Don't kiss turtles, even in Britain
The UK Health Protection Agency reports that cases of Salmonella Arizonae have been on the increase and can be particularly harmful to infants.
The Telegraph reports that Dr Tansy Peters told the HPA's annual conference,
"Although it is comparatively rare in humans, a study of samples submitted to our laboratory for testing from January 1998 to December 2007 shows that there has been a significant increase in both numerical and percentage terms.
"That may be a reflection of the increased popularity of reptiles as pets.
"This is a very worrying trend and infants and young children with their immature immune systems and weaker gastric acids are disproportionately affected. We even find cases in breast and formula-fed infants and it is unlikely that they acquired their infection from a source other than indirectly, via the parents, from the family's pet reptile. Reptiles shed salmonella in their faeces and carry it on their skin and the public health implications of this inside the home should not be underestimated."
And if you have them in the home, don't kiss them.
Note to the mother country: Food safety is not simple
The UK Food Standards Agency continues to set new lows for communicating about food safety issues with the public that pays them to communicate with them.
And the Brits seem to have this obsession with how food safety is simple.
There is an outbreak of Salmonella Agona in the UK and Ireland that has sickened about 80 people of all ages, but predominantly young adults.
In the FSA release, the government agency says, “the source of the outbreak is not yet known” and that “when the Agency has further information or useful advice for consumers in relation to this outbreak it will publish it immediately.”
Fair enough. But FSA then feels it necessary, in some weird paternalistic way, to tell Brits that,
“In the meantime, there are simple measures you can take to reduce the risk of food poisoning … Always follow the manufacturers cooking instructions for food intended to be eaten hot and make sure it is piping hot throughout.”
What if the instructions suck, like with pot pies?
“When eating out, always make sure the hot food you have ordered is served piping hot throughout – don’t be afraid to ask for it to be re-heated."
If food safety is so simple, why are there all these sick people and no identified source? Piping hot is too subjective. And since when does anyone have to ask a Brit to be more assertive? Go to a football match.
Seriously, for the millions of dollars spent on risk communication and food safety, this is the best FSA can do?
And the Brits seem to have this obsession with how food safety is simple. There is an outbreak of Salmonella Agona in the UK and Ireland that has sickened about 80 people of all ages, but predominantly young adults.
In the FSA release, the government agency says, “the source of the outbreak is not yet known” and that “when the Agency has further information or useful advice for consumers in relation to this outbreak it will publish it immediately.”
Fair enough. But FSA then feels it necessary, in some weird paternalistic way, to tell Brits that,
“In the meantime, there are simple measures you can take to reduce the risk of food poisoning … Always follow the manufacturers cooking instructions for food intended to be eaten hot and make sure it is piping hot throughout.”
What if the instructions suck, like with pot pies?
“When eating out, always make sure the hot food you have ordered is served piping hot throughout – don’t be afraid to ask for it to be re-heated."
If food safety is so simple, why are there all these sick people and no identified source? Piping hot is too subjective. And since when does anyone have to ask a Brit to be more assertive? Go to a football match.
Seriously, for the millions of dollars spent on risk communication and food safety, this is the best FSA can do?
For modern women who want the healthy organic lifestyle: celebrity chef tells how to poison yourself
Healthy & Organic Living, a UK magazine with a circulation of 40,000 and described as, “the only magazine dedicated to providing information and advice for modern women who want to discover how to lead a healthy and organic lifestyle,” has instead published some ancient advice on how to barf.
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Antony Worrall Thompson, a UK celebrity chef whom Gordon Ramsey once called a Teletubby and has made barfblog for using paving stones as a kitchen counter at a public BBQ, told the August issue of Healthy and Organic Living that henbane is great in salads.
In Hamlet, Claudius uses a potion containing the drug to kill the king.
Yesterday Mr Worrall Thompson, and Healthy & Organic Living, who published his culinary wisdom, issued an apology, reminding readers that henbane “is a very toxic plant and should never be eaten”.
Andrew Chevalier, a fellow of the National Institute of Medical Herbalists, said,
“It’s a close relative of deadly nightshade and is a very well recognized poisonous plant. Like most poisons it has medicinal properties. It can be used to treat patients with pain affecting the urinary tubules, such as kidney stones, and for certain gut problems. It acts as a sedative, with analgesic properties.”
