Kim Komando has a page of real work from home sites/links:
http://www.komando.com/toolbox.aspx?mode=print&id=8254
City Farmer shines a positive light on the environmental movement during the Olympics
Sharon and Michael, of Vancouver’s Compost Demonstration Garden, take us on a tour
of their site, including the various new technologies that make composting, gardening
and greening more urban home friendly.
Urban Plots - Chicago
To her family in North Carolina, “a farm in a city doesn’t make any sense,” says
third-year Emily Howe. “Even my friends here don’t understand. They think I work
indoors or on a rooftop.”
“I’ve worked on a big pumpkin farm before,” says fourth-year Elspeth McGarvey, who
grew up in Arcola, Illinois, population 2,700. “The weirdest part for me isn’t the
dirt, or the grossness. It’s being right next to Western Avenue.”
Richard Adams’s Kitchen Gardens
Richard Adams (b. 1960) received a BA Hons in Graphic Design at Leicester Polytechnic.
He spent his childhood amidst the British countryside in the south Cotswolds. Its
outstanding landscape has had a strong and lasting influence on his art work.
Out of the Scientist’s Garden
Out of the Scientist’s Garden is written for anyone who wants to understand food
and water a little better - for those growing vegetables in a garden, food in a
subsistence plot or crops on vast irrigated plains. It is also for anyone who has
never grown anything before but has wondered how we will feed a growing population
in a world of shrinking resources.
Urban farming on the rise in Bloomington, Indiana
Jami Scholl is a local garden designer who uses permaculture principles to create
beautiful, edible landscapes that taste as good as they look.
Jami is now taking
her passion for “foodscaping” one step further; she has begun working with city
government council members and planners in order to clarify the elements of urban
agriculture that will be acceptable throughout Bloomington.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
All stories here:
City Farmer News [http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1103093005090&s=1304&e=00117XVzYcnt4oDuZSrd-1R3qx0p58s9_kBd2JW-satdetORdXe2-YxLkMQu06Zc3Igdu2uJ56lqat-uduwynDOActpeQ9PRRG7Cj0lcEjyaG-Yo_71UxXvbQ==]
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Michael Levenston
City Farmer - Canada’s Office of Urban Agriculture
City of the 2010 Winter Olympics
Weekly Harvest Newsletter
Sustainable Agriculture News Briefs - February 24, 2010
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
* Report Outlines Changes to the Small Farm Sector
* Disaster Assistance Program Fact Sheet Available
* USDA Releases Report on Farm Household Well-Being
* Vegetable Cost-of-Production Study Available
* American Sheep Industry Meeting Presentations Available Online
* USDA Releases Food Availability Data
Funding Opportunities
* Wisconsin Specialty Crop Grant
* Minnesota Specialty Crop Grant
* Healthy Urban Food Enterprise Development Center Grants
Coming Events
* Growing Markets for Sustainable Meat and Dairy Production
* Good Food, Good Futures Conference
* Tennessee Organic Conference
News & Resources
Report Outlines Changes to the Small Farm Sector
http://www.ers.usda.gov/publications/eib63/
Small Farms: Persistence Under Pressure is a new report from the USDA’s Economic Research Service (ERS). ERS documents the changing distribution and character of small farms as agricultural production becomes more concentrated. Commercially oriented small farms, those accounting for most small-farm production, continue to decline in number in the face of large-farm competition.
Disaster Assistance Program Fact Sheet Available
http://flaginc.org/topics/pubs/arts/SURE20100218.pdf
Farmers’ Legal Action Group, Inc. (FLAG) announces the availability of a new fact sheet (http://flaginc.org/topics/pubs/arts/SURE20100218.pdf) about the Supplemental Revenue Assistance Program, or SURE. SURE is also known as the “standing disaster program” under the 2008 Farm Bill. SURE is a federal program to provide payments to farmers for crop disaster losses in the 2008 through 2011 crop years. The fact sheet is intended to explain SURE to farmers who suffered losses due to natural disaster in 2008 or 2009, as well as farmers who would like to manage their risk of losses in 2010.
USDA Releases Report on Farm Household Well-Being
http://www.ers.usda.gov/Publications/ERR91/
Household economic well-being can be gauged by the financial resources (income/wealth) available to the household or by the standard of living enjoyed by household members (consumption). Based on responses to USDA’s annual Agricultural Resource Management Survey (ARMS), a joint effort by the Economic Research Service (ERS) and the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service, ERS has long published estimates of farm household income and wealth. This report presents, for the first time, estimates of consumption for farm households, calculated using new survey questions in ARMS, and compares them to consumption estimates for all U.S. households, calculated from the Consumer Expenditure Survey collected by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Vegetable Cost-of-Production Study Available
http://news.ucanr.org/newsstorymain.cfm?story=1269
A new cost-of-production study (http://coststudies.ucdavis.edu/files/MixedVegIR09.pdf) for growing mixed vegetables on a small-scale farm is now available from the University of California Cooperative Extension. Growing costs for an assortment of tomatoes, winter squash and melons on a four-acre farm are shown in the study. The costs are based on one-acre plantings and can be adjusted to smaller or larger acreage. The vegetables are sold at local businesses and various farmers’ markets for which costs are shown.
American Sheep Industry Meeting Presentations Available Online
http://www.sheepusa.org/2010_Meeting_Presentations
Presentations given at the 2010 American Sheep Industry Annual Convention in Nashville, Tennessee are now available online. A range of topics were presented and can now be used as resource materials. Topics covered include wool products and marketing, lamb marketing, animal health, and current research efforts.
USDA Releases Food Availability Data
http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/!ut/p/_s.7_0_A/7_0_1OB?contentidonly=true&contentid=2010/02/0071.xml
Agriculture Secretary Thomas Vilsack unveiled the latest data on U.S. food availability per capita in a USDA database used by researchers, policymakers, media, and marketers to gauge consumption of individual foods and food groups. USDA’s Economic Research Service (ERS), which created and maintains the data system, updates it annually. ‘Food availability’ is essentially the per capita amount of food in the U.S. food marketing system available for consumption. ERS economists include production and imports of the various foods, and exclude exports as well as farm and industrial uses, to arrive at an approximation of what Americans consume on average.
More Breaking News (http://attra.ncat.org/news/)
Funding Opportunities
Wisconsin Specialty Crop Grant
http://www.datcp.state.wi.us/mktg/business/marketing/val-add/specialty_crops_grants/index.jsp
The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade & Consumer Protection will accept applications until 4 p.m. Thursday, April 1, 2010 for competitive process grants under USDA’s Specialty Crop Block Grant Program. Eligible projects will enhance the competitiveness of Wisconsin specialty crops in either domestic or foreign markets and must provide a benefit to more than just the applicant.
Proposals are due April 1, 2010.
Minnesota Specialty Crop Grant
http://www.mda.state.mn.us/en/grants/grants/specialty.aspx
Minnesota Specialty Crop Block Grant Program-Farm Bill program funds will be distributed to the specialty crop industry through a competitive review process. Project topics may include, but are not limited to: addressing good agricultural practices, research on crop productivity or quality, enhancing access to federal nutrition programs, pest and disease management, or commodity-specific projects addressing common issues.
Proposals are due April 1, 2010.
