The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is informing consumers of—and protecting them against—potential harm associated with unapproved products claiming to diagnose, prevent, or otherwise act against the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus.

Within the past two weeks, FDA has

• urged caution regarding promotions and Internet sites offering products for sale that claim to diagnose, prevent, mitigate, treat or cure the H1N1 flu virus
• enhanced efforts to warn about potentially deceptive H1N1 products, and encourage reporting of suspected criminal activity, with the release of an H1N1 flu fraud widget. This portable application is embedded in an agency Web page with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), issued a warning letter to a Web site marketing fraudulent supplements that claim to help prevent the spread of the H1N1 virus. The letter advises the site’s owners to discontinue marketing the products or face legal action

Buy Only FDA-Approved Products

Consumers are urged to only purchase FDA-approved products from licensed pharmacies located in the United States, and should contact their health professional if they have any questions or concerns about medical products or personal protective equipment.

Tamiflu (oseltamivir phosphate) and Relenza (zanamivir) are the only two FDA-approved antiviral drugs for treatment and prophylaxis of the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus. In addition to their approved labeling, these drugs have been issued Emergency Use Authorizations by FDA that describe specific authorized uses during the H1N1 public health emergency.

Source: FDA

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Try these delicious, whole soyfoods for a rich source of isoflavones.

Raw Soybeans*

Isoflavone content per gram: 2 to 4mg

Culinary Suggestions: Boil, steam or microwave in or out of the pod. Sprinkle with a pinch of salt to make a great finger food. Shelled edamame can be added to salads, used as a side dish or pureed as a dip.

Tofu**

Isoflavone content per gram: 30 to 40 mg

Culinary Suggestions: Cube into salads, add to soups, stir-fry, or grill and puree and puree as a pudding, dip or smoothie.

Soy Milk

Isoflavone content 1 cup: 30 to 40 mg

Culinary Suggestions: Pour over ready-to-eat cereal, stir into oatmeal or use in pudding, tapioca or sauce/gravies.

Tempeh***

Isoflavone content 1/2 cup: 30 to 40 mg

Culinary Suggestions: Ideal for grilling, sauteing and baking into casseroles.

Soy Flour

Isoflavone content 1/2 cup: 60 mg

Culinary Suggestions: Use when making bread, cakes, muffins or cookies.

*Raw soybeans are also called edamame.

**Tofu is the curd of soaked soybean milk. It comes in different textures: extra firm, firm, soft and silken.

***Tempeh is a firm, meat stand-in made from fermented soybeans and packed with protein and fiber.

Source: U.S. Soyfoods Directory

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Plum Organics Voluntarily Recalls Select Batch of
Apple & Carrot Portable Pouches Due to Potential Health Risk

Plum Organics ™ announced today that it is taking the precautionary measure of voluntarily recalling one particular batch of its 4.22oz. Apple & Carrot Portable Pouch baby food with the best by date May 21, 2010 and marked with the following universal product code (UPC) #890180001221 located on the bottom of the package. These pouches are sold individually at Toys-R-Us and Babies-R-Us locations nationally.

No illnesses have been reported in connection with this product and no other Plum Organics products are affected. As a further precaution, samples from every Plum Organics product manufactured before and after this batch were tested and found to be within quality standards.

The recall was undertaken as a precaution due to the risk of potential contamination with Clostridium botulinum, which can cause botulism, a serious and sometimes lifethreatening condition. Consumers should not use these products, even if they appear to be normal, because of the possible health risk. Symptoms of botulism poisoning in humans include general weakness, dizziness, double-vision and trouble with speaking or swallowing. People experiencing these problems should seek immediate medical attention.

“The product did not meet the FDA guidelines for proper acidity level,” said Dr. Paul Gerhardt, a Food Science Ph.D. and member of the Plum Organics action team. “Though the risk of illness from this one batch is minimal, Plum Organics is taking the extraordinary step of recalling all Apple & Carrot Baby Food Pouches with best by date May 21, 2010.”

“As a mother, the safety and satisfaction of our customers and their children is my highest concern,” said Plum Organics Founder Gigi Lee Chang. Due to a mixing error during production, one batch of this product was improperly blended. As a result, it did not meet our company’s standard for quality. We are taking the extra step of recalling all Apple & Carrot Portable Pouches with this date to eliminate any question in the minds of consumers about the safety of our products. Plum Organics was founded on the vision of superior quality and nutritious baby food; we are committed to these values and our consumers.”

