Chef’s Express California Pasta Salad recalled due to Salmonella

Schnuck Markets, Inc. of St. Louis, Mo. is recalling its Chef’s Express California Pasta Salad sold in its Deli/Chef’s Express departments April 2 – April 14, 2015 because it has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella , an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting in the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e., infected aneurysms, endocarditis and arthritis.

The product was distributed to 99 Schnucks stores in Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin and Iowa.

The product would have been labeled “Chef’s Express California Pasta Salad” and sold by weight through the company’s Deli/Chef’s Express departments.

No illnesses have been reported to date related to the consumption of this product.

This recall is a result of Taylor Farms (Salina, Calif.) recall of fresh, flat leaf spinach due to the possible contamination of Salmonella . This spinach is an ingredient in Schnucks California Pasta Salad. Schnucks has ceased sale of the California Pasta Salad at this time.

Customers may return any unused portion to their nearest store for a full refund. Customers with questions should contact the Schnucks Consumer Affairs department Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. at 314-994-4400 or 1-800-264-4400.

3/4/15 Health News:E.coli in two Elementary Schools ♦ Food poisoning hits 175 ♦ Infection rates Lower with more Public health spending ♦ Bans don't help smokers quit♦ High-salt diet protects against microbes

E. COLI CONFIRMED IN TWO CALIFORNIA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL STUDENTS  Two students at Reese Elementary School in Lodi, CA, have reportedly tested positive for E. coli, and a seven-year-old boy was hospitalized. Lab tests are being done to identify other potential cases. According to the San Joaquin County Health Department in Stockton, CA, an inspection of the school was inconclusive. Questionnaires to pinpoint a common... Continue Reading

Food poisoning hits 175 Queensland school principals  Queensland Health is investigating an outbreak of food poisoning. Photo: Supplied Salmonella is believed to be the culprit behind one of Queensland's worst mass food poisonings. Queensland Health says 175 school principals have contracted food poisoning after attending a conference at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre Continue Reading

 STUDY: INFECTION RATES CORRELATE WITH PUBLIC HEALTH SPENDING  Local government spending on food safety and sanitation programs may significantly influence the number of illnesses occurring in the surrounding areas, according to a new study led by researchers from the University of Washington School of Nursing. Continue Reading

Bans don't help smokers quit.  No significant change in home habits of smokers have been observed in the aftermath of a ban on smoking in public spaces, researchers report. Greater inspiration to kick the habit likely comes from having friends or family who set an example by giving up cigarettes themselves, the authors write. Continue Reading

High-salt diet could protect against invading microbes   Most people consume more salt than they need and therefore have a higher risk of heart disease and stroke, which are the two leading causes of death worldwide. But a new study reveals that dietary salt could have a biological advantage: Defending the body against invading microbes. A high-salt diet increased sodium accumulation in the skin of mice, thereby boosting their immune response to a skin-infecting parasite. Continue Reading

1/29/15 Health News: Measles outbreak up to 87 cases ♦ Pasture feeding improves nutritional of red meat ♦ Salt and hypertension ♦ Malignant melanoma

California measles outbreak is up to 87 cases in 7 states, Mexico

Officials have now confirmed at least 87 cases of measles in seven states and Mexico, as the outbreak centered in California continues to spread.Continue Reading

Arizona measles outbreak reaches ‘critical point’.

Two additional cases of measles were confirmed in Arizona January 27 and public health officials warned that one of the confirmed cases may have exposed as many as 195 children to the disease at the Phoenix Children’s East Valley Center. Continue Reading

Pasture feeding may improve nutritional benefits of red meat

Pasture-fed lamb meat is high in polyunsaturated fat due to the specific plant species consumed, indicating that it may be better for your health. Continue Reading

Can coffee protect against malignant melanoma?

Both epidemiological and preclinical studies have suggested that coffee consumption has a protective effect against non-melanoma skin cancers. However the protective effect for cutaneous melanoma is less clear, according to a new study. Continue Reading

Blame it on your brain: Salt and hypertension

Excessive salt intake "reprograms" the brain, interfering with a natural safety mechanism that normally prevents the body's arterial blood pressure from rising, Continue Reading

1/17/2014 Health News: Death Dust in California - Chinese Allowed to Sue Over Unsafe Foods - Vit. E Helps Alzheimers - Cholesterol Under Control Helps Brain

DEATH DUST:The Valley-Fever Menace.

