Health News; Salmonella Outbreak in Alabama ♦ Researchers closer to better treatment for leading cause of hospital-acquired diarrhea

Salmonella Outbreak in Alabama Johnny Ray’s in Pelham was closed indefinitely January 8 following four confirmed cases of Salmonella tied to the restaurant. Health officials in Alabama are investigating the outbreak.

Roman toilets gave no clear health benefit, and Romanization actually spread parasites Intestinal parasites such as whipworm became increasingly common across Europe during the Roman Period, despite the apparent improvements the empire brought in sanitation technologies, archaeological evidence shows.

Researchers closer to better treatment for leading cause of hospital-acquired diarrhea Researchers have obtained the crystal structure of a toxin from the bacterium Clostridium difficile ('C. diff') -- the leading cause of hospital-acquired diarrhea in the United States. They also found that zinc is required to unleash the toxin's damaging effects in the colon. The discoveries are aiding efforts to develop vaccines and other novel therapies to prevent the potentially fatal consequences of C. diff infection

Playing american football may be a risk factor for hypertension As National Football League playoff games are underway, a new article suggests that the toll the sport takes on players' bodies extends beyond head trauma and damage to limbs and joints. The trauma and damage associated with football participation may also be linked to elevations in blood pressure through immune system activation and inflammation.

Oregon cases of E. coli linked to Chipotle now at 12

The Oregon Health Authority is reporting a total of 12 cases of Shiga toxin E. coli linked to eating at Chipotle restaurants in the Portland Metro area, up from three cases that were first reported October 31.

Among the cases, three were hospitalized, Katrina Hedberg, MD, state health officer with OHA’s Public Health Division, said during a media briefing today. There have been no deaths. People in Multnomah, Clackamas and Washington counties, as well as Columbia, Benton and Deschutes counties have reported symptoms.

Many people affected with Shiga toxin E. coli may not seek health care, so the number of people made ill by this outbreak is likely more than identified.

Health officials want people who have eaten at a Chipotle during October 2015, and became ill with vomiting and bloody diarrhea, to see their health care provider and mention this outbreak.

The Oregon Health Authority, Washington State Department of Health, the Food and Drug Administration and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are working with local health departments in the Portland metro region, and in other Oregon counties on the outbreak investigation.

Chipotle has closed at least 14 of its restaurants in the Portland metro area (Multnomah, Clackamas and Washington counties) to assist public health agencies with their investigation.

Most people infected develop watery or bloody diarrhea and abdominal cramps within one to 10 days, with the average three to four days. Most illnesses resolve on their own within seven days. Most people recover within a week but, rarely, some develop a severe type of kidney failure which can begin as the diarrhea is improving and is most common in children under 5 years old and the elderly.

Health News: Salmonella outbreak linked to Texas community church luncheon ♦ Surgeons restore hand, arm movement to quadriplegic patients ♦ Environmental memories transmitted from a father to his grandchildren

Salmonella outbreak linked to Texas community church luncheon At least 30 people were reportedly sickened following a recent community meal at a church northwest of Weatherford in Parker County, TX. Several of them, including children, were admitted to local hospitals, according to family members. Symptoms being reported included kidney problems and dehydration. ..

Opposites don't attract when learning how to use a prosthesis Upper limb amputees, who typically struggle to learn how to use a new prosthesis, would be more successful if fellow amputees taught them. Most usually learn by watching a non-amputee demonstrate the device during physical therapy and rehabilitation sessions. A study that measured arm movements and analyzed brain patterns found that people do better when they learn from someone who looks like them.

Surgeons restore hand, arm movement to quadriplegic patients A pioneering surgical technique has restored some hand and arm movement to patients immobilized by spinal cord injuries in the neck, reports a new study. The researchers assessed outcomes of nerve-transfer surgery in nine quadriplegic patients with spinal cord injuries in the neck. Every patient in the study reported improved hand and arm function.

