Widespread salmonella contamination feared in products containing peanut butter

By Lisa Wade McCormick
ConsumerAffairs.com

Another company has recalled some of its products as the nationwide salmonella outbreak continues to grow. The Michigan-based Meijer company on Monday recalled two types of peanut butter crackers and two types of peanut butter ice cream sold in its stores and gas stations in Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and Kentucky.

The company took the action after the products’ manufacturers said they could be contaminated with salmonella. Meijer recalled the following products:

• Meijer Cheese and Peanut Butter Sandwich Crackers, UPC #0-41250-56235
• Meijer Toasty Peanut Butter Sandwich Crackers, UPC #0-41250-56239
• Meijer Peanut Butter and Jelly Ice Cream, UPC #00000007-19283-96635-3
• Meijer Peanut Butter Cup Ice Cream, UPC #00000007-19283-96843-2

FOR THE COMPLETE STORY: http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2009/01/pb_king_recall04.html
~Sandy G.

10 popular brands contain mixtures of bacteria, fertilizer, and chemicals

FROM CONSUMERAFFAIRS.COM

Looking for ways to cut back in these tough economic times? An environmental group suggests skipping the bottled water and drinking from the tap. It might even be healthier.

The Environmental Working Group says its tests how 10 popular U.S. bottled water brands contain mixtures of 38 different pollutants, including bacteria, fertilizer, Tylenol and industrial chemicals, some at levels no better than tap water.

Wal-Mart’s Sam’s Choice at several locations contained contaminants exceeding California’s bottled water quality standards and safety levels for carcinogens under the state’s Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act, according to the group’s laboratory tests. Giant Foods’ Acadia brand consistently retained the high levels of cancer-causing chlorination byproducts found in the suburban Washington DC tap water from which it is made.

FOR THE COMPLETE STORY: http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2008/10/polluted_bottled_water.html   

~Sandy G.

Opponents say irradiation no substitute for careful handling of food

FROM CONSUMERAFFAIRS.COM

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has flashed a green light for two green vegetables to be zapped with radiation to kill bacteria and reduce foodborne illness. The FDA said the process would also give the produce a longer shelf life.

Both spinach and lettuce were associated with recent outbreaks of E. coli. Hundreds of consumers nationwide were sickened in late 2006 and dozens had to be hospitalized.

Although it is controversial, the irradiation process is nothing new. It has already been approved for use on meat, poultry, and shellfish such as oysters, mussels and clams.

Some consumer groups, including Public Citizen, oppose irradiation, saying it is not as effective as its proponents claim and is a substitute for filthy conditions in the food chain.

“That 5,000 people in the United States die every year from foodborne illnesses is tragic,” said Food & Water Watch Executive Director Wenonah Hauter. “Food producers need to address the source of the problem — too fast processing lines and dirty conditions at plants — not promote an expensive, impractical and ineffective technology like irradiation.”

Irradiation does not kill all the bacteria in food and may undermine other food safety efforts by masking filthy conditions and encouraging improper handling, Hauter said.

PLEASE CLICK THIS LINK FOR THE COMPLETE STORY:
http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2008/08/fda_irradiation.html

~Sandy G.