Archive for June, 2008

NEW ORLEANS: Paying attention to your refrigerator can improve food safety, panel says - (The Times-Picayune)

Monday, June 30th, 2008

A panel of the country’s leading experts gathered Monday at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans to discuss refrigerator safety and consumers’ habits when it comes to storing and eating foods and cooling and cleaning their refrigerators. Sandria Godwin, a food scientist with Tennessee State University and part ...

NEBRASKA firm recalls beef products due to possible E. coli O157:H7 contamination - (Congressional and Public Affairs)

Monday, June 30th, 2008

WASHINGTON, June 30, 2008 — Nebraska Beef, Ltd., an Omaha, Neb., establishment is recalling approximately 531,707 pounds of ground beef components that may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service announced today. The following products subject to recall include: *Combo bins of “Coleman ...

International Dairy Foods Association files lawsuit to stop OHIO’S unfair labeling law - (Northlich - Business Wire)

Monday, June 30th, 2008

COLUMBUS, Ohio — The International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) today filed a lawsuit against the State of Ohio challenging its new regulations regarding the labeling of dairy products from cows that have not been treated with artificial growth hormones. In the lawsuit, IDFA says the Ohio rule interferes with the ...

NEW YORK: Carbon hoofprint: Cows supplemented with rbST reduce agriculture’s environmental impact - (Cornell University Communications)

Monday, June 30th, 2008

ITHACA, N.Y. — Milk goes green: Cows that receive recombinant Bovine Somatotropin (rbST) make more milk, all the while easing natural resource pressure and substantially reducing environmental impact, according to a Cornell University study to be published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (June 30, 2008.) Producing milk ...

IRELAND: FSAI honoured with international WHO food safety award - (Food Safety Authority of Ireland)

Monday, June 30th, 2008

The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) was today presented with the prestigious WHO Food Safety Award from the World Health Organization (WHO) in Geneva in recognition of its international contribution in promoting food safety globally. This is only the second occasion that the WHO has presented this award to ...

MASSACHUSETS: Taste is on the agenda for military meals ready to eat - (The Christian Science Monitor)

Monday, June 30th, 2008

Natick, Mass. — Jeanette Kennedy is a food technologist at the US Army Natick Soldier Systems Center (NSSC) west of Boston, Kennedy faces creative challenges unlike those before any other chef because she designs MRE, Meal Ready to Eat – designed to fuel soldiers lugging 100-pound packs all day. The story ...

KANSAS: Restaurant linked to salmonella outbreak named - (Kake 10)

Monday, June 30th, 2008

The Harvey County Health Department and the Kansas Department of Health and Environment are continuing to investigate the Salmonella outbreak in south-central Kansas. As of Monday, there have been 11 cases. During the course of the investigation, the Acapulco Restaurant in Newton was identified as the probable source of the illness. ...

US: Investigation of outbreak of human infections caused by E. coli 0157:H7 - (Department of Health and Human Services)

Monday, June 30th, 2008

Multistate Outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 infections – Michigan and Ohio State departments of health and agriculture in Michigan and Ohio, collaborating local health jurisdictions, CDC, and the United States Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (USDA-FSIS) are investigating a multi-state outbreak of Escherichia coli O157:H7 infections. Based on ...

GEORGIA: Another E. coli outbreak confirmed locally - (WCTV.tv)

Monday, June 30th, 2008

Local public health officials are now investigating what appears to be an outbreak of E.coli in Southwest Georgia. Friends and family members of 15 year Laura Hill Bannister say the 10th grader first showed signs of E.coli last week, and was later transferred to an Atlanta hospital as her symptoms worsened. Sandra ...

BARFBLOG: Emergency plans for retail food establishments - (barfblog)

Monday, June 30th, 2008

Ever wonder what to do in an ice storm. A tornado? How about a flood? Living in the Midwest, we get everything. http://barfblog.foodsafety.ksu.edu/2008/06/articles/food-safety-communication/tornado-hits-manhattan-kansas/ http://barfblog.foodsafety.ksu.edu/2007/12/articles/food-safety-communication/ice-storm-hits-manhattan-keeping-food-safe/ Now imagine it’s not just you and your family. It’s a restaurant, a store, a really big store. The Conference for Food Protection (CFP) has released “practical guidance for ...

US: Investigation of outbreak of infections caused by Salmonella Saintpaul - (Department of Health and Human Services)

Monday, June 30th, 2008

CDC is collaborating with public health officials in many states, the Indian Health Service, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to investigate an ongoing multi-state outbreak of human Salmonella serotype Saintpaul infections. An initial epidemiologic investigation comparing foods eaten by ill and well persons identified consumption of raw ...

PENNSYLVANIA: Dairyman wants super-quality raw milk in retail stores - (Prism Webcast News)

Monday, June 30th, 2008

Jerry Snyder has spent two years asking milk experts what standards it takes to produce the highest-quality fluid milk around. His 50-cow, grass-based herd is showing what’s possible when cow health and meticulous care come together. The story says that Sunnycove Farm (www.sunnycovefarm.com ) is on the outskirts of the ...

