Archive for October, 2007

Noel expected to regain strength

Wednesday, October 31st, 2007

Tropical Storm Noel, which killed 48 people in the Dominican Republic, Haiti and Cuba, was lingering along the Cuban coast Wednesday as tropical storm watches were issued for southeast Florida.

Survey shows consumers confident in the CANADIAN food supply - (Farmscape)

Wednesday, October 31st, 2007

Research conducted by Ipsos Reid shows Canadian Consumers continue to have an extremely high level of confidence in the quality and safety of Canadian food products. In an effort to better understand consumer perceptions of the Canadian food supply chain, from production and processing to retail, Ipsos Reid questioned 16 hundred ...

NY dairy farmer turns the tables when the ag inspectors arrive for a mystery visit - (The Complete Patient)

Wednesday, October 31st, 2007

Over the last two weeks, Andrea Elliott has been writing emails to farm associations, her Congressman, and members of the U.S. House and Senate agriculture committees—all urging that the upcoming farm bill not include funding for the National Animal Identification System (NAIS). She and her husband, Jim, own a dairy ...

US: American Meat Institute calls WCRF panel recommendations on meat consumption extreme and unfounded - (AMI)

Wednesday, October 31st, 2007

Says Alarmist Messages Reflect Group’s Anti-Meat Bias, Stand in Sharp Contrast to U.S. Dietary Guidelines and Plain Common Sense Washington, DC — The American Meat Institute (AMI) today said that World Cancer Research Fund’s (WCRF) recommendations to limit red and processed meat intake to extremely low levels reflect WCRF’s well-known anti-meat ...

Japan’s food safety scandal hits Mister Donut - (International Herald Tribune)

Wednesday, October 31st, 2007

TOKYO — Mister Donut was cited as acknowledging Wednesday that it used out-of-date syrups in some of its drinks in Japan earlier this year. Operator Duskin Co. was cited as saying that Mister Donut — the iconic franchise launched in the United States in 1955 and brought to Japan in 1970 ...

Growers, shippers germinate leafy greens marketing agreement in Arizona - (Western Farm Press)

Wednesday, October 31st, 2007

Western growers and shippers of leafy green vegetables are, according to this story, ramping up food safety efforts through the launch of the Arizona leafy greens marketing agreement (ALGMA). The ALGMA is the result of a voluntary effort by growers and shippers to mirror the California Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement (CLGMA) ...

NEW JERSEY: 6 Hudson stores sold recalled beef - (North Jersey Media Group)

Wednesday, October 31st, 2007

Six additional Hudson County food stores have, according to this story, been found selling frozen hamburger and beef products recalled by the Topps Meat Co. because of potential E. coli contamination. State officials were cited as announcing Tuesday that inspectors from the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs, Hudson County and ...

BRIEF: Salmonella found in 3 Banquet pot pies - (Omaha World-Herald)

Wednesday, October 31st, 2007

Three Banquet pot pies made by ConAgra Foods have, according to this story, tested positive for salmonella as federal officials investigate an outbreak that has sickened more than 270 people in 35 states. Omaha-based ConAgra recalled its Banquet pot pies Oct. 11 and halted production of the products at a plant ...

New International Food Safety Network Infosheet, Halloween editon — Chocolates recalled after nuts contaminated with Salmonella - (International Food Safety Network)

Wednesday, October 31st, 2007

The newest food safety infosheet, a graphical one-page food safety-related story directed at food handlers, is now available at foodsafetyinfosheets.ksu.edu. Infosheet highlights: Production was halted at Fox’s Confectionary on October 15, 2007 after traces of Salmonella were found in samples of chocolate. Infosheets are created weekly by iFSN and are posted in restaurants, ...

COLUMN: Don’t fear the egg white - (Washington Post)

Wednesday, October 31st, 2007

Wilson writes that sometimes he does not tell the whole truth, like when he introduces friends to two of his favorite cocktails — the Clover Club and the Pink Lady — he refuses to let anyone watch him mix them because raw egg whites make way too many people squeamish. Tell ...

