<<Disclaimer: Verify this information before applying it to your situation.>>

Dear All,

Someone recently posted about a problem eating mushrooms at a restaurant. She
said she didn't know how they are composted.

I have seen notices from mushroom growers requesting horse manure in straw
for their compost. My family loves mushrooms and I have a cookbook on the
subject, in which it is made clear that they should always be wiped and not
washed. If you prepare mushrooms, you know it seems almost impossible to get
all the "dirt" (manure?) off.

There are times when I have celiac-like symptoms but can't trace it to
gluten. My doctor said the symptoms may be from more bacteria than usual in
my food, such as in leftovers more than 24 hours old.

I am posting this because I think people with compromised immune systems,
especially the newly-diagnosed celiac patients, might want to consider
avoiding foods that may have high bacteria counts.

Mara