Write Congress and Tell Them You Don't Care About Roger Clemens' Injections in His Backside!

How much did we as taxpayers pay today to watch Roger Clemens and his former physical therapist talk before a committee of Congress to discuss whether the PT injected him with steroids and human growth hormone? Based on my experience, it was well into the seven figures. Here's a thought: Why doesn't Congress focus on what "we the people" sent them to do? Enact legislation and pass bills that help the economy, build bridges, roads, dams, schools, healthcare, pollution, global warming, poverty, etc, etc, etc.

Here's something you can do: The FDA recently published a report on the need to partner with Congress to make the changes necessary to transform the safety of the nation's food supply. They call it the Food Safety Plan. The Plan recommends legislative changes to strengthen the FDA's ability to continue to protect Americans from foodborne illnesses. In part, the plan will:

Authorize FDA to Accredit Highly Qualified Third Parties for Voluntary Food Inspections.
Require New Reinspection Fee From Facilities That Fail to Meet current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMPs)
Authorize FDA to Require Electronic Import Certificates for Shipments of Designated High-Risk Products
Require New Food and Animal Feed Export Certification Fee to Improve the Ability of U.S. Firms to Export Their Products
Provide Parity Between Domestic and Imported Foods if FDA Inspection Access is Delayed, Limited, or Denied
RESPOND Rapidly to Minimize Harm.
Empower FDA to Issue a Mandatory Recall of Food Products When Voluntary Recalls Are Not Effective
Give FDA Enhanced Access to Food Records During Emergencies

See the full Plan here: http://www.fda.gov/oc/initiatives/advance/food.html

Although this Plan is by no means perfect, it does put focus on a too common problem in the United States--food poisoning. The CDC estimates that 76 million foodborne illness, or food poisoning, cases occur in the United States every year, which means that one in four Americans contract a foodborne illness annually after eating foods contaminated with such pathogens as E. coli O157:H7, Salmonella, Hepatitis A, Campylobacter, Shigella, Norovirus, and Listeria. Approximately 325,000 people are hospitalized with a diagnosis of food poisoning, and 5,000 die. The estimated costs in terms of medical expenses and lost wages or productivity are between $6.5 and $34.9 billion (Buzby and Roberts, 1997; Mead, et al., 1999).

Now ask yourself, why do "we the people" care about Roger Clemens and his injections? Write your member of Congress and tell them how you feel about it and, why you're at it, tell them you want a few things to change or you will vote them out. Then they will have plenty of time for America's favorite past-time--just make sure the hot dog is cooked and hot when you get it.

Botulism in Asparagus, Beans and Blackeye Peas

A recent nationwide recall has been broadened by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Unfortunately, due to the sizes of the cans (institutionalized 6-7 pounders) much of what is being consumed might place consumers at greater risk. I suspect the majority of the cans are not being opened by consumers but more likely retail restaurants, and other larger institutions such as schools and hospitals. I hope they are paying attention.

The FDA is alerting consumers, food service operators, and food retailers that New Era Canning Company, New Era, Mich., is broadening its nationwide recall of canned vegetable products for a third time because of the potential for its foods to be contaminated with Clostridium botulinum (C. botulinum).

C. botulinum produces the toxin that causes botulism and can cause life-threatening illness or death. The affected New Era products are large institutional-sized cans, weighing between six and seven pounds, of various types of beans, blackeye peas, and asparagus.

To date, no illnesses have been reported to the FDA. However, consumers should not consume these products, even if they appear to be normal, because of the potential serious risk to health. Consumers who have the affected products, or who have used them in recipes, should immediately throw the cans and food away.

The potentially contaminated products are marketed under ten different brand names:

Classic Sysco
Code
Frosty Acres Restaurant’s Pride Preferred
GFS
Kitchen Essentials
Monarch Heritage
Necco
New Era
Nugget
Reliance Sysco

Processors other than New Era may be packing these brands. Only products packed by New Era are subject to the recall, so individuals must check the lot numbers on the bottom of the cans to determine if the product is affected by the recall. A complete list of specific brands, products, and lot codes subject to the New Era recalls can be found at http://www.fda.gov/oc/opacom/hottopics/newera.html.

