by Leigh Ann Hubbard, managing editor
Did you know they’re still recalling peanut products? Almost two months after the Peanut Corporation of America issued their first notice, recalls are trickling in daily.
We wondered, why is it taking so long? Do these companies not know where their ingredients come from? FDA spokeswoman Stephanie Kwisnek gave us some answers via e-mail (emphasis mine).
by James Hubbard, M.D., M.P.H.
National salmonella outbreaks are scary, aren’t they? When they occur (and it seems pretty often) we hear an almost daily barrage of new cases—some serious, a few even deadly. What is the average Jane or Joe to do in a situation like this, other than worry?
One thing, of course, is to avoid the affected foods. You’ll survive for the short term. If you just can’t live without your favorite peanut combo, you can check your brand’s website or call their headquarters for information. The FDA has recommended that companies whose peanuts are not supplied by the Peanut Corporation of American (the source of the outbreak) publicize this fact.
But, really, how dangerous are these outbreaks to the general public?
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by James Hubbard, M.D., M.P.H.
Can you believe the Peanut Corporation of America was sending out their products knowing they had a problem?
The PCA, of course, is responsible for the salmonella outbreak that has sickened closed to 600 and killed at least eight. Their own records allegedly show positive salmonella cultures in 2007 and 2008. Apparently, they just retested until they got a negative and sent the contaminated product on its way. The FDA is conducting a criminal investigation.
What do you think? If true, should someone go to jail?
Wait, there’s more.
Here’s the latest on the FDA peanut and peanut butter recalls. Thai food, candy, cookies, snack mixes, even dog food. The FDA says, “Major national brands of jarred peanut butter” are not in this recall. Girl Scout Cookies and Reese’s also say they’re not implicated because their peanuts don’t come from the Peanut Corporation of America.
by James Hubbard, M.D., M.P.H.
I’m sure you know by now the FDA is getting rid of foods containing peanut butter faster than I can say Jif. (No, it’s not one of them.) First tomatoes, now peanut butter. Is there no end to the misery?
James Hubbard’s My Family Doctor has been following the case closely. Our dedicated managing editor has made it her mission to specifically find out if Girl Scout cookies are safe to eat, or will that industry go down in flames like Lehman Brothers, Fannie Mae and the Republican party before them.
by James Hubbard, M.D., M.P.H.
Consumers Union is upset with the FDA, calling for an overhaul of the agency.
Consumers Union, which publishes the popular Consumer Reports magazine, describes itself as “an expert, independent, nonprofit organization whose mission is to work for a fair, just, and safe marketplace for all consumers and to empower consumers to protect themselves.” I have always found them to be just that.
by James Hubbard, M.D., M.P.H.
If you haven’t heard of bisphenol A, you will. A study coming out in the September 17 JAMA shows an association of bisphenol A (BPA) with heart disease, diabetes and lab abnormalities of the liver.
Bisphenol A is a very common chemical found in some plastics like certain children’s toys, baby bottles, the resin lining of cans and dental sealants. Although we can absorb it through the skin and inhale it, our main exposure is diet.
At JHMFD we’ve written about companies eliminating polyvinylchoride (PVC), which can contain BPA. I’ve blogged about the NIH being concerned about exposure in children. It’s a hot topic, and everyone is exposed. So what do we do?
by Jill Weisenberger, M.S., R.D., C.D.E.
With Labor Day and its backyard cookouts around the corner, it’s time to set the record straight. We need to stop picking on mayonnaise. In fact, instead of villainizing mayonnaise, we should be celebrating it. Commercial mayonnaise is made with pasteurized eggs and vinegar. The vinegar makes the spread acidic and therefore an unlikely breeding ground for bacteria. Some research studies have even found that the growth of bacteria in meats has been slowed or stopped in the presence of commercial mayonnaise.
So what’s the likely source of the food borne illness at your picnic? (more…)
by James Hubbard, M.D., M.P.H.
The FDA has ruled out the Texas distribution center as a source of the Salmonella outbreak. The source is thought to be Jalapeno peppers from Mexico. They say it is ok to eat U.S. grown peppers.
I am not sure how you know they are grown in U.S. unless you trust who is selling them. We’ll see
by Leigh Ann Hubbard, managing editor
When our publisher James Hubbard, M.D., M.P.H., wrote about the tomato/salmonella outbreak this week, blog reader “Deborah in Chicago” asked some fantastic questions about it. “I’ve read several articles…and look at how many questions I have!!” she wrote. We took that as a challenge.