Those who had followed Mr Worrall Thompson’s lead and constructed a salad of henbane should seek medical help, Mr Chevalier said. “A good portion would probably cause significant gastrointestinal diffculties and a larger dose would be fatal. If anyone has followed Mr Worrall Thompson’s advice they should dial 999 and prepare to have their stomach pumped.”
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Antony Worrall Thompson, a UK celebrity chef whom Gordon Ramsey once called a Teletubby and has made barfblog for using paving stones as a kitchen counter at a public BBQ, told the August issue of Healthy and Organic Living that henbane is great in salads.In Hamlet, Claudius uses a potion containing the drug to kill the king.
Yesterday Mr Worrall Thompson, and Healthy & Organic Living, who published his culinary wisdom, issued an apology, reminding readers that henbane “is a very toxic plant and should never be eaten”.
Andrew Chevalier, a fellow of the National Institute of Medical Herbalists, said,
“It’s a close relative of deadly nightshade and is a very well recognized poisonous plant. Like most poisons it has medicinal properties. It can be used to treat patients with pain affecting the urinary tubules, such as kidney stones, and for certain gut problems. It acts as a sedative, with analgesic properties.”
Those who had followed Mr Worrall Thompson’s lead and constructed a salad of henbane should seek medical help, Mr Chevalier said. “A good portion would probably cause significant gastrointestinal diffculties and a larger dose would be fatal. If anyone has followed Mr Worrall Thompson’s advice they should dial 999 and prepare to have their stomach pumped.”
Bunny blamed for UK cryptosporidium alert
Experts investigating the contamination of Northampton's water supply with cryptosporidium have discovered the root of the problem - a small rabbit that found its way into a tank.
Just a harmless little bunny rabbit, like in Monty Python and the Holy Grail (right).
A spokesman for Anglian Water said,
"Following extensive investigations, we can now confirm that the source of the cryptosporidium in the water has been linked to a small rabbit, which gained access to the treatment process via a remote ancillary tank shortly before cryptosporidia were detected. More scientific work will be undertaken to understand the unusual type of cryptosporidium found in this case."
Homewoners could be set for a cash rebate of up to £30 to compensate for the loss of water, with residents forced to endure days of having to boil water for drinking and cooking.
Just a harmless little bunny rabbit, like in Monty Python and the Holy Grail (right).A spokesman for Anglian Water said,
"Following extensive investigations, we can now confirm that the source of the cryptosporidium in the water has been linked to a small rabbit, which gained access to the treatment process via a remote ancillary tank shortly before cryptosporidia were detected. More scientific work will be undertaken to understand the unusual type of cryptosporidium found in this case."
Homewoners could be set for a cash rebate of up to £30 to compensate for the loss of water, with residents forced to endure days of having to boil water for drinking and cooking.
UK government vets gagged on badger cull
Farmers Guardian is reporting that UK government veterinarians, in the interest of an open and frank discussion, have been told to sit quietly and not express their views on whether badgers should be culled to control bovine TB -- unless their opinion agrees with whatever the government decides to do.
In a circular email, seen by Farmers Guardian, the Defra agency has told all its staff that a major announcement from Defra on TB policy, including the decision on badger culling, is expected ‘within the next few weeks’.
The message, sent by Animal Health field services director Andy Foxcroft, says it is ‘essential that all members of Animal Health are seen to support Government policy’ whatever decision is made, stating, “I appreciate that this maybe challenging, given the strong views some of our customers groups hold about the issues. However, I know that you will appreciate that it is critical. Therefore, all Animal Health staff who come into contact with customers, either by telephone or in person, will be expected to not express any disagreement with the Defra position on TB strategy at any stage."
A former state vet, who asked to remain anonymous, said old colleagues were ‘surprised’ by the email that smacked of ‘paranoia.’
An Animal Health spokeswoman said the agency had "taken the opportunity to remind our staff of the need to support" Defra policy, whatever decision is made in order ‘to ensure there is no confusion."
"Farmers need one clear message on the position on bTB."
In a circular email, seen by Farmers Guardian, the Defra agency has told all its staff that a major announcement from Defra on TB policy, including the decision on badger culling, is expected ‘within the next few weeks’.The message, sent by Animal Health field services director Andy Foxcroft, says it is ‘essential that all members of Animal Health are seen to support Government policy’ whatever decision is made, stating, “I appreciate that this maybe challenging, given the strong views some of our customers groups hold about the issues. However, I know that you will appreciate that it is critical. Therefore, all Animal Health staff who come into contact with customers, either by telephone or in person, will be expected to not express any disagreement with the Defra position on TB strategy at any stage."
