Ever consider those ubiquitous lemon wedges perched on the rim of the water, soda and alcoholic beverages you order in restaurants?
Me neither, until I heard about this study by microbiologist Anne Lagrange Loving.
Loving tested 76 lemons from 21 different restaurants. Almost 70% tested positive for bacteria, including e-coli. Loving also found traces of human fecal matter, skin and saliva on the lemons - which most likely come from lots of different grubby fingers cutting and handling the lemons. Contaminated cutting boards probably also contribute to the bacteria load.
Experts point out that, unless you have a compromised immune system, the lemons are unlikely to make you sick.
Still . . . gross.
