No High Fructose Corn Syrup

From the World of YOUTUBE

2008-08-19T07:37:00.001-07:00

Do you use Byetta?

2008-08-18T16:36:00.000-07:00

It seems to me that more and more drugs are being pushed without adequate studies and warnings. If you take Byetta, please read this article that I found via ABCNEWS:

FDA Reports Deaths With Diabetes Drug Byetta
FDA working on new warning label for Amylin, Eli Lilly drug Byetta after deaths reported
By MATTHEW PERRONE AP Business WriterWASHINGTON August 18, 2008 (AP)

Federal regulators are working on a stronger label for a widely used diabetes drug marketed by Amylin Pharmaceuticals Inc. and Eli Lilly & Co. after deaths were reported with the medication despite earlier government warnings.

The Food and Drug Administration said Monday it has received six new reports of patients developing a dangerous form of pancreatitis while taking Byetta. Two of the patients died and four were recovering.
Regulators stressed that patients should stop taking Byetta immediately if they develop signs of acute pancreatitis, a swelling of the pancreas that can cause nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. The FDA warned that it is very difficult to distinguish acute pancreatitis from less dangerous forms of the condition

2008-07-25T23:37:00.000-07:00

R.I.P. Randy Pausch

2008-07-25T08:55:00.000-07:00

Food Safety article in WSJ

2008-07-23T09:03:00.001-07:00

The Wall Street Journal had an interesting article today on Food Safety. Something I feel is well worth your reading time. I'm including a bit but please check out their webpage at this link for the complete article.

Salmonella Outbreak Exposes Food-Safety Flaws

Lack of Preparation
And Poor Records
Cause Delays, Errors

By JANE ZHANG and JANET ADAMY
July 23, 2008; Page A2

The twisting road that led federal investigators to announce Monday that they found a single contaminated jalapeño pepper grown in Mexico and sitting at a distribution center in McAllen, Texas -- the smoking gun in the continuing salmonella outbreak long blamed on tomatoes -- has exposed problems in the U.S. food-safety system.

After weeks of trying to get to the bottom of the outbreak, it occurred to investigators in late June that they had to look beyond fresh tomatoes. In at least two large clusters of illnesses, tomatoes weren't a factor, and cases kept piling up after the government had warned consumers to avoid eating fresh tomatoes.

Hurdles to the probe ranged from poor record-keeping for tracking fresh produce to some overwhelmed state health departments to the fact that jalapeños had never before been implicated in a salmonella outbreak.

"It's a mess -- that's part of the problem with the food-safety system we have today," said Michael Doyle, director of the University of Georgia's Center for Food Safety. "When folks get together at the table, no one is officially in charge. Sometimes one person talks over another."

The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one of 12 federal agencies responsible for food safety, relies heavily on state health departments to test stool samples. But some states don't have the money or resources to handle that task quickly. Delays in reporting -- Texas, with the largest number of cases, had a backlog -- slowed the probe.

The Salmonella scare

2008-07-14T17:40:00.000-07:00

It seems that everyday more information is NOT known about this latest outbreak. It truly is a bit scary. I am hoping that it will put a spotlight on what a vulnerable position we are in when it comes to our food supply.

Changed the Layout Today

2008-07-10T13:49:00.000-07:00

Hope things will show up better. Also hope to have more contributors for this one.

Are we ever going to admit

2008-07-10T12:47:00.001-07:00

that somewhere along the line we have not kept track of our food supply the way we should. This comes from the New York Times article about the Salmonella outbreak reaching 1,000+. You can read the article at the NYT website by clicking this link.

All four items cited today are common ingredients in some of the building blocks of Mexican cuisine, and the C.D.C. told consumers to stay away from fresh salsa, guacamole and pico de gallo if they wish to reduce the risk of infection.

In the months since the outbreak was first detected in April, the agency has identified 1,017 people who were infected with the same strain, Salmonella Saintpaul. But officials warned that “it is likely that many more illnesses have occurred than those reported.”

The illness usually lasts less than a week without treatment, but 203 people were hospitalized with severe conditions. As with nearly any infection, the very young and the very old face the most risk. Indeed, the C.D.C. said that the death in Texas of a man in his 80’s was directly tied to salmonella.

Enjoy your 4th

2008-07-03T18:05:00.000-07:00

Myspace Graphics | July 4th Comments | Myspace layouts

Beef Recall - Kroger's

2008-07-02T09:09:00.000-07:00

Kroger grocery stores are recalling Private Selection Natural Ground Beef sold in 16 oz. packages located in the self-service meat case.

If you have Private Selection Natural Ground Beef marked with "sell by" dates of July 11 through July 21, Kroger is asking you to return the product to a store for a full refund or replacement.

This affects Kroger's Atlanta Division -- which include stores in Georgia, South Carolina, Eastern Tennessee and Alabama.

