March 2006

Health officials are warning parents that a nasty stomach virus is making its way through the county’s daycare centers — sending at least six children to the hospital. At least two caretakers at the centers also have been infected. Many more infants and toddlers have similar symptoms but have not been tested for the virus.

The USDA plans to start testing for Salmonella bacteria in plants that process turkeys. The department for years has been doing similar carcass testing in plants that slaughter hogs, cattle and chickens.

During Agriculture Department testing of turkeys in 2001 and 2002, about 13percent of the samples turned up positive, a comparable rate to chickens

The Guilford County Department of Public Health is confirming an increased number of diarrhea illnesses in county child-care centers over the past several weeks. Symptoms of diarrhea, vomiting and fever among children and center workers have occurred in 25 child-care centers, officials said. Some child-care classrooms have experienced multiple incidents of diarrhea.

Six documented cases

Food poisoning is the result of ingesting organisms or toxins, such as the bacteria E. coli and salmonella, in contaminated foods. Symptoms, including nausea and vomiting, abdominal cramps and diarrhea, fever and chills, weakness and headache, usually begin two to six hours after eating, although they can begin sooner or as long as several days

Trevor Suslow, an Extension postharvest pathology specialist at the University of California, Davis, detailed how growers can establish GAPs for their operations in a presentation during the 33rd Annual Almond Industry Conference in Modesto, California.

In response to recalls of contaminated almonds in 2001 and 2004, the Almond Board of California adopted in 2004 a

Grape seeds, chives and Korean pine nut oil might have more in common than their ability to add zest to meals. According to new research, all three foods may also help boost health and fight disease.

The three studies were presented March 26-28 at the American Chemical Society annual meeting, in Atlanta. They highlight, respectively

New research indicates chives might fight food poisoning.

Laboratory tests at the North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University have shown that chive extracts had strong antibiotic activity against dozens of salmonella strains, which comprise one of the leading causes of food-borne illness.

Researchers said chive extracts might provide a natural alternative to artificial preservatives

Chances are higher today than they were just a few years ago that the chicken you buy will be contaminated with the bacteria salmonella. But the government hasn’t been doing much about the situation because it lacks the authority.

Critics of government policy say there is a link between the lack of government action

To avoid the possibility of foodborne illness, fresh eggs must be handled carefully. Even eggs with clean, uncracked shells may occasionally contain bacteria called Salmonella that can cause an intestinal infection.

The most effective way to prevent egg-related illness is by knowing how to buy, store, handle and cook eggs, or foods that contain them