Archive for November, 2007

TRINIDAD: Lunches not source of pupils’ illness - (Trinidad & Tobago Express)

Friday, November 30th, 2007

dadexpress.com/index.pl/article_news?id=161243211 Education Minister Esther Le Gendre was cited as saying that the lab tests conducted on the box lunch containing a worm in the macaroni pie was not the reason which led to over 100 students and a teacher falling ill at the Cap de Ville Government Primary school recently. According to ...

ATLANTA: Filthy drinking glasses – even at Ritz Carlton - (HealthInspections.com)

Friday, November 30th, 2007

http://www.healthinspections.com/articles.cfm?YXJ0aWNsZUlEPTkx The video is stunning. And, it’s gross. A hotel housekeeper wearing a bright yellow glove, cleans a toilet in a hotel room — then she picks up a dirty wash cloth and sniffs it. She uses that cloth to wipe off a couple of drinking glasses that were used by the guest. No ...

WASHINGTON: Panel says FDA losses jeopardize public - (The Associated Press)

Friday, November 30th, 2007

http://www.centredaily.com/news/politics/story/276092.html WASHINGTON– A Science Board subcommittee report released Friday was cited as saying that a loss of scientific expertise at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration is threatening American lives. The nearly yearlong review by scientists from leading universities and industries the FDA regulates was cited as saying that food safety in ...

NORTH CAROLINA: Salmonella outbreak contained at Newton restaurant - (wbtv.com)

Friday, November 30th, 2007

http://www.wbtv.com/news/topstories/11977121.html A Salmonella outbreak is contained in Newton tonight and the restaurant where it all started has been cleared to re-open. But WBTV’s Kristen Hampton talked to the owner today who says his doors will remain closed. The story explains that there are two different businesses affected, one is a grocery shop the ...

K: Let them eat cake-or maybe not! - (Glamorgan Gazette)

Friday, November 30th, 2007

http://icwales.icnetwork.co.uk/news/south-wales-news/bridgend-maesteg/2007/11/29/let-them-eat-cake-or-maybe-not-91466-20174395/ http://barfblog.foodsafety.ksu.edu/2007/11/articles/culture-of-food-safety/should-homemade-snacks-be-banned-from-schools/index.html Mynydd Cynffig Junior School in Wales has, according to this story, banned home-made cakes and biscuits from its Christmas fair to protect pupils’ health and safety, following the 2005 E.coli outbreak, and fears that ingredients could trigger pupils’ allergies. Coun Peter Foley, cabinet member for education, was quoted as saying, “Children ...

Iran refuses to budge on nuclear plan

Friday, November 30th, 2007

The European Union’s foreign policy chief said Friday he was “disappointed” by the latest talks with Iran over the nation’s nuclear program, a failure that could result in more sanctions for the Middle Eastern nation.

Co-operating Societies Agreement between IFST and IFST of Ireland - (Institute of Food Science & Technology)

Friday, November 30th, 2007

The Institute of Food Science & Technology and the Institute of Food Science & Technology of Ireland jointly announced on 30 November 2007 the establishment of a Co-operating Societies Agreement between them. The joint announcement reads: The Institute of Food Science & Technology of Ireland (IFSTI) and the Institute of Food Science & Technology (IFST) ...

Secretary Leavitt discusses import and food safety with National Restaurant Association Board Member at Boston’s Cheers Restaurant - (Cheers Restaurant)

Friday, November 30th, 2007

http://www.drinksmediawire.com/afficher_cdp.asp?id=2334&lng=2 Today Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Mike Leavitt met with National Restaurant Association board member and former Chairman Tom Kershaw at Cheers Restaurant in Boston’s Faneuil Hall Marketplace. Kershaw, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Hampshire House Corporation which owns Cheers, discussed import and food safety with Secretary ...

AMAICA: Food safety probe at Montego Bay school - (Jamaica Gleaner News)

Friday, November 30th, 2007

http://www.jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20071130/news/news3.html Several students at Mount Alvernia High School in Montego Bay, St. James, reportedly staged a ‘hunger strike’ Wednesday in protest against what they claim are unhealthy food preparation practices at the institution’s canteen. The story says that a number of students at the all-girls institution were complaining of severe stomach pains, ...

