CNN reports - Solutions - Urban Farms - Urban Communities Growing Fresh Food
Fresh vegetables and fruit can be hard to find in the inner cities, but one man
is trying to change that.
Ample Harvest shares leftover garden produce
Q. What exactly is the AmpleHarvest.org campaign?
A. It is a nationwide effort to diminish hunger in America by making it easy for
millions of backyard gardeners across the country to quickly find local food pantries
eager to receive freshly picked crops for their clients.
AmpleHarvest.org enables
gardeners to find food pantries within a specified distance of their home and then
view the pantries desired day/time for receiving donations.
10 x 10 project and Lawn to Farm envisioned by Urban Design Lab
The 10 x 10 project, comprising modular food production units distributed to schools,
community centers, and Boys and Girls Clubs, would provide children with a hands-on,
direct food production experience, as well as appreciation of fresh foods.
Overview of Urban Farming
Urban farms come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Almost all, however, share some
basic startup costs. Assuming a plot of land of at least half an acre, a list of
such costs would likely include:
· Rototiller ($4,500): a motorized plow that uses rotating tines or blades to
cultivate the soil and get the land ready for planting. This is the only mechanized
equipment necessary.
· Coolers ($4,000): Two upright produce coolers used to store fresh vegetables
and prevent spoilage.
· Other equipment ($1,000): garden seeder, wheel hoe, standard-issue tools, harvesting
bins, hoses, and sprinklers
· Sales & Marketing ($500): farmers market tables, display baskets, digital scale,
signage
· TOTAL: $10,000
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All stories here.
City Farmer News [http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102851167062&s=1304&e=001wKqSRcGLFYCmQ8oTwZoD0FqvqAUsLAPd9JQ05llX5RZd3s8KWlqJfCDgl_cVJdgm7sJ2nkTJD2kNCXGi4ZfaizBBWt7-nEpbUKoYgZqzf6B3BOpXYwlR2Q==]
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Michael Levenston
City Farmer - Canada’s Office of Urban Agriculture
Harrison Daily Times - Harrison, Arkansas - Neighbor Newspapers ...
When it was stolen, Boone County Sheriff Danny Hickman said, it was also
loaded with dry groceries valued at about $4500. Hickman said the truck was
recovered in front of a liquor store in Carroll County, but there were no
groceries in ...
http://harrisondailytimes.com/articles/2009/11/27/news/doc4b0f1733c11a7674269986.txt
News from harrisondailytimes.com
http://harrisondailytimes.com/
He finds clothes in the bin and grows his own food: Meet the man who has spent NOTHING for a year
Austin Texas adopts a resolution to promote urban farms and community gardens
On a chilly Saturday morning, a steady stream of Austin residents lured by the promise
of fresh organic vegetables trickled into east Austin’s Boggy Creek Farm, where
tables of butternut squash and bell peppers greeted them.
A dirt path led visitors behind the market stand, where they found a three-acre
plot of winter crops including beets, arugula, carrots and leeks.
Farms in the middle of major cities are not a common sight, but a recent City Council
decision could make it easier for Austin residents to start their own farm like
Boggy Creek.
Mayor Hazen Pingree and the Potato Patch Plan of the 1890’s
During the second summer of the depression (1894) Pingree launched his “potato patch
plan,” which, as a work relief measure, has been described as one of the original
contributions of the nineties. The Mayor’s scheme envisioned the cultivation of
vacant lots by the city’s unfortunate, who were, in many cases, but a few years
removed from a peasant agricultural economy of Europe.
Since Detroit’s poor commission
was near insolvency and the city treasury almost empty, Pingree called upon the
churches to contribute funds for the purchase of ploes, implements, and seed.
“the
Mayor proposes to find out if those elegant churches are only for show or for doing
some real good,” a Pingree aide told a reporter.
Detroit Thrift Gardens of 1931 - The Depression Years
The outstanding popular success of the Mayor’s Unemployment Committee (MUC) and,
in the opinion of the mayor, “perhaps” its “most important undertaking,” was the
Detroit thrift-garden program. The suggestion that the MUC undertake this activity
came from Murphy himself, who had been reading George Catlin’s The Story of Detroit
and had been impressed with the account of Hazen Pingree’s famous “potato patch
plan” and the manner in which a substantial number of welfare families in Detroit
during the depression years 1894-1896 had grown a portion of their food on vacant
lots donated to the city for that purpose. The MUC decided in March, 1931, to undertake
a similar program of “vacant lot gardening.”
Community enCompass is taking the concept of the urban garden to the next level.
Officials call it urban farming.
Playing off the successful half-acre garden plot that grew last summer on a vacant
lot owned by Goodwill Industries, the Christian community development organization
in Muskegon’s McLaughlin Neighborhood has created the McLaughlin Grows Urban Farm
at Iona and Sophia streets.
With the help of the Community Foundation for Muskegon County and its Richard and
Marilyn Witham Fund, the urban farm is adding “hoop houses” to extend the growing
season year-round. The idea is to create business opportunities during economically
tough times.