Healthy Urban Food Enterprise Development Center Grants
http://www.wallacecenter.org/our-work/current-initiatives/healthy-urban-food-enterprise-development-center/healthy-urban-food-enterprise-development-center
The Healthy Urban Food Enterprise Development Center (HUFED) at the Wallace Center at Winrock International, which is funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute for Food and Agriculture, will support greater access to healthy affordable food in communities across the country. HUFED is unique in that it will provide grants and technical assistance for enterprise development and focus on getting more healthy food — including local food — into communities that have limited access. Letters of Interest for grant submission are due March 8.
Proposals are due March 8, 2010.
More Funding Opportunities (http://attra.ncat.org/funding/)
Coming Events
Growing Markets for Sustainable Meat and Dairy Production
http://iccr.org/calendar.php
March 3, 2010
Washington, D.C.
“Meeting the Demand: Growing Markets for Sustainable Meat and Dairy Production” will bring together investors, institutional consumers, and sustainable meat and dairy producers, for a day-long conversation about the costs, benefits, challenges and opportunities for growing local and regional markets for environmentally sustainable, ethical meat and dairy products.
Good Food, Good Futures Conference
http://www.americanroyal.com/Default.aspx?tabid=434
March 2-3, 2010
Kansas City, Missouri
At the first ever Farm, Food and Health conference, a diverse group of stakeholders will come together to discuss the biologic and economic relationships between food and health. Together they will explore how to systematize the demand for good food in local, regional and national food economies. Experts from the agricultural, food retailing, information technology, large employer, government and healthcare sectors will share their knowledge about how to develop practical solutions to problems in our local and global food systems.
Tennessee Organic Conference
http://tnorganics.org/events/conference
March 5-6, 2010
Franklin, Tennessee
Our yearly gathering has been expanded to two days of educational workshops, speakers and farm tours, capped with a keynote address by author, activist and farmer Joel Salatin of Polyface Farms located in the picturesque and productive Shenandoah Valley of Virginia.
More Events (http://attra.ncat.org/calendar)
New & Updated Publications
Dairy Farm Energy Efficiency
Biodiesel: The Sustainability Dimensions (Update)
Paddock Design, Fencing, and Water Systems for Controlled Grazing (Update)
Question of the Week
What information can you give me on markets for ginseng and goldenseal?
NSAC Seeking Executive Director
The National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition is searching for a new Executive Director. Go to http://sustainableagriculture.net/blog/position-announcement-nsac-executive-director/ for details.
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 2010 NCAT
NEWS from CPSC
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
Office of Information and Public Affairs
Washington, DC 20207
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 25, 2010
Release # 10-147
Firm’s Recall Hotline: (800) 541-0520
CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908
Commercial Ice Cube Machines Recalled by Scotsman Due to Fire 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: Scotsman(r) Commercial Modular Cube Ice Machines (Modular Cubers)
Units: About 43,000
Manufacturer: Scotsman Group LLC, of Vernon Hills, Ill.
Hazard: The solenoid, an electrical component in the product, can fail and result in an electrical arc that can pose a fire hazard.
Incidents/Injuries: The company has received four reports of fires and 37 reports of burned or melted components, resulting in replacement of machines and component parts. No injuries have been reported.
Description: The recalled machines are designed to be installed on top of ice storage bins or ice dispensers, and typically are used in commercial establishments. Model numbers begin with C0322, C0330, C0522, C0530, C0630, C0830, C1030, C1448, C1848, C2148, EH130, EH222, EH330, or EH430, and serial numbers of the recalled machines within these model designations begin with 05, 06, 07, 08 or 09. Model and serial numbers are on the back of all machines and, depending on the model, behind the machine’s front panel either in the lower right corner of the machine or on the left side of the sheet metal wall that separates the larger (equipment) compartment from the smaller (ice-making) compartment.
Scotsman(r) commercial flake and nugget ice machines, commercial undercounter cube ice machines, and residential ice machines are not involved in this recall.
Sold Exclusively at: Commercial food service equipment distributors and dealers nationwide from September 2006 through December 2009 for between $4,000 and $14,000.
Manufactured in: United States
Remedy: Customers should stop using the recalled ice cube machines immediately and contact the company to schedule a free repair.
Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Scotsman at (800) 541-0520 between 6 a.m. and 8 p.m. CT Monday through Friday or visit the company’s Web site at www.scotsman-ice.com
To see this recall on CPSC’s web site, including pictures of the recalled product, please go to:
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml10/10147.html
[A wonderful story included in this issue, read it on line...
granny]
Dollmaker’s Journey CUSTOMER CONNECTION
Dream ~ Imagine ~ Create ~ Grow ~ Believe ~ Magic
At http://dollmakersjourney.com we help your creative dreams come
true.
February 2010 Issue 99
******************************
Copyright 2010 by Dollmaker’s Journey
Dollmaker’s Journey Customer Connection newsletter is a free e-mail
newsletter. Tell your friends, family and fellow dollmakers about us,
and feel free to forward this newsletter to those who might be
interested. You can visit our companion website at:
http://www.dollmakersjourney.com/
**Notice!**
You can view this issue online. Go to
http://dollmakersjourney.com/newsletter/cc99.html
You can read all the past issues online. Go to:
http://dollmakersjourney.com/newsletter/archives.html
The archives include an easy to follow index to all the past issues.
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm202071.htm
Trader Joe’s Company Voluntarily Recalls Chocolate Chip Chewy Coated Granola Bars
Contact:
Press Contact: Alison Mochizuki
Office: 626-599-3779
E-mail: amochizuki@traderjoes.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE — February 19, 2010 - Trader Joe’s Company of Monrovia, California is voluntarily expanding the recall of the Trader Joe’s Chocolate Chip Chewy Coated Granola Bars (SKU 82818) to include all code dates, manufactured by Bloomfield Bakery, a subsidiary of Ralcorp Holdings, Inc. because it has 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. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e., infected aneurysms), endocarditis and arthritis.
The product involved in this recall was distributed at Trader Joe’s stores nationally and comes in a 7.4 oz box. Production of the product has been suspended while FDA and Bloomfield Bakery continue their investigation.
No illnesses have been confirmed to date in connection with this product.
At Trader Joe’s we take the safety of our customers and the integrity of our products very seriously. Customers who have purchased Trader Joe’s Chocolate Chip Chewy Coated Granola Bars are urged to return them to any Trader Joe’s for a full refund. Customers with questions may contact Trader Joe’s Customer Relations Monday through Friday, 6am to 6pm PST at (626) 599-3817.
####
Photo: Product Labels
http://www.cdc.gov/media/pressrel/2010/r100224.htm
For Immediate Release: February 24, 2010
Contact: CDC Division of Media Relations
(404) 639-3286
CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) Recommends Universal Annual Influenza Vaccination
A panel of immunization experts voted today (February 24, 2010) to expand the recommendation for annual influenza vaccination to include all people aged 6 months and older. The expanded recommendation is to take effect in the 2010 – 2011 influenza season. The new recommendation seeks to remove barriers to influenza immunization and signals the importance of preventing influenza across the entire population.
The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), which advises the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on vaccine issues, voted on the new recommendation during its February 24, 2010 meeting in Atlanta. The vote took place against a backdrop of incremental increases in the numbers and groups of people recommended for influenza vaccination in years past, and lessons learned from the world’s still ongoing first flu pandemic in 40 years.
Prior to today’s vote, ACIP recommendations for seasonal influenza vaccination – which focused on vaccination of higher risk persons, children 6 months through 18 years of age and close contacts of higher risk persons – already applied to about 85 percent of the U.S. population.