Meredith roommate to stay in jail

Friday, November 30th, 2007

Amanda Knox, the American student held in connection with the death of Briton Meredith Kercher, has protested her innocence to a court in Perugia, her lawyer says.

Three Palestinians refugees die in Iraq

Friday, November 30th, 2007

Three Palestinians, including two sick children, have died recently while waiting for resettlement from Iraq, the U.N. refugee agency said on Friday.

Sudan protesters: Execute teacher

Friday, November 30th, 2007

Muslim groups in Sudan, angry at a female British teacher for allowing her students to call a teddy bear “Mohammed,” are planning a protest in the capital Khartoum a day after she was sentenced to 15 days in jail.

Nuke expert, baby among plane dead

Friday, November 30th, 2007

A renowned nuclear physics professor and a six-week old baby, due to meet his grandfather for the first time, were among the 56 people killed when a plane crashed in southern Turkey early Friday, agency reports have said.

Meredith roommate claims innocence

Friday, November 30th, 2007

Amanda Knox, the American student held in connection with the death of Briton Meredith Kercher, has protested her innocence to a court in Perugia, her lawyer says.

Police: Colleague, not cell phone, killed man

Friday, November 30th, 2007

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Sudan groups say teacher ‘infidel’

Friday, November 30th, 2007

Muslim groups in Sudan, angry at a female British teacher for allowing her students to call a teddy bear “Mohammed,” are planning a protest in the capital Khartoum a day after she was sentenced to 15 days in jail.

Videos show hostages held by Colombian rebels

Friday, November 30th, 2007

The Colombian government has seized five videotapes from suspected members of a rebel group that show a number of hostages, including Colombian Sen. Ingrid Betancourt and three American contractors, a government statement said Thursday.

56 feared dead in Turkey jet crash

Friday, November 30th, 2007

A Turkish jetliner with 56 people on board crashed over southern Turkey early Friday as the pilot was preparing to land in Isparta, an airline spokesman said. No survivors have been found, an official said.

Turkish jetliner crashes

Friday, November 30th, 2007

A Turkish jetliner with 56 people on board crashed over southern Turkey early Friday as the pilot was preparing to land in Isparta, an airline spokesman said. No survivors have been found, an official said.

Ecuador assembly shuts congress

Friday, November 30th, 2007

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Venezuelans protest, as vote nears

Friday, November 30th, 2007

One day after demonstrators thronged the Venezuelan capital’s main thoroughfare to express their opposition to Sunday’s referendum on changes to the constitution, supporters of President Hugo Chavez plan to hold their own demonstrations on Friday.

U.S.: Iran’s elite guard in Persian Gulf

Friday, November 30th, 2007

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps has taken command of Iranian naval operations in the Persian Gulf, the U.S. military has revealed.

Jail for teacher in teddy bear case

Thursday, November 29th, 2007

A Sudanese court on Thursday found British teacher Gillian Gibbons guilty of insulting religion and sentenced her to 15 days in prison for allowing a teddy bear to be named “Mohammed,” British authorities and her lawyer reported.

Influence of temperature and surfactant on Escherichia coli inactivation in aqueous suspensions treated by moderate pulsed electric fields - (International Journal of Food)

Thursday, November 29th, 2007

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6T7K-4PNFV3P-1&_user=10&_coverDate=12%2F15%2F2007&_rdoc=6&_fmt=summary&_orig=browse&_srch=doc-info(%23toc%235061%232007%23998799996%23675069%23FLA%23display%23Volume)&_cdi=5061&_sort=d&_docanchor=& Abstract This research employed a conductometric technique to estimate the inactivation kinetics of Escherichia coli cells in aqueous suspensions (1 wt.%) during simultaneous pulsed electric fields (PEF) and thermal treatments. The electric field strength was E = 5 kV/cm, the effective PEF treatment time tPEF was within 0–0.2 s, the pulse ...