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More on these stories here:
City Farmer News [http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102855308939&s=1304&e=001_QNZhLzzNQDCOjU-72Cly2oxvSFVbD7D6YXGEI-aGZ5qpnQjTBbmU5dZ3qN6mxKzGb4pNl4cRH-iPmsS7jVHuGyJGB_wWabg-Huj8bjRao7nzib34oHhSQ==]
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Michael Levenston
City Farmer - Canada’s Office of Urban Agriculture
A list of Free EBook sites, several topics, from Universities:
[snipped]
Online free ebooks : electrical engineering
http://www.onlinefreeebooks.net/engineering-ebooks/electrical-engineering/
This blog site includes links to books on electrical engineering that can be downloaded for free in pdf format.
There are tables of contents as well as information on related publications for each one. It is updated on average less than once a month.
More details
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Online free ebooks : geodetic engineering
http://www.onlinefreeebooks.net/engineering-ebooks/geodetic-engineering/
This blog site includes links to books on geodetic engineering that can be downloaded for free in pdf format.
There are tables of contents as well as information on related publications for each one. It is updated on average less than once a month.
More details
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* Rate
* Comments
Online free ebooks : mechanical and industrial engineering
http://www.onlinefreeebooks.net/engineering-ebooks/manufacture-mechanical-indust
This blog site includes links to books on mechanical and industrial engineering that can be downloaded for free in pdf format.
There are tables of contents as well as information on related publications for each one. It is updated on average twice a month.
More details
[Yes, there is a cookbook on this page...LOL]
You can find more information about FDA Patient Safety News , and watch or download the video program on our web site (http://www.fda.gov/psn). Stories in the December 2009 edition include:
Boxed Warning about Tissue Injury with IV Promethazine
Intra-arterial and subcutaneous administration of promethazine are contraindicated…
Certain Philips HeartStart AEDs Recalled
Affected HeartStart FR2+ AEDs may have a memory chip failure that could make them inoperable and prevent therapy from being delivered…
Certain Unomedical Pulmonary Resuscitators Recalled
A malfunction may make it difficult to resuscitate a patient properly…
Important Changes for Heparin
Due to a change in the reference standard, the potency of heparin marketed in the U.S. will now be reduced by about 10 percent…
Medtronic Sutureless Connector Catheters Incompatible with IsoMed Pumps
The catheter may not connect completely to the pump, even if it appears to be securely connected…
Radiation Overdoses from CT Scans
FDA concerned that situation could reflect more widespread problems with CT quality assurance programs…
Reporting Adverse Events to FDA’s MedWatch
FDA’s MedWatch program relies on healthcare professionals and consumers to report to serious problems with the medical products they prescribe, dispense, or use…
For more FDA Patient Safety News , visit http://www.fda.gov/psn . Please send any comments, questions or suggestions about the program to PSNews@fda.gov
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm192404.htm
Diamond Pet Foods Announces Recall of Premium Edge Adult Cat and Premium Edge Hairball Cat Food
Company Contact:
800-977-8797
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - November 27, 2009 - On September 23, Diamond Pet Foods issued a voluntary recall for Premium Edge Finicky Adult Cat and Premium Edge Hairball cat because they have the potential to produce Thiamine Deficiency. Today’s announcement provides additional information from the company’s posted announcement of September 23 when the initial recall information was provided.
Thiamine is essential for cats. Symptoms of deficiency displayed by an affected cat can be gastrointestinal or neurological in nature. At the first stage the cat may show decreased appetite, salivation, vomiting, and weight loss. Later, neurologic signs can develop, which may include ventriflexion (bending towards the floor) of the neck, wobbly walking, circling, falling, and seizures. These ultimately may result in the death of the animal if left untreated. If your cat has consumed the recalled product and has these symptoms, please contact your veterinarian.
The affected products were distributed in Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New Jersey, Maryland, Delaware, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Alabama, Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida.
The affected date codes were RAF0501A22X 18lb. (BB28NOV10), RAF0501A2X 6 lb. (BB28NOV10), RAF0802B12X 18lb (BB30FEB11), RAH0501A22X 18 lb. (BB28NOV10), RAH0501A2X 6lb. (BB28NOV10, BB30NOV10, BB08DEC10)
To date, 21 cases of thiamine deficiency in cats have been reported and confirmed by Diamond. The reports have been confined to the New York and Pennsylvania areas and none have been received since October 19.
Diamond has tested the product and found the cat foods were deficient in thiamine. Samples taken by the FDA indicated that there were additional lots with insufficient levels of thiamine. No other complaints have been reported on any other product manufactured by Diamond Pet Foods.
Consumers who have purchased the affected lots are urged to return it to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with questions may contact the company at 1-800-977-8797, Monday-Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm Central Time.
####
RSS Feed for FDA Recalls Information [what’s this?]
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Page Last Updated: 12/01/2009
Homesteader News is a free online newspaper written by homesteaders for
homesteaders.
IN THIS ISSUE:
Katherine Yarber- Emergency checklists
Krystal Beers- Rendering Lard
Shannon Rizzo- Taking a break and winter gardening
Tanya Kelley- At the auction
Survival skills- How to skin a deer and fire making
Maggie Mae- Fun with plastic barrels
Hobbies- How to make a quilt and rubber band guns
LaMar- Shed and small home designs
PLUS- The new inexpensive solar panels are here!
