Health News: FDA Foreign Food Inspections Fall Short ♦ Canned peaches will be tested for lead contamination ♦ Feeding peanuts to infants and young children at risk

FDA Foreign Food Inspections Fall Short of Legal Requirement Americans often chow down on food that comes from outside the United States. Yet the federal agency that is chiefly responsible for the safety of the nation’s grub is conducting far fewer inspections of foreign facilities than the law requires,  Continue Reading

Australia: Canned  imported peaches will be tested for lead contamination Australia will increase testing of imported processed peaches on Friday, the Agriculture Minister Barnaby Joyce has revealed. The news comes after SPC Ardmona chief executive Peter Kelly said his company provided evidence of lead contamination in some imported product, Continue Reading

Advisory about not feeding peanuts to infants and young children at risk for peanut allergy Pediatric otolaryngologists and surgeons are concerned with parents getting the wrong message regarding the safety/desirability of letting babies and young children eat peanuts to prevent them from developing peanut allergies Continue Reading

Vaccine skeptics aren't swayed by emotional scare tactics  On the heels of an American nationwide measles outbreak comes a report that campaigns aimed at scaring people about the consequences of non-vaccination might not be as effective as many think. Authors challenge the popular assumption that emotional appeals have a wide, sweeping effect on people's health beliefs.Continue Reading

One million patients could lose primary care if residency training in underserved regions is eliminated  The shortage of primary care doctors could worsen if funding for the Teaching Health Centers, a program to train medical residents in underserved areas, is eliminated in the United States, says a new report. Continue Reading

Australia—Pall Mall and Dunhill Cigarettes Recalled

Certain variants and packs of Pall Mall and Dunhill cigarettes featuring the "Smoking Causes Heart Disease" Graphic Health Warning have been recalled.

The following Cigerettes are included in the recall.

Pall Mall Smooth Amber 40s - EAN 9310797271653.

Dunhill 2x25 Distinct Blue (twin pack carton, not individual packets) - EAN 9310797265829.

Dunhill 2x25 Infinite White (twin pack carton, not individual packets) - EAN 9310797267458.

Dunhill 2x25 Premier Red (twin pack carton, not individual packets) - EAN 9310797267434.

Dunhill 2x25 Refined Grey (twin pack carton, not individual packets) - EAN 9310797267441.

Pall Mall Slims 23/138 Fine Silver (cartons, not individual packets) - EAN 9310797277983.

Pall Mall Slims 23/138 Menthol Green (cartons, not individual packets) - EAN 9310797278027.

Pall Mall Slims 23/138 Smooth Amber (cartons, not individual packets) - EAN 9310797277969.

Pall Mall Slims 23/138 Rich Blue (cartons, not individual packets) - EAN 9310797277945.

Dunhill Fine Cut 20/200 Navy (cartons, and individual packets) - EAN 9310797256223.

Dunhill Fine Cut 20/200 White (cartons, and individual packets) - EAN 9310797256506.

What are the defects?

One of the seven Set B Graphic Health Warnings (the "Smoking Causes Heart Disease" GHW), features the previously mandated image, not the current one, which was replaced by the Competition and Consumer (Tobacco) Amendment Information Standard 2012.

The required Graphic Health Warnings have been specifically developed to assist in preventing deaths and illness attributable to tobacco products by preventing uptake or relapse and encouraging cessation of tobacco use.

These cigarettes were sold nationally by various tobacco retailers. They were supplied by British American Tobacco Australia

Consumers can return the product to the place of purchase for a full refund or a replacement product.

Australia: FOUR'N TWENTY AUSSIE PASTIE Recalled

Patties Foods Ltd recalled frozen pastie which are usually sold hot to consumer from convenience stores and service stations. They were Contaminated by foreign matter. The brand name is FOUR'N TWENTY AUSSIE PASTIE

The Best Before Date was 07/01/15  and the item No. was 9310114060151

The Pastie potentially containing foreign matter may cause illness or injury if consumed. Convenience stores, service stations, Woolworths, Coles, Bi-Lo, IGA and other independent supermarkets carry this product.