GEORGIA: Restaurant inspections - (ajc.com)

Monday, June 30th, 2008

Restaurant inspection scores are obtained daily from the Gwinnett County Health Department Web site, www.gwinnetthealth .com. Some entries are edited for length. For the complete list of restaurant inspection scores, please visit http://www.ajc.com/news/content/metro/gwinnett/stories/2008/06/30/restaurant_inspections_gwinnett.html

Ask a Doctor: Be wary of bacteria at petting zoos - (Herald Times Reporter)

Monday, June 30th, 2008

Dr. Jill Harman, a board-certified emergency medicine physician at Holy Family Memorial’s Emergency Department, writes: In the emergency department, I have seen people get sick after visiting petting zoos. One grandmother had a very uncomfortable few days of stomach cramping and diarrhea. She had reminded her grandchildren to wash their hands, ...

COLORADO: YMCA camp re-opens after Norovirus outbreak - (9News (NBC))

Monday, June 30th, 2008

Grand County– Camp Chief Ouray re-opened Sunday after closing June 18th because of a Norovirus outbreak. The camp welcomed 280 new campers for session 4. Camp director Marty Ferguson told 9news 109 people, including children and staff got sick. The cause of the virus is still unknown.

Strict safety guidelines enforced as produce travels from MEXICO - (Dallas Morning News)

Monday, June 30th, 2008

SAN JOSÉ ITURBIDE, Mexico –- Glenn Fry helps run Taylor Farms de Mexico’s new $14 million plant here. He picked the land where it sits and designed just about every facet of it, and he manages more than 800 workers who plant, harvest and package produce – including lettuce, onions ...

US: Management problems cited in botulism case - (USA Today)

Monday, June 30th, 2008

Last July, Food and Drug Administration officials issued a rare warning to U.S. consumers: Botulism toxin was suspected in hot dog chili sauce made by Castleberry’s Food. The botulism outbreak, which would eventually sicken eight and lead to a recall of tens of millions of cans of food, was the first ...

FEDERAL REGISTER: Food Protection Rapid Response Team and Program Infrastructure Improvement Prototype Project; Availability of an agreement of limited competition; Request for applications: RFA Number: RFA FD08-007 - (Federal Register (Volume 73, Number 126))

Monday, June 30th, 2008

I. Research Objectives The Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Office of Regulatory Affairs (ORA), Division of Federal-State Relations (DFSR) in collaboration with the Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (CFSAN) and Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM), is announcing the availability of an Agreement of Limited Competition. Only States with current FDA ...

US: Should I eat that tomato? - (Boston Globe)

Monday, June 30th, 2008

At least 17 Massachusetts residents have been sickened by salmonella from raw tomatoes - part of a nationwide outbreak that has struck more than 750 people since April. Salmonella, which comes from animal waste and causes flu-like symptoms, is particularly dangerous for people whose immune systems have already been weakened ...

CANADA: Avoid raw, undercooked shellfish, health officials warn - (CBC.ca)

Monday, June 30th, 2008

The BC Centre for Disease Control is advising British Columbians to fully cook shellfish before eating because summer weather increases the risk of illnesses associated with raw or undercooked shellfish consumption. “[It] can cause severe diarrhea and vomiting that can last up to a week,” Dr. Eleni Galanis, an epidemiologist with ...

AUSTRALIA: Fish of the day sauce a killer - (Sydney Morning Herald)

Monday, June 30th, 2008

Coroner Jane Culver was cited as finding that a Sydney restaurant served asparagus sauce contaminated with bacteria in January last year, resulting in a man’s death, because of slack procedures in its handling of the sauce William Hodgkins, 81, died after dining at Tables restaurant in Pymble on January 12 last ...

Ex-Pinochet security chief gets life sentences

Monday, June 30th, 2008

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Ex-Pinochet security chief gets life terms

Monday, June 30th, 2008

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New International Food Safety Network Infosheet — Water parks and pools can be source of illnesses - (International Food Safety Network)

Monday, June 30th, 2008

The newest food safety infosheet, a graphical one-page food safety-related story, is now available at foodsafetyinfosheets.ksu.edu. Infosheet highlights: - Vomit and poop can spread bacteria,viruses and parasites to swimmers. - Two recent recreational water outbreaks linked to poop in the water parks. - Utah: Cryptosporidium in public pools. - New York: Norovirus at Great Escape ...

Ex-spy chief: Fujimori innocent in killings

Monday, June 30th, 2008

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Some fear debut of powerful atom-smasher

Monday, June 30th, 2008

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Millions of bees buzz Canada’s main highway

Monday, June 30th, 2008

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Anwar: Officials faked sodomy evidence

Monday, June 30th, 2008

Malaysian opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim came out of hiding Monday, and says he has damaging evidence that proves senior members of the government faked evidence for sodomy charges against him.

Oil price surges above $143 a barrel

Monday, June 30th, 2008

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19 die as building collapses in Iran

Monday, June 30th, 2008

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Pakistani soldiers uncover Taliban ‘kidnap jail’

Monday, June 30th, 2008

Pakistani paramilitary troops have destroyed several Taliban outposts and uncovered a jail where they kept kidnap victims, the interior ministry says.

