Editing Bay leaf (section)

==Safety==
Some members of the laurel family, as well as the unrelated but visually similar [[Kalmia latifolia|mountain laurel]] and [[Prunus laurocerasus|cherry laurel]], have leaves that are poisonous to humans and livestock.<ref name= "vWvHvO"/> While these plants are not sold anywhere for culinary use, their visual similarity to bay leaves has led to the oft-repeated belief that bay leaves should be removed from food after cooking because they are poisonous. This is not true; bay leaves may be eaten without toxic effect. However, they remain unpleasantly stiff even after thorough cooking, and if swallowed whole or in large pieces they may pose a risk of harming the digestive tract or causing choking.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/food/bay-leaf-should-it-stay-or-should-it-go/2014/09/30/131eb444-429e-11e4-9a15-137aa0153527_story.html|title=Bay leaf: Should it stay or should it go?|first=Bonnie S.|last=Benwick|date=30 September 2014|access-date=5 January 2018|newspaper=Washington Post}}</ref> Thus, most recipes that use bay leaves will recommend their removal after the cooking process has finished.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/2695/what-is-the-origin-of-the-song-theres-a-place-in-france-where-the-naked-ladies-dance | first =  Cecil | last = Adams | work = The Straight Dope | title = What is the origin of the song "There's a place in France/Where the naked ladies dance?" Are bay leaves poisonous? | access-date = 2009-04-11| date =2007-02-23 }}</ref>

=== Canadian food and drug regulations ===
The Canadian government requires that ground bay leaves contain no more than 4.5% total [[ash]] material, with a maximum of 0.5% of which is [[insoluble]] in [[hydrochloric acid]]. To be considered dried, they must contain 7% moisture or less. The oil content cannot be less than 1 millilitre per 100 grams of the spice.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://laws.justice.gc.ca/eng/regulations/C.R.C.,_c._870/page-37.html#h-570402|title = Consolidated federal laws of Canada, Food and Drug Regulations|access-date = 2020-09-17|date = 2019-06-03}}</ref>