In 1977, the San Joaquin Valley—the swath of agricultural land that runs through central California—was designated a disaster area. Record-low runoff and scant rainfall had created drought conditions. At the beginning of Christmas week, the weather was normal in Bakersfield, the city at the Valley’s southern end, but in the early hours of December 20th a strong wind began to blow from the Great Basin through the Tehachapi Mountains. Hitting the ground on the downslope, it lofted a cloud of loose topsoil and mustard-colored dust into the sky. Continue Reading

CHINESE COURT EMPOWERS CONSUMERS TO SUE OVER UNSAFE FOOD

Beginning March 15, Chinese consumers will have support from the courts in their efforts to sue manufacturers and retailers of unsafe food and pharmaceuticals, according to the South China Morning Post. The ruling, announced last week, encourages members of the public to take legal action against those who make or market harmful food, drugs, cosmetics... Continue Reading

Vitamin E may Aid Those With Mild to Moderate Alzheimer's

Vitamin E is far from an Alzheimer's cure, but a new study finds it allowed trial participants to get less help from caregivers and therefore retain more independence longer. Taking high doses of vitamin E appears to help people in all stages of Alzheimer's disease, a new study suggests. Research a decade ago showed that vitamin E was helpful in late-stage Alzheimer's disease. Unhealthy Cholesterol Levels Might Raise Alzheimer's Risk Continue reading

Keeping cholesterol under control may help brain as well as heart, study suggests

Keeping "bad" cholesterol in check and increasing "good" cholesterol is not only good for your heart, but also your brain, new research suggests. A study from the University of California, Davis, found that low levels of "bad" (LDL) cholesterol and high levels of "good" (HDL) cholesterol are linked to lower levels of so-called amyloid plaque in the brain. A build-up of this plaque is an indication of Alzheimer's disease, the researchers said in a university news release. The researchers suggested that maintaining healthy cholesterol levels is just as important for brain health as controlling blood pressure. "Our study shows that both higher levels of HDL and lower levels of LDL cholesterol in the bloodstream are associated with lower levels of amyloid plaque deposits in the brain,".Continue Reading

Foster Farms Cited 12 Times for Fecal Matter on Chicken

Foster Farms was cited 12 times between Jan. 1 and Sept. 27 for fecal material on poultry carcasses and was found to have "poor sanitary dressing practices, unsanitary food contact surfaces and direct product contamination."

Three letters, known as a Notice of Intended Enforcement, were sent Monday and threatens to close three Foster Farm facilities deemed to be the origin of the outbreak. The company has until Thursday to respond with a plan.

The California-based poultry producer must deliver plans to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service to fix the problems that USDA inspectors have uncovered at three of its four production facilities — namely, evidence of Salmonella Heidelberg. This strain  of salmonella is drug resistant to several commonly used antibiotics

The outbreak has sickened 280 people in 18 states, with 42 percent of those who got sick hospitalized.. Most of the infected people are from California.

The most common symptoms of salmonella infection include: diarrhea, abdominal cramps and fever within 8 to 72 hours. Other symptoms would include nausea, vomiting, chills, headache, muscle pains and blood in the stool. All these symptoms can last four to seven days.

Since salmonella infection can cause dehydration, the focus of the treatment would be to replace the fluids and electrolytes. Severe cases might require hospitalization and intravenous intervention. In addition to that, the doctor might recommend the patient to take anti-diarrhea and antibiotics. Anti-diarrhea such as Loperamide can help to relieve the cramping.

Foster Farms released a statement on its website saying that as soon as the company was alerted to concerns over salmonella, "we brought in national food safety experts to assess our processes and have reinforced our processes with new technologies proven to be effective." The note came from Ron Foster, president of Foster Farms, who pledged to resolve the issues.

Foster Farms Sent a plan to resolve these issues as of noon today

And now, FSIS officials "will start the evaluation process to ensure that [Foster Farms is] taking the necessary steps to prevent the persistent recurrence of Salmonella in their facilities,"

On Capitol Hill, representatives Louise Slaughter, D-N.Y., and Rosa DeLauro, D-Conn., are calling on Congress to take action on what they describe as a problem of overuse of antibiotics in agriculture.

A statement released by Slaughter says antibiotics are routinely given to healthy animals, often to promote growth: "As a result, bacteria become resistant to these overused antibiotics."

California Finds the 17th Candy Contaminated with Lead in 2013

California Department of Public Health (CDPH) warns consumers not to eat three santos brand Rewadi and Sesame Candies imported from India

Dr. Ron Chapman, director of the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) and state health officer, today warned consumers not to eat three candies imported from India after tests conducted by CDPH found the products contained levels of lead that exceeded the state’s standards. Consumers in possession of these candies should discard them immediately.

The three candies are:

• Santos Rewadi Gur (7- and 14-ounce packages)

• Santos Sugar Rewadi  (2 lb. package)

• Santos Sesame Candy (2 lb. package)

CDPH determined that Santos Rewadi Gur, Santos Sugar Rewadi, and Santos Sesame Candy, contained as much as 0.31 parts per million (ppm) of lead. Both California and the FDA  considers candies with lead levels in excess of 0.10 ppm to be contaminated.

These candies are imported and distributed by Santos Inc., of San Leandro, California.  Santos Inc. has initiated a voluntary recall of the candy and is currently working to ensure the product is removed from the marketplace.

Pregnant women and parents of children who may have eaten these candies should consult their physician or health care provider to determine if medical testing is needed.

Including these three candies the CDHP has found 17 candys with too much lead. They retest any candy that the tests find that have to much lead to be sure their tests were accurate. These candies were three times the limit. Many of the candies that were tested were much higher. It brings into question, should we should be importing candy ?

Consumers who find any of these three candies for sale should call the CDPH Complaint Hotline at 1 800-495-3232. For more information about lead poisoning, contact your county childhood lead poisoning prevention program or public health department.