UK: 17 struck down with salmonella after meal - (Macclesfield Express)

Wednesday, October 31st, 2007

A Poynton restaurant which was forced to close after 17 diners contracted salmonella has, according to this story, re-opened after being given the all-clear by environmental health. The story says that Macclesfield Magistrates made an Emergency Hygiene Prohibition Order to temporarily shut Ciao Mediterranean restaurant, on Park Lane, on Saturday, October ...

AUSTRALIA: Smallgoods maker breaches food standards - (ABC News Online (Australia))

Wednesday, October 31st, 2007

The company Conroy’s Smallgoods has, according to this story, plead guilty to violating food safety standards which could have led to a spread of potentially-deadly bacteria. Adelaide Magistrates Court heard that an off-duty meat hygiene inspector had visited Conroy’s Bowden factory in Adelaide in August last year to assist a listeria ...

BARFBLOG: Paging Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman - (barfblog )

Wednesday, October 31st, 2007

TMZ has confirmed that Jane Seymour did not participate in Tuesday’s “Dancing with the Stars” extravaganza — because she’s got food poisoning. Apparently she’ll be back next week.

Chad won’t impede aid groups

Wednesday, October 31st, 2007

Read full story for latest details.

Noel to regain strength, forecasters say

Wednesday, October 31st, 2007

Tropical Storm Noel was expected to strengthen Wednesday after the center emerges over water north of Cuba, forecasters said.

New Poland PM names Iraq exit date

Wednesday, October 31st, 2007

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Guilty verdicts in Madrid trial

Wednesday, October 31st, 2007

A Madrid court is expected to deliver the verdict and sentence Wednesday for 28 defendants charged in the commuter train bombings that killed 191 people and wounded more than 1,800 in 2004.

Myanmar ‘recruits child soldiers’

Wednesday, October 31st, 2007

Read full story for latest details.

SPROUTNET: Garbage in garbage out - (International Specialty Supply)

Tuesday, October 30th, 2007

The October issue of the Journal of Food Protection contains an article by Marilyn Erickson and Michael Doyle, from the Center for Food Safety and Department of Food Science and Technology at the University of Georgia. The abstract includes the following: “Recent analysis of retail foods in the United States ...

Two MINNESOTA companies defends meat packing - (wcco.com)

Tuesday, October 30th, 2007

Washington — Minnesota companies Cargill Inc. and Hormel Foods Corp. were cited as telling the House Agriculture Committee Tuesday that their practice of packaging meat in carbon monoxide was safe, while consumer groups critical of the practice were excluded from the hearing. The meat industry uses the practice to help meat ...

GEORGIA: Public hearing on coloring raw milk is Friday - (The Atlanta Journal-Constitution)

Tuesday, October 30th, 2007

A proposal to require farmers to dye raw milk before it can be sold to the public has raised so much interest that the state agriculture department has switched the location of a public hearing to accommodate the expected crowd. The hearing from 9 to 11 a.m. Friday was originally set ...

CALIFORNIA: San Bernardino boy’s E. coli case sparks investigation - (The Press-Enterprise)

Tuesday, October 30th, 2007

San Bernardino County health officials were cited as saying Tuesday they are investigating how a 1 1/2 -year-old San Bernardino boy became ill with the deadly E. coli bacteria. Dr. Margaret Beed, the county’s health officer, was cited as saying investigators spoke to Monique Bivins, whose son, Ravon, spent a week ...

MINNESOTA: Meat plant sues Longville church over E. coli: A woman died and 17 people fell ill after eating at a Longville, Minn., church potluck in 2006 - (Star Tribune)

Tuesday, October 30th, 2007

In a twist on the typical food safety lawsuit, a meat plant is suing a church after a deadly E. coli outbreak, pinning blame for the contagion on the church kitchen. The story says that Nebraska Beef Ltd. slaughterhouse alleged to be the source of ground beef that killed one and ...

BARFBLOG: Good eats: New Jersey squirrels - (barfblog)

Tuesday, October 30th, 2007

Agence France Press reports today that squirrel eaters in the U.S. state of New Jersey have been told that the bushy-tailed rodents are likely safe to eat, after earlier being advised the unlikely delicacies could contain toxic metals. The Environmental Protection Agency said earlier this year it had discovered high levels ...

