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We need help in getting people out to vote for Barack Obama. Today is the day that we can all choose hope over fear, diversity over division.



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Sweetener 'makes you fat and could dampen the effect of some medicines'

By Sean Poulter
Last updated at 7:40 AM on 21st October 2008

Splenda

Splenda, a sweetener used as a sugar replacement, has been linked to weight gain

The effectiveness of calorie-free sweetener Splenda is in question after a controversial study linked it to weight gain.

There are also suggestions that it could dampen the effect of some medicines.

The sweetener, known generically as sucralose, is the preferred sugar alternative of millions of dieters while top brands use it to create diet versions of popular products.

Splenda has an advantage over other artificial sweeteners because
it is made from sugar, which gives it a natural appeal.

However, the results of the latest study in the U.S. have raised questions over its effectiveness as an aid to weight loss.

Researchers who fed rats different doses of Splenda over 12 weeks found the animals put on more weight than a control group not given the sweetener.

FULL ARTICLE AT THIS LINK

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I read this on CNN today. I think it is good news and overdue news. I do believe many people will end up choosing more locally grown or manufactured items and it will make a lot of these producers and manufacturers tighten up on their food preparation.

Foods to get COOL: Country-of-origin labeling

WASHINGTON (AP) -- No more wondering where your hamburger came from, or where your lettuce and tomatoes were grown: Starting this week, shoppers will see lots more foods labeled with the country of origin.

It's a law years in the making but timely, as China's milk scandal and the recent salmonella-tainted Mexican peppers prompt growing concern over the safety of imported foods.

Still, hold the import-bashing: Numerous outbreaks in recent years have come from U.S.-produced foods, such as spinach grown in California.

Until now, shoppers have had little clue where many everyday foods -- meats, fresh fruits and vegetables, certain nuts -- originate. That's what the so-called COOL law, for country-of-origin labeling, changes.

FOR COMPLETE STORY CLICK HERE

I am sure we will be hearing more about this in the months to come as more research is done. Meanwhile I am passing on a bit of an article I read at US News about the (possible?)link. Click this link for the complete article.

Heart Disease, Diabetes Linked to Chemical in Plastics
Research on bisphenol A fuels calls for a ban on the chemical's use in hard plastics and metal cans
By Deborah Kotz
Posted September 16, 2008

"Just one word...plastics," a memorable line from the 1967 movie The Graduate, has taken on a whole new meaning. Then, plastics held all the future's promise. Now, we've come to fear them, in part because of the potential health dangers posed by bisphenol A, a chemical found in hard, clear plastics and most cans containing foods or beverages. The spotlight over the past year has been on rigid plastic baby bottles and plastic-lined cans of infant formula. That's natural, since babies are thought to be most vulnerable to BPA's reproductive health effects; in animal studies, exposure early in life increased long-term risk of uterine fibroids, endometriosis, decreased sperm counts, and breast and prostate cancer.

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

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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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.

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.

Myspace Graphics at WishAFriend.com

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

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

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

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

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.