Health News: Children Under 5 account for almost 30% of deaths from foodborne diseases ♦ Is there a Boston College connection to the Chipotle outbreak

Children Under 5 account for almost 30% of deaths from foodborne diseases A new report released by the World Health Organization (WHO) found that almost 30% of all deaths from foodborne diseases occur in children aged below five years. The "WHO estimates of the global burden of foodborne diseases" report estimates the global burden of foodborne diseases.

Norovirus outbreak following catered event sickens 200 people  An estimated 200 people have reported symptoms of norovirus following a catered event held Tuesday, Dec. 1, at a downtown Seattle office tower. Two people were hospitalized and eight were treated at local emergency rooms. City health officials reportedly closed all food vendors operating at the building while the investigation continues.

Is there a Boston College connection to the Chipotle outbreak Chipotle Mexican Grill started the week being blamed for more illnesses in a potentially expanded number of E. coli infections, sending its stock diving to another post-outbreak low. But the most recent allegations — while getting plenty of attention — are not yet proven facts. .

Fresh produce causes most US foodborne illness outbreaks Fresh produce is the cause of most foodborne illnesses in the U.S., reports the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI). In a study of outbreaks that occurred between 2004 and 2013, the consumer advocacy group found that fresh produce, such as cilantro, cucumbers, cantaloupes and peppers, caused 629 outbreaks and almost 20,000 illnesses

Health News: Six firms selling pesticide tainted imported produce ♦ Predict amount of nicotine emitted from e-cigarettes ♦ Cheaper, high-performance prosthetic knee

Six firms selling pesticide tainted imported produce The California Department of Pesticide Regulation has fined six companies that ignored warnings and repeatedly sold imported fruits and vegetables with illegal pesticide residues to predominantly ethnic minority customers. According to an agency statement released July 28, the fines range from $10,000 to more than $20,000 for violating pesticide laws and potentially endangering consumers....

When surgeons listen to their preferred music, their stitches are better and faster From classical to rock, music can be heard in operating rooms across the world. When plastic surgeons listen to music they prefer, their surgical technique and efficiency when closing incisions is improved.

Novel model developed to predict amount of nicotine emitted from e-cigarettes Researchers have developed the first ever, evidence-based model that can predict with up to 90 percent accuracy the amount of nicotine emitted by an electronic cigarettes.

Paralyzed men move legs with new non-invasive spinal cord stimulation Five men with complete motor paralysis were able to voluntarily generate step-like movements thanks to a new strategy that non-invasively delivers electrical stimulation to their spinal cords. The strategy, called transcutaneous stimulation, delivers electrical current to the spinal cord by way of electrodes strategically placed on the skin of the lower back. This expands to nine the number of completely paralyzed individuals who have achieved voluntary movement while receiving spinal stimulation.

Cheaper, high-performance prosthetic knee Researchers report that they have designed a cheap prosthetic knee that mimics normal walking motion. They have calculated the ideal torque that a prosthetic knee should produce, given the mass of the leg segments, in order to induce able-bodied kinematics, or normal walking

10/11/14 Health News: The food that can shorten your life ♦ OVER 100 PEOPLE SICKENED BY Y, PSEUDOTUBERCULOSIS ♦ MICROBIAL TESTING OF FRESH PRODUCE

The food that can cut years off your life

Meat lovers, this news may change your grocery list: Eating both processed and unprocessed red meat is associated with an increased mortality risk, according to new research in American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. Continue Reading

MORE THAN 100 PEOPLE SICKENED BY YERSINIA PSEUDOTUBERCULOSIS IN NEW ZEALAND

More than 100 people across New Zealand are sick from Yersinia pseudotuberculosis, and at least 35 people have been hospitalized. Most cases have been in the Auckland, Christchurch and Wellington areas. Outbreaks of Yersinia pseudotuberculosis, which are not common, have previously been associated with the consumption of contaminated food, especially raw or undercooked pork products,... Continue Reading

MICROBIAL TESTING OF FRESH PRODUCE: WHERE IS THE VALUE?

Summary Product testing is an inefficient tool for enhancing the safety of fresh fruits and vegetables. The probability of finding a contaminant is very low at the bacterial population densities likely to be found. Product testing is wasteful of resources because of the time and expense of the testing itself, but also because all tested... Continue Reading

Walnuts Recalled Due to Listeria

Sherman Produce Recalls Bulk and Packaged

Walnuts Due to Possible Health Risk

St. Louis-based Sherman Produce is voluntarily recalling walnuts comprising of 241 cases of bulk walnuts packaged in 25 lb bulk cardboard boxes and Schnucks brand 10 oz trays with UPC 00338390032 with best by dates 03/15 and 04/15 because the products are potentially contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. Listeria monocytogenes is an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others 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.

These products were sold to retailers in MO and IL from March – May 2014.

The recall was initiated after FDA sampling detected Listeria monocytogenes in walnuts sampled at the facility. All walnuts processed in the facility during the same timeframe as the product found positive are being recalled.

Consumers who have purchased walnuts are urged not to consume them. Consumers are advised to dispose of them or return them to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with any questions may call Sherman Produce at 314-231-2896, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. CST weekdays.

United States; Three thousand Killed by Foodborne Disease Each Year

Food sickens 48 million, hospitalizes 125,000 and kills 3,000 of us yearly in the United States.

We have the science to do a much better job. We need safer food for our children. For a solution to this problem check out this article.

The following foods accounted for 88.5% of all the produce-associated outbreaks between 1996 and 2010. The CDC defines an outbreak as two or more people experiencing a similar illness after eating the same food.

34 outbreaks associated with sprouts (bean, alfalfa).

30 outbreaks associated with leafy greens such as lettuce and spinach.

17 outbreaks associated with tomatoes.

14 outbreaks associated with melons such as cantaloupe and honeydew.

10 outbreaks associated with berries, such as raspberries, blueberries, blackberries, and strawberries.

6 outbreaks associated with fresh herbs such as basil and parsley.

3 outbreaks associated with green onions.

This is just fresh produce it doesn’t include meats or foods that have been processed.