     

Three Infected with E coli in California

The origin of the E. coli illnesses of three San Luis Obispo County residents, including two who have been hospitalized, is being investigated by California health officials while they look for others who might be infected.

One of the three is a 12-year old girl who attended the California Mid-State Fair in Paso Robles where she had a dairy goat entered in 4-H competition. Fairs are often sources of transmission of the E. coli bacteria. Neither health officials or the Paso Robles Event Center have said if the fair is a target of the investigation.

California health officials Friday sent an alert to doctors and hospitals in central California on Friday, asking that they send samples from any patients they suspect are suffering from E. coli infections. The potentially deadly E. coli O157:H7 has been identified in two of the cases, and testing is underway on the third.

The San Luis Obispo Tribune reported that other 4-H club members, including one of its leaders who is also the county assessor, experienced flu-like symptoms,including feeling nauseated, after the final July 27-28 weekend of the fair. Except for the 12-year old girl, the others were feeling fine after 24 hours.

The girl showing the dairy goat spent time in the beef, lamb, and hog barns and at several vendor booths while at the fair.

Whether this infection was caused by the fair or not, It is important to wash your hands after touching animals. I feel that all places where people come in contact with animals Should have hand washing stations and encourage people to to use them.

Source: Food Safety News

California Farmer Starts Food Safety Classes

The California based farming company, Andrew & Williamson, has started a new food safety program. They are having their workers take a food safety course. They are taught safe food handling methods. After the course the workers are paid a higher wage for incorporating the improved handling methods. So far this program has been  successful with their strawberry crop. They are going to start the courses for their tomato workers.

They are marketing the product as premium strawberries and are able to get a higher price. People who read about this program in the New York Times have been calling them to find out which groceries are carrying there strawberries.   

They groceries are happy with the berries because they have better sales when the product is in better condition, They also have less spoilage. The average grocery has about 3% loss due to spoilage in their produce department. So any reduction means more profits.

Andrew & Williamson has been farming since 1986 and has farms in California and Mexico

Source Produce Business Magazine

Lead Tainted Ginger Candy put Children at Risk

In a lawsuit the California attorney general accused Trader Joe's, Whole Foods, and ten other 

California grocery stores of selling ginger and plum candies with dangerously high levels of lead.

While Lynda Gledhill, the attorney general's press secretary, said the lead levels were sporadic — "meaning it wasn't something that was naturally occurring" — the nature of this case poses a great threat, because pregnant women often enjoy ginger candy during their pregnancy and children are, no doubt, notorious candy eaters.

California's Proposition 65 states: Businesses must tell consumers of harmful toxins found in food, toys, jewelry, and other products — a disclosure that the suit argues never happened.

Santa Cruz Sentinel reports, the retailers have been notified of the lawsuit, and the state is expecting a response in June.

Lead poisoning occurs from a gradual buildup of lead in the body. In children under the age of six are especially at risk there brains are underdeveloped.

Pregnant women's exposure to lead can also put the fetus at risk. Lead can travels into the woman's bloodstream and enters the fetus' bones through the placenta. Then it will accumulate in the developing organs. As the lead builds up in the fetus' brain, developmental problems become more likely later in life.

Pregnant women who have been exposed to lead should contact their doctor. Sadly there is no universally established treatment for women who already exhibit elevated lead levels.

However, there are numerous preventative measures women can take to make sure their pregnancy remains healthy and lead-free, such as regularly hand washing, using cold tap water (to minimize the risk of older pipes, where lead can stay stagnant in warm water), and getting regular prenatal check-ups to ensure the health of both the baby and the mother.

Trader Joe's has not pulled the Uncrystallized Candied Ginger named in the lawsuit from its shelves. Whole Foods is investigating and the company said customers who purchased the candy can return it for a full refund, spokeswoman Jennifer Marples confirmed.

If the manufacturers fail to remove or reduce the lead levels, they will be required to print a cautionary label on the candy's packaging or remove the product altogether.

Here is a full list of companies plus the brands of candy that were named in the lawsuit:

·         99 Ranch Market: Red Lantern Plum Candy, Sliced Sweet Ginger, Sweet and Sour Prune, Sweet Fruit Dried Plum, Dried Plum, Dried Seedless Plum, Kan Rose Plum, Preserved Plum

·         Food Market: The Ginger People Baker's Cut Crystallized Ginger Chips

·         Island Pacific Supermarket: Dried Salted Prune

·         JFC International: Dynasty Sugar Ginger

·         Kam Lee Yuen: Ginger Candy, Plum Candy, Red Plum Candy

·         Lion Supermarket: Sweet Fruit Ginger, Seedless Plum, Sweet Fruit Sweet Plum, Sweet Fruit Dried Plum

·         Marina Food: Sweet Fruit Ginger, Sweet Fruit Licorice Lemon Ginger

·         Reed's: Reed's Crystallized Ginger

·         Target: Archer Farms Crystallized Ginger

·         Trader Joe's: Uncrystallized Candied Ginger

·         Whole Foods Market: The Ginger People Baker's Cut Crystallized Ginger Chips, Whole Foods Bulk Ginger