Turnips and false-positive hemoccult tests.

Abstract

To the Editor: In their letter of July 15, Broderick et al.1 concluded that consumption of turnips does not produce false-positive Hemoccult reactions.1 Indeed, we have recently reported that challenge diets of red meat or of fresh fruit and vegetables or both rarely produce false-positive tests when Hemoccult is developed without preliminary rehydration.2 Unfortunately, raw turnip was not included among the vegetables in our challenge diets. Although Broderick et al. may be correct, they appear to be generalizing from observations made only on themselves — i.e., on three subjects. False-positive reactions due to diet occur in some but not. © 1982, Massachusetts Medical Society. All rights r..