Patties Foods Ltd web site is http://www.patties.com.au

Consumers should return the product to place of purchase for full a refund.

Australian Recall: Lasagne Contains Metal Fragments

Pasta Master Fresh Lasagne 1.3kg has been recalled because it contained metal fragments. Food products containing metal may cause injury if consumed.

The product was sold at Woolworths Supermarkets in Western Australia. This recall only affects the product listed above with use by 27/09/2013. The lasagne was manufactured by General Mills Australia Pty Ltd

Consumers should not eat this product and should return it to the place of purchase, or contact our free helpline for advice on how to destroy the product and receive a refund.

For further information please contact:

General Mills Australia Pty Ltd

1800 677 774 (toll free)

www.pastamaster.com.au

General Mills Australia Pty Ltd—Pasta Master Fresh Lasagne 1.3kg

Australia 17 Infected with E.Coli in Petting Zoo

Four days ago a woman and 3 children were infected with E. coli after petting animals at the Ekka show in Brisbane. The state's chief health officer Dr Jeanette Young says a 33-year-old Brisbane woman and 3 children, aged 6, 11, and 12, are being treated, but are not in hospital. "They've obtained this infection and we know it is a very serious infection and potentially can cause significant problems," she told reporters. "It can cause severe bloody diarrhoea and there is a risk it can cause severe complications."

as of today there are 17 sick from shiga-toxin producing E. coli linked to the animal area at the Queensland state fair (EKKA}, neighboring Gold Coast says they’re boosting hygiene for their fair that starts Friday.

But it probably isn't enough, Queensland Health today confirmed that eight people have tested positive and another nine have reported symptoms.Gold Coast

“This year in keeping with the guidelines from Queensland Health we have actually put in more wash stations than Queensland Health has advised, in an effort to ensure the same unfortunate occurrence does not happen at our show,”  show marketing manager Leisa Martin said.

“So of course after you have been near the animals use one of the hand sanitiser stations that are nearby.”

The U.K. and many scientists say hand sanitizers are mostly useless in the presence of an organic matter.The recommended procedure is handwashing with soap and vigorously running water, followed by drying with paper towel is recommended procedure.

But bacterial can be present on many surfaces or even aerosolized so hand washing isn't always the answer. Maybe those guidelines should be updated.

Dr Young  “urged anyone who had been to the show and petted the animals to be cautious, especially people who work in childcare or in the food industry. "Anyone who's been to the Ekka, who went into the animal petting area along animal boulevard, and then developed persistent or bloody diarrhoea, should go and be checked out, particularly if the symptoms continue," she said.

Enterohemorrhagic E. coli is a very serious, very infectious type of bacteria and can spread easily from person to person without proper hygienic practices. In rare cases it can develop into a haemolytic-uremic syndrome, which affects the kidneys, and in some cases can be fatal.

Queensland Health is working with Biosecurity Queensland, the Ekka organizers, and their contractors to find the animals potentially carrying the bacterium.

Iit cannot be overstressed that all visitors to petting zoos, especially children, must wash their hands after exposure to animals.

A list of past petting zoo E. coli infections

. My feeling is that petting zoos should be banned. They are not worth a single child's death. You can’t depend on all children washing their hands no matter how many hand washing stations you put up.

Australia: Chinese Broccoli Florets recalled for glass contamination.

Black and Gold Broccoli Florets have been recalled due to the presence of glass fragments.They are packed in 500g flexible opaque plastic bag with yellow and black artwork with Best

They were sold in Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales, Queensland, Tasmania and Victoria The product has been available for sale at IGAs, FoodWorks and other independent grocery stores. by Metcash Trading Limited. They were originally grown in China.

Consumers should not eat this product and should return the product to the place of purchase for a full refund. For further information please contact: Metcash Trading Limited 1300 135 690

Australia: Greenpeace and Coca Cola Fight Over Recycling Plan

Northern Territories In Australia had put a recycling plan in place. The Consumer was charged 10 cents extra for beverages. They received the money back when they returned the beverage container for recycling.