Environmental memories transmitted from a father to his grandchildren If you have diabetes, or cancer or even heart problems, maybe you should blame it on your dad's behavior or environment. Or even your grandfather's. That's because, in recent years, scientists have shown that, before his offspring are even conceived, a father's life experiences involving food, drugs, exposure to toxic products and even stress can affect the development and health not only of his children, but even of his grandchildren. Scientists think that they have now found a key part of the molecular puzzle. They have discovered that proteins known as histones, which have attracted relatively little attention until now, may play a crucial role in the process.

Study ties restless legs syndrome to heart, kidney problems Those with restless legs syndrome are at higher risk for stroke, heart and kidney disease, and earlier death, a database study of Veterans found. Studies in the past had suggested such links, but the new research provides the strongest evidence yet.

Tick Borne Relapsing Fever Outbreak at an Outdoor Education Camp

Jefferson M. Jones, MD; Mare Schumacher, MPH; Marie Peoples, PhD; Nina Souders, MD; Kimberly Horn; Lisa Fox, DO; Michele Scott, MD; Shane Brady, MD; Joli Weiss, PhD; Ken Komatsu, MPH; Nathan Nieto, PhD

Tick borne relapsing fever (TBRF) is a bacterial infection characterized by recurring episodes of fever, headache, muscle and joint aches, and nausea. In North America, TBRF primarily is caused by Borrelia hermsii spirochetes transmitted by Ornithodoros hermsii ticks. Once infected, these soft ticks are infectious for life and transmit the spirochete to sleeping humans quickly (possibly within 30 seconds) during short feeds (15–90 minutes). On August 10, 2014, the Coconino County Public Health Services District in Arizona was notified by a local hospital that five high school students who attended the same outdoor education camp had been hospitalized with fever, headache, and myalgias. Hantavirus infection initially was suspected because of reported exposure to rodent droppings, but after detecting spirochetes on peripheral blood smears from all five hospitalized students, TBRF was diagnosed. The camp was instructed to close immediately, and the health department, in collaboration with local university experts, investigated to identify additional cases, determine the cause, and prevent further infections. A total of 11 cases (six confirmed and five probable) were identified.

Camp staff members and attendees were interviewed during August 11–14. Medical records of the five hospitalized patients were reviewed, and the campsite was inspected for evidence of rodent or tick infestation. Consistent with the Arizona Department of Health Services case definition, a probable case was defined as an illness with at least three of the four major TBRF signs and symptoms (fever, chills, myalgias, and headache) without laboratory testing in a person attending the camp during August 1–3, 2014. A case was confirmed by visualization of spirochetes in an attendee's blood smear or by Borrelia hermsii isolation by culture.

During August 1–3, a total of 45 persons (39 high school football players and six adult coaches) attended a school-run outdoor education camp located in a wooded area in Coconino County. Thirty-one (69%) of the 45 persons at the camp were interviewed. Six confirmed cases (four by visualization of spirochetes on blood smear and isolation and two by visualization of spirochetes alone) and five probable cases were identified (attack rate: 24%). Ten patients were students aged 15–17 years, and one was a coach aged 33 years.

All six persons with confirmed TBRF and four of the five persons with probable TBRF had slept in the camp's main cabin. Using the earliest date when common exposure might have occurred (August 1), the median incubation period was 6 days (range = 2–10 days). All six of the persons with confirmed TBRF had fever, headache, myalgias, and arthralgias; all five of those with probable TBRF had fever, headache, and myalgias

The investigation revealed that, during July 17–24, professional pest controllers had performed rodent-proofing activities at the main cabin; however, no acaricides (pesticides that kill ticks and mites) were applied. On August 12 and 28, the public health team inspected the cabin and found evidence of rodents and soft tick infestation, including rodent nesting material in a woodpile in a crawl space beneath the cabin, squirrel droppings in a chimney crevasse, and one live and one desiccated Ornithodoros hermsii tick. Testing of one soft tick for B. hermsii was negative. Camp management was provided written instructions regarding rodent-proofing and acaricide application. The camp reopened after recommendations were implemented; no additional cases have been identified.