Crew retakes ship after fight with pirates

Tuesday, October 30th, 2007

Crew members regained control of a North Korean cargo ship off Somalia on Tuesday after a deadly battle with pirates who had hijacked their vessel, the U.S. Navy said. The Navy is still chasing a second ship held by pirates in the area.

Noel weakens over Cuba

Tuesday, October 30th, 2007

Heavy rains began falling over the central and southeastern Bahamas early Tuesday as Tropical Storm Noel approached after making a deadly pass over the Dominican Republic.

Iraq war deaths show sharp decline

Tuesday, October 30th, 2007

The number of U.S. military and Iraqi civilian deaths has dropped dramatically, according to recent reports, although American military officials said it is too soon to declare a turning point in the conflict.

Crew regains ship after fight with pirates

Tuesday, October 30th, 2007

Crew members regained control of a North Korean cargo ship off Somalia on Tuesday after a deadly battle with pirates who had hijacked their vessel, the U.S. Navy said. The Navy is still chasing a second ship held by pirates in the area.

Lawyer grills motorcyclist in Diana case

Tuesday, October 30th, 2007

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Noel douses part of nears Bahamas

Tuesday, October 30th, 2007

Heavy rains began falling over the central and southeastern Bahamas early Tuesday as Tropical Storm Noel approached after making a deadly pass over the Dominican Republic.

Aid group faces kidnapping charges

Tuesday, October 30th, 2007

Authorities in Chad have charged nine French nationals with kidnapping and grift for attempting to fly out of Chad more than 100 children the group claimed were orphans from Sudan.

PM disowns daughter for being gay

Tuesday, October 30th, 2007

Read full story for latest details.

PM disowns daughter for being gay

Tuesday, October 30th, 2007

Read full story for latest details.

UK: The Health Store withdraws its own brand Japanese Rice Crackers - (Food Standards Agency)

Tuesday, October 30th, 2007

The Health Store has withdrawn its own brand Japanese Rice Crackers due to a labelling error that has led to them having the incorrect allergen information and so making them a potential health risk for people who are allergic to soy. The Agency has issued an Allergy Alert. All 125g packs ...

WALES: Lamb recall update: 30 October - (Food Standards Agency)

Tuesday, October 30th, 2007

The Agency can confirm that ten businesses were supplied with batches of lamb by Welsh Country Foods Ltd that may have contained meat or offal from animals sold for breeding purposes. All remaining stocks of the affected batches have been withdrawn from sale. The businesses are: * Armon Ltd * Channel Meats * Clarke ...

NEW ZEALAND: Food safety when shopping - (Scoop News)

Tuesday, October 30th, 2007

Every year thousands of New Zealanders suffer from a dose of food poisoning. Many of those cases are caught in the home. Food poisoning is usually caused by bacteria called pathogens. These can either be present on foods, or can be passed from you to the food. You cannot tell if ...

WASHINGTON: American Meat Institute unveils new consumer friendly video about meat packaging technologies: Video is a companion to new brochures addressing case-ready meats and product dating - (American Meat Institute)

Tuesday, October 30th, 2007

Washington, DC, — The American Meat Institute (AMI) today unveiled a new, consumer-friendly video about meat packaging technologies that is designed to educate consumers about the packaging options available in today’s marketplace and how they have changed over time. The video features AMI Foundation Vice President of Scientific Affairs Randy Huffman, ...

UK: Chocolates recalled after nuts contaminated with salmonella - (Daily Mail/ Reuters)

Tuesday, October 30th, 2007

A leading confectionary company has found traces of salmonella at its factory in Leicester. Production was suspended on four plant lines at Fox’s Confectionary on October 15 after traces of the bacteria were found in samples of chocolate. The company believes the outbreak originated from a batch of contaminated Brazil nuts, which ...

Congress needs to build a modern food safety system, says CSPI - (CSPI)

Tuesday, October 30th, 2007

WASHINGTON—Import legislation under consideration by the House Energy and Commerce Committee (H.R. 3610, the Food and Drug Import Safety Act) would be valuable, but would still only partially solve the food safety problems threatening Americans, according to a new white paper published today by the nonprofit Center for Science in ...

