Here We Go Again

Salmonella Poisoning Spreads to 16 States
By MATT MYGATT,
AP
Posted: 2008-06-07 22:56:35
Filed Under: Health News

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (June 7) - Salmonella food poisoning first linked to uncooked tomatoes has spread to 16 states, federal health officials said Saturday. Investigations by the Texas and New Mexico Departments of Health and the U.S. Indian Health Service have tied 56 cases in Texas and 55 in New Mexico to raw, uncooked, tomatoes.

"We're seeing a steady increase," Deborah Busemeyer, New Mexico Department of Health communications director, said Saturday.An additional 50 people have been sickened by the same Salmonella "Saintpaul" infection in Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Oklahoma, Oregon, Utah, Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin, the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported.

Investigators are trying to determine if raw tomatoes also are responsible for the illnesses in those states, said Arleen Porcell, a CDC spokeswoman.The source of the tomatoes responsible for the illnesses has not been pinpointed, but health officials in Texas and New Mexico said none of them was grown in those two states.At least 23 people have been hospitalized, and no deaths have been reported, she said. Patients ranged in age from 1 to 82.

The rarity of the Saintpaul strain and the number of illnesses "suggest that implicated tomatoes are distributed throughout the country," she said.Interviews conducted with 73 people found the illnesses began between April 16 and May 27, Porcell said. Cherry tomatoes, grape tomatoes, tomatoes sold with the vine still attached and homegrown tomatoes are likely not the source of the outbreak, Busemeyer said.Also not associated with the outbreak are raw Roma, red plum and round red tomatoes from Arkansas, California, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Belgium, Canada, the Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Israel, Netherlands and Puerto Rico, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Association.

Salmonella is a bacteria that lives in the intestinal tracts of humans and other animals. It usually is transmitted to humans by eating food contaminated with animal feces.Most infected people suffer fever, diarrhea and abdominal cramps starting 12 to 72 hours after infection. The illness tends to last four to seven days. Many people recover without treatment, but severe infection and death is possible.

This news report again goes to show that unless you grow your own produce you have to be very careful where you get it from. Thank God it's summer time here in the Northeast and my veggies are already planted. In fact I picked some fresh Basil for my sauce today!

We must lobby the government for safer more organic/natural growing, packaging and shipping practices. After air and water, our food supply is most important. Also by enjoying "THE FEAST" each day I know I'm getting the advantage of over 60 organically grown fruits, berries, greens, nuts, seeds and sprouts. And I'll never have to worry about a recall! And at about $1 per serving the only way to do this is to grow it all yourself!

Grace and Peace,

Ed

www.urilife.com/realfoodforlife/home.html

The Recalls Continue!

This looks to be a large recall. In yesterday's blog I discussed the large recall of Cantaloupe due to the farmers strike in South America. Today my mail box is FULL with other recalls due to this situation. What a shame! Cantaloupe not only tastes great but is a better source of vitamin C than oranges!

Bounty Fresh, LLC. Recalls Cantaloupe Because of Possible Health Risk (March 27)Fri, 28 Mar 2008 10:25:00 -0500
The recalled product was distributed nationwide to wholesalers and grocery stores. Whole cantaloupe fruits subject to this recall are packed three melons in a sleeve under the brand "Chestnut Hill Farms" and one melon per sleeve under the "Perfect Melon" brand. Individual melons are not labeled, but sleeves contain tags that say either "Perfect Melon" (one count) or "Chestnut Hill Farms" (3 count). Whole cantaloupe fruits subject to this recall were sold in boxes marked with the following text: "Cantaloupe, "Chestnut Hill Farms" (3 count) or "Perfect Melon" (one count), Produce of Honduras, Grown, Packed and Shipped by Agropecuaria Montelibano, San Lorenzo, Valle, Honduras". All boxes also contain the Chestnut Hill Farms logo.

Chiquita Brands International, Inc. Recalls Whole Cantaloupes Grown by Agropecuaria Montelibano, Honduras, Due to Possible Health Risk (March 27)Fri, 28 Mar 2008 12:48:00 -0500
Chiquita Brands International, Inc. today announced a voluntary recall of cantaloupes grown, packed and shipped by an independent third-party grower, Agropecuaria Montelibano in Honduras. The product was distributed to customers nationwide and is being recalled because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella.

Spokane Produce Recalls Cut Cantaloupe Products Because of Possible Product Risk (March 28)Fri, 28 Mar 2008 17:06:00 -0500
Spokane Produce, Inc. of Spokane, Washington is recalling Garden Patch, Yokes, and Rosauers Classic labels of various products of fresh cut and cut fruits containing cantaloupe, because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems.

Voluntary Recall on Honduran Cantaloupes Due to Potential Health Concerns (March 28)Fri, 28 Mar 2008 18:59:00 -0500
Dole Fresh Fruit Company, a subsidiary of Dole Food Company, Inc., has voluntarily recalled all Honduran Cantaloupes grown, packed and shipped by an independent third-party grower, Agropecuaria Montelibano of San Lorenzo Valle, Honduras.

As a country we must diligently keep watch over our food supply! The more dependant we become on imported produce the more we expose our families to the risk of food borne illness. I believe that not only is supporting local farmers good for buisness and our economy, not only is it the most great chef's design and build their recipies but it is the only way of controlling our food supply!

Grow as much as you can personally. I have grown all sorts of produce in pots here in the Northeast and been very successful. Delicious, healthy, fresh organic produce and herbs picked at their perfection. Tasty and safe! What you can't grow, buy locally. All throughout the US local farmers have stands where you can take home something just taken from the garden. You know the land and sometimes the farmer himself.

And to insure you're getting a variety of fresh, organic produce each and every day take "THE FEAST"! It's the only live whole food-based nutritional product on the planet that delivers a full, synergistic spectrum of over 176 all natural organic fruits, berries, vegetables, super greens, seeds, nuts and sprouts! All backed by a 90 day Unconditional Guarantee. For $1 a serving it's the best tasting most convenient way to insure your family the nutrition they need! Try a sample today!

Grace and Peace,

Ed

www.urilife.net/realfoodforlife