During 1982–2013, a total of 22 TBRF cases (0–3 cases annually) were reported in Arizona residents. This 2014 outbreak of TBRF with 11 confirmed and probable cases is the largest recorded in Arizona since 1990.

. These findings suggest that pest control companies and cabin owners might benefit from education regarding prevention of tickborne diseases, including sleeping off the floor and away from walls, applying insect repellent on skin and clothing, and rodent-proofing. To eliminate tick populations in a building, it is important to consider acaricide spraying concurrently with rodent-proofing because removing rodents from buildings can result in ticks losing their primary source of food and feeding on humans as an alternative

Health News: $200 million settlement in 2012 meningitis outbreak ♦ MS Scientists identify cause of movement, balance problems ♦ Redesigned' antibodies may control HIV

Judge approves $200 million settlement in 2012 meningitis outbreak A Federal bankruptcy judge approved a $200 million settlement with the now-closed New England Compounding Center pharmacy following a 2012 fungal meningitis outbreak that killed 64 people and sickened more than 750 others across 20 states as a result of tainted drugs produced by the pharmacy. The settlement will be distributed among the victims and 14 former employees of the compounding center

Multiple sclerosis: Scientists identify cause of movement, balance problems New research into the causes of the excessive inflammation that drives multiple sclerosis has identified a faulty 'brake' within immune cells, a brake that should be controlling the inflammation. This points to a potential target for developing new therapies to treat multiple sclerosis.

Cancer drugs may hold key to treating Down syndrome and other brain disorders A class of FDA-approved cancer drugs may be able to prevent problems with brain cell development associated with disorders including Down syndrome and Fragile X syndrome.

'Redesigned' antibodies may control HIV With the help of a computer program called “Rosetta,” researchers have “redesigned” an antibody that has increased potency and can neutralize more strains of the AIDS-causing human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) than can any known natural antibody.

Potential new drug target for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis A novel drug target for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis has been identified, which focuses on the cells that are directly responsible for the cartilage damage in affected joints. Rheumatoid arthritis, an autoimmune disease that leads to stiff, deformed joints and often crippling pain. The immune system's attack on the body's own tissue leads to chronic, painful inflammation in the affected joints.

Health News: Pesticides in fruit and vegetables linked to semen quality ♦ Supermarkets fined for selling mouldy food ♦ outbreak determined to late to warn the public + more

Supermarkets fined for selling mouldy food  Australia’s biggest supermarkets have been ashamed for trying to sell mouldy and out-of-date food. Source: News Limited IGA Nabiac sold potato salad and herb bread two weeks out of date Woolworths had expired milk on shelves at Caltex in Blacktown Coles copped fines for failing to display food at correct temperature

CDC: Source of cucumber linked outbreak determined to late to warn the public In late February, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released a detailed report describing a summer 2014 outbreak of Salmonella linked to cucumbers grown in the Delmarva region of Maryland. The outbreak resulted in 275 confirmed illnesses and the death of one man. Considering that CDC estimates only one in 30 Salmonella cases are confirmed

Pesticides in fruit and vegetables linked to semen quality  The first study to investigate the relationship between eating fruit and vegetables containing pesticide residues and the quality of men's semen has shown a link with lower sperm counts

Date syrup shows promise for fighting bacterial infections  Date syrup – a thick, sweet liquid derived from dates that is widely consumed across the Middle East – shows antibacterial activity against a number of disease-causing bacteria,

3-D human skin maps aid study of relationships between molecules, microbes and environment Researchers have produced 3-D maps of molecular and microbial variations across the body. These maps provide a baseline for studies of the interplay between the molecules that make up our skin, our microbiomes, our personal hygiene routines and other environmental factors. The study may help further our understanding of the skin's role in hu

Health News: Third death in colorado linked to marijuana edibles ♦ CA Issues public health warning about raw milk ♦ Health department’s failure to announce salmonella outbreak

CA Issues public health warning about raw milk  The state with the largest retail sales of raw milk in the United States is warning consumers that the consumption of unpasteurized (raw) dairy products may cause serious illness.