Discussion at the ACIP meeting focused on the value of protecting all people 19 to 49 years of age, who have been hard hit by the 2009 H1N1 pandemic virus, which is likely to continue circulating into next season and beyond. Another reason cited in favor of a universal recommendation for vaccination is that many people in currently recommended “higher risk” groups are unaware of their risk factor or that they are recommended for vaccination. The ACIP discussion also recognized the practicality and value of issuing a simple and clear message regarding the importance of influenza vaccination in the hopes that this would remove impediments to vaccination and expand coverage. Finally, new data collected over the course of the 2009 H1N1 pandemic indicates that some people who do not currently have a specific recommendation for vaccination may also be at higher risk of serious flu-related complications, including those people who are obese, post-partum women and people in certain racial/ethnic groups.
More influenza vaccine doses will be required to vaccinate all adults. However, based on current projections, more licensed types and brands of seasonal influenza vaccines will be available in the 2010-11 influenza season than has ever been available before. Historically, uptake of seasonal influenza vaccine has been less than half of the number of persons with a specific recommendation for vaccination.
Annual influenza vaccination is a safe and preventive health action that benefits all age groups. However, certain people have a higher risk for influenza complications, including people aged 65 years and older, children younger than 6 months of age, pregnant women, and people of any age with certain chronic medical conditions.
These people, their household and close contacts, and all health care personnel should continue to be a primary focus for vaccination efforts as providers and programs transition to routinely vaccinating all people 6 months of age and older.
The composition of the Northern Hemisphere’s 2010-2011 seasonal influenza was announced at the FDA’s Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee (VRBPAC) meeting yesterday in Bethesda, MD. Next season’s vaccine will be trivalent (with three different vaccine viruses) and include an A/California/7/2009 (H1N1)-like virus, an A/Perth/16/2009 (H3N2)-like virus, and a B/Brisbane/60/2008-like virus. The H1N1 virus recommended for inclusion in the 2010-2011 seasonal influenza vaccine is a pandemic 2009 H1N1 virus and is the same virus used in the 2009 H1N1 monovalent vaccine.
Recommendations of the ACIP become recommendations of CDC once they are accepted by the director of CDC and the Secretary of Health and Human Services and are published in the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
####
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm202119.htm
LifeScan Recalls Specific Lots of Consumer and Professional OneTouch® SureStep® Test Strips Due To Inaccurate Readings at High Levels
Contact:
David Detmers, LifeScan, Inc.,
+1-408-942-5955
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE — MILPITAS, Calif., Feb. 24 /PRNewswire/ — LifeScan, Inc. is conducting a voluntary recall in the United States of eight lots of OneTouch® SureStep® Test Strips, used by people with diabetes to measure their blood glucose levels at home. The test strips are being recalled because they may provide falsely low glucose results when the glucose level is higher than 400 mg/dL.
The eight lots of consumer OneTouch SureStep Test Strips being recalled are:
Recalled Lot Size Description
# 2969251 100-ct OneTouch SureStep
# 2969798 100-ct OneTouch SureStep
# 2982369 100-ct OneTouch SureStep
# 2983467 100-ct OneTouch SureStep
# 2969795 50-ct OneTouch SureStep
# 2982566 50-ct OneTouch SureStep
# 2969481 50-ct Medicare/Mail Order
# 2998193 50-ct Medicare/Mail Order
Lot #’s are located on the outer carton and test strip vial.
Patients with test strips from the recalled lots are asked to call LifeScan at 800 574-6139 between 5:00 am and 7:00 pm Pacific Time, seven days a week or visit www.SureStep.com to request replacement product. Replacement product will be shipped immediately and provided free of charge.
While waiting for replacement product to arrive, it is important that patients with recalled test strips continue to test their blood glucose. Patients with access to a meter that does not use OneTouch SureStep Test Strips should use this other meter to test their blood glucose until replacement product from LifeScan arrives. If an alternate meter is not available, patients may continue to test using the recalled OneTouch SureStep Test Strips. However, if patients obtain results above 400 mg/dL, they should contact their healthcare professional for further instructions because their glucose may be significantly higher.
LifeScan estimates approximately fourteen thousand packages (50- and 100-count) of consumer OneTouch SureStep Test Strips were distributed nationwide between August 1, 2009 and January 28, 2010.
No injuries associated with these recalled test strips have been reported. However, if patients use the falsely low test results to determine their insulin dose, they may give themselves too little insulin, which could result in poor blood glucose control. Patients with high blood glucose may or may not have certain symptoms including increased thirst, frequent urination, headaches, difficulty with concentration, blurred vision and fatigue (weak, tired feeling). High blood glucose must be recognized and treated promptly to avoid serious complications, such as coma and death.
Hospitals, clinics and other multi-patient facilities using SureStep®Pro®, SureStep®Flexx® or OneTouch® SureStep® Hospital Systems have also been notified of this issue. All three of these systems use SureStep®Pro® Test Strips which also may provide inaccurately low test results when the blood glucose reading is greater than 400 mg/dL. LifeScan has advised these facilities of the appropriate actions to take in order to continue to use these SureStepPro Test Strips. However, healthcare facilities with access to alternative means of testing should consider temporarily discontinuing their use of their SureStep Systems until replacement test strips are available.
This field action is limited to eight lots of OneTouch SureStep Test Strips sold for consumer use in the U.S., and select SureStepPro Test Strips used in healthcare facilities. Similar recall actions are being taken in other countries where the affected product was distributed.
In 2006 LifeScan stopped selling OneTouch SureStep Meters in the U.S. but continued to provide test strips. Today, OneTouch SureStep Meter users represent a very small portion of LifeScan’s total customer base. The vast majority of LifeScan’s customers now use OneTouch® Ultra® Brand Meters, which use an entirely different technology.
LifeScan, Inc. is a leading maker of blood glucose monitoring systems for people with diabetes. For information about diabetes care and LifeScan products and services, visit www.OneTouchDiabetes.com1.
CONTACT: David Detmers, LifeScan, Inc., +1-408-942-5955
#
RSS Feed for FDA Recalls Information2 [what’s this?3]
-
-
Links on this page:
1. http://www.OneTouchDiabetes.com
2. http://www.fda.gov/AboutFDA/ContactFDA/StayInformed/RSSFeeds/Recalls/rss.xml
3. http://www.fda.gov/AboutFDA/ContactFDA/StayInformed/RSSFeeds/default.htm
Page Last Updated: 02/26/2010
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm202113.htm
Wholesome Spice Recalls 25 Lb. Boxes Of Crushed Red Pepper Because Of Possible Health Risk
Company Contact:
Michael Williams
(718) 388-1549
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - February 25, 2010 - Brooklyn, NY - Wholesome Spice of Brooklyn, NY is recalling all lots of 25 lb boxes of Crushed Red Pepper sold between 4/6/09 and 1/20/10, 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. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e., infected aneurysms), endocarditis and arthritis.
The 25 lb boxes of Crushed Red pepper were distributed in the Northeastern U.S.. The product was not sold on the retail level to consumers.
The Crushed Red Pepper product is packaged in a clear plastic bag which is placed inside of a cardboard box with an adhesive white label with a blue border and blue and black lettering. The brand name on the product labels is WHOLESOME SPICES. The product name is listed as CRUSHED RED PEPPER.
