairy-Free (okay, I cheat with butter) since 1996

Ah, just read that. Have you tried Open Original Shared Link sticks?

lonewolf Collaborator
lonewolf
Posted
  • Author
Ah, just read that. Have you tried Open Original Shared Link sticks?

I thought Earth Balance had soybean oil in it?

RiceGuy Collaborator
RiceGuy
Posted
I thought Earth Balance had soybean oil in it?

Ooops...you're correct. I don't know why I didn't notice the entire list of stuff you can't have.

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