We also have sweepstakes, games, videos and lots of great stuff!
so come by and sit on our front porch and visit!
http://www.homesteadernews.com
LaMar
To visit group on the web, go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/hillbillyherbalism/
A general interest news blog, several interesting posts/links.
Dubai and their money woes.
Black Screen for your computer with the new Microsoft updates.
The Clark County School District said Lowman and Manch Elementary schools have
been locked down because of police activity in the area of Craig Road and
Nellis Boulevard.
MORE DETAILS:
http://www.fox5vegas.com/tu/5LJrRdl1X.html
Listen to the police here:
http://www.radioreference.com/apps/audio/?ctid=1745
choose Police and Fire.
It has been going on for a long time, the Swat team is arriving.
Las Vegas is exploding today.
Norpramin (desipramine hydrochloride) - Dear Healthcare Professional Letter
Audience: Psychiatric healthcare professionals
Sanofi-Aventis and FDA notified healthcare professionals of changes to the Warnings and Overdosage sections of the Prescribing Information for Norpramin (desipramine hydrochloride), indicated for the treatment of depression. The new safety information states that extreme caution should be used when this drug is given to patients who have a family history of sudden death, cardiac dysrhythmias, and cardiac conduction disturbances; and that seizures precede cardiac dysrhythmias and death in some patients.
Read the complete MedWatch 2009 Safety summary, including a link to the Dear Healthcare Professional letter, at:
Weekly Harvest Newsletter
Sustainable Agriculture News Briefs - December 2, 2009
Weekly sustainable agriculture news and resources gleaned from the Internet by NCAT staff for the ATTRA - National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service Web site. The Weekly Harvest Newsletter is also available online (http://attra.ncat.org/newsletter/archives.html#wh).
Share The Harvest: Please forward this newsletter to friends and colleagues who might be interested in the latest sustainable agriculture news, funding opportunities, and events.
News & Resources
* Farm Income Forecast Down For 2009e
* Report Addresses Market Barriers for Organic Farmers
* Farmers Market Site Upgrades Usability
* Study Shows Benefits of No-Till
* Agricultural Justice Project Accepting Comments
* Women in Agriculture Conference Seeks Proposals
Funding Opportunities
* Specialty Crop Research Initiative Grant
* Iowa Organic Producer Training Grant
* Southern Risk Management Education Grant
Coming Events
* Midwest Dairy Expo
* Climate Change and Sustainable Agriculture Webinar
* Alabama Forage Conference
Organic Small Grains Webinar Tomorrow!
To learn about Making Organic Small Grains Work on Your Farm, tune into ATTRA’s latest webinar (http://www.attra.ncat.org/webinars2009/organicsmallgrains), Thursday December 3rd at 11AM MST.
News & Resources
Farm Income Forecast Down For 2009
http://www.ers.usda.gov/features/farmincome/
USDA Economic Research Service has released the 2009 Farm Income Forecast. Net farm income is forecast to be $57 billion in 2009, down $30 billion (34.5 percent) from 2008. In 2009, crop prices have continued to decline and prices for livestock animals and products have experienced sharp declines. With economic conditions deteriorating worldwide, demand for exports has tailed off, with few options available to expand marketing elsewhere. Sharply declining demand in 2009 has forced farmers to accept prices that are lower than were expected earlier in the year when production plans were made.
Report Addresses Market Barriers for Organic Farmers
Organic farms and land in organic production have not kept up with overall growth in the organic sector. Previous California Institute for Rural Studies research has identified marketing challenges as a key factor limiting the growth of the organic sector. Through a cooperative agreement with the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service the study, Breaking Down Market Barriers for Small and Mid-Sized Organic Growers (http://cirsinc.org/Documents/Pub1109.1.PDF) (PDF/173KB), explores the principal marketing barriers facing small and medium organic growers in California.
Farmers Market Site Upgrades Usability
http://farmersmarketcoalition.org/web-site-upgrades/
A newly upgraded Farmers Market Coalition (FMC) website (http://farmersmarketcoalition.org/) made its online debut last week, strengthening the Coalition’s power to serve as a national hub for the exchange of farmers market best practices. Of particular note, the new design of the Farmers Market Resource Library (http://farmersmarketcoalition.org/resources/) includes a robust assortment of features: users can rate and comment on entries, customize their searches, and submit their own documents, links, and videos to share with fellow market practitioners. FMC invites market managers, state associations, service providers, and producers to take advantage of these usability improvements by submitting resources to share with their peers, inspiring innovation and excellence within the farmers market community.
Study Shows Benefits of No-Till
http://www.agriculture.com/ag/story.jhtml;jsessionid=JGQ3FY014YZW0CQCEASB5VQ?storyid=/templatedata/ag/story/data/1259598537915.xml
A tillage study was established in 1981 at the University of Nebraska Rogers Memorial Farm, 10 miles east of Lincoln, to gain experience with various tillage systems. Across the years, they have shown that continuous no-till builds soil structure, usually has the highest yield and is the most profitable. The no-till treatment developed a better root system and stood better than the disked treatment. The no-till averaged 235 bushels/acre versus 210 for the disked trial.