Health department’s fails to announce outbreak Over a four-month period, a popular deli in the Los Angeles area sickened at least 21 people with Salmonella poisoning, but the Ventura County Department of Public Health did not notify the public when the first cases were reported

Third death in colorado linked to marijuana edibles Thee third death associated with marijuana edibles could not have come at a worse time for the state’s 15-month-old legal pot industry. Services are being held today in Tulsa, OK, for Luke Goodman, 23, who reportedly killed himself last Saturday night
Link between lifestyles of indigenous communities, gut microbial ecologies discovered

A strong association between the lifestyles of indigenous communities and their gut microbial ecologies (gut microbiome) has been discovered by researchers. This study that may have implications for the health of all people

.Experience saves lives: Advanced life-support study reveals differences in survival rates An advanced form of life support that takes over for the failing hearts and lungs of critically ill patients saves lives. But for adults, the odds of surviving depend on which hospital provides the life-supporting treatment -- with the best odds at ones that use the technique dozens of times a

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

Tetrodotoxin Poisoning Outbreak from Imported Dried Puffer Fish

Minneapolis, Minnesota, 2014

Health care providers who work in emergency departments or with persons from countries with a tradition of puffer fish consumption should be aware of the potential public health threat of puffer fish poisoning and should coordinate with their local poison centers and health departments to investigate any suspected cases.

Puffer fish is a highly regulated product in the U.S. due to its potential toxicity yet is a delicacy in many cultures. Health care providers who work in emergency departments or with persons from countries with a tradition of puffer fish consumption should be aware of this potential public health threat and coordinate with their local poison centers and health departments to investigate any suspected cases of puffer fish poisoning to determine the source of the fish, whether it was legally imported, and whether additional contaminated product needs to be removed from commerce.

12/12/14 Health News: RAW MILK-RELATED OUTBREAKS ON THE RISE♦ Chemicals linked with substantial drop in child IQ ♦ HOW TO STORE EGGS SAFELY

CDC STUDY: NUMBER OF RAW MILK-RELATED OUTBREAKS ON THE RISE

During the three years from 2007 to 2009, 30 foodborne illness outbreaks in the U.S. were connected to raw milk consumption. Yet, in the next three years, from 2010 to 2012, that number rose to 51, according to a new study published in the January issue of Emerging Infectious Diseases, a peer-reviewed monthly journal published... Continue Reading

Prenatal exposure to common household chemicals linked with substantial drop in child IQ Children exposed during pregnancy to elevated levels of two common chemicals found in the home -- di-n-butyl phthalate and di-isobutyl phthalate -- had an IQ score, on average, more than six points lower than children exposed at lower levels, according to researchers. The study is the first to report a link between prenatal exposure to phthalates and IQ in school-age children. Continue Reading

HOW TO STORE EGGS SAFELY: IT’S DEPENDS ON HOW YOU LOOK AT THE DATA

The debate over how to store shell eggs has been going on ever since the chicken laid the first egg, if we assume the former came before the latter. Our ancestors looked at a range of techniques to preserve eggs, from burying them in lime to coating them with sodium silicate (water glass). The methods... Continue Reading

Boosting length of breastfeeding could save NHS more than £40 million every year

Doubling the number of mothers who breastfeed for 7-18 months in their lifetime and helping others to continue for at least four months could save the National Health Service more than £40 million every year, suggests new research Continue Reading

12/10/14 Health News: China chicken to enter U.S ♦ CUCUMBERS LIKELY CAUSE OUTBREAK ♦ Obesity may shorten life expectancy up to eight years ♦ Children's Nutrition

Gag reflex: China chicken to enter U.S. food stream

When a Chinese conglomerate bought America’s largest pork producer last year, it was only a matter of time until the chickens came home to roost. After Shuanghui International’s $7.1 billion purchase of Virginia-based Smithfield Foods, the U.S. Department of Agriculture quietly announced it would allow Chinese-processed chicken into this country – without U.S. inspection. Federal …Continue Reading

