Photo: GiselleaiDubner got egg on his face earlier this summer when he called out The Economist for a supposed typo that turned out not to be one.
Sometimes, of course, consequential mistakes do make it through, and a simple correction isn’t always the answer.
Tens of thousands of copies of a Swedish food magazine have been recalled this week after an error in an apple cake recipe sent four of its readers to the hospital with nutmeg poisoning.
The recipe should have called for two pinches of nutmeg. Instead, the magazine went to press telling chefs to use 20 whole nutmeg nuts. That was enough nutmeg for at least four adults to seek medical help for headaches and dizziness.
In large doses, nutmeg is a mild hallucinogen.
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The title of this article really captured my attention, to think that such a careless mistake could cause so much harm. As JoseAngelCMS states, this simple mistake had a huge externality cost. (Both economically and on people’s health) Usually readers beleive what they are reading, so probably they are not to blame. (of course if you ever read something which seems a bit unrealistic, or strange it is best to research about it; although some people take advantage of this and use the opportunity to demand the writer for wrong information). Instead, an externality tax can be fined on the magazine, since it is very hard to deduce who researchs about the information they have read. Definetly this will be a lesson that will teach other writers how committed they have to be with their work. Not only writers have to be committed with their jobs, but anyone who is unemployed must care about their job, and try their best for excellent results.
Milhouse: “If it’s in a book then it’s gotta be true!”
Externalities notwithstanding, I have to wonder and wonder how anyone could blindly follow a recipe that required TWENTY WHOLE NUTMEG nuts…
I mean I’m sure most folks who buy whole nutmeg don’t go through a nut a year.
Seems like the true externality here is knuckleheadedness
Anyone who has been in the kitchen before knows that you never use more than 2 tbs. in ANY recipe. While typos can have very negative externalities and inflict a lot of bad on consumers, it is also the responsibility of the consumer to find the best information possible.
So this magazine will probably have to pay a fine because of the typo, which they rightfully should, but more importantly, their credibility is very tainted. Friends and family of those who were sent to the hospital will probably spread word about the event and encourage others not to support a magazine that gave faulty information once. But consumers, don’t be mindless. Seek the best information possible and when information seems sketchy, verify it!
I’m going to assume that the people who cooked the food for those who ended up in the hospital had never eaten or cooked with nutmeg before. Otherwise they would have known right off the bat that 20 whole nutmeg nuts would have been too much. One or two teaspoons of nutmeg is usually more than enough to overpower a recipe!
Thankfully my worst typo as a food writer was only embarrassing, not dangerous.
What was supposed to be Crab Dip was published as Crap Dip.
Every time I’ve needed to buy a new jar of whole nutmeg nuts there I would guess there are around 7 nuts in the jar. Perhaps nutmeg comes in different packaging in Sweden, but assuming it doesn’t I would wish that warning bells would go off for someone when 2-3 containers of nutmeg nuts had to be purchased for this recipe.
This just makes me glad that my mom insisted on imparting at least a base level of culinary experience and familiarity as part of our rearing. Even though this mistake is incomprehensible to me, I can (sort-of) understand that it could be possible for others.
Any Professional chef or cook would not follow any recipe requiring 20 whole nutmeg nuts. Nutmeg is so powerful it is only used sparingly. Only an amature would use that much nutmeg in any dish.