Related ATTRA Publication: Conservation Tillage
http://attra.org/attra-pub/consertill.html
Agricultural Justice Project Accepting Comments
http://www.foginfo.org/enews/dec09/dec09_1.php
The Agricultural Justice Project (AJP) is a non-profit initiative to create fairness and equity in our food system through the development of social justice standards for organic and sustainable agriculture. The AJP standards (http://www.agriculturaljusticeproject.org/standards.html) were developed over four years of stakeholder input — involving farmers, farmworkers, and indigenous, retail, and consumer groups — and are an attempt to codify ilegitimate claims of ‘social justice’ in organic and sustainable agriculture. AJP depends on public and stakeholder participation to help set the bar high for social justice in our food system. The standards are revised once every five years, and the public comment period for the AJP standards is open until Dec. 31, 2009.
Women in Agriculture Conference Seeks Proposals
http://www.agrisk.umn.edu/wia/Conferences/WIA2010/proposals.aspx
The 2010 National Extension Women in Agriculture Educators Conference will bring together private and public sector educators, crop insurance agents, lenders, and other agricultural professionals who are involved in outreach education, to share ongoing and emerging successful risk management education efforts directed toward women and their families who are involved in production agriculture. Conference participants will learn about educational efforts which assist women producers to effectively manage financial, production, marketing, legal and human resource risks associated with their agribusinesses. Concurrent session presentations are being solicited which highlight successful risk management education programming efforts, and which particularly emphasize programs geared toward women who are involved in production agriculture. Poster exhibit topics may highlight current successful women in agriculture programming efforts or other educational programs. Proposal submissions are due January 7, 2010.
More Breaking News (http://attra.ncat.org/news/)
Funding Opportunities
Specialty Crop Research Initiative Grant
http://www07.grants.gov/search/search.do?&mode=VIEW&flag2006=false&oppId=50092
The Specialty Crop Research Initiative (SCRI) was established to solve critical industry issues through research and extension activities. Specialty crops are defined as fruits and vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, and horticulture and nursery crops, including floriculture. SCRI will give priority to projects that are multistate, multi-institutional, or trans-disciplinary; and include explicit mechanisms to communicate results to producers and the public. Projects must address at least one of five focus areas: research in plant breeding, genetics, and genomics to improve crop characteristics; efforts to identify and address threats from pests and diseases, including threats to specialty crop pollinators; efforts to improve production efficiency, productivity, and profitability over the long term; new innovations and technology, including improved mechanization and technologies that delay or inhibit ripening; and methods to prevent, detect, monitor, control, and respond to potential food safety hazards in the production and processing of specialty crops.
Proposals are due January 14, 2010.
Iowa Organic Producer Training Grant
http://ivfoodsystemplanning.wordpress.com/2009/09/17/local-food-producer-grants-of-up-to-250-available-to-farmers-interested-in-organic-production/
The Iowa Valley Resource Conservation & Development (RC&D) Regional Food Initiative, I-Food group has identified the need to support access to organic food, access to resources and training for organic farm production, and support for organic farmers in the region. The groups have developed a plan to promote the integration and utilization of locally produced food across the Benton, Iowa, Johnson, Linn, Poweshiek, Tama, and Meskwaki Settlement regions. Organic Producer Training Grants of up to $250 are intended to help organic producers and those who want to change to organic
production practices.
Proposals are due December 31, 2009.
Southern Risk Management Education Grant
http://srmec.uark.edu/grants.html
The Southern Risk Management Education Center (SRMEC), in conjunction with the Western, North Central, and Northeastern Regional Centers, announces a funding opportunity for projects that help farm and ranch families succeed through targeted risk management strategies. The return sought on the investment of the grant awards is the improved ability of farm and ranch families to manage the risks associated with farming and ranching businesses.
Proposals are due December 15, 2009.
More Funding Opportunities (http://attra.ncat.org/funding/)
Coming Events
Midwest Dairy Expo
http://www.mnmilk.org/Midwest-Dairy-Expo-December-8-9-2009
December 8-9, 2009
St. Cloud, Minnesota
Mark your calendars and plan on joining us at the Midwest’s premier dairy show featuring the best in educational and networking opportunities for today’s dairy producer.
Climate Change and Sustainable Agriculture Webinar
https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/834622297
December 8, 2009
During this webinar, we’ll provide National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition members and allies an opportunity to learn more about the relationship between agriculture and climate change and how sustainable production methods can help farmers adapt to climate change and also mitigate greenhouse gas emissions. We’ll explore what cap and trade is, what allowances and offsets are, and also what is happening with federal climate change legislation.
Alabama Forage Conference
http://southeastfarmpress.com/news_archive/forage-conference-1016/
December 10, 2009
Livingston, Alabama
At this conference, livestock producers will have an excellent chance to hear the latest research and information on forages and grazing management from some of the nation’s top authorities.