CUCUMBERS LIKELY CAUSE OF JIMMY JOHN’S E. COLI OUTBREAK

Eating Jimmy John’s sandwiches with cucumbers imported from Mexico was the likely cause of a Denver-area E. coli O157:H7 outbreak that occurred in October 2013, according to a new 27-page state investigative report. The investigation, by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) and several local public health departments in the Denver area,... Continue Reading

Each dollar spent on kids' nutrition can yield more than $100 later

There are strong economic incentives for governments to invest in early childhood nutrition, reports a new paper that reveals that every dollar spent on nutrition during the first 1,000 days of a child's life can provide a country up to $166 in future earnings. Continue Reading

Obesity may shorten life expectancy up to eight years

'Tis the season to indulge. However, restraint may be best, according to a new study. The researchers examined the relationship between body weight and life expectancy. Their findings show that overweight and obese individuals have the potential to decrease life expectancy by up to eight years Continue Reading

11/26/14 Health News: GO ANTIBIOTIC-FREE WITH THANKSGIVING TURKEY ♦ SALMONELLA OUTBREAK♦Selenium boost immune system to fight against cancer

CONSUMERS URGED TO GO ANTIBIOTIC-FREE WITH THEIR THANKSGIVING TURKEY

Public health advocates are calling on consumers to go antibiotic-free with their traditional Thanksgiving dinner. Earlier this week, the Pew Charitable Trusts posted its three reasons to buy a Thanksgiving turkey raised without antibiotics — the main one being that consumers can influence food producers to curb the overuse of antibiotics in livestock raised for... Continue Reading

SPROUT SALMONELLA OUTBREAK UP TO 68 IN NORTHEAST

As of November 24, a total of 68 persons infected with the outbreak strains of Salmonella Enteritidis have been reported from 10 states. The number of ill people identified in each state is as follows: Connecticut (4), Maine (3), Massachusetts (31), Montana (1), New Hampshire (4), New York (5), Ohio (1), Pennsylvania (10), Rhode Island... Continue Reading

Selenium compounds boost immune system to fight against cancer

Cancer types such as melanoma, prostate cancer and certain types of leukemia weaken the body by over-activating the natural immune system. Researchers have now demonstrated that selenium -- naturally found in, e.g., garlic and broccoli -- slows down the immune over-response. In the long term, this may improve cancer treatment. Continue Reading

Cataloguing 10 million human gut microbial genes: Unparalleled accomplishment

Over the past several years, research on bacteria in the digestive tract (gut microbiome) has confirmed the major role they play in our health. An international consortium has developed the most complete database of microbial genes ever created. The catalogue features nearly ten million genes and will constitute a reference for all research on gut bacteria Continue Reading

11/22/14 Health News: Plague Outbreak In Madagascar ♦ SALMONELLA OUTBREAK LINKED TO SPROUTS ♦ Bacterial slime: It's what's for dinner ♦Therapy for heart attack

Plague Outbreak In Madagascar Spreads

Rats are a common sight along the streets of Antananarivo, where trash can go weeks, even months, without being collected. (Xinhua /Landov) An outbreak of the plague has sickened at least 119 people and killed 40 in Madagascar, the World Health Organization reports Friday. The outbreak started back in August in a rural village, WHO said. Then it spread to seven of Madagascar's … continue reading

ONGOING MULTISTATE SALMONELLA OUTBREAK LINKED TO SPROUTS

At least 63 people  in 10 states have been sickened in a multistate Salmonella outbreak linked to bean sprouts, reported the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Friday. Bean sprouts distributed by Wonton Foods, Inc. of Brooklyn, NY have been linked to an outbreak of Salmonella Enteriitdis that has sickened people in Connecticut, Maine,... Continue Reading

Bacterial slime: It's what's for dinner

If natural or human made disaster strikes, causing global crop failures, the world won't starve -- providing they are willing to eat bacterial slime and bugs. "People have been doing catastrophic risk research for a while. But most of what's been done is dark, apocalyptic and dismal. It hasn't provided any real solutions," says the author of a new book that provides a more optimistic outlook. Continue Reading

