Category Archives: environment

Imported USA Stone fruit available for the first time in Australia

Following approval of a protocol in Australia, Fresh Produce Group have secured the rights to import stone fruit from California for the first time ever.This will be the first time shoppers in Australia will be able to buy peaches and nectarines in the winter period when they are out of season locally and can’t be grown.The approval couldn’t have come at a better time for Australian consumers with the fruit from California being in peak season with exceptional eating quality and appearance.

via Imported USA Stone fruit available for the first time in Australia.

More Cases Added to Cyclospora Outbreak: 321 Ill in 15 States | Food Safety News

Real mystery? Why source has not been identified yet and is anyone covering something up?

The ongoing multistage outbreak of cyclosporiasis, caused by the cyclospora parasite, has risen significantly to 321 cases in 15 states, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Friday.

According to the latest update, cases have been reported in Iowa, Texas, Florida, New York City, Wisconsin, Georgia, Missouri, Arkansas, Connecticut, Minnesota, New Jersey, and Ohio. Illinois and Kansas have also notified CDC of one case each that may have been acquired out of state but in the United States.

CDC said At least 18 persons reportedly have been hospitalized in three states.

“No food items have been implicated to date, but public health authorities are pursuing all leads,” read the update. “Previous outbreak investigations have implicated various types of fresh produce.”

via More Cases Added to Cyclospora Outbreak: 321 Ill in 15 States | Food Safety News.

Bird flu detected at 3 poultries on Thursday MYREPUBLICA.com – News in Nepal: Fast, Full & Factual, POLITICAL AFFAIRS, BUSINESS & ECONOMY, SOCIAL AFFAIRS, LIFESTYLE, SPORTS, OPINION, INTERVIEW, INTERNATIONAL, THE WEEK news in English in Nepal

Bird flu detected at 3 poultries on Thursday MYREPUBLICA.com – News in Nepal: Fast, Full & Factual, POLITICAL AFFAIRS, BUSINESS & ECONOMY, SOCIAL AFFAIRS, LIFESTYLE, SPORTS, OPINION, INTERVIEW, INTERNATIONAL, THE WEEK news in English in Nepal.

KATHMANDU, July 26: The H5N1 (bird flu) virus has been continuously spreading in Kathmandu´s poultry farms, with three out breaks reported on Thursday alone. The Directorate of Animal Health (DoAH) said that the virus has been detected in 16 poultry farms in the last three weeks, in which about 45,000 chickens have been culled.

The DoAH said that a rapid response team killed 2,500 chickens in a poultry farm owned by Suman Adhikari of Ramkot-8, Kathmandu on Friday afternoon. The team has also destroyed 350 kg chicken feed stored at the farm. Adhikar´s farm had 3,500 chickens out of which 1000 had died due to the disease. 

(End insane industrialized poultry farming to make money and produce next pandemic – promote a different way – grow organic medicinal herbs and mushroom in hydroponic greenhouses – safer and more money!)

Where ‘Nightmare Bacteria’ Came From, And How Our Inattention Helped Them Emerge – Wired Science

Because they are effectively untreatable, CREs are very serious — as many as half of the patients who contract these infections die from them — and they are surprisingly common. In the United States, they have been found in 42 states to this point, in more than 4 percent of all hospitals, and more than 18 percent of “long term acute care” institutions, which offer critical care such as ventilator support for patients who need that level of care for months.

via Where ‘Nightmare Bacteria’ Came From, And How Our Inattention Helped Them Emerge – Wired Science.

New study gives insight into norovirus infections | Vaccine News Daily

Proper hygiene, washing fruits and vegetables before consumption, disinfecting surfaces and staying isolated if already infected are all effective ways to decrease likelihood of infection and the spread of the disease.

via New study gives insight into norovirus infections | Vaccine News Daily.

 

The ever-increasing globilization of the fresh fruit and vegetable markets must contribute to more norovirus outbreaks. Better control over the whole process of importing and exporting food is of absolute importance to public safety and economic performance of the workforce.

Raw Milk Pulled for Possible E. Coli Contamination

A Washington creamery is recalling raw goat milk marketed for humans and pets because of possible E. coli contamination.

St. John Creamery of Lake Stevens, Wash., is recalling both refrigerated and frozen raw goat milk sold in various-sized containers with brown caps. The product was sold in western Washington with sell-by dates of July 29 and later.

The recall was initiated after routine sampling by Washington state agriculture officials. The milk can be returned to the store for a refund.

The company says it does not know of any human or pet illnesses associated with their products. E. coli can cause serious illness.

An investigation into the cause of the contamination is ongoing.

via Raw Milk Pulled for Possible E. Coli Contamination.

Cyclospora Outbreak in Midwestern States Grows to 267 with More Cases in Iowa | Food Safety News

What is the hold up? Why no source found yet? Would it make a difference if people were dying?

Iowa state officials on Tuesday said they have received reports of nine more cases of Cyclospora infections, bringing the total number affected by the outbreak in the state to 127 and to 267 total in six Midwestern states, according to the latest count by Food Safety News.

A source has still not been identified for the outbreak, which centers in Iowa, Nebraska and Texas, but also involves a handful of victims in Wisconson, Illinois, and Kansas. The most recent case count, based on a tally from officials in each state is as follows: Iowa (127 illnesses), Nebraska (68), Texas (65), Wisconsin (4), Illinois (2), Kansas (1). The Iowa Department of Public Health said Tuesday that that the number of cases reported is decreasing and that the state plans to release another case count Wednesday at approximately 10 a.m.

via Cyclospora Outbreak in Midwestern States Grows to 267 with More Cases in Iowa | Food Safety News.

EID Journal: South African Bat Carries Close Relative To MERS-CoV

Yesterday the CDC’s EID journal published a letter from  researchers from Germany and South Africa who report detecting the closest relative yet to the MERS coronavirus in the feces of a bat sampled in South Africa – more than 3,000 miles from the outbreak in the Middle East.

via EID Journal: South African Bat Carries Close Relative To MERS-CoV.

So who is testing the bats in the date groves in Saudi Arabia?

GM crops: campaigners in Ghana accuse US of pushing modified food | Afua Hirsch | Global development | guardian.co.uk

Food Sovereignty Ghana and other domestic organisations accuse the US and other foreign donors of promoting GM foods to west African countries, and tying aid to implementation.

According to a leaked cable, the US government was heavily involved in drafting Ghana’s 2011 Biosafety Act, which provided a framework for the introduction of GM foods. The US aid department provided technical assistance and some funding.

The cable said biotech products were being sold in Ghana and GM seeds from neighbouring countries were likely to have migrated over its borders. US companies have begun requesting permission to conduct trials.

The US embassy in Accra declined to respond to a request by the Guardian to comment on its stance on GM food in Ghana, but claims about the arrival of GM are supported by public officials.

via GM crops: campaigners in Ghana accuse US of pushing modified food | Afua Hirsch | Global development | guardian.co.uk.