More Events (http://attra.ncat.org/calendar/)
New & Updated Publications
Aquaculture Enterprises: Considerations and Strategies
http://attra.ncat.org/calendar/new_pubs.php/2009/11/18/aquaculture_enterprises_considerations_a_1
Building Sustainable Places
http://attra.ncat.org/calendar/new_pubs.php/2009/11/11/building_sustainable_places
Organic System Plans: Livestock Production
http://attra.ncat.org/calendar/new_pubs.php/2009/11/30/organic_system_plans_livestock_productio
Question of the Week
What information can you give me on small livestock production on a sub-acreage farm?
http://attra.ncat.org/calendar/question.php/2009/11/23/what_information_can_you_give_me_on_deve
Website of the Week
ATTRA Funding Opportunities
http://attra.ncat.org/wow/
Ask a Sustainable Agriculture Expert
Submit questions to our professional staff online
http://attra.ncat.org/ask.php
ATTRA Spanish Newsletter
Subscribe to Cosecha Mensual (http://attra.ncat.org/espanol/boletin.php)
(Monthly Harvest), ATTRA’s Spanish-language e-newsletter
Subscribe to the Weekly Harvest
(http://visitor.roving.com/optin.jsp?m=1011223551022&ea=)
Comments? Questions? Go to http://www.attra.ncat.org/management/contact.html.
Weekly Harvest and ATTRAnews Archives Available Online
(http://attra.ncat.org/newsletter/archives.html)
Digital versions of recent Weekly Harvest and ATTRAnews newsletters are available online. ATTRAnews is the newsletter of ATTRA - National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service.
(http://attra.ncat.org/)
ATTRA - National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service is managed by the National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT) and is funded under a grant from the United States Department of Agriculture’s Rural Business-Cooperative Service (http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/rbs/index.html). Visit the NCAT Web site (http://www.ncat.org/sarc_current.php) for more information on our sustainable agriculture projects.
Copyright 2009 NCAT
http://www.flu.gov/individualfamily/prevention/medicine/tamiflu_mixing_qa.html
Opening and Mixing Tamiflu® Capsules with Liquids if Child Cannot Swallow Capsules
December 1, 2009 4:00 PM ET
Is there a shortage of oral suspension (liquid) Tamiflu®?
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the maker of Tamiflu® (Roche)External Web Site Icon have said that available supplies of liquid Tamiflu® for children are limited.
What is being done about this?
A pharmacist can make a Tamiflu® suspension (liquid) using available Tamiflu® adult capsules, which are not in short supply. CDC has alerted pharmacists about this option and provided instructions on how to prepare a suspension using adult capsules. Some pharmacies, including some chains, can do this already, others are not yet prepared. Children’s doses of Tamiflu® are also available in capsules.
What can I do if my child cannot swallow capsules?
If your doctor prescribes Tamiflu® capsules for your child and your child cannot swallow capsules, the prescribed capsules may be opened, mixed with a thick sweetened liquid, and given that way.
What liquids can I use?
A thick sweetened liquid, such as regular or sugar-free chocolate syrup, that masks the flavor of the medicine can be mixed with the contents of the Tamiflu® capsule. You don’t have to use chocolate syrup but thick, sweet liquids work best at covering up the taste of the medicine. The child should consume the liquid mixture entirely.
If my child can’t swallow capsules, how do I open Tamiflu® capsules and mix the medicine?
Pour a small amount (about a spoonful) of the thick sweetened liquid into a cup or bowl. Carefully open the Tamiflu capsule prescribed by your doctor and pour out all of the powder inside the capsule and mix it into the liquid. The exact amount of liquid used doesn’t matter, as long as the powder inside the capsule is mixed in well. All of the medicine may not dissolve, just be sure it is all well mixed. Use only the prescribed dose.
What will I need to do this?
You will need
* The prescribed Tamiflu® capsule
* A small bowl or cup
* A spoon
* A spoonful of a thick sweetened liquid, such as regular or sugar-free chocolate syrup
How do I mix the ingredients?
* Pour a small amount (about a spoonful) of the thick sweetened liquid into a cup or bowl.
* Holding one capsule over the bowl, carefully pull the capsule open and pour the complete contents of the capsule into the bowl.
* Stir the mixture and give the entire dose to the child with a spoon.
Should my child take all of the mixture??
Yes, make sure your child takes all of the medicine mixture.
For additional information see:
Video 0f Opening and Mixing Tamiflu® Capsules with Liquids if Child Cannot Swallow Capsules
CDC: Caregiver Instruction Sheet: Opening and Mixing Tamiflu® Capsules with Liquids if Child Cannot Swallow Capsules [PDF]
Content provided and maintained by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Last syndicated: December 02, 2009 12:01 PM EST
This content is brought to you by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
http://www.dhs.gov/xoig/rpts/mgmt/editorial_0334.shtm
You are subscribed to Inspector General Management Reports for U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
This information has recently been updated, and is now available.