In landmark study of cell therapy for heart attack, more cells make a difference

Physicians from 60 sites treated 161 heart attack patients with their own bone marrow cells, selected for their healing potential and then reinjected into the heart, in an effort to improve the heart's recovery. Their conclusion? Patients who receive more cells get significant benefits Continue Reading

10/24/14 Health News:BPA raises risk of diabetes, obesity and cancer ♦ ANTIBIOTICS SPREAD SALMONELLA ♦ FOOD DISTRIBUTOR SHUTS DOWN AFTER HUGE RECALL

BPA could raise risk of diabetes, obesity and cancer

Substance used to produce receipts could be absorbed into the bloodstream Includes paper receipts from shops, credit card machines and ATMs Chemical bisphenol-A  - also known as BPA - can disrupt hormones  Cause raise the risk of health problems like obesity, diabetes and cancer Chemical has been banned in baby bottles in Europe due to safety fears Campaigners are calling for the … Continue Reading

STUDY: ANTIBIOTICS MAY HELP SPREAD SALMONELLA BETWEEN ANIMALS

An estimated 80 percent of all antibiotics in the U.S. are given to livestock, which raises concerns among some scientists about the fostering of antibiotic-resistant pathogens. But a study on antibiotics just published by researchers from the Stanford University School of Medicine might introduce a whole new concern to the equation. Mice given antibiotics to... Continue Reading

NORTH CAROLINA FOOD DISTRIBUTOR SHUTS DOWN FOLLOWING HUGE RECALL

SunBurst Foods of Goldsboro, NC, which recently recalled virtually all of its pre-packaged sandwiches, hamburgers, chili dogs, salads and other food products because of potential Listeria contamination, has reportedly closed its doors. No illnesses were known to have been reported in connection with the recall. The recall was announced Oct. 12 and included the food... Continue Reading

CDC: SALMONELLA OUTBREAK LINKED TO BACKYARD FLOCKS APPEARS TO BE OVER

They picked up 19 more cases and added a state to the multistate outbreak of Salmonella linked to live poultry from backyard flocks, but the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is essentially calling it over. The outbreak traced to the source of the chicks — Ohio’s Mt. Healthy Hatcheries — appears to...Continue Reading

10/23/14 Health News: Food Justice for Babies ♦ Norovirus outbreak in Arizona school ♦ DIETARY SUPPLEMENTS CONTAINED BANNED DRUGS AFTER FDA RECALLS

Food Justice for Babies

There’s only one day a year that’s dedicated just to food. Every October 24 is Food Day, a nationwide celebration of healthy, affordable and sustainable food. While Food Day strives to inspire us to improve our diets and our food policies, the 2014 Food Day places a special emphasis on food access and food justice.Continue Reading

Arizona school’s norovirus outbreak linked to over 100 students

I was chatting with a couple of guys at a birthday party of one of Sam’s friends this past weekend and relayed that I do food safety stuff. One dude said “I hate this time of year: between the colds, pink eye and norovirus our kids pick up at school we’ll all be sick until Thanksgiving.”  Continue Reading

DIETARY SUPPLEMENTS CONTAINED BANNED DRUGS AFTER FDA RECALLS

A new study finds that a high percentage of dietary supplements still contained banned drugs at least six months after being recalled by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Approximately half of all FDA class-I drug recalls since 2004 have involved dietary supplements adulterated with banned pharmaceutical ingredients. Previous studies have found that dietary... Continue Reading

10/18/14 Health News: Death From Campylobacter Linked to Raw Milk ♦ SEVEN WORST THINGS IN YOUR REFRIGERATOR ♦ FDA PLEASE BAN CHEMICALS IN PIZZA BOXE

80 SICKENED IN UTAH CAMPYLOBACTER OUTBREAK LINKED TO RAW MILK

At least 80 people fell ill this summer with Campylobacter infections linked to the consumption of unpasteurized milk from a farm in Utah, according to Utah health officials speaking with state lawmakers on Wednesday. Health officials said that the outbreak also contributed to the death of one immunocompromised man. Twenty percent of cases were hospitalized.... Continue Reading