It cannot be determined at this time if this product has been related to any illnesses to date.
The firm was informed that samples of its product have tested positive for Salmonella. The firm is currently working with the FDA to determine how the contamination occurred.
Manufacturers who have purchased 25 lb boxes of WHOLESOME SPICES brand Crushed Red Pepper are urged not to use the product and to recall any product they further distributed. Manufacturers with questions may contact the firm via telephone at (718) 388-1549. Our hours of operation are from Monday to Friday 8:30-4:30pm Eastern Standard Time.
####
RSS Feed for FDA Recalls Information1 [what’s this?2]
-
-
Links on this page:
1. http://www.fda.gov/AboutFDA/ContactFDA/StayInformed/RSSFeeds/Recalls/rss.xml
2. http://www.fda.gov/AboutFDA/ContactFDA/StayInformed/RSSFeeds/default.htm
Page Last Updated: 02/25/2010
http://www.who.int/csr/don/2010_02_26/en/index.html
Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 - update 89
Weekly update
26 February 2010 — As of 21 February 2010, worldwide more than 213 countries and overseas territories or communities have reported laboratory confirmed cases of pandemic influenza H1N1 2009, including at least 16226 deaths.
WHO is actively monitoring the progress of the pandemic through frequent consultations with the WHO Regional Offices and member states and through monitoring of multiple sources of information.
Situation update:
In the temperate zone of the northern hemisphere, pandemic influenza virus continues to be detected across many countries, however, overall influenza activity continues to wane in most places. The most active areas of transmission are currently in parts of south and southeast Asia and in limited areas of east and southeastern Europe.
In Southeast Asia, pandemic influenza virus continued to circulate in areas, however, the overall intensity of respiratory diseases activity remained low and unchanged, except in a few countries. In Brunei Darussalam, during February 2009, influenza activity was reported to be geographically widespread and was associated with an increasing trend and high intensity of respiratory diseases. Both Myanmar and Thailand have reported an increasing trend of respiratory diseases associated with geographically regional spread of influenza for the first half of February 2009, however, overall intensity currently remains low in both countries. In Thailand, approximately one third of provinces reported that >5% of medical visits were due to ILI during the most recent reporting week. In East Asia, virologic surveillance data suggest that pandemic influenza and seasonal influenza type B viruses continue to co-circulate. A recent increase in ILI activity in Mongolia may be due to an increase in the circulation of seasonal influenza type B viruses. Overall influenza activity continues to decline and return to baseline levels in both Japan and the Republic of Korea (S. Korea). In Hong Kong SAR (China) and in Chinese Taipei, pandemic influenza virus continues to circulate at low levels and overall ILI activity is substantially lower than what was observed peaks of activity during the fall months. In South Asia, overall influenza activity remained low, however, pandemic influenza virus transmission persists in the western part of India.
In Europe, pandemic influenza virus transmission persists across parts of central and southeastern Europe, but overall intensity remained low, except for Greece, Bulgaria, Turkey, Slovakia, the Republic of Moldova, and parts of the Russian Federation which continued to report a moderate intensity respiratory diseases activity. Although an increasing trend of respiratory diseases continued to be reported in Georgia, Slovakia, and parts of the Russian Federation, the increased activity may be due to other circulating respiratory viruses. Among countries testing at least 20 sentinel respiratory specimens during the past reporting week, none reported that more than 20% of specimens had tested positive for influenza.
In North Africa and West Asia, pandemic influenza virus continues to circulate at low levels as rates of illness in most countries in the region continued to decline or return to baseline. In Afghanistan, an increasing trend of respiratory diseases with moderate healthcare impact was report, however, it is unknown if the recent increase is associated with circulation of influenza virus.
In Sub-Saharan Africa, limited data suggest that pandemic influenza virus transmission continued to be sporadic in most areas of the continent. Several countries in West Africa continue to report slight increases in the numbers of confirmed cases of pandemic influenza indicating that community transmission is likely beginning in the area; however, data are very limited.
In the Americas, both in the tropical and northern temperate zones, pandemic influenza virus continues to circulate at low levels but overall pandemic influenza activity continued to decline or remain low in most places. In Central America and Caribbean, pandemic influenza virus transmission persists but overall activity remains low or unchanged in most places.
Pandemic influenza (H1N1) 2009 virus continues to be the predominant influenza virus circulating worldwide. In addition to the increasing proportion of seasonal influenza type B viruses recently detected in China, low levels of seasonal H3N2 and type B viruses are circulating in parts of Africa, and Asia.
In summary, pandemic influenza virus continues to circulate widely in the tropical regions and is persisting in some areas of in parts of Europe. Respiratory disease activity is increasing in many areas of the world due to increasing transmission of influenza type B and Respiratory Syncitial Virus. Seasonal influenza H3N2 continues to be detected in areas of Asia and east Africa.
The Global Influenza Surveillance Network (GISN) continues monitoring the global circulation of influenza viruses, including pandemic, seasonal and other influenza viruses infecting, or with the potential to infect, humans including seasonal influenza. For more information on virological surveillance and antiviral resistance please see the weekly virology update (Virological surveillance data, below).
Weekly update (Virological surveillance data)
(NEW) Weekly update on oseltamivir resistance to pandemic influenza A (H1N1) 2009 viruses [pdf 17kb]
*Countries in temperate regions are defined as those north of the Tropic of Cancer or south of the Tropic of Capricorn, while countries in tropical regions are defined as those between these two latitudes.
**Abbreviations: influenza-like-illness (ILI), acute respiratory infection (ARI), and severe acute respiratory infection (SARI)
WHO Clinical Management Guidelines for Human infection with Pandemic (H1N1), 2009:
WHO Guidelines for Pharmacological Management of Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 Influenza and other Influenza Viruses:
(NEW) Map of influenza activity and virus subtypes (Week 6: 07 February-13 February 2010)
Map of influenza activity and virus subtypes [jpg 61kb]
Description: Displayed data reflect the most recent data reported to Flunet (www.who.int/FluNet), WHO regional offices or on Ministry of health websites in the last 2 weeks. The percent of specimens tested positive for influenza includes all specimens tested positive for seasonal or pandemic influenza. The pie charts show the distribution of virus subtypes among all specimens that were tested positive for influenza. The available country data were joined in larger geographical areas with similar influenza transmission patterns to be able to give an overview (http://www.who.int/csr/disease/swineflu/transmission_zones/en)
Qualitative indicators (Week 29 to Week 6: 13 July 2009 - 13 February 2010)
The qualitative indicators monitor: the global geographic spread of influenza, trends in acute respiratory diseases, the intensity of respiratory disease activity, and the impact of the pandemic on health-care services.
Human infection with pandemic (H1N1) 2009 virus: updated interim WHO guidance on global surveillance
The maps below display information on the qualitative indicators reported. Information is available for approximately 60 countries each week. Implementation of this monitoring system is ongoing and completeness of reporting is expected to increase over time.
List of definitions of qualitative indicators
Geographic spread of influenza activity
Map timeline
Trend of respiratory diseases activity compared to the previous week
Map timeline
Intensity of acute respiratory diseases in the population
Map timeline
Impact on health care services
Map timeline
Laboratory-confirmed cases of pandemic (H1N1) 2009 as officially reported to WHO by States Parties to the IHR (2005) as of 14 February 2010
Map of affected countries and deaths
The countries and overseas territories/communities that have newly reported their first pandemic (H1N1) 2009 confirmed cases since the last web update (No. 88): Niger.