OIG-10-16 - Major Management Challenges Facing the Department of Homeland Security (PDF, 36 pages - 802 KB)
OIG-10-15 - Information Sharing at the National Operations Center (Redacted) (PDF, 73 pages - 2.80 MB)
OIG-10-13 - Immigration and Customs Enforcement Policies and Procedures Related to Detainee Transfers (PDF, 13 pages - 606 KB)
OIG-10-07 - Review of United States Coast Guard’s Certification of Maritime Awareness Global Network (MAGNET) (Unclassified Summary) (PDF, 3 pages - 168)
1. NEWS from CPSC
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
Office of Information and Public Affairs
Washington, DC 20207
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 2, 2009
Release # 10-051
Firm’s Recall Hotline: (800) 266-2848
CPSC Consumer Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908
CPSC, LaJobi Reannounce 2001 Recall of Cribs Due to Entrapment and Strangulation Hazards
Concern that Cribs Could Now Be At Second Hand or Thrift Stores
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.
Name of Product: “Molly” and “Betsy” Cribs
Units: About 400 (This recall was first announced in December 2001
Manufacturer: LaJobi Inc., of Cranbury, N.J.
Hazard: The cribs have cut-outs in the end panels that can allow young children to get their heads entrapped, which can pose a strangulation hazard to infants and toddlers.
Incidents/Injuries: CPSC is aware of the death of a one-year old girl whose head and neck became entrapped in the headboard cut-out of the “Betsy” style crib in 2003 in Mississippi, following the 2001 recall. No additional incidents or injuries have been reported.
Description: This recall involves both “Molly” and “Betsy” style wooden cribs. The end panels on the “Molly” style cribs are made of solid wood with openings on both sides. The end panels on the “Betsy” style cribs are constructed with wood slats. The model numbers are printed inside the headboard at the bottom.
Molly
0101327 02 (Natural)
0101327 11 (Antique Green)
0101327 12 (Antique White)
Betsy
0101257 02 (Natural)
0101257 11 (Antique Green)
0101257 12 (Antique White)
Sold at: Juvenile specialty stores nationwide from May 2000 through September 2001 for about $700 for the Molly model and $650 for the Betsy model. The cribs have not been available at retail since 2001. This re-issuance is voluntarily being undertaken to both alert consumers who may still have these cribs in their possession and to especially alert thrift stores and other similar second hand stores that these cribs should not be given away, sold or continued to be used.
Manufactured in: Italy
Remedy: Consumers should stop using these cribs immediately and contact LaJobi to receive replacement end panels which eliminates the hazard.
Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Lajobi at (800) 266-2848 between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.Lajobi.com
To see this recall on CPSC’s web site, including pictures of the recalled products, please go to:
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml10/10051.html
********************************************************
2. NEWS from CPSC
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
Office of Information and Public Affairs
Washington, DC 20207
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 2, 2009
Release # 10-052
Firm’s Recall Hotline: (866) 327-6147
CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908
Blenders Recalled by Haier America Due to Laceration Hazard
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.
Name of Product: Blenders
Units: About 53,800
Importer: Haier America Trading, L.L.C., of New York, N.Y.
Manufacturer: Ka Po International Industrial Co., of Hong Kong
Hazard: The blade assemblies of the blenders may come apart or break, posing a laceration risk.
Incidents/Injuries: Haier America has received approximately 60 reports of blade assemblies coming apart or breaking. One consumer reported receiving a minor cut to his hand.
Description: This recall involves commercial-style 500-watt blenders with model number HB500BSS. The units are stainless steel and black plastic. “Haier” is printed on the front below the power switch, and the model number is printed on a label on the bottom of the blenders.
Sold at: Mass merchandisers and specialty retailers nationwide from November 2006 through October 2009 for between $26 and $60.
Manufactured in: China
Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled blenders and contact Haier America to receive a free replacement blade assembly.
Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Haier America toll-free at (866) 327-6147 anytime, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.haieramerica.com
To see this recall on CPSC’s web site, including a picture of the recalled product, please go to:
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml10/10052.html
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The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risks of serious injury or death from thousands of types of consumer products under the agency’s jurisdiction. The CPSC is committed to protecting consumers and families from products that pose a fire, electrical, chemical, or mechanical hazard. The CPSC’s work to ensure the safety of consumer products - such as toys, cribs, power tools, cigarette lighters, and household chemicals - contributed significantly to the decline in the rate of deaths and injuries associated with consumer products over the past 30 years.
To report a dangerous product or a product-related injury, call CPSC’s Hotline at (800) 638-2772 or CPSC’s teletypewriter at (800) 638-8270. To join a CPSC e-mail subscription list, please go to https://www.cpsc.gov/cpsclist.aspx. Consumers can obtain recall and general safety information by logging on to CPSC’s Web site at www.cpsc.gov.
Lexiva (fosamprenavir calcium) - Dear Healthcare Professional Letter
Audience: HIV/Infectious Disease healthcare professionals, cardiovascular healthcare professionals
GlaxoSmithKline and FDA notified healthcare professionals of a potential association between Lexiva and myocardial infarction and dyslipidemia in HIV infected adults. GSK has modified the existing Warnings and Precautions section of the Prescribing Information to note that increases in cholesterol have occurred with treatment, the importance of lipids management, and a recommendation that triglyceride and cholesterol testing be performed prior to initiating therapy with LEXIVA and at periodic intervals during therapy. The Dear Healthcare Professional letter also provides key messages, actions required by healthcare professionals and supporting information from a case-control study reported at a February 2009 international HIV conference.
