SafetyIssues Personal and Public Safety News Articles: Food/Drinks Food safety chiefs urge vigilance over busy holiday weekend ================================================================================ Courtesy of IrishExaminer on 04/04/12 10:24:00 Courtesy of IrishExaminer - One of Ireland’s premier private members’ clubs was served with a closure order over food safety fears. An area of the exclusive Stephen’s Green Hibernian Club in Dublin was shut for four days last month by environmental officers. The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) said it deemed there was, or there was likely to be, a grave and immediate danger to public health at or in the basement and yard area between March 26 and 30. Six other food businesses were also rapped for breaches in food safety legislation last month, including... Read more.. Insect Experts Issue 'Urgent' Warning On Using Biotech Seeds ================================================================================ Courtesy od NPR on 03/30/12 11:41:00 Courtesy of NPR - For America's agricultural biotech companies, the corn rootworm is threatening to turn into their worst nightmare. Last year, we reported that a major insect pest, the corn rootworm, had "found a chink in the armor" of genetically engineered crops. In several different places across the corn belt, the insects have developed resistance to an inserted gene that is supposed to kill them. New scholarship to bolster food safety standards ================================================================================ Courtesy of GulfNews on 01/23/12 01:11:00 ... a research project and provide an analysis as well as undertake specialisations in the fields of Food Legislation, Food Chemistry and Components, Food Microbiology, Current Issues in Food Science and Trade, and Safety and Quality System Authority. ... Smucker recalls peanut butter sold in 24 states and D.C. ================================================================================ Courtesy of USAToday on 11/17/11 01:29:00 J.M. Smucker is recalling thousands of 16-ounce jars of its Smucker's Natural Peanut Butter Chunky because of possible salmonella contamination. The product was distributed in: Arkansas, Colorado, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Texas, Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia. The Ohio-based company says the jars covered in the recall would have been purchased in the last week or so. They have "Best if Used By" dates of Aug. 3, 2012, and Aug. 4, 2012, plus the production codes 1307004 and 1308004. Killer Cantaloupe, Scary Sprouts: What To Do? ================================================================================ Courtesy of HuffingtonPost on 09/30/11 06:12:00 (Associated Press) MILWAUKEE -- Avoid foreign produce. Wash and peel your fruit. Keep it refrigerated. None of these common tips would have guaranteed your safety from the deadliest food outbreak in a decade, the one involving cantaloupes from Colorado. Whether it's sprouts or spinach, turkey or hamburger; whether the government doubled, tripled or quadrupled inspections, the truth is that no food will ever be completely free of risk. Bacteria in Recalled Ground Turkey Is Resistant to Antibiotics ================================================================================ Courtesy of Huffingtonpost on 08/08/11 04:12:00 If you have ever woken up in the middle of the night panicked that you won't make it to the bathroom in time, or heard a scream from your child and sat with them shaking over a garbage can for hours on end, you know how brutal food poisoning can be. It is not something you want anyone, even your worst enemy, to ever to have to go through. Avoid it at all costs. Which makes it doubly maddening that the United States Department of Agriculture has been so irresponsibly slow in identifying the latest deadly antibiotic-resistant Salmonella outbreak, one that was first identified in MARCH. So far the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed that the nasty Salmonella Heidelberg strain has killed one person and infected nearly 80. Those are just the ones we know about. Who knows how many people or children it has really sickened? USDA issues alert after 77 become ill from ground turkey ================================================================================ Courtesy of USAToday on 07/30/11 10:55:00 A public health alert has gone out from the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture due to ground turkey from an unnamed producer that has been implicated in an estimated 77 illnesses in 26 states. USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service issued the alert Friday night because of concerns about illnesses caused by a salmonella type called salmonella Heidelberg. FDA Panel Rejects Proposed Diabetes Drug Dapagliflozin ================================================================================ Courtesy of FoxBusiness on 07/19/11 11:03:00 A federal advisory panel voted against a new type of diabetes drug being developed by Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. (BMY) and AstraZeneca PLC (AZN) and said more information is needed to address certain safety concerns before the drug should be marketed. The panel voted 9 to 6 against a question that asked if the efficacy, or effectiveness, and safety data submitted by the companies in support of the drug, dapagliflozin, provided substantial evidence to support approval. The vote amounts to a recommendation that the FDA