Despite the program already doubling recycling rates in the Northern Territory and operating successfully in South Australia for 30 years, Coke has taken the NT Government to court and effectively put the scheme on hold.

ANGRY consumers are flooding social media with threats to boycott Coca Cola after the company's court win to dismantle the NT container deposit scheme.

The Federal Court ruled in favour of the beverage company after it argued the NT Government's 10c deposit recycling scheme - introduced in January 2012 and similar to a scheme that has been running in South Australia since 1977 - was costly and ineffective.

Coke had argued the extra 10 cents added to its products was unfair to consumers, despite the fee being refundable.

The soft drink company yesterday had to call police to break up a protest led by Clean Up Australia chairman Ian Kiernan and Greenpeace CEO David Ritter at its Sydney headquarters.

But it's having a harder time dealing with the angry mob online. Hundreds of people have flooded the company's Facebook page with furious messages and complaints, with many users pledging to never buy Coke products again.One user posted a picture of a dead bird with a cut open stomach full of plastic waste, along with the message "Brought to you by Coca Cola".

Earlier today, Mr Kiernan and a small group of environmental activists tried to dump 4000 beverage containers at Coke's HQ.The containers had been collected on Clean Up Australia day on the weekend, and were a symbol of the litter which would accumulate if Coke overturned the NT recycling scheme.Coke didn't think much of the reminder, calling in eight members of the NSW police to block the small band of high-profile protesters

The protest and today's court decision dates back to January 4, 2012, when the Northern Territory introduced a deposit system to encourage people to recycle cans and bottles. Coca-Cola Amatil, along with Schweppes Australia and Lion Pty Ltd, were not impressed with the scheme and took it to the Federal Court.

Coke argued the scheme was a failure, with only 33 per cent of containers recycled.But Ian Kiernan and others believe the real reason for the beverage giants' opposition to the scheme was that they didn't like the extra 10 cents added to the retail price.

Coca-Cola Amatil said "container deposit schemes have consistently been found to be the most expensive and inefficient method of increasing recycling rates."

It added "Australian families do not deserve to be slugged with yet another cost of living increase that will push grocery prices up when there are cheaper and equally effective alternatives on the table.

But a spokesman from Greenpeace, Reece Turner, said it was an absurdity for Coke to talk about cost of living issues when consumers get a refund."It is the height of corporate arrogance, and any claims Coke makes in future about sustainability have been completely trashed."

Council of Australian Governments (COAG) meeting on 11 April in New Zealand. A national ‘Cash for Containers’ scheme is on the table for state and territory premiers to discuss - but with the beverage industry lobby pushing hard to crush the scheme we’re worried the scheme won’t pass.

Australians want this scheme - over 80% have voted in favour of it in recent polls.

This graphic Greenpeace ad was pulled from Australia's channel 9  

According to Food Quality News Coke put up a phony web site where you could support the recycling plan but your cursor would not go over the button to support recycling.

Australia: Organic Milk due to Listeria

Schulz organic full cream milk Has been recalled due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination. It comes in 1 litre and 2 litre standard plastic milk bottles with a use by date of 22 AUG 2013

Listeria monocytogenes may cause severe illness in pregnant women and their unborn babies, the elderly and people with low immune systems. Food products contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes may cause illness if consumed. This milk was sold in Victoria at small cafes, small independent grocery stores and health food stores.

For further information please call Schulz Organic Farms Pty Ltd at (03) 5598 3803 or visit www.schulzorganicfarms.com.au

Australia Exporting Contaminated Meat

Australia is following our lead in having companies to inspect their own meat. Six Months ago the  Food & Water Watch (a nonprofit group) notified the USDA that  the Australian Export Meat Inspection System (AEMIS) led to an increase in import rejections of unsafe Australian meat because of privatized inspections. The US meat producers that have privatized their inspections are having the same results.

The USDA is supposed to be protecting the American people.  We don’t.want meat with half digested corn covering it. We don’t want feces contaminating our meat. I don’t think the USDA or the meat industry understand that as the public realizes that the meat is unsafe less people will eat meat. WE will have more vegetarians and vegans.