The countries and overseas territories/communities that have newly reported their first deaths among pandemic (H1N1) 2009 confirmed cases since the last web update (No. 88): none.
Region
Deaths*
WHO Regional Office for Africa (AFRO)
167
WHO Regional Office for the Americas (AMRO)
At least 7484
WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean (EMRO)
1018
WHO Regional Office for Europe (EURO)
At least 4266
WHO Regional Office for South-East Asia (SEARO)
1601
WHO Regional Office for the Western Pacific (WPRO)
1690
Total*
At least 16226
* The reported number of fatal cases is an under representation of the actual numbers as many deaths are never tested or recognized as influenza related.
StatSpin Express 4 Centrifuges Model 510: Class 1 Recall
Audience: Hospital risk managers, laboratory managers
FDA notified healthcare professionals of a Class I recall of the StatSpin Express 4 Centrifuges, Model #510, Serial Numbers 00100 through 001679, manufactured and distributed from November, 2007 through January, 2010. The rotor of the centrifuge may break and separate from the motor, striking a safety microswitch so it fails to shut down the centrifuge. The loose rotor may strike the lid of the centrifuge housing which may cause the lid to open and eject pieces of the rotor. These pieces may cause serious physical injury to bystanders and may expose them to blood-borne infectious micro-organisms.
Read the complete MedWatch 2010 Safety summary, including a link to the FDA recall notice, at:
.
UNDIAGNOSED POISONING, CANINE - USA (WA)
****************************************
A ProMED-mail post
http://www.promedmail.org
ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases
http://www.isid.org
Date: Tue 23 Feb 2010
Source: MSNBC.com [edited]
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/35542654/ns/us_news-crime_and_courts/
Meatballs kill dogs; poison suspected
Several more batches were found Monday on streets in the South Hill
neighborhood,
snipped........
On Friday [19 Feb 2010], a woman saw her dog eat some meatballs on the
street and then go into convulsions before dying. A man also had 2 of his
dogs die Friday after eating the meatballs.
The Humane Society of the United States is offering a USD 2500 reward for
information leading to the arrest and conviction of whoever is responsible.
snipped....
—
communicated by:
ProMED-mail
promed@promedmail.org
[While the toxin has not yet been identified, it is certainly suspicious. A
possible toxin in the meatballs could be strychnine, since animals
consuming strychnine tend to seizure prior to death. We will be waiting for
the results of the tests.
Cases like this frequently become criminal cases and law enforcement
certainly wants to remove such a person from causing more harm to pets. -
Mod.TG
Spokane, in the Pacific Northwest state of Washington, can be located on
the HealthMap/ProMED-mail interactive map of the US at
http://healthmap.org/r/018j . - Sr.Tech.Ed.MJ]
.................mhj/tg/mj/sh
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm202127.htm
Thumb Oilseed Recalls Soy Grits and Flour Because of Possible Health Risk
Contact:
Thumb Oilseed Producers’ Cooperative©
2145 Leppek Road, Ubly, MI 48475
Phone (989) 658-2344
Toll-Free (866) 658-2344
Fax (989) 658-2372
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - February 25, 2010 - Thumb Oilseed Producers’ Cooperative of Ubly, MI. has recalled certain shipments of soybean grits and flour 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. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses.
No illnesses have been reported to date.
The recalled soybean grits and flour were distributed to a limited group of wholesale customers located around the nation. These customers have been contacted by Thumb Oilseed and are reviewing this inventories and production processes and taking the necessary steps to protect consumer health, including, if necessary, sub recalls.
The product is labeled with Soy Beginnings or Nexsoy brands; packaged in 40# paper bags. Feed is packaged in 1500# totes. (Lot numbers include TF121608 through TF012210, TG121608 through TG010510).
The recall resulted from routine sampling programs conducted by the company and its wholesale customers. Thumb Oilseed has suspended production and distribution of the potential affected products and is cooperating with the US Food and Drug Administration and Michigan Department of Agriculture in investigating the situation.
The recall does not involve soy oil products produced by Thumb Oilseed.
Consumers with questions may contact the company at 989-658-2344 between 9:00 am and 4:00 pm EST Monday-Friday.
###
OneTouch SureStep Test Strips (LifeScan): Recall
Audience: Diabetes healthcare professionals, consumers
LifeScan and FDA notified healthcare professionals of a voluntary recall of eight lots of OneTouch SureStep Test Strips, used by people with diabetes to measure their blood glucose levels at home. The test strips are being recalled because they may provide falsely low glucose results when the glucose level is higher than 400 mg/dL.
If patients use the falsely low test results to determine their insulin dose, they may give themselves too little insulin, which could result in poor blood glucose control. High blood glucose must be recognized and treated promptly to avoid serious complications, such as coma and death.
The eight lots of consumer OneTouch SureStep Test Strips being recalled are identified in the firm’s press release. Lot numbers are located on the outer carton and test strip vial. LifeScan estimates approximately fourteen thousand packages (50- and 100-count) of consumer OneTouch SureStep Test Strips were distributed nationwide between August 1, 2009 and January 28, 2010.
It is important that patients with recalled test strips continue to test their blood glucose. Patients with access to a meter that does not use OneTouch SureStep Test Strips should use this other meter to test their blood glucose until replacement product from LifeScan arrives. If an alternate meter is not available, patients may continue to test using the recalled OneTouch SureStep Test Strips. However, if patients obtain results above 400 mg/dL, they should contact their healthcare professional for further instructions because their glucose may be significantly higher.
Read the complete MedWatch 2010 Safety summary, including a link to the firm’s press release, at:
Found this great video and article:
http://www.smallhousestyle.com/
The Small House Movement is in the news again. KXAN recently featured a story about “Tiny houses (that) stress reuse and energy efficiency.” Will recession and foreclosures in the news, even the mainstream media is starting to ask: “what if the homeowners had bought small houses instead?”
Granted, they would have had to make do with less space, but their mortgage payments would have been only a fraction of the owners’ current obligations and they would have saved big on energy costs and taxes, as well. If that realization spreads throughout the marketplace, America could be in for a “small revolution.” So say proponents of the something called the “Small House Movement.”
Is it time to go down to the basics? Time to have a house that you can live in until the day you die, instead of having to get kicked out because you can’t pay the taxes, can’t afford the energy bill? Brad Kittel, the King of Texas Tiny Houses still says so. And small is definitely beautiful in his world.
______________________________________________________________________
I have been living in a small solar cabin I designed and built for under $2000 for over 15 years and have never regretted giving up my large home, swimming pool and 3 car garage.
I have no house payments and no monthly utility bills now. I can make a living from a small homestead and I run a small business and work about 5-6 hours a day 9 months a year.
I have the time and money now to enjoy the things in life I was missing working all the time and stressing over bills.
Small home living isn’t for everybody but for single people, young couples and retired folk it is a good way to have a home without a mortgage and have some security for retirement.