Consumers who have purchased the Plum Organics Apple & Carrot pouch-based baby food with a best by date May 21, 2010 and with the UPC # 890180001221 can return the product for a full refund at any Toys-R-Us or Babies-R-Us store.

The recall is being undertaken with the knowledge of the U.S. Food & Drug Administration.

Consumers with any questions are asked to call 888-974-3555 between the hours of 8 am – 5 pm PST, or email info@plumorganics.com.

Plum Organics is the leading premium organic baby food brand in the nation.

Source: FDA

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UC Davis nutrition researchers are challenging the decades-old conventional wisdom that we should watch our salt.

The controversial article, published this week in the Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology, found that humans naturally regulate their sodium intake, rendering government intervention useless.

“Our sodium intake is regulated by the brain, and your brain won’t let you go very far outside of that boundary,” McCarron said. “You may eat that whole bag of chips, but it just means that as you sit down you’ll unconsciously go toward foods that are lower in sodium.”

Source: Don’t sweat your salt intake, UC Davis study says

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America’s Faulty Food Supply System

The U.S. system of food safety is convoluted.  The responsibility is divided up between 12 agencies – and none of the 12 are held completely accountable.

The big players on the federal food and drug safety scene are the Food and Drug Administration and the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture.  The FDA oversees all domestic and imported food sold in interstate commerce, including eggs, but not meat and poultry.  The FDA is also charged with enforcing the food safety laws, reviewing food production plants, recalling unsafe products and educating consumers.  The USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service oversees domestic and imported meat and poultry, as well as processed products containing meat and poultry, and processed egg products.  Other agencies have food safety roles too, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Cooperative Extension Service, Federal Trade Commission, U.S. Customs Service and state and local governments.  It’s not hard to see how such a fragmented system causes problems.  Can it be remedied?

Some groups are pushing for a merger of agencies into one that’s responsible for all food safety, thereby eliminating inefficiencies of duplication.  The Gov’t Accountability Office proposed the single agency idea a full 10 years ago.  Since then, however, inspector jobs have been cut, funds diminshed and the number of large-scale outbreaks have increased.

Change, it seems, is sorely needed – and not the kind of “change” we’re seeing in gov’t now; POSITIVE, productive and cost effective change.

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Used for centuries in China as an aid to digestion and boosting metabolic rate, Slender Pu’erh Tea is not your average green tea formulation.

Made from 100% pure Pu’erh, Slender Pu’erh Tea is completely free side effects, making it the perfect weight loss solution for those on medication or otherwise worried about their health.  In fact, instead of having to worry about your health as you drink this delicious herbal tea, you will be able to experience instant satisfaction of increased health and vitality.

In 7 short days you will begin noticing a significant difference in your calorie burn and weight loss – as much as 1 pound a day.

Best of all, Slender Pu’erh is beyond doubt one of the most affordable weight loss products on the market.  Try Slenderizing Pe-erh Tea!

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Fisher/Rex Sandwiches Recalls Sandwiches Because of Possible Health Risk

Fisher/Rex Sandwiches of Raleigh, NC is recalling some of their sandwiches because they have the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, 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.

The recalled products were distributed to convenience stores, gas stations and other retail stores in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia.

All sandwiches with a seven digit code lot code (such as 0126509) are subject to recall.  Products will be labeled as Fisher/Rex Sandwiches with the name of the sandwich on it.  Sandwiches with a five-digit lot code are not subject to the recall.

No illnesses have been reported to date.

The recall was the result of a routine inspection conducted by the NCDA&CS Food and Drug Protection Division, which revealed that some of the sandwiches contained Listeria monocytogenes.  Fisher Rex Sandwiches has ceased the production and distribution of these products as the NCDA&CS and Fisher Rex continue their investigation to determine the cause of the problem.

Consumers who have these products should throw them away.  For additional information, please contact Fisher/Rex at 919-832-6494 or 1-800-849-8093.

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A new CSPI report finds that the top 10 riskiest foods regulated by the federal Food and Drug Administration accounted for nearly 40 percent of all foodborne outbreaks in the U.S. between 1990 and 2006, spawning nearly 50,000 illnesses with symptoms ranging from stomach cramps and diarrhea to kidney failure and death.

In all the foods regulated by the Food and Drug Administration, the FDA found that leafy greens are the most dangerous.  Other trouble foods include eggs, tuna, oysters and potatoes, cheese, ice cream, tomatoes, sprouts and berries.

A lot of foods are imported these days – far more than ever before – and so little of these foods are inspected. Imported foods cause the most risk of food borne illness so as always noted here, avoid them.

Source: The 10 riskiest foods in America

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