Food Research: Find way to focus on dietary supplement safety ♦ Living alone can dent healthy diets ♦ Soybean foods may protect menopausal women against osteoporosis

Find way to focus on dietary supplement safety A former principal deputy commissioner of the US Food and Drug Administration is proposing a solution to the current gridlock over the regulation of dietary supplements: focus less on whether these vitamins, minerals and herbal extracts actually do what they claim and instead take important steps to improve their safety.

Soybean foods may protect menopausal women against osteoporosis Eating a diet rich in both soy protein and isoflavones can protect menopausal women from bone weakening and osteoporosis.

Living alone can dent healthy diets People who live alone are more likely to have unhealthy diets lacking key foods, research has found. The study reported inadequate cooking skills, no partner to go shopping with, the increasing cost of food and a lack of motivation to cook were among the reasons people living alone had different eating practices

Tomatoes get boost in growth, antioxidants from nano-sized nutrients Researchers are using nano-sized nutrients to boost production of food without straining natural resources.

SOYBEAN SPROUTS AND MUNG BEAN SPROUTS RECALLED DUE TO LISTERIA

Good Seed Inc. of Springfield, VA is voluntarily recalling all packages of soybean sprouts and mung bean sprouts because they have the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, an organism that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections to individuals with weakened immune systems.  Although healthy individuals may suffer only short term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, Listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.

The following products are being recalled by the firm:

- 1-lb bags of soybean sprouts in clear plastic bags labeled “GOODSEED Soy Bean Sprouts” “Keep Refrigerated” with a UPC Code of “21111  10035” produced on or after June 22, 2015.

- 1-lb bags of mung bean sprouts in clear plastic bags labeled “GOODSEED Mung Bean Sprouts” “Keep Refrigerated” with a UPC code of “21111 20136” produced on or after June 22, 2015.

- 2-lb bags of soybean sprouts in clear plastic bags labeled “GOODSEED Soy Bean Sprouts” “Keep Refrigerated” with a UPC Code of “21112 58772” produced on or after June 22, 2015.

- 2-lb bags of mung bean sprouts in clear plastic bags labeled “GOODSEED Mung Bean Sprouts” “Keep Refrigerated” with a UPC code of “21111 25871” produced on or after June 22, 2015.

- 10-lb bags of soybean sprouts in black plastic bags labeled with a sticker “GOODSEED Soy Bean Sprouts” produced on or after June 22, 2015.

- 10-lb bags of mung bean sprouts in clear plastic bags labeled with a sticker “GOODSEED Mung Bean Sprouts” produced on or after June 22, 2015.

These items were distributed to retail stores in Virginia, Maryland and New Jersey.

The contamination was discovered through surveillance and monitoring coordinated by the Virginia Rapid Response Team (RRT), Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, and testing by the Virginia Division of Consolidated Laboratory Services which revealed the presence of Listeria monocytogenes in the product.

Individuals who purchased soybean sprouts and mung bean sprouts distributed by Good Seed Inc. should return the product to the place of sale for a full refund.

Consumers with questions may contact the company directly at 703.392.0075 or the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Food Safety Program, at 804.786.3520.  

Soybean Sprouts recalled Due to Listeria

Henry’s Farm Inc. of Woodford, VA is recalling all packages of Soybean Sprouts because they may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections to individuals with weakened immune systems. Although healthy individuals may suffer only short term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, Listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.

The following products are being recalled by the firm.

1. All clear 1 lb packages of Natto Soybean Sprouts. These products are labeled as produced by Henry’s Farm Inc. The packages were not coded.
2. All clear 2 lb packages of Bean Sprouts. These products are labeled as distributed by Rhee Bros. Inc. Columbia, MD. The packages were not coded.
3. All bulk (approximately 10 lbs.) black plastic bags of Soy Bean Sprouts. These products are labeled as produced by Henry’s Farm Inc. The packages were not coded.

These items were distributed to retail stores in Virginia and Maryland.

The contamination was discovered after sampling by the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Food Safety & Security Program and subsequent analysis by the Virginia Division of Consolidated Laboratory Services revealed the presence of Listeria monocytogenes in the products. No illness has been reported to date.

Individuals who purchased Soybean Sprouts, distributed by Henry’s Farm should return the product to the place of sale for a full refund.

Consumers with questions may contact the company directly at 301-802-2996 or the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Food Safety and Security Program at 804-786-3520.