Symptoms of botulism poisoning in humans can begin from six hours to two weeks after eating food that contains the toxin. Symptoms may include double vision, blurred vision, drooping eyelids, slurred speech, difficulty swallowing, and muscle weakness that moves progressively down the body, affecting the shoulders first, then descending to the upper arms, lower arms, thighs, and calves. Botulism poisoning also can cause paralysis of the breathing muscles, which can result in death unless assistance with breathing (mechanical ventilation) is provided. Individuals who have these symptoms and who may have recently eaten the products under recall or other food products made with them should seek immediate medical attention.

Any food that may contain the affected products should be disposed of carefully. Even tiny amounts of the C. botulinum toxin can cause serious illness when ingested, inhaled, or absorbed through the eye or a break in the skin. Skin contact should be avoided as much as possible, and hands should be washed immediately after handling the food.

When disposing of these products, double-bag the cans in plastic bags. Make sure the bags are tightly closed, then place in a trash receptacle for non-recyclable trash outside of the home. Restaurants and institutions should ensure that such products are only placed in locked receptacles that are not accessible to the public. Additional instructions for safe disposal may be found at www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dbmd/diseaseinfo/botulism_g.htm . Anyone with questions may call the FDA at 1-888-SAFEFOOD.

This recall is the most recent to result from an ongoing investigation of New Era Canning’s processing plant by the FDA and the Michigan Department of Agriculture. The FDA initiated an inspection of New Era Canning, along with inspections of other low acid canned food manufacturers, following four cases of botulism in consumers who had consumed canned, hot dog chili sauce in the summer of 2007.

Get to Know Listeria

This is yet another article from the CDC on another bacteria that is an important health problem in the United States caused primarily from undercooked meats and vegetables.

What is listeriosis?

Listeriosis, a serious infection caused by eating food contaminated with the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes, has recently been recognized as an important public health problem in the United States. The disease affects primarily persons of advanced age, pregnant women, newborns, and adults with weakened immune systems. However, persons without these risk factors can also rarely be affected. The risk may be reduced by following a few simple recommendations.

What are the symptoms of listeriosis?

A person with listeriosis has fever, muscle aches, and sometimes gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea or diarrhea. If infection spreads to the nervous system, symptoms such as headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, or convulsions can occur.

Infected pregnant women may experience only a mild, flu-like illness; however, infections during pregnancy can lead to miscarriage or stillbirth, premature delivery, or infection of the newborn.

How great is the risk for listeriosis?

In the United States, an estimated 2,500 persons become seriously ill with listeriosis each year. Of these, 500 die. At increased risk are:

* Pregnant women - They are about 20 times more likely than other healthy adults to get listeriosis. About one-third of listeriosis cases happen during pregnancy.
* Newborns - Newborns rather than the pregnant women themselves suffer the serious effects of infection in pregnancy.
* Persons with weakened immune systems
* Persons with cancer, diabetes, or kidney disease
* Persons with AIDS - They are almost 300 times more likely to get listeriosis than people with normal immune systems.
* Persons who take glucocorticosteroid medications
* The elderly

Healthy adults and children occasionally get infected with Listeria, but they rarely become seriously ill.

How does Listeria get into food?

Listeria monocytogenes is found in soil and water. Vegetables can become contaminated from the soil or from manure used as fertilizer. Animals can carry the bacterium without appearing ill and can contaminate foods of animal origin such as meats and dairy products. The bacterium has been found in a variety of raw foods, such as uncooked meats and vegetables, as well as in processed foods that become contaminated after processing, such as soft cheeses and cold cuts at the deli counter. Unpasteurized (raw) milk or foods made from unpasteurized milk may contain the bacterium.

Listeria is killed by pasteurization and cooking; however, in certain ready-to-eat foods such as hot dogs and deli meats, contamination may occur after cooking but before packaging.


How do you get listeriosis?