Salmonellosis, frozen poultry pie - USA (multistate) (08) - (International Society for Infectious DIseases)

Tuesday, October 30th, 2007

CDC is collaborating with public health officials in multiple states across the USA and with the Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (USDA/FSIS) to investigate an ongoing multistate outbreak of _Salmonella_ I 4,[5],12:i:- (pronounced “four five twelve eye minus”) infections in humans. An investigation that used interviews comparing ...

KANSAS: Faculty, students discuss food safety at café meeting - (Kansas State Collegian)

Tuesday, October 30th, 2007

A monthly conversation outlet now exists for community members and students to discuss their concerns and questions about recent food-safety outbreaks. About 10 K-State faculty members, students and community members attended the first monthly Food Science Café on Monday night at Bluestem Bistro. Douglas Powell, scientific director of the International Food ...

CANADA: Ag Ministers should announce food safety direction & funding at November meeting - (Canadian Supply Chain Food Safety Coalition)

Tuesday, October 30th, 2007

Ottawa — The Canadian Supply Chain Food Safety Coalition today called upon Canada’s federal, provincial and territorial ministers of agriculture to announce the details of future food safety programming and funding at their November 16th and 17th meeting on the new policy framework – Growing Forward. Heather Holland, Coalition chair, congratulated ...

MARLER BLOG: The Canadian government sends e. coli contaminated meat south? - (Marler Blog)

Tuesday, October 30th, 2007

I had a nice chat with Neil Waugh of the Edmonton Sun yesterday about the twisted trail of E. coli from Canada. I am hurt (not really) that he called me a “legal vulture.” Fallout from ‘dirty’ Alberta beef plant felt on both sides of the border According to Mr. Waugh: Ranchers Beef ...

CANADA: A rotten deal for taxpayers: Fallout from ‘dirty’ Alberta beef plant felt on both sides of the border - (Edmonton Sun)

Tuesday, October 30th, 2007

Ranchers Beef Ltd. of Balzac collapsed on Aug.15 after company president Tony Martinez reported in a court affidavit that his outfit was “in the midst of a severe liquidity crisis”. In other words it was broke. And likely would have stayed that way if the United States Department of Agriculture hadn’t ...

WTO food safety requirements database goes live - (Food Week Online)

Tuesday, October 30th, 2007

Finding out about the food safety requirements and alerts in other countries just got easier, with the launch of a searchable database on country requirements by the World Trade Organisation (WTO). The SPS Information Management System should be of assistance to exporters looking to enter new markets. It should also help manufacturers ...

774 arrests in CHINA over safety - (New York Times)

Tuesday, October 30th, 2007

Shanghai — The Chinese government was cited as revealing today that it had arrested 774 people over the last two months as part of a nationwide crackdown on the production and sale of tainted food, drugs and agricultural products. Government regulators hailed the arrests as a major step forward for food ...

Spate of Staph infections highlight the need for thorough, consistent cleaning regimen at home, at school and at work: Use of proven disinfectant products is a key element to an effective hygiene protocol - (from a press release)

Tuesday, October 30th, 2007

So-called “green” alternatives may not be as effective Washington — The recent outbreak of staph infections in schools throughout the country serves as an important reminder of the importance of routine, thorough cleaning and targeted disinfection of buildings where a large number of people constantly live, work or play. This includes ...

COLUMN: Germ fighters may lead to hardier germs - (New York Times)

Tuesday, October 30th, 2007

According to this story, hundreds of soaps, hand lotions, kitchen cleansers and even toothpastes and mouthwashes include antibacterial agents. One of the most popular is triclosan, which has been used not only in cleaners but also to coat toys, cutting boards, mouse pads, wallpaper and even dog bowls. The temptation to ...

Madeleine fund paid for mortgage

Tuesday, October 30th, 2007

The parents of Madeleine McCann used money donated to hunt for their missing daughter to make two mortgage payments, it was reported Tuesday.

Saudi king’s royal meet draws fire

Tuesday, October 30th, 2007

King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia officially begins his visit to the UK Tuesday as controversy continues over issues related to the Middle Eastern kingdom.