Development and validation of a mathematical model to describe the growth of Pseudomonas spp. in raw poultry stored under aerobic conditions - (International Journal of Food Microbiology)

Thursday, November 29th, 2007

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6T7K-4PSC20S-1&_user=10&_coverDate=12%2F15%2F2007&_rdoc=10&_fmt=summary&_orig=browse&_srch=doc-info(%23toc%235061%232007%23998799996%23675069%23FLA%23display%23Volume)&_cdi=5061&_sort=d&_docanchor= Abstract Poultry meat spoils quickly unless it is processed, stored, and distributed under refrigerated conditions. Research has shown that the microbial spoilage rate is predominantly controlled by temperature and the spoilage flora of refrigerated, aerobically-stored poultry meat is generally dominated by Pseudomonas spp. The objective of our study was to develop and ...

Association of farm management practices with risk of Escherichia coli contamination in pre-harvest produce grown in Minnesota and Wisconsin - (International Journal of Food )

Thursday, November 29th, 2007

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6T7K-4PTW4G8-1&_user=10&_coverDate=12%2F15%2F2007&_rdoc=11&_fmt=summary&_orig=browse&_srch=doc-info(%23toc%235061%232007%23998799996%23675069%23FLA%23display%23Volume)&_cdi=5061&_sort=d&_docanchor= A bstract Microbiological analyses of fruits and vegetables produced by farms in Minnesota and Wisconsin were conducted to determine the prevalence of Escherichia coli in pre-harvest fruits and vegetables. During the 2003 and 2004 harvest seasons, 14 organic (certified by accredited organic agencies), 30 semi-organic (used organic practices but not certified) and ...

Relationship between nitrate/nitrite reductase activities in meat associated staphylococci and nitrosylmyoglobin formation in a cured meat model system - (International Journal of Food )

Thursday, November 29th, 2007

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6T7K-4PKFGWT-2&_user=10&_coverDate=12%2F15%2F2007&_rdoc=12&_fmt=summary&_orig=browse&_srch=doc-info(%23toc%235061%232007%23998799996%23675069%23FLA%23display%23Volume)&_cdi=5061&_sort=d&_docanchor= Abstract Quantitative determination of catalase, nitrate reductase, nitrite reductase and nitric oxide synthase activities (NOS) was performed on 11 different bacterial strains, mainly staphylococci, isolated from fermented sausages, bacon brine or cured meat products. All except one strain possessed catalase activity in the range from 1.0 to 6.1 µmol min- 1 ...

BLOG: EfV takes the DOH food handler challenge - (The Village Blogge)

Thursday, November 29th, 2007

http://blogs.villagevoice.com/food/archives/2007/11/efv_takes_the_d.php EfV is the kind of girl who trims the mold from her bread and then toasts it up without a care in the world. And when it comes to eating out, things can get much more extreme. If the tacos smell good, I ignore the tired-looking rag being used to ...

PENNSYLVANIA: Pa. Ag Dept. milk label rules postponed - (Associated Press)

Thursday, November 29th, 2007

HARRISBURG, PA — The state is reconsidering a decision that would stop dairies from labeling milk containers as hormone-free. The additional scrutiny by the Agriculture Department and governor’s office is expected to take two months or more, postponing the new rule at least a month beyond its original Jan. 1 effective ...

CANADA: Minister Ritz statement on USDA decision to lift heightened inspection of Canadian meat exports - (Canadian Food Inspection Agency)

Thursday, November 29th, 2007

http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/corpaffr/newcom/2007/20071129e.shtml The Government of Canada is pleased that the United States Department of Agriculture is returning to standard testing levels for Canadian beef, pork and poultry products. Thanks to the cooperation between the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and USDA officials, our American counterparts have confirmed that special testing measures are no ...

U.S. unveils new food protection plan - (IFT Neutraceutical and Functional Foods Newsletter)

Thursday, November 29th, 2007

Last week, U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Mike Leavitt announced a comprehensive initiative by the Food and Drug Administration designed to bolster efforts to better protect the nation’s food supply. The Food Protection Plan proposes the use of science and a risk-based approach to ensure the safety of domestic ...