LaMar
www.simplesolarhomesteading.com
To visit your group on the web, go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/hillbillyherbalism/
In light of what is happening in the Pacific Ocean at this hour we recommend you view this video by the San Diego County Office of Emergency Services:
http://wcatwc.arh.noaa.gov/video/tsunami.mp4
—
Check out http://groups.yahoo.com/group/californiadisasters/
Homeland Security Response Network has a new first time used page for emergencies and is running it for up to the minute on Chile earthquake.
http://www.nationalterroralert.com/intellispace/
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm202292.htm
American Pecan Co. Recalls Pecans Because of Possible Health Risk
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - February 26, 2010 - American Pecan Co. of Yancey, Texas, is recalling 1 lb. bags of Pecan Pieces, small, medium, and large sizes, 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. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e., infected aneurysms), endocarditis and arthritis.
The 1 lb. bags of pecans were sold to walk-up customers at their Yancey,Texas location, as well as to mail order customers in Texas, New York, and Massachusetts. The bagged pecans consist of Ziploc-type bags labeled with “PECAN PIECES (Small, Medium, or Large) Ingredients: Shelled Pecans: Repacked by: American Pecan Co. P.O. Box 151 Yancey, Tx. 78886 Net weight 1-Lb. (16 oz.) 454 g. Might contain Pecan shells..” There are no codes associated with the products. No illnesses have been reported to date.
The recall was as the result of a routine sampling by the Food and Drug Administration, which revealed that the finished products contained the bacteria. The company has ceased the production and distribution of the product as FDA and the company continue their investigation as to what caused the problem.
Consumers who have purchased 1 lb. bags of PECAN PIECES are urged to dispose of the products and contact Mr. Rey Elizondo at American Pecan Co. for further instructions at 1-800-364-9053. Mr. Elizondo will be available 9:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M., CST, Monday thru Friday.
####
RSS Feed for FDA Recalls Information1 [what’s this?2]
-
-
Links on this page:
1. http://www.fda.gov/AboutFDA/ContactFDA/StayInformed/RSSFeeds/Recalls/rss.xml
2. http://www.fda.gov/AboutFDA/ContactFDA/StayInformed/RSSFeeds/default.htm
Page Last Updated: 02/26/2010
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm202293.htm
Johnny’s Fine Foods Recalls Johnny’s French Dip Powdered Au Jus Because of Possible Health Risk
Contact:
William Szybura, President
253-383-4597
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - February 26, 2010 - Tacoma, WA - Johnny’s Fine Foods of Tacoma, Wash., Johnny’s Fine Foods is recalling French Dip Powdered Au Jus in 6oz bottles and French Dip Powdered Au Jus in 1.1oz foil packets, because it has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. Salmonella is an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e., infected aneurysms), endocarditis and arthritis.
To date no known illnesses have been associated with this product.
Johnny’s French Dip Powdered Au Jus is distributed nationwide and is sold in retail stores.
Johnny’s French Dip Powdered Au Jus 6oz is packaged in a clear plastic bottle with a red, white and blue label. The expiration date for this product is 0332. Johnny’s French Dip Powdered Au Jus 1.1oz is packaged in a red, white and blue foil packet. The expiration date for this product is 02212.
The product was made using hydrolyzed vegetable protein manufactured by Basic Food Flavors, Inc. Las Vegas, Nevada. Basic Food Flavors initiated a recall of the hydrolyzed vegetable protein due to Salmonella contamination.
This product should be destroyed immediately. Consumers with questions may contact Johnny’s Fine Foods at 1-800-962-1462 Monday thru Friday 8am to 3pm Pacific Standard Time.
####
Photo: Product Labels1
RSS Feed for FDA Recalls Information2 [what’s this?3]
-
-
Links on this page:
1. http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm202294.htm
2. http://www.fda.gov/AboutFDA/ContactFDA/StayInformed/RSSFeeds/Recalls/rss.xml
3. http://www.fda.gov/AboutFDA/ContactFDA/StayInformed/RSSFeeds/default.htm
Page Last Updated: 02/27/2010
Index:
http://cns.miis.edu/cbw/agromain.htm
http://cns.miis.edu/cbw/agchron.htm
Agriculture Related CBW Activity
Chronology of Chemical & Biological Incidents Targeting the Food Industry 1946-2006
Agriculture: Home | Chronology of Agricultural Incidents | Chronology of Food System Incidents | State Programs | Resources
This chronology includes confirmed acts of deliberate contamination of products manufactured by the food industry with a chemical or biological agent. We define food industry as that which is comprised of entities that produce, package, and/or distribute foodstuffs and beverages, as well as the related food service industry. Events that are included in this chronology are those that have more than 30 casualties, greater than 2 fatalities, and/or more than $100 million in lost revenue. Attacks targeting unharvested crops are not included.
April 1946 / Nuremburg, Germany
A group named Nakam contaminated bread produced by a bakery supplying an internment camp; approximately 1,000 prisoners died as a result. Nakam members, comprised of European Jews, sought retribution for possible war crimes by the prisoners, most of whom were former Nazi SS. According to some of Nakam’s former members, on Saturday April 13, 1946 several members of the group infiltrated a Nuremburg bakery known to supply the camp. Utilizing a viscous solution containing arsenic, the infiltrators basted ‘more than 2,000 loaves,’ before hiding the arsenic and fleeing from approaching security forces. The group had planned to poison all of the approximately 14,000 loaves destined to be delivered to the camp. Estimates of the number of persons affected by the poison varies from ~4,000 to ~12,000.[1]
September 1984 / The Dalles, Oregon
Members of the Rajneeshee cult based in The Dalles contaminated salad bars in ten different restaurants and one supermarket with the foodborne pathogen S. typhimurium, which resulted in at least 751 cases of salmonellosis. The cult was attempting to determine its ability to influence elections by causing citizens to abstain from voting due to illness. However, the attack planners were unimpressed with the results and therefore canceled a more substantial attack that was scheduled for the first Tuesday in November. The goal of this undertaking was to gain control of several prominent posts in the Wasco county government, which, had previously ruled against the Rajneeshees in several real estate zoning disputes. Public health workers initially classified the outbreak as having had a natural etiology, but approximately one year after its occurrence, Rashneeshees’ leadership publicized that its members had contaminated the salad bars. Several cult members were eventually arrested, convicted, and given jail terms.[2]
March 1989 / Philadelphia, PA, USA
The U.S. Embassy in Santiago, Chile received a phone call claiming that grapes exported to the United States and Japan were tainted with cyanide. More than 40 U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) agents were dispatched to the Tioga Fruit Terminal, a major inlet for fruits from Chile, where they examined thousands of crates. In the end, they were able to detect two grapes contaminated with a small quantity of cyanide that posed no threat to human health. A subsequent study found that cyanide degrades rapidly in grapes due to their high acidity. Following the discovery of the contaminated grapes, the U.S., Japan, Germany, Canada, and Denmark either halted and/or greatly expanded inspections of Chilean fruit imports for an extended period. Chile claimed the restrictions resulted in losses of $300 million, while U.S. importers reported related losses in excess of $100 million.[3]
December 31, 1994 / Dushanbe, Tajikistan