A former state vet, who asked to remain anonymous, said old colleagues were ‘surprised’ by the email that smacked of ‘paranoia.’
An Animal Health spokeswoman said the agency had "taken the opportunity to remind our staff of the need to support" Defra policy, whatever decision is made in order ‘to ensure there is no confusion."
"Farmers need one clear message on the position on bTB."
UK celebrity chef told to clean up BBQ
Antony Worrall Thompson, a UK celebrity chef whom Gordon Ramsey once called a Teletubby back in 2005, was criticised by environmental health officers after a barbecue at one of his gastro pubs.
Inspectors from South Oxfordshire district council objected to a counter that was made from unsealed paving stones, a potential breeding ground for germs, and a missing floor tile near the barbecue.
Vanessa Ong, the environmental health officer, said surfaces must be made from materials that are "smooth, washable, corrosion resistant and non-toxic" and floors must be maintained in a sound condition and be easy to clean and disinfect.
Worrall Thompson said the paving stone counter was purely decorative and had since been sealed, adding
"Everything had been done properly before we opened. They came round when it wasn't in operation and then they put this on their website. I'm a little incensed and I will be having words with the council."
Inspectors from South Oxfordshire district council objected to a counter that was made from unsealed paving stones, a potential breeding ground for germs, and a missing floor tile near the barbecue.Vanessa Ong, the environmental health officer, said surfaces must be made from materials that are "smooth, washable, corrosion resistant and non-toxic" and floors must be maintained in a sound condition and be easy to clean and disinfect.
Worrall Thompson said the paving stone counter was purely decorative and had since been sealed, adding
"Everything had been done properly before we opened. They came round when it wasn't in operation and then they put this on their website. I'm a little incensed and I will be having words with the council."
Why are UK butchers -- and inspectors -- apparently so lousy?
This isn't about the Butcher of Wales, or the Butcher of Scotland. This time, it's the Butcher of Leeds,
The Yorkshire Post reports today that a butcher's shop at the centre of one of Yorkshire's most serious food poisoning outbreaks was found to be "filthy" by inspectors two years before it was shut down.
About 60 people were struck down by E-coli O157 during an outbreak in Leeds in 2006 that led to an investigation into Todd's Pork and Beef Butchers in Armley and its stall at Kirkgate Market.
Papers released under the Freedom of Information Act reveal that Todd's was warned several times about poor hygiene standards and practices.
Hilary Cobley, whose late husband Neil was struck down by poisoning as he was due to undergo chemotherapy, was quoted as saying the outbreak was "no accident", adding,
"I don't think this happened overnight. When they shut the shop you could see the muck on the floor. It is a shame that they can't make them pay the fine."
The Yorkshire Post reports today that a butcher's shop at the centre of one of Yorkshire's most serious food poisoning outbreaks was found to be "filthy" by inspectors two years before it was shut down.
About 60 people were struck down by E-coli O157 during an outbreak in Leeds in 2006 that led to an investigation into Todd's Pork and Beef Butchers in Armley and its stall at Kirkgate Market.Papers released under the Freedom of Information Act reveal that Todd's was warned several times about poor hygiene standards and practices.
Hilary Cobley, whose late husband Neil was struck down by poisoning as he was due to undergo chemotherapy, was quoted as saying the outbreak was "no accident", adding,
"I don't think this happened overnight. When they shut the shop you could see the muck on the floor. It is a shame that they can't make them pay the fine."
In the name of science: women wanted to eat chocolate for a year
Scientists in the UK are seeking 150 women to eat chocolate every day for a year in the cause of medical research.
The trial, at the University of East Anglia in Norwich, eastern England, will test whether a natural compound found in cocoa, the main ingredient of chocolate, could cut the risk of heart disease among women with diabetes.
A Belgian confectionist has created the special chocolate bar containing high levels of flavonoids -- a plant compound that has been shown to reduce heart risk factors -- to be used in the experiment. Soy, another natural source of flavonoids, has also been added to the bar.
Participants, who must be postmenopausal women under the age of 70, will have their risk of heart disease tested on five occasions during the year to see whether change occurs.