CHICAGO: Loop salad shop shut by city health department - (Chicago Department of Public Health)

Thursday, November 29th, 2007

http://egov.cityofchicago.org/city/webportal/portalContentItemAction.do?contentOID=536964806&contenTypeName=COC_EDITORIAL&topChannelName=Dept&entityName=Health A Loop salad shop was ordered closed today after Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) inspectors discovered a critical violation of the City Health Code. Salad Spinners, 200 E. Randolph (lower level of the Aon Center), was shut down after CDPH inspectors found continued non-compliance with orders to address what started ...

USDA considering first-ever leafy greens regulations - (Santa Cruz Sentinel)

Thursday, November 29th, 2007

http://www.santacruzsentinel.com/story.php?storySection=Local&sid=51112 In the wake of E. coli outbreaks linked to contaminated spinach last fall, the U.S. Department of Agriculture is, according to this story, considering first-ever national safety regulations for leafy green vegetables. Michael Durando of the USDA was quoted as saying, “We’re asking the public if there should be some type ...

Curlwaa Orange Juice recalls product after tests find Salmonella traces - (Australian Food News)

Thursday, November 29th, 2007

http://www.ausfoodnews.com.au/db/node/51649 Curlwaa Orange Juice is conducting a recall of the above product in response to testing which indicates the presence of Salmonella. Curlwaa Orange Juice is fully cooperating with health authorities on the problem. Symptoms of Salmonella poisoning are vomiting, diarrhoea and abdominal pain which persists for more than 24hours. Any consumers concerned ...

Egyptian activist’s YouTube account cut

Thursday, November 29th, 2007

An Egyptian human rights activist who posted videos about police abuse says YouTube has shut down his account because of complaints that the videos contain “inappropriate material.”

Purported bin Laden tape: NATO broke war rules

Thursday, November 29th, 2007

An audio recording attributed to Osama bin Laden called on Europeans to abandon Afghanistan and accused NATO troops of killing women and children there.

China: U.S. ties ‘disturbed and harmed’

Thursday, November 29th, 2007

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Police official: Don’t charge Olmert

Thursday, November 29th, 2007

Israeli police will recommend not charging Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert for any involvement in the privatization of Bank Leumi, Israel’s second-largest bank, police spokesman Mickey Rosenfeld told CNN Thursday.

Efficacy of dose regimen and observation of herd immunity from a vaccine against Escherichia coli O157:H7 for feedlot cattle - (Journal of Food Protection®)

Thursday, November 29th, 2007

ABSTRACT: A clinical trial was conducted to test the effect of a vaccine product containing type III secreted proteins of Escherichia coli O157:H7 on the probability that feedlot steers shed E. coli O157:H7 in feces. Six hundred eight same-source steers were utilized. Of these, 480 steers were assigned randomly to ...

Manila hotel siege ends in surrender

Thursday, November 29th, 2007

Dramatically played out on live television, an opposition politician and rebel military officers surrendered to government forces after taking over a luxury hotel in Manila. “We’re going out for the sake of the safety of everybody,” Philippines Sen. Antonio Trillanes said.

‘Uranium suitable for dirty nuke’

Thursday, November 29th, 2007

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Manila hotel siege: Rebels surrender

Thursday, November 29th, 2007

Government forces fire tear gas into a luxury hotel in Manila, hours after a deadline passed for rebel officers on trial for a failed 2003 coup attempt, holed up inside, to surrender.

‘Blast kills 10 soldiers in India’

Thursday, November 29th, 2007

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Manila hotel siege: Shots fired

Thursday, November 29th, 2007

Government forces fire tear gas into a luxury hotel in Manila, hours after a deadline passed for rebel officers on trial for a failed 2003 coup attempt, holed up inside, to surrender.

Musharraf now a civilian president

Thursday, November 29th, 2007

One day after stepping down as his nation’s military leader, Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf has taken the oath of office for a third term as president — only this time as a civilian.

Police seize radioactive material

Thursday, November 29th, 2007

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Bomb hits store near Colombo

Thursday, November 29th, 2007

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‘Tamil Tiger blast’ kills 17

Thursday, November 29th, 2007

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Venezuelan students, police clash

Thursday, November 29th, 2007

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Chavez cuts all ties with Colombia

Thursday, November 29th, 2007

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez said Wednesday he is cutting all ties with Colombia as long as Alvaro Uribe remains its president.