Kroger shoppers who have questions about this recall are encouraged to call 800-632-6900 or visit www.kroger.com/recalls.

In the News

2008-06-26T10:33:00.000-07:00

I truly try to present a balanced blog. I think the best consumer is an educated consumer. The Wall Street Journal has an article about the industry's newest campaign. I think it is a good read. Please visit their site at this link to see the complete article. I am sharing just a bit of it now

High Fructose Corn Syrup Mixes It Up
Sweetener Advocate,
Soured by Obesity Links,
Targets Moms in Ads
By SUZANNE VRANICA
June 23, 2008; Page B7

The high-fructose corn-syrup business is fighting back.

In recent years, there have been a series of research papers and studies linking HFCS to the rise in obesity in the U.S. While sugar has to some degree also been blamed for America's growing weight problems, HFCS, because it is manufactured, has come under greater criticism by consumers and some health professionals.

Now a Washington trade group is trying to rehabilitate the reputation of the longtime sweetener. Beginning today, the Corn Refiners Association is launching a big ad and public-relations campaign to convince consumers that HFCS isn't the evil it has been made out to be.

Happy Father's Day

2008-06-15T19:51:00.000-07:00

Zazzle Gallery

2008-06-12T17:35:00.001-07:00

make custom gifts at Zazzle

In the News

2008-06-09T18:29:00.000-07:00

via RedlandsDaily Facts where the entire story can be seen

School district's milk vendor pulls sugary ingredient
Staff Writer
Article Launched: 06/09/2008 10:15:17 AM PDT

REDLANDS - Students at Redlands' public schools will have healthier milk choices, thanks to the district's milk vendor.

El Monte-based Driftwood Dairy announced today that it has removed high-fructose corn syrup from its flavored milk.

The company said its reason for substituting evaporated cane juice was because it wanted to take responsibility for its customers' health.

It's the Weekend - Sharing one of our Playlists

2008-06-06T15:25:00.000-07:00

First Five Ingredients

2008-05-31T14:20:00.000-07:00

For about a year or two I've been reading and hearing to pay attention to the first 5 ingredients of things I eat. I keep getting advice that none of the bad stuff should be in the first 5, but I find it so hard to find things that don't have the "bad stuff" there. From time to time I will post the first 5 of things that I come across.

2008-05-26T18:52:00.001-07:00

Happy Mother's Day!

2008-05-11T08:15:00.000-07:00

Myspace Graphics at WishAFriend.com

don't you just hate

2008-04-25T16:15:00.001-07:00

when your widget doesn't show up? Ate off of a food truck today so who knows what was in the food I ate.

Happy Earth Day!

2008-04-22T11:36:00.000-07:00

SCROLLING="no" MARGINWIDTH="0" MARGINHEIGHT="0" 
SRC="http://www.epa.gov/widgets/daystoearthday.htm">

MMMMM......

2008-04-16T14:04:00.000-07:00

Had some Trader Joe's 100% Grapefruit Juice. Delicious. Absolutely No High Fructose Corn Syrup. Just 100% Grapefruit Juice. 100% flavor. yum

Reading the Label: Juicy Juice - Kiwi Strawberry

2008-04-01T14:50:00.000-07:00

This one looks good so far. It contains 100% Juice and NO HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP

Ingredients (per label): Apple Juice, Grape Juice, Kiwi Juice and Strawberry Juice (water, juice concentrates), natural flavors, ascorbic acid(vitamin c), citric acid)

I must say I always wonder what exactly is "natural flavors" And I always laugh that for Kiwi Strawberry Juice the first juices listed are apple and grape

HFCS - Kraft's Catalina Dressing

2008-04-01T13:45:00.000-07:00

I am hoping to set an example for my family and speak out more. Ask questions that need to be asked. Will it make a difference? I truly don't know but for me it is better than just complaining.

Today when I was about to eat my salad I pulled out the Kraft Catalina Dressing to add to it. Before I did I decided to look and see what it had in it. I was surprised to see that the first ingredient listed was HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP - the first ingredient! It was followed by Tomato Puree, Soybean Oil, Vinegar, Salt, Water and some other stuff. By why did HFCS have to be the #1 ingredient. I decided to choose a different dressing.

I think maneuvered through the kraftfoods.com website and finally sent in this note:

I recently bought Kraft Catalina Dressing and was dismayed to find that HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP was listed as the number 1 ingredient. What steps are you taking to address serious issues concerning this ingredient. Until you start looking at health risks over profit I will no longer purchase this product

It is not my best letter but I'm at least I did something

What doesn't have High Fructose Corn Syrup in it?

2008-03-31T13:32:00.000-07:00

I am finding that here in the USA it is hard to find products without High Fructose Corn Syrup in it and it is beyond frustrating. So you can say this blog was written out of frustration.