News
FDA, Asleep on the Job? Study Questions Gulf Seafood Safety
But a new study finds that the FDA seriously underestimated the health risks from contaminants in Gulf seafood. Following the release of the study, which was led by the Natural Resources Defense Council's Miriam Rotkin-Ellman, NRDC submitted a petition to the FDA requesting that it set stricter safety standards for chemical contamination in seafood from the region. NRDC said that the agency had relied on "flawed or outdated assumptions" that allowed up to 10,000 times the safe levels of contamination. Pregnant women, children, and people who eat a lot of seafood are most vulnerable.
Pollutants linked to 450 percent increase in risk of birth defects in rural China
Pesticides and pollutants are related to a 450 percent increase in the risk of spina bifida and anencephaly in rural China, according to scientists at The University of Texas at Austin and Peking University.[. . .]
Pesticides and pollutants are related to a 450 percent increase in the risk of spina bifida and anencephaly in rural China, according to scientists at The University of Texas at Austin and Peking University.
GM crops promote superweeds, food insecurity and pesticides say NGOs
Most worrisome, say the authors of the Global Citizens' Report on the State of GMOs, is the greatly increased use of synthetic chemicals, used to control pests despite biotech companies' justification that GM-engineered crops would reduce insecticide use.[. . . ]
The report, which draws on empirical research and companies' own statements, also says weeds are now developing resistance to the GM firms' herbicides and pesticides that are designed to be used with their crops, and that this has led to growing infestations of "superweeds", especially in the US.
FDA cites dirty equipment in cantaloupe outbreak
In a six-page assessment of the conditions at the farm based on investigators' visits in September, the FDA said Jensen Farms had recently purchased used equipment that was corroded, dirty and hard to clean. The packing facility floors were also constructed so they were hard to clean, so pools of water potentially harboring the bacteria formed close to the packing equipment.[. . . ]
Though the agency said the contamination likely happened in the packing house, the way the cantaloupes were cooled after being picked may have exacerbated the listeria growth. The farm did not use a process called "pre-cooling" that is designed to remove some condensation, thus creating moist conditions on the cantaloupe rind that are ideal for listeria bacteria growth. Listeria grows in cool environments, unlike most pathogens.
Fast food giant lobbies for food stamps
Some of the 40 million Americans currently receiving food stamps from the nation's Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program may soon be able to use them at participating fast food restaurants.
Yum! Brands - the parent company of Pizza Hut, Taco Bell, KFC, Long John Silver's and A&W - is lobbying to have food stamps be accepted at their restaurants.
Cash or food: Thinking about donations on National Food Day
Note: Monday, Oct. 24th is Food Day
What's better to donate - cash or food? Each has its advantages. Cash is quicker, most of the time. It takes only a few minutes to write a check or empty a pocket and forward the money to a favorite food bank or pantry. Gifts of cash allow providers to buy food in bulk and supplement donated items to round out what they offer to people seeking assistance: fresh meat, maybe, or milk and produce.
"Occupy" camps provide food, shelter for homeless
Now, protesters from Portland to Los Angeles to Atlanta are trying to distinguish between homeless people who are joining their movement and those who are there for the amenities. When night falls in Portland, for instance, protesters have been dealing with fights, drunken arguments and the display of the occasional knife.
However, many homeless say the protests have helped them speak out against the economic troubles that sent them to the streets in the first place.
"The city wasn't giving us what we needed," said Joseph Gordon, 31, who trekked his way from Cincinnati two months ago and noted that there is nearly always enough food but never enough shelter. "You can't feed your problem away. It took this camp to show people how it really is."
Home & Garden
Grow Your Own Coffee Kit
How to plant garlic in containers
Use an iron and paper towels to remove melted wax from rugs and carpet
This is one of those things I can personally attest to using with successful results!
Relieve Mild Burns with Yellow Mustard
Infographic: Home improvements that pay you back
5 Ways to Remodel Green in the Kitchen
100 Amazing Upcycling Ideas Anyone Can Do
Fall Candle Planters
Recipes
Spicy Beer Mustard
Cauliflower and Smoked Cheddar Soup
Onion-Ring Leeks
Summer rolls (or autumn rolls) with tofu and spicy peanut sauce
Pickled Golden Beets
Cumin seed roasted cauliflower with yogurt
Spice Hunting: Urfa Biber
Urfa biber hails from Turkey ("biber" means "pepper" in Turkish), where it's used in all manner of kebabs (lamb in particular), either with intensely-spiced ground meet or whole chunks. Urfa also takes well to other nightshades like red peppers and eggplants, especially when they're roasted. And it gives incredible depth to dairy spreads from the Mediterranean, especially those with feta.
Oh-So-Easy Baked Camembert Corkscrews
Garam Masala Muffins with Orange Glaze
Tomato Pesto Swirl Bread
Pumpkin Whoopie Pies
apple pie cookies
|