Sparkling wine sold at a kiosk near a Russian military installation was deliberately contaminated with cyanide. After having been consumed at a New Year’s celebration, 25 persons, including 13 Russian soldiers, became ill. In the final tally, 10 of the victims died, including 6 soldiers. In view of the kiosk’s location, investigators hypothesized that the perpetrator(s) had targeted Russian servicemen for attack, but this has not been proven since no one was charged with the crime.[4]
June-November 1995 / Guangdong, China
Du Runqiong and her son Tang Youhua were arrested for using rodenticide to poison persons and animals that inhabited Jinli village and its surroundings. According to Guangdong Public Security Bureau Deputy Director Zhu Mingjian, Du and Tang used 80 store-bought bottles of rodenticide to poison at least 163 people (of whom 18 died) and almost 4,000 animals. Investigators claim that a fortune stick inspired the pair. However, according to Agence France Presse, ‘[t]he deaths had previously been blamed on pollution caused by a local metals firm.’ The firm in question was a gold refinery that utilized hydrogen cyanide on a large scale in the processing of gold. Further, South China Sun reported that this refinery was owned and managed by the Guangdong police.[5]
July 1998 / Wakayama, Japan
Masumi Hayashi added arsenic and some cyanide to a large pot of curry prepared for the winter festival in the Sonobe district of Wakayama, Japan. According to police, Hayashi was able to sabotage the curry during the cooks’ lunch break. Of the 68 festival-goers who fell ill after consuming the curry, 4 died. Masumi’s husband Kenji Hayashi worked as a termite exterminator until 1992 and thus she had ready access to the approximately 100 grams of arsenic added to the curry. The Osaka High Court upheld the death sentence for Masumi Hayashi handed down by the circuit court, but her sentence was appealed to Japan’s Supreme Court in 2007.[6]
May 30, 2000 / Quebec City, Canada
After an unknown perpetrator had added arsenic to a coffee vending machine located at the Lavalis University Animal and Food Sciences department, approximately 30 people presented with symptoms of arsenic poisoning and, of these, four were hospitalized due to treatment related complications. Several of the victims complained of symptoms lasting several weeks, including blurred vision and reduced sensitivity in their extremities. Police found no signs of tampering, but did find salt-like grains of arsenic in the machine’s water reservoir. Reports note that ‘tests have shown there were 150 millilitres of arsenic’ inside the reservoir, which led investigators to surmise the poisoning was not accidental, although the quantity used was unlikely to result in deaths. That the investigators had observed “grains” implies that the arsenic used for sabotage was in its elementary form, which is mostly insoluble in water. However, uncertainties surround this event since the quantity of arsenic and its form remain unclear due to the media having provided confusing information about weight and volumetric measures.[7]
September 14, 2002 / Tangshan, Jiangsu Province China
Chen Zhengping used rodenticide to contaminate a competitor’s food products, thus killing between 42 and 100 persons (estimates vary depending on sources). According to Chinese Police, Chen contaminated both a well used exclusively by the Zhengwu Pastry Bar and batches of dough that he knew would be utilized for creating pastries. According to reportsgathered by New York Times, Chen sought only to cause illness, but fled in panic upon witnessing the violent deaths of several patrons. Authorities apprehended Chen in Zangzhou, which is ~370 miles north of Tangshan. The Higher People’s Court of Jiangsu Province sentenced Chen Zhengping to death; the sentence was carried out on October 14, 2002.[8]
January 2003 / Michigan, USA
Randy J. Bertram, a disgruntled employee at Byron Center Family Fare Supermarket, intentionally contaminated approximately 200 pounds of ground beef with an insecticide called “Black Leaf 40,” whose active ingredient is nicotine. Initially, 18 members of several families in the local community presented with symptoms of nicotine poisoning, but eventually almost 100 persons became ill. A collaborative investigation by the FBI and USDA led to Bertram being identified as the perpetrator, which resulted in him being indicted on charges of intentional poisoning.[9]
September 2003 / Yueyang, China
More than 200 students and staff members became ill after eating a breakfast laced with rodenticide. Although local reports vary widely on the number of casualties, none mentions fatalities. This event, along with a series of smaller, similar incidents, resulted in a tightening of restrictions by the Supreme People’s Court, which increased punishment for the possession of tetramethylenedisulfotetramine (a potent form of tetramine) in excess of 50 grams to a minimum of ten years imprisonment. Tetramine serves as the active ingredient of many older rodenticide formulations in China. The tetramine-based rodenticide formulations are commonly distributed throughout China as ‘Dushuqiang’ or strong rat poison. Tetramine is perhaps the most lethal of the chemicals widely used in pesticidals.[10]
2003-2005 / Italy
In a series of incidents that involved 11 regions of Italy, a perpetrator deemed the ‘aqua-bomber’ injected bleach, acetone, or ammonia into various commercial drink containers. Police believed that the initial series of incidents was caused by one individual, but that later incidents were perpetrated by ‘copycats.’ In many cases, bottles inside of vending machines were injected just below the cap with the contaminant. This easily accomplished method, along with the wide area that was affected by these incidents, led many to believe in the ‘copycat’ theory. The incidents occurred in two waves, with the first spanning November to December 2003, and the second, smaller wave occurring in September 2005. In the final tally, the attacks claimed 33 casualties and resulted in significant economic losses for the Italian bottled water industry.[11]
October 2006 / Numaniyah, Iraq
At least 350 police became ill following a mass poisoning at a cafeteria located outside of Baghdad. While reports vary on the number of fatalities that resulted, an inspector from the Iraqi Environment Ministry reported 11 deaths. The major symptom presented by victims was bleeding from the ears and nose following the meal. Investigators at the scene suspected cyanide as the causative agent. Initial suspicions targeted Sunni insurgents as the perpetrators, due mainly to the stricken officers being mostly Shi’i and their area of responsibility was a section of Baghdad known for attacks by Sunni insurgents.[12]
[Top]
1. Michael Bar-Zohar, trans. Len Ortzen, The Avengers (London: Arthur Barker, 1968): 43-58; Richard A. Falkenrath, et. al., America’s Achilles’ Heel: Nuclear, biological and chemical terrorism and covert attack (Cambridge: MIT Press, 1998): 33-34; Ali S. Khan, et. al., “Precautions against biological and chemical directed at food and water supplies,” Public Health Reports 116 (2001): 3-14.
2. W. Seth Carus, “The Rajneeshees,” ch. 8 in Toxic Terror: Assessing Terrorist Use of Chemical and Biological Weapons, ed. Jonathan B. Tucker. (Cambridge: MIT Press, 2000): 115-138; W. Seth Carus, Bioterrorism and Biocrimes (Washington D.C., Center for Counter Proliferation Research, 2001): 50-58; Zygmunt F. Dembek, et. al., “Epidemiology of biowarfare and bioterrorism,” ch. 3 in Medical Aspects of Biological Warfare, ed. Martha K. Lenhart, et. al., eds. (Washington D.C.: Borden Institute, 2007): 39-68.
3. Bill Grigg, “The cyanide scare; a tale of two grapes,” U.S. Government Printing Office (1989) web available at: (http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1370/is_n6_v23/ai_7755859/print ); Philip J. Hilts, “Don’t eat grapes, FDA warns; cyanide traces found in fruit from Chile after phone threat,” Washington Post (March 14, 1989): A1; “Ban on Chile Fruit exports spreads to Asia and Europe; Santiago blames red terrorists,” Los Angeles Times (March 14, 1989): A1; David Lauter, “Cyanide traces lead U.S. to seize all Chilean fruit,” Los Angeles Times (March 14, 1989): A1; Susan Bennett, “Critics question inspectors’ luck in Chilean grape scare; odds were against quick discovery of tainted fruit,” Orange County Register (July 23, 1989): A14.