Read the complete MedWatch 2009 Safety summary, including a link to the Dear Healthcare Professional letter, at:
Valproate Sodium and related products (valproic acid and divalproex sodium): Risk of Birth Defects
Audience: Neurological and Obstetrical healthcare professionals
The FDA notified health care professionals and patients about the increased risk of neural tube defects and other major birth defects, such as craniofacial defects and cardiovascular malformations, in babies exposed to valproate sodium and related products (valproic acid and divalproex sodium) during pregnancy. Healthcare practitioners should inform women of childbearing potential about these risks, and consider alternative therapies, especially if using valproate to treat migraines or other conditions not usually considered life-threatening.
Women of childbearing potential should only use valproate if it is essential to manage their medical condition. Those who are not actively planning a pregnancy should use effective contraception, as birth defect risks are particularly high during the first trimester, before many women know they are pregnant. A valproate Medication Guide, provided with each outpatient prescription, will explain the benefits and risks of valproate and encourage patients to discuss options with their healthcare professional.
Pregnant women using valproate or other AEDs should be encouraged to enroll in the North American Antiepileptic Drug (NAAED) Pregnancy Registry (1-888-233-2334; www.aedpregnancyregistry.org).
Read the complete MedWatch 2009 Safety summary, including a link to the Information for Health Professionals sheet, at:
http://www.who.int/csr/disease/swineflu/notes/briefing_20091202/en/index.html
Oseltamivir resistance in immunocompromised hospital patients
Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 briefing note 18
2 DECEMBER 2009 | GENEVA — WHO has been informed of two recent clusters of patients infected with oseltamivir-resistant H1N1 viruses. Both clusters, detected in Wales, UK and North Carolina, USA, occurred in a single ward in a hospital, and both involved patients whose immune systems were severely compromised or suppressed. Transmission of resistant virus from one patient to another is suspected in both outbreaks.
Related links
Pandemic (H1N1) 2009
The emergence of drug-resistant influenza viruses in severely immunosuppressed or immunocompromised patients undergoing antiviral treatment is not unexpected and has been well documented during seasonal influenza. Virus replication can persist in such patients for prolonged periods of time despite antiviral treatment, creating an environment in which drug-resistant viruses can readily be selected. This phenomenon has also been observed for the pandemic (H1N1) 2009.
Upon receipt of the reports, WHO organized a telephone conference with officials and staff from the hospitals and experts in clinical medicine, epidemiology, and virology to discuss the two outbreaks. Particular attention is being given to the best treatment options for immunocompromised patients who become infected with the pandemic virus.
The outbreaks
The Wales outbreak, which was detected in late October, involved eight patients. All of these patients were hospitalized because of severe haematological disorders. No deaths occurred. Three of these patients remain in hospital, with one being treated in intensive care.
In the USA outbreak, which involved four severely immunocompromised patients, cases occurred in a two-week period between mid-October and early November. Three of the four cases were fatal, but the role of H1N1 infection in contributing to these deaths is uncertain.
All of the resistant viruses carried the same H275Y mutation, indicating resistance to oseltamivir but susceptibility to the second antiviral drug, zanamivir.
Ongoing investigation
The outbreaks are being further investigated to determine the mode of transmission within the wards and to ensure that resistant viruses have not spread to staff, other patients in the hospitals, or into the wider community. Results to date are reassuring.
No illness in staff caring for these patients has been detected, suggesting that the resistant virus does not spread easily to otherwise healthy people, especially when good measures for infection control are in place. Moreover, intensified surveillance has found no spread to other wards within the two hospitals or into the wider community.
Modified treatment recommendations
The experts agreed that severely immunocompromised patients need to be regarded as an especially vulnerable group. These patients are highly susceptible to infection, particularly difficult to treat, and especially likely to develop resistance.
As early signs of influenza may be masked by symptoms associated with underlying disorders or their treatment, the experts further agreed that doctors treating such patients should operate with a high level of suspicion for influenza virus infection and be especially vigilant for the rapid development of oseltamivir resistance.
In these patients, standard treatment doses and duration for treatment with oseltamivir are unlikely to be sufficient. Though clinical judgement is important, doses may need to be increased and continued, without interruption, for the duration of acute illness. Zanamivir should be considered as the treatment of choice for patients who develop prolonged influenza illness despite treatment with oseltamivir.
Once oseltamivir resistant virus has been detected in a ward treating severely immunocompromised patients, doctors should consider switching to zanamivir as the antiviral drug of first choice for treatment and when considering post exposure prophylactic treatment of other patients on the ward.
The experts were emphatic in their recommendation that health care staff, carers and family contacts of patients be vaccinated against pandemic influenza.
Vigilant monitoring needed
WHO recommends vigilant monitoring for the development of oseltamivir-resistant viruses and for any changes in the transmissibility or pathogenicity of these viruses. Experience with seasonal influenza viruses shows that resistant viruses can quickly spread within the general population and become established, rendering one or more antiviral drugs ineffective.
Experience acquired since the initial characterization of the H1N1 pandemic virus in March shows that the neuraminidase inhibitors, oseltamivir and zanamivir, when administered early, reduce the risk of complications and may also improve the clinical outcome in patients with severe disease. This experience underscores the need to protect the effectiveness of these drugs by minimizing the occurrence and impact of drug resistance.