The trial, at the University of East Anglia in Norwich, eastern England, will test whether a natural compound found in cocoa, the main ingredient of chocolate, could cut the risk of heart disease among women with diabetes.A Belgian confectionist has created the special chocolate bar containing high levels of flavonoids -- a plant compound that has been shown to reduce heart risk factors -- to be used in the experiment. Soy, another natural source of flavonoids, has also been added to the bar.
Participants, who must be postmenopausal women under the age of 70, will have their risk of heart disease tested on five occasions during the year to see whether change occurs.
Mystery meat
From pepperoni to prosciutto, sausages and cured meats from continental Europe are going to be targeted by UK inspectors amid several Salmonella incidents reported to the Health Protection Agency and linked to the products.
French, Italian, Belgium, and Dutch markets are listed as targets in the briefing documents sent to food safety departments across Sussex. Farmers' markets and town markets will also be visited for samples.
Inspectors across Sussex will take hundreds of samples of biltong, continental sausages such as salamis, pepperoni and mettwurst and cured meat like proscuitto during the next 12 months.
Apart from specialist meats, egg mixes from restaurants and takeaways as well as packaged nuts will be tested.
French, Italian, Belgium, and Dutch markets are listed as targets in the briefing documents sent to food safety departments across Sussex. Farmers' markets and town markets will also be visited for samples.Inspectors across Sussex will take hundreds of samples of biltong, continental sausages such as salamis, pepperoni and mettwurst and cured meat like proscuitto during the next 12 months.
Apart from specialist meats, egg mixes from restaurants and takeaways as well as packaged nuts will be tested.
Don't sleep with dogs, warns chief vet
The first time I met Amy was Oct. 24, 2005.
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Ben and I had arrived in Manhattan (Kansas) a couple of days earlier, and our first official function was to serve as the entertainment at a meeting of the Canadian Studies club at Kansas State University. They wanted to see what real hosers were like, and Ben and I wanted free sandwiches, so it worked out well.
Amy said something about being a French professor and I said French food sucked.
At some point we got talking about dogs and food safety, and Amy mentioned that she let her dog sleep on her bed (below) and I said that was a microbiological nightmare.
Or something like that.
Fred Landeg, the U.K.'s acting Chief Veterinary Officer, said today dogs should not be allowed to sleep in their owners’ beds or even in the same room in case they pass on diseases, such as campylobacter and salmonella as well as exotic diseases.
"As a veterinary surgeon I would never advise people to keep dogs in their bedroom."
I was being dramatic when I first met Amy. Our dogs sleep in the bedroom but not on the bed.
Ben and I had arrived in Manhattan (Kansas) a couple of days earlier, and our first official function was to serve as the entertainment at a meeting of the Canadian Studies club at Kansas State University. They wanted to see what real hosers were like, and Ben and I wanted free sandwiches, so it worked out well. Amy said something about being a French professor and I said French food sucked.
At some point we got talking about dogs and food safety, and Amy mentioned that she let her dog sleep on her bed (below) and I said that was a microbiological nightmare.
Or something like that.
Fred Landeg, the U.K.'s acting Chief Veterinary Officer, said today dogs should not be allowed to sleep in their owners’ beds or even in the same room in case they pass on diseases, such as campylobacter and salmonella as well as exotic diseases.
"As a veterinary surgeon I would never advise people to keep dogs in their bedroom."
I was being dramatic when I first met Amy. Our dogs sleep in the bedroom but not on the bed.
Dr. Dude, wash your hands
People concerned about hospital cleanliness in the U.K. are being urged to challenge health workers on whether they have washed their hands.
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Andrew Pike, chief executive of South East Essex Primary Care Trust, said,
"We would encourage people using health services to question any healthcare worker, whether in hospital or the community, if they have washed their hands."
Handwashing public service announcements from the International Food Safety Network are available at:
http://barfblog.foodsafety.ksu.edu/2008/03/articles/handwashing/handwashing-public-service-announcements/
Andrew Pike, chief executive of South East Essex Primary Care Trust, said,"We would encourage people using health services to question any healthcare worker, whether in hospital or the community, if they have washed their hands."
