Food and Health

Summer is the season for sizzling – steaks, chicken, ribs, veggie kabobs and much more. The Connecticut Department of Public Health reminds everyone that food safety is essential when grilling outdoors and offers tips to ensure that family barbecues and backyard picnics remain fun, healthy outings.

Buffalo SAV, Inc., a Buffalo, N.Y., establishment, is recalling approximately 208,768 pounds of frozen meat and poultry products because they contain an unapproved ingredient, Amaranth Red #2, that is declared on the label, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.

The provisional listing and certification of FD&C Red #2 (Amaranth Red #2) was terminated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Food and Drug Administration. Amaranth Red #2 is not approved for use in products sold in the United States.

The Allegheny County Health Department is offering food safety tips for July 4th cookouts and summer picnics.

“Don’t let carelessness spoil your food and your holiday, whether you’re eating in your own backyard or at a picnic away from home,” said County Health Director Dr. Bruce W. Dixon.

The key to preventing food poisoning is good personal hygiene, along with temperature control and adequate cooking of potentially hazardous foods, according to health officials.

Monmouth County Division of Social Services is ready to help local seniors who may not be able to afford a nutritionally balanced diet.

As part of the state’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance for Seniors (SNAS) program, the division is working to support senior citizens who live alone, who receive supplemental security income and who may need help covering their food costs.

It is common to think that coffee causes bad breath. Contrary to this belief, the elements present in coffee could prevent the appearance of the bacteria that causes bad breath, according to a team of Israeli researchers who presented their work in April for members of international society for research on the breath, Germany.

Results of a new study reveals a link between consuming animal fat from dairy, and possibly red meat, and pancreatic cancer. In men, the relative increased risk of pancreatic cancer increased fifty three percent – for women, the risk increased twenty three percent, compared to a low animal fat diet.

Laxson Provision Company, a San Antonio, Texas, establishment, is recalling approximately 350 pounds of a cervelat sausage product that may be undercooked, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.

The following products are subject to recall:

* 3 - 3.5-pound vacuum packed chubs of "Ready to Eat Laxson Quality Meat Products CERVELAT." Each label bears the lot number "8952" and the date of production "Produced June 0809" as well as the establishment number "EST-13342" inside the USDA mark of inspection.

Now that summer is here, Health Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency would like to remind Canadians of steps they can take to protect themselves from food-borne illnesses: clean, separate, cook and chill.

As the temperature rises, so does the risk of food-borne illness. Hot, humid weather creates the perfect conditions for the rapid growth of bacteria. Summer also means more people are cooking outside without easy access to refrigeration and washing facilities to keep food safe.

Retinoic acid, a derivative of vitamin A, could lead researchers to a new set of drug targets for treating breast cancer, researchers from the University of Chicago report in the June 26, 2009, issue of the journal Cell.

Health Canada is advising Canadians against consuming large amounts of bitter apricot kernels or products containing these kernels because of the risk of cyanide poisoning. Bitter apricot kernels contain a natural substance that can release cyanide into the body after being consumed. This has resulted in at least one Canadian consumer having serious adverse reactions requiring hospitalization.