WHO received the first report of an oseltamivir-resistant pandemic virus in July. In general, cases of oseltamivir resistance have been geographically dispersed, sporadic and not linked to one another. The number of these events has been steadily increasing, in line with recent increases in influenza activity in many parts of the world and a corresponding increase in the administration of antiviral drugs.
Within the past two weeks, the number of documented cases of oseltamivir resistance in H1N1 viruses has risen from 57 to 96. Around one third of these cases occurred in patients whose immune systems were severely suppressed by haematological malignancy, aggressive chemotherapy for cancer, or post-transplant treatment. The clusters in the two hospital wards should be viewed in the context of these overall trends. Although all incidents of oseltamivir resistance merit investigation, no evidence suggests that events to date constitute a public health threat.
Steris System 1 Processor: FDA Notice and Recommendations
Audience: Hospital risk managers, surgical service managers, infection control professionals
FDA notified healthcare facility administrators and infection control healthcare professionals of important information regarding the regulatory status of the STERIS System 1 Processor (SS1) used in surgical and endoscopy suites for reprocessing, i.e., sterilizing or disinfecting, medical devices.
STERIS has significantly modified the SS1 and FDA has not approved or cleared this modified product. Thus, FDA has not determined whether the SS1 is safe or effective for its labeled claims, including claims that it sterilizes medical devices. Use of a device that is promoted to sterilize or disinfect a medical or surgical device, but that does not properly perform these functions, poses risks to patients and users. Improperly disinfected or sterilized instruments may transmit pathogens to patients and healthcare staff, or expose them to hazardous chemicals. Improper sterilization or disinfection may also adversely affect the quality and functionality of reprocessed instruments. FDA has received some reports of malfunctions of the SS1 that had the potential to cause or contribute to serious injuries to patients, such as infections. There have also been reports of injuries, mostly burns from exposure to the sterilant solution, to healthcare facility staff operating the device.
FDA recommends that if a facility has an acceptable alternative to the SS1 to meet sterilization and disinfection needs, the facility should transition to that alternative as soon as possible to ensure continued patient safety. If an acceptable alternative to the SS1 is not available, the facility should promptly assess its patient-care needs and sterilization and disinfection requirements and take steps to obtain legally-marketed substitutes for the SS1.
User facilities, including hospitals, are required to report suspected device-related deaths to FDA and the manufacturer, and serious injuries to the manufacturer or to FDA, if the manufacturer is unknown (see http://www.fda.gov/MedicalDevices/ DeviceRegulationandGuidance/PostmarketRequirements/ ReportingAdverseEvents/default.htm). Also, FDA solicits voluntary reports of adverse events from healthcare professionals. Adverse events may be submitted online.
Read the complete MedWatch 2009 Safety summary, including a link to the FDA letter to healthcare facilities, at:
PHISHING SCAM - CDC Sponsored State Vaccination Program for H1N1
CDC has received reports of fraudulent emails (phishing) referencing a CDC sponsored State Vaccination Program for H1N1. The messages request that users create a personal H1N1 (swine flu) Vaccination Profile on the CDC.gov web site.
An example of the phishing email is below:
Sample H1N1 phishing email which states that the recipient needs to create a personal H1N1 (Swine Flu) Vaccination Profile on the CDC.gov site
Users that click on the embedded link in the email are at risk of having malicious code installed on their system. CDC reminds users to take the following steps to reduce the risk of being a victim of a phishing attack:
* Do not open or respond to unsolicited email messages.
* Do not click links embedded in emails from unknown senders.
* Use caution when entering personal information online.
* Update anti-virus, spyware, firewall, and anti-spam software regularly.
From cdc.gov
Recall — Firm Press Release
FDA posts press releases and other notices of recalls and market withdrawals from the firms involved as a service to consumers, the media, and other interested parties. FDA does not endorse either the product or the company.
Sunny Lake Trading Inc. Issues Alert on Undeclared Sulfites in Radix Polygonati Officialis
Company Contact:
Zhan Liang Lin,
718-453-3838
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - December 2, 2009 - Sunny Lake Trading Inc. of 651A Lexington Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11221 is recalling Radix Polygonati Officinalis because it contains undeclared sulfites. Consumers who have severe sensitivity to sulfites run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reactions if they consume this product.
Radix Polygonati Officinalis is sold in a 12 ounce un-coded, clear plastic bag and was distributed throughout New York State. It is a product of China
The recall was initiated after routine sampling by New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets Food Inspectors and subsequent analysis by Food Laboratory personnel revealed the presence of sulfites in Radix Polygonati Officinalis which was not declared on the label. The consumption of 10 milligrams or more of sulfites per serving has been reported to elicit severe reactions in some asthmatics. Anaphylactic shock could occur in certain sulfite sensitive individuals upon ingesting 10 milligrams or more of sulfites.
No illnesses or allergic reactions involving this product have been reported to date. Consumers who have purchased Radix Polygonati Officinalis are urged to return it to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with questions may contact the company at 718-453-3838
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Page Last Updated: 12/03/2009
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm192691.htm