Handwashing public service announcements from the International Food Safety Network are available at:
http://barfblog.foodsafety.ksu.edu/2008/03/articles/handwashing/handwashing-public-service-announcements/
Thieves beware: Englishman will defend farm with "chickenshit"
Joe Watson-Webb, a retired showman, has come up with a novel way to deal with potential thieves: firing chickenshit at them from a 30-foot catapult (Right, from Daily Mail)
Local cops have said that they will prosecute Watson-Webb if he uses the catapult to defend his property against arsonists and robbers, but he says,
"I'm not out to kill anyone or even hurt them. I just want to keep yobs off my land. … This is a serious issue. People all over Britain are sick and tired of feeling like prisoners in their own homes and seeing yobs get away with it."
Local cops have said that they will prosecute Watson-Webb if he uses the catapult to defend his property against arsonists and robbers, but he says,"I'm not out to kill anyone or even hurt them. I just want to keep yobs off my land. … This is a serious issue. People all over Britain are sick and tired of feeling like prisoners in their own homes and seeing yobs get away with it."
We haven't had a problem for 22 years so why train staff?
The Manchester Evening News reports that in June 2006, eight people who dined at Fu's restaurant on Manchester Road, Mossley, U.K., suffered food poisoning and contacted Tameside Council environmental health department. Eventually, 12 complaints of salmonella were reported.
Environmental health officers visited, and found cooked duck stored in cardboard boxes where raw poultry had been, dirty chopping boards and no cleaning or drying equipment for the hand basin near the staff toilets.
Directors of the Cantonese restaurant pleaded guilty to eight offences under food hygiene laws at Tameside magistrates' court Dec. 28/07, and were fined £14,000.
A major shareholder was cited as saying he didn't ensure staff had sufficient hygiene training because he had been trading 22 years without a problem.
Environmental health officers visited, and found cooked duck stored in cardboard boxes where raw poultry had been, dirty chopping boards and no cleaning or drying equipment for the hand basin near the staff toilets.Directors of the Cantonese restaurant pleaded guilty to eight offences under food hygiene laws at Tameside magistrates' court Dec. 28/07, and were fined £14,000.
A major shareholder was cited as saying he didn't ensure staff had sufficient hygiene training because he had been trading 22 years without a problem.
Fancy food does not mean safe food -- really
Proving once again that fancy food does not mean safe food, Your Local Guardian reports that of the 539 establishments rated in Merton, U.K. this year under the Scores on the Doors rating scheme, supported by the Food Standards Agency, 94 were given a one-star or "poor" rating and 31 were given a no star or "very poor" rating, making a total of 125.The rating ranges from no stars for the worst levels of compliance, through to five stars for the very best standards of food safety management. A two star rating is defined as largely compliant with national requirements.
Jeff Ward, general manager of Cannizaro House Hotel, which received no stars, said"We are the only four-star hotel in the area and have two rosettes from the AA. I was shocked by the rating. We have spent £20,000 on the kitchen since then and will be inviting the inspectors back to reassess us now."
Steve Barr, Secretary of London Scottish Golf Club, which received no stars, said, "We think the rating was unfair because we were in the process of changing our steward and caterers. We are very confident we will get a much better rating next time."
Fancy food does not mean safe food -- Kosher edition
A Jewish Chronicle investigation of 59 UK establishments assessed over the last two years found that 30 received either zero- or one-star ratings; just two were graded five-star and another two four-star.
The rating ranges from no stars for the worst levels of compliance, through to five stars for the very best standards of food safety management. A two star rating is defined as largely compliant with national requirements.
Kashrut representatives variously expressed surprise and disappointment at the findings, but maintained that hygiene standards were high within the kosher market.
Uh huh.
The rating ranges from no stars for the worst levels of compliance, through to five stars for the very best standards of food safety management. A two star rating is defined as largely compliant with national requirements.Kashrut representatives variously expressed surprise and disappointment at the findings, but maintained that hygiene standards were high within the kosher market.
Uh huh.
53 sick with Giardia in Ilkley, U.K.
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Health officials urged people suffering symptoms of giardia lamblia to stay away from swimming pools as the number of infected people climbed to 53.The Ilkley Gazette reports that the investigations continue to focus on Saffron restaurant, Station Plaza, currently closed for refurbishment, after local water supplies were ruled out.
The incubation period for the bug can be up to 25 days, and those who have contracted the illness may not show symptoms until then.
The PCT is still advising anyone with the symptoms of diarrhoea, gas or flatulence, indigestion, nausea, stomach cramps, bloatedness and lethargy, to see their GP. The trust also advises food handlers and health care workers who show the symptoms to seek advice about continuing to work.
Sounds like most people in the U.S. after Thanksgiving yesterday.