You get listeriosis by eating food contaminated with Listeria. Babies can be born with listeriosis if their mothers eat contaminated food during pregnancy. Although healthy persons may consume contaminated foods without becoming ill, those at increased risk for infection can probably get listeriosis after eating food contaminated with even a few bacteria. Persons at risk can prevent Listeria infection by avoiding certain high-risk foods and by handling food properly.


Can listeriosis be prevented?

The general guidelines recommended for the prevention of listeriosis are similar to those used to help prevent other foodborne illnesses, such as salmonellosis. In addition, there are specific recommendations for persons at high risk for listeriosis.


How can you reduce your risk for listeriosis?

General recommendations:

* Thoroughly cook raw food from animal sources, such as beef, pork, or poultry.
* Wash raw vegetables thoroughly before eating.
* Keep uncooked meats separate from vegetables and from cooked foods and ready-to-eat foods.
* Avoid unpasteurized (raw) milk or foods made from unpasteurized milk.
* Wash hands, knives, and cutting boards after handling uncooked foods.
* Consume perishable and ready-to-eat foods as soon as possible

Recommendations for persons at high risk, such as pregnant women and persons with weakened immune systems, in addition to the recommendations listed above:

* Do not eat hot dogs, luncheon meats, or deli meats, unless they are reheated until steaming hot.
* Avoid getting fluid from hot dog packages on other foods, utensils, and food preparation surfaces, and wash hands after handling hot dogs, luncheon meats, and deli meats.
* Do not eat soft cheeses such as feta, Brie, and Camembert, blue-veined cheeses, or Mexican-style cheeses such as queso blanco, queso fresco, and Panela, unless they have labels that clearly state they are made from pastuerized milk.
* Do not eat refrigerated pâtés or meat spreads. Canned or shelf-stable pâtés and meat spreads may be eaten.
* Do not eat refrigerated smoked seafood, unless it is contained in a cooked dish, such as a casserole. Refrigerated smoked seafood, such as salmon, trout, whitefish, cod, tuna or mackerel, is most often labeled as "nova-style," "lox," "kippered," "smoked," or "jerky." The fish is found in the refrigerator section or sold at deli counters of grocery stores and delicatessens. Canned or shelf-stable smoked seafood may be eaten.

How do you know if you have listeriosis?

There is no routine screening test for listeriosis during pregnancy, as there is for rubella and some other congenital infections. If you have symptoms such as fever or stiff neck, consult your doctor. A blood or spinal fluid test (to cultivate the bacteria) will show if you have listeriosis. During pregnancy, a blood test is the most reliable way to find out if your symptoms are due to listeriosis.

What should you do if you've eaten a food recalled because of Listeria contamination?

The risk of an individual person developing Listeria infection after consumption of a contaminated product is very small. If you have eaten a contaminated product and do not have any symptoms, we do not recommend that you have any tests or treatment, even if you are in a high-risk group. However, if you are in a high-risk group, have eaten the contaminated product, and within 2 months become ill with fever or signs of serious illness, you should contact your physician and inform him or her about this exposure.

Can listeriosis be treated?

When infection occurs during pregnancy, antibiotics given promptly to the pregnant woman can often prevent infection of the fetus or newborn.

Babies with listeriosis receive the same antibiotics as adults, although a combination of antibiotics is often used until physicians are certain of the diagnosis. Even with prompt treatment, some infections result in death. This is particularly likely in the elderly and in persons with other serious medical problems.

What is the government doing about listeriosis?

Government agencies and the food industry have taken steps to reduce contamination of food by the Listeria bacterium. The Food and Drug Administration and the U. S. Department of Agriculture monitor food regularly. When a processed food is found to be contaminated, food monitoring and plant inspection are intensified, and if necessary, the implicated food is recalled.

The Coordinating Center for Infectious Diseases (CCID) is studying listeriosis in several states to help measure the impact of prevention activities and recognize trends in disease occurrence. CCID also assists local health departments in investigating outbreaks. Early detection and reporting of outbreaks of listeriosis to local and state health departments can help identify sources of infection and prevent more cases of the disease.