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.

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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?

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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.

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