4. “Champagne kills 10 in Tadzhikistan,” United Press International (January 2, 1995; “Six Russian servicemen die after drinking Champagne in Tajikistan,” Associated Press (January 2, 1995); Jonathan Rugman, “Tajik struggle is lethal brew for Moscow,” Guardian (February 11, 1995): 12.
5. No Kwai-Yan, “Villager arrested over mass poisoning,” South China Morning Post (December 15, 1995): 12; “China executes mother-son poison team,” United Press International (January 10, 1996); “Chinese police nab mass poisoner,” United Press International (December 15, 1995); “Guangdong court sentences mother, son to death,” British Broadcasting Company (January 16, 1996): summary of Asia-Pacific news; “Mother, son admit S. China poisoning,” United Press International (December 23, 1995); “Mother and son confess poisoning,” South China Morning Post (December 23, 1995): 6; “Mother who poisons 18 sentenced to death,” United Press International (December 28, 1995); “Two suspects held for poisoning case in southern China,” Agence France Presse (December 15, 1995); K. Scott Whitlow, et. al., “Tetramethylenedisulfotetramine: old agent new terror,” Annals of Emergency Medicine 45, no. 6 (June 2005): 609-613; F Barrueto, et. al., “Poisoning by an illegally imported Chinese rodenticide containing tetramethylenedisulfotetramine: New York City, 2002,” MMWR Morbitity & Mortality Weekly 52, No. 10 (March 14, 2003): available online at (http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5210a4.htm); Chemical Case 231, Weapons of Mass Destruction and Terrorism Database, Monterey Terrorism Research & Education Project (http://cns.miis.edu/db/wmdt/incidents/231.htm).
6. “Hayashi’s death sentence upheld in arsenic case,” Asahi Shimbun (June 29, 2005); “3 curry pots contained enough arsenic to kill 500 people,” Japan Economic Newswire (August 12, 1998); “Pure poison used in curry,” Asahi Shimbun (August 10, 1998); “Hayashi court battle ends, ruling hinges on lack of concrete evidence in poisoning case,” Yomiuri Shimbun (December 11, 2002): 3; “Time of arsenic-lacing pinpointed,” Mainichi Daily (December 31, 1998); “Hayashi tells of actions at festival,” Yomiuri Shimbun (June 19, 2004): 2; “Kenji Hayashi tells court: ‘my wife is innocent,’” Yomiuri Shimbun (June 7, 2001): 2; Chemical Case 2109, Weapons of Mass Destruction and Terrorism Database, Monterey Terrorism Research & Education Project (http://cns.miis.edu/db/wmdt/incidents/2109.htm).
7. “Poison cure puts four in hospital,” Gazette (June 28, 2000): A4; “Concern lingers among victims of arsenic laced coffee at Quebec university,” Canadian Press Newswire (June 7, 2000); Sandra Porteous, “Stressed workers dangerous: recent workplace poisonings prove anything is possible,” Halifax Daily News (June 6, 2000): 2; “Coffee from vending machine poisons Quebec City students,” Associated Press (June 2, 2000); “Arsenic (As) and water,” Lenntech Water treatment & air purification (http://www.lenntech.com/elements-and-water/arsenic-and-water.htm); N. Lihareva, “Arsenic solubility, mobility and speciation in the deposits from a copper production waste storage,” Microchemical Journal 81, no. 2 (October 2005): 177-183; Chemical Case 894, Weapons of Mass Destruction and Terrorism Database, Monterey Terrorism Research & Education Project (http://cns.miis.edu/db/wmdt/incidents/894.htm).
8. “Chinese man to be executed for food-poisoning deaths,” Japan Economic Newswire (September 30, 2002); Stephanie Hoo, “Chinese courts hand down sentences for trading in super-deadly rat poison,” Associated Press (April 28, 2004); “Murderers often use rat poison to kill foes,” Leader Post (November 15, 2003): D13; “Chinese man put to death after killing 42 with rat poison,” Agence France Presse (October 14, 2002); Erik Eckholm, “Man admits poisoning food in rival’s shop, killing 38 in China,” New York Times (September 18, 2002): 5; “China executes snack shop owner who poisoned dozens,” Channel News Asia (October 14, 2002); “China executes mass poisoning culprit,” Xinhua (October 14, 2002).
9. M. Boulton, et. al., “Nicotine poisoning after ingestion of contaminated ground beef,” CDC Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report 52, No. 18 (May 9, 2003): pp. 413-416; Press release, Department of Justice Western District of Michigan (May 21, 2003); ‘Ex-grocery worker admits to poisoning beef,’ Associated Press (May 21, 2003); James Pritchard, ‘Ex-grocery worker sentenced to nine years for poisoning beef,’ Associated Press (September 19, 2003).
10. “61 students felled by rat poison in central China,” Xinhua (September 29, 2003); “Crime suspected as 222 Chinese children hospitalized with food poisoning,” Agence France Presse (September 27, 2003); “China threatens death sentence for rat poison makers to stop mass poisonings,” Agence France Presse (October 2, 2003): International news; “School poisoning case under investigation,” China Daily (September 27, 2003); “China: powerful rat poison destroyed in Liaoning,” British Broadcasting Corporation (September 27, 2003); F. Barrueto Jr., “Poisoning by an illegally imported Chinese rodenticide containing tetramethylenedisulfotetramine: New York City, 2002,” Morbidity and Mortality Report Weekly 52, No. 10 (March 14, 2003): available online at (http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5210a4.htm); Chemical Case 1679, Weapons of Mass Destruction and Terrorism Database, Monterey Terrorism Research & Education Project (http://cns.miis.edu/db/wmdt/incidents/1679.htm) .
11. Barbara McMahon, “Drinks saboteur returns,” Guardian (September 9, 2005): 17; “Panic worsens in Italy as water poisoner strikes again,” Agenzia Nazionale Stampa Associata (December 9, 2003); “Toddler victim of bleach poisoning for second time,” Agenzia Nazionale Stampa Associata (September 12, 2005); Chemical Case 1706, Weapons of Mass Destruction and Terrorism Database, Monterey Terrorism Research & Education Project (http://cns.miis.edu/db/wmdt/incidents/1706.htm).
12. Qassim Abdul-Zahra, “Arrest made in Iraq food poisoning case,” Associated Press (October 9, 2006); Qassim Abdul-Zahra, “Hundreds of Iraq police sick from poison,” Associated Press (October 9, 2006); Mark Dunn, “Fighters fall in poison food scare, Herald Sun (October 10, 2006): 10; “Poison suspected as illness spreads; at least 10 Iraqi troops died and 1,200 were sickened,” Grand Rapids Press (October 10, 2006): A3; “Vice-President’s brother killed; poison case probed,” China Daily (October 10, 2006).
Posted 02/2009
Agriculture: Home | Chronology of Agricultural Incidents | Chronology of Food System Incidents | State Programs | Resources
Return to the CBW Resource homepage
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm202575.htm
Heartland Foods, Inc. voluntarily recalls Coarse Ground Black Pepper because of possible Salmonella Contamination
Mon, 01 Mar 2010 21:31:00 -0600
March 1, 2010 – Indianapolis, IN – Heartland Foods, Inc. of Indianapolis is voluntarily recalling all sizes/containers of COARSE GROUND BLACK PEPPER shipped from their facility at 6815 E. 34th Street, Indianapolis IN. Potential distribution took place on or after October 19th, 2009 to February 17th, 2010. These products have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, the elderly, and other with weakened immune systems.