36 missing after Maoists attack Indian police

Monday, June 30th, 2008

Divers spent Monday searching for 36 members of an anti-insurgency unit who went missing after Maoist rebels fired on and sank their boat in eastern India, state media said.

Iran condemns ‘Israeli spy’ to death

Monday, June 30th, 2008

Iran has sentenced to death a man found guilty of spying for Israel, state media reported Monday.

Zimbabwe overshadows Africa summit

Monday, June 30th, 2008

Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe arrived at an African Union summit in Egypt on Monday, a day after he won a sixth term in a widely discredited runoff election.

Man sells life for less than expected

Monday, June 30th, 2008

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Spain goes wild after Euro title victory

Monday, June 30th, 2008

Spain claimed their first major football title in 44 years after beating Germany 1-0 in Sunday’s European Championship final in Vienna.

Zimbabwe’s Mugabe sworn in

Monday, June 30th, 2008

President Robert Mugabe was sworn in Sunday after the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission declared he overwhelmingly won the country’s disputed runoff election.

Afghan civilian deaths rise sharply in 2008

Monday, June 30th, 2008

An explosion in southern Afghanistan killed a NATO soldier on Saturday.

TEXAS: Food rejections in April - (The Dallas Morning News)

Sunday, June 29th, 2008

Food safety advocates say one way to get a glimpse into what is getting through the food safety inspection system is to see what is getting caught. The Food and Drug Administration’s Operational and Administrative System for Import Support, a database of information on refused import shipments, highlights some of the ...

TEXAS: Food safety inspectors struggle with swelling volume of imports - (The Dallas Morning News)

Sunday, June 29th, 2008

LAREDO — Day after day, Mexican trucks, according to this story, line up as far as the eye can see for entry to the U.S. at the World Trade Bridge, carrying everything from raw tomatoes, broccoli and fresh basil to frozen seafood. They also bring in salmonella, listeria, restricted pesticides ...

ILLINOIS: Wood River restaurant closed during Salmonella scare reopens - (myFOXstl.com)

Sunday, June 29th, 2008

A Wood River Mexican restaurant closed over salmonella concerns has reopened. The owner says they got the go ahead from the county health department and reopened Los Tres Amigos Sunday morning at 11. He says they’re no longer buying tomatoes from a St. Louis area grocery store; instead they are buying them ...

US: First E. coli lawsuit filed in Kroger tainted ground beef recall - (Marler Blog)

Sunday, June 29th, 2008

We will file the first E. coli lawsuit in the Ohio and Michigan E. coli outbreak Monday in the Court of Common Pleas in Franklin County, Ohio against Kroger and its as yet unidentified meat supplier (“John Doe”). The complaint was filed on behalf of a New Albany resident who ...

16 wounded at weapon demonstration

Sunday, June 29th, 2008

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Report: U.S. ‘preparing the battlefield’ in Iran

Sunday, June 29th, 2008

The Bush administration has launched a “significant escalation” of covert operations in Iran, sending U.S. commandos to spy on the country’s nuclear facilities and undermine the Islamic republic’s government, journalist Seymour Hersh said Sunday.

TANZANIA: Over 600 food plants have no quality standard - (Tanzania Standard Newspapers)

Sunday, June 29th, 2008

More than 600 food processing plants in Tanzania do not have the system to ensure production of goods according to specified quality and safety standards. The Tanzania Food and Drugs Authority (TFDA) Director General, Mrs Margaret Ndomondo Sigonda, said here yesterday that more than two thirds (74 per cent) of ...

E. coli and you - (New York Times)

Sunday, June 29th, 2008

MICROCOSM E. Coli and the New Science of Life. By Carl Zimmer. 243 pp. Pantheon Books. $25.95. From Victorian England to contemporary America, creationists have often denied that we are related to other primates. But the hard truth of our genealogy does even greater damage to human pride. We are cousins of every living ...

BARFBLOG: Safest food in the world – Barack Obama edition - (barfblog)

Sunday, June 29th, 2008

Barack Obama may be the change candidate but his food safety rhetoric falls into a tired and unsubstantiated pattern. Obama wrote on Friday in Cow Calf Weekly (great reading for the beach), http://enews.penton.com/enews/beef/cowcalfweekly_/current#a080625 “America continues to have the safest, most abundant and cheapest food supply in the world. … Beef producers are a ...

U.S. ship arrives in N. Korea with food

Sunday, June 29th, 2008

A U.S. ship arrived at a North Korean port carrying 38,000 tons of food to be distributed to the millions of people living in hunger, U.N. sources said Sunday.

British soldier killed in Afghan explosion

Sunday, June 29th, 2008

An explosion in southern Afghanistan killed a NATO soldier on Saturday.

Truck bomb kills 7, wounds 3 in Iraq

Sunday, June 29th, 2008

A truck bomb killed seven people, including six police officers, in a town north of Baghdad Sunday, police said.