not approve the drug. Sprouts Recalled After Possible Link to 5-State Salmonella Outbreak ================================================================================ Courtesy of WalletPop on 07/06/11 07:26:00 Evergreen Fresh Sprouts, which has been linked to a salmonella outbreak that has sickened 21 people in five states, recalled certain packages of its alfalfa sprouts and spicy sprouts on Friday because of the possibility the sprouts could be contaminated with salmonella. With no labeling, few realize they are eating genetically modified foods ================================================================================ Courtesy of TheBaltimoreSun on 06/01/11 01:12:00 When a team of activists wearing white hazmat suits showed up at a Chicago grocery store to protest the sale of genetically modified foods, they picked an unlikely target: Whole Foods Market. Organic foods, by definition, can't knowingly contain genetically modified organisms, known as GMOs. But genetically modified corn, soy and other crops have become such common ingredients in processed foods that even one of the nation's top organic food retailers says it hasn't been able to avoid stocking some products that contain them. Radiation fallout from Japan affects food safety across North America ================================================================================ Courtesy of TheBovine on 04/22/11 10:26:00 COurtsey of TheBovine - The Entirety of the Northern Hemisphere around the world is affected by fallout, as well as the Pacific Ocean. Most Serious: Japan, Pacific Ocean, and Pacific Rim States. Most Contaminated food areas of North America (based on fallout wind spread patterns charted by European scientific research agencies) in order of likely intensity of contamination, starting with the most contaminated: EPA boosts radiation monitoring after low levels found in milk ================================================================================ Courtesy of CNN on 04/01/11 12:00:00 There is no health risk from consuming milk with extremely low levels of radiation, like those found in Washington state and California, experts said Thursday, echoing the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Japan Cites Unsafe Radiation Levels in Spinach, Milk Near Stricken Plant ================================================================================ Courtesy of AOL on 03/17/11 09:10:00 Courtesy of AOL - FUKUSHIMA, Japan -- In the first sign that contamination from Japan's stricken nuclear complex had seeped into the food chain, officials said Saturday that radiation levels in spinach and milk from farms near the tsunami-crippled facility exceeded government safety limits. What goes on your plate? Keeping it safe. ================================================================================ Courtesy of TheDickensonPress on 01/08/11 04:31:00 The Dickenson Press - The Food Modernization Act, signed into law Tuesday, may mean more work for local vendors and inspectors but they support the provisions, designed to keep America’s food safe. “The act does mean a little extra work at our office,” said Sherry Adams, executive officer of the Southwestern District Health Unit. “There will be more frequent inspections and such, but anything we can do to keep the public safe, even if it means a little extra work, is well worth it.” The provision directs the Food and Drug Administration to increase the frequency of inspections and states that high-risk domestic facilities must receive an initial inspection within the next five years and no less than every three years after that. Cutting food safety is playing with fire ================================================================================ Courtesy of TheHill on 01/07/11 12:20:00 In the last week of 2010, as families gathered together for the holidays and home-cooked meals, the Food and Drug Administration warned us of a salmonella outbreak in alfalfa sprouts that had already sickened nearly 100 people in at least fifteen states. These dangerous outbreaks in contaminated food can happen at any time, and it requires constant vigilance to keep Americans safe. That is why, in the first week of 2011, the president signed into law the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act – to strengthen our antiquated food safety system for the first time since 1938, and give FDA the tools and resources it needs to fulfill its mandate. U.S. Marshals seize FDA-regulated food stored at rodent - infested warehouse in New Mexico ================================================================================ Courtesy of FDA on 12/14/10 03:43:00 U.S. Marshals, acting under a court order sought by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, today seized chili pods, ground chili, crushed chili, and other chili products located in the rodent-infested food warehouse owned by Duran and Sons LLC in Derry, New Mexico. Yours Truly Frozen Dessert Cones - Possible Trace Level Milk Contamination ================================================================================ Courtesy of FDA on 12/13/10 08:47:00 Toffutti Brands Inc. Announces Recall Of 25 Pallets Of Yours Truly Frozen Dessert Cones Due To Possible Trace Level Milk Contamination. Contact: Steven Kass (908)272-2400 TimeOut Capsules: Undeclared Drug Ingredient ================================================================================ Courtesy of FDA on 12/13/10 02:59:00 FDA analyzed TimeOut and determined that it contains hydroxythiohomosildenafil, a chemical similar to sildenafil, the active ingredient in Viagra. Like sildenafil, this chemical may interact with prescription drugs such as nitrates, including nitroglycerin, and cause dangerously low blood pressure. When blood pressure drops suddenly, the brain is deprived of an adequate blood supply which can lead to dizziness or lightheadedness. Can Popcorn Harm Lungs? ================================================================================ Staff writer for safetyissues.com on 09/07/07 08:25:00 Factory workers in microwave popcorn factories have long been exposed to a dangerous but rare lung disease dubbed ‘popcorn lung.’ Now, the first-known case of a consumer who has contracted popcorn lung has turned up. Is Processed Food With Less Salt Safe? ================================================================================ Staff writer for safetyissues.com on 09/06/07 05:50:00 Contrary to expectations, reducing salt levels in processed food will not compromise their safety, as reduction will not encourage growth of bacteria responsible for food spoilage, say scientists at the University of Limerick in Ireland. Salmonella Outbreak; Due To Peanut Butter? ================================================================================ Staff writer for safetyissues.com on 01/11/09 05:05:00 Another salmonella outbreak has spread across 42 states over the past weeks and downed nearly 400 Americans, but the cause is not yet known, according to U.S. health officials Friday. Unless the source is identified soon, more cases can be expected. Eggs from China Have Melamine ================================================================================ Staff writer for safetyissues.com on 10/29/08 11:00:00 Melamine in food from China has been found in various products since last year, leading to massive recalls of pet food in 2007 and milk products last month. And now, Hong Kong food inspectors have found melamine in eggs supplied from China. Is There Lead in Your Wine? ================================================================================ Staff writer for safetyissues.com on 10/29/08 10:17:00 The red and white wines imported from a number of European countries contain seven heavy metals at potentially dangerous levels, reports researchers at Kingston University, London in the October 29 issue of Chemistry Central Journal. Dieting Safely ================================================================================ Megan Markey on 06/30/05 03:20:00 The air is thick with the scent of pollen, the sun is beating down on your brow and beads of sweat form; it is summer time, and this to the dismay of many Americans means the return of the skimpy clothing season. Why Are Kids' Food Allergies Increasing? ================================================================================ Staff writer for safetyissues.com on 10/24/08 09:40:00 Food allergies among American children under age 18 increased by 18 percent from 1997 to 2007, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Western Diet Has Globalized Heart Risk ================================================================================ Staff writer for safetyissues.com on 10/21/08 12:12:00 The globalization of the Western diet, which favors fried foods, eggs, meat, and salty snacks, has also globalized the risk of heart attack, according to a study report published in Circulation, the Journal of the American Heart Association. Can Alcohol Shrink Your Brain? ================================================================================ Staff writer for safetyissues.com on 10/14/08 02:40:00 A new study has quantified in no exact terms what has long been known only empirically: more alcohol drinks make the brain shrink. Food Labels Now Required; Are They Enough? ================================================================================ Staff writer for safetyissues.com on 10/07/08 08:20:00 In 2002, the U.S. Congress passed the law requiring country of origin labels (COOL) on meat and fresh produce, but it has taken all of six years for the government to start implementing it. Yet, some food safety advocates say the new regulations do not go far enough and still carry many loopholes. Energy Drinks: Do They Intoxicate ================================================================================ Staff writer for safetyissues.com on 09/28/08 11:18:00 Caffeinated energy drinks promise many things: that you will become super alert, perform better in sports, experience improved concentration, have faster reactions, and others. They do not say that the high levels of caffeine could lead to intoxication, dependence, or even potential health risks. Coffee Alert Raised Due To Tainted Milk ================================================================================ Staff writer for safetyissues.com on 09/27/08 11:01:00 The shock waves from the contaminated milk scandal in China reached landfall in the U.S. Friday, as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued warnings against an instant coffee brand and a candy brand exported from China. Eating Out: How Does The Restaurant Rate? ================================================================================ Staff writer for safetyissues.com on 08/10/08 12:13:00 The average American eats restaurant food five or more times a week, and every day 133 million eat out. They may be at risk for various health hazards, but they never know about it, according to an investigative report from the Center for Science in the Public Interest, a nonprofit watchdog group concerned with nutrition and food safety. Eating Healthy When Eating Out ================================================================================ Staff writer for safetyissues.com on 12/15/09 03:45:00 Restaurant food has increasingly become a major part of the average American’s daily diet — one meal out of three daily meals is now eaten outside of the home. Initiative to Produce Safer Tomatoes ================================================================================ Staff writer for safetyissues.com on 08/26/07 02:05:00 The fresh tomatoes on your salad may soon be much safer to eat. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will expand its Tomato Safety Initiative from Virginia, where it was launched this summer, to Florida in the fall. Congress Wants FDA To Write Food Safety Plan ================================================================================ Staff writer for safetyissues.com on 06/08/08 06:40:00 In its $90.7 billion agriculture funding bill passed Thursday, August 2, the U.S. House included a provision that directs the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to submit a plan to improve its work on food safety. Want Oysters? Don’t Eat Them Raw ================================================================================ Staff writer for safetyissues.com on 08/13/07 07:15:00 The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warned consumers to stay away from raw oysters harvested from oyster beds in Washington State after these were linked to several cases of vibriosis, a food-borne illness. The infections were reported in Washington state and in California. Keep Plastic Containers Out Of Microwaves ================================================================================ Staff writer for safetyissues.com on 06/13/08 06:25:00 Information coming out of Johns Hopkins University and the Walter Reed Army Medical Center indicates that it is unsafe to use plastic containers or plastic wraps in microwave ovens. FDA Funds Lack Hobbles Food Safety Plans ================================================================================ Staff writer for safetyissues.com on 06/14/08 10:34:00 The resources of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have been strained almost to the breaking point as the agency tries to respond effectively to the outbreak of a rare Salmonella strain that has affected at least 167 people in 17 states. Salmonella Outbreak Hits 16 States ================================================================================ Staff writer for safetyissues.com on 06/09/08 02:37:00 A Salmonella outbreak associated with eating raw red tomatoes has already spread to 16 states, affecting at least 145 people, according to the Food and Drug Administration. There have been no deaths so far, and only 25 people have required hospitalization. Rules on Salt in Food May Be Tightened ================================================================================ Staff writer for safetyissues.com on 12/03/07 12:00:00 The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) conducted a public hearing Thursday, Nov. 29, on calls for government regulations to lower the salt content in food. Public health advocates, including representatives of the American Medical Association, said that cutting salt content in the American diet could save up to 150,000 lives annually. Should FDA Approve Cloned Meat? ================================================================================ Staff writer for safetyissues.com on 01/06/08 01:50:00 The Wall Street Journal has reported that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is set to announce next week that the meat and dairy products from cloned animals and their offspring are safe for human consumption. Does Caffeine Increase Miscarriage Risk? ================================================================================ Staff writer for safetyissues.com on 01/21/08 08:40:00 Long considered to be safe, having two cups of coffee a day during pregnancy may actually double the risk of miscarriage, according to a new study. Does Irradiating Food Make It Safe? ================================================================================ Staff writer for safetyissues.com on 04/16/08 07:20:00 Strong chlorine washes used by processors to eliminate dangerous pathogens in fresh produce are ineffective but bombarding them with intense radiation kills nearly all the germs, according to a study by U.S. Department of Agriculture researchers presented to American Chemical Society at its annual conference Thursday. How Do We Assure Food Safety? ================================================================================ Staff writer for safetyissues.com on 02/04/08 03:40:00 It is not without good reason that Americans worry about the safety of the food they eat. In the past six months, the nation has seen 10 widely publicized food recalls, one of which resulted in the closure of a 67-year-old company. ... Food Safety Reforms Urged ================================================================================ Staff writer for safetyissues.com on 02/22/08 03:20:00 Members of the U.S. Congress are considering changes in the nation’s food safety set-up, in the wake of the largest-ever recall of meat products. The USDA recently recalled 143 million pounds of beef, of which some 55 million pounds were estimated to have gone to USDA nutrition programs and public school lunches.