THE SEVEN WORST THINGS TO FIND IN YOUR REFRIGERATOR OR ICE MACHINE

Health inspectors get to see the worst of the worst when it comes to commercial kitchens. They see the little extras that are left behind the refrigerator, they notice the smells in the walk-in freezers, and they notice the slime inside of the ice bin. We've taken our cues from the health inspectors and compiled... Continue Reading

FDA ASKED TO BAN CHEMICALS USED IN PIZZA BOXES AND OTHER FOOD PACKAGING

Nine consumer and environmental health groups petitioned the Food and Drug Administration this week seeking a ban on the use of certain chemicals in food packaging. The petitions target perchlorate, which is added to sealing gaskets for food containers and to reduce static in dry food packaging, and a family of chemicals known as long-chain... Continue Reading

10/3/14 Health News: IL RESTRICTS RAW MILK SALES ♦ ANIMAL ANTIBIOTICS BILL VETOED ♦ Five babies test positive for TB ♦ 8-STATE SALMONELLA OUTBREAK

IL RESTRICTS RAW MILK SALES WHILE MAKING THEM LEGAL

After 30 years or more, Illinois is about to get procedures for permitting and inspecting dairy farms that will make the sale and distribution of raw milk legal in the Land of Lincoln. Raw milk dairies that have operated in the shadows during those years probably don’t see it that way but may fear that... Continue Reading

CA GOVERNOR VETOES STATE SENATE’S ANIMAL ANTIBIOTICS BILL

California Gov. Jerry Brown vetoed state Senate Bill 835 on animal antibiotics when it reached his desk Monday. Brown said that the bill to ban the use of antibiotics for growth promotion and require a veterinarian prescription for a livestock antibiotic “would codify a voluntary Federal Drug Administration standard that phases-out antibiotic use for growth promotion.”... Continue Reading

Five babies test positive for TB in Texas

Five babies in El Paso, Texas, have tested positive for tuberculosis after being exposed to the infectious disease at a local hospital, the city's health department says Continue Reading

BERRIES, MELONS ON SUSPECT LIST IN LOW-KEY 8-STATE SALMONELLA OUTBREAK INVESTIGATION

Three years after one of the most deadly outbreaks involving fresh produce in U.S. history, reports at the state and local level are pointing to the existence of a widespread Salmonella outbreak that may involve berries or melons. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) declined opportunities to comment on these reports, and a... Continue Reading

10/1/14 CHILDREN IN E. COLI OUTBREAK DRANK RAW MILK ♦ ANTIBIOTICS NEARLY DOUBLED C. DIFF INFECTIONS ♦ STUDENTS LEARN FOOD SAFETY

CHILDREN IN KY E. COLI OUTBREAK DRANK MILK FROM RAW MILK DAIRY

The five Kentucky children hospitalized in an E. coli outbreak earlier this month all consumed milk from the same raw milk dairy, according to multiple reports and the mother of one of the sickened children. The Kentucky Department for Public Health has not announced the source of the outbreak. Microbial testing of animals, milk samples,... Continue Reading

OVERUSE OF ANTIBIOTICS NEARLY DOUBLED CLOSTRIDIUM DIFFICILE INFECTION RATE

The October issue of the American Journal of Infection Control reports on a new study about a topic nobody really wants to think about — deadly diarrhea. It’s what happens when the otherwise harmless Clostridium difficile (C. difficile, or C. diff) digestive tract bacterium grows out of control, releasing toxins that attack the lining of the... Continue Reading

TRAINING TEACHERS - HELPS STUDENTS LEARN FOOD SAFETY

One way to teach kids about food safety and nutrition is to teach their teachers. That’s the idea behind a training program the Food and Drug Administration has been running for the past 15 years. “Science and Our Food Supply” is a week-long program held in the summer that brings together teachers from all over...Continue Reading