Health Scare-Salmonella in Pistachio Nuts
March 31, 2009 by Nancy
Filed under Featured Story
Setton Pistachio Co. of Terra Bella, located in Terra Bella, Ca., has recalled its 2008 crop of pistachios. The recall was issued after one of its customers, Kraft Foods, found several types of salmonella during a routine inspection.
This involves about 2 million pounds of pistachios that were sold to 36 different wholesalers nationwide.
Kraft Foods has recalled their Planters and Back to Nature products that contain Setton pistachios.
Kroger Co. recalled pistachios sold in 31 states. Their products recalled are Private Selection Shelled Pistachios. Sold in 10-ounce contains with a ’sell by’ date of DEC-13-09 and DEC-14-09; the UPS Code on the containers is 1111073615. Kroger Co. has stores with 17 different names. They are offering full refunds for packages returned to their stores.
Salmonella infections can be severe and even life threatening. Symptoms include fever, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain.
Many other products may be involved in the recall pending an investigation. David Acheson, MD and the FDA’s associate commissioner for foods advised consumers to avoid eating pistachio products and to just hold onto them to see if they are involved in the recall.
No link has yet been found between the salmonella contamination of pistachio nuts and the on going peanut recall.
Grand Strand Golf On Again for Airplane Crash Victims
Airplanes landing in emergency situations are always big news. When passenger Jeff Kolokjay’s airline flight ditched into the Hudson River January 15, it turned out to be miraculous news. Of the 150 passengers aboard the USairways airbus there wasn’t a single fatality thanks to the professional crew on board.
Jeff, from Norwalk, Conn, and five of his friends had been heading here to Myrtle Beach for a golfing holiday. Yesterday, it was reported in The Sun News, our local newspaper, that Jeff and his friends are getting another chance to golf here on the Grand Strand. A marketing group, Myrtle Beach Golf Holiday, and Legends Resorts are teaming together to arrange a free trip for the golfers at the end of April.
The group will play seven rounds at area courses, including Legends Resorts, Heritage Club, True Blue Planation and TPC of Myrtle Beach. If you’ve ever golfed in Myrtle Beach, you know these are great courses. Four nights of complimentary accommodations are included.
Of course, everyone will say it’s a publicity tactic and Bill Golden, the president of Golf Holiday, admitted to that. He also said ”they were on their way to Myrtle Beach and we need to react to that. The community wants us to react to it”.
I’m not sure how much publicity will come from it but it was a good thing to do and something good always comes out of doing good! This member of the community thinks it’s great!
Let’s hope April’s Myrtle Beach trip is much less eventful for the group. Incidentally, they plan to drive!
Vitamin D-The Sunshine Vitamin
March 30, 2009 by Nancy
Filed under Featured Story
Recent studies are suggesting we may need more vitamin D than the current recommended requirements. Nearly half the adult population and 20% of children suffer from vitamin D deficiency.
We all know the results of using vitamin D to cure rickets. Now research is showing health benefits of vitamin D for other diseases, including osteoporosis, heart disease, cancers, autoimmune diseases and diabetes.
Vitamin D stands alone as being the only vitamin that is a hormone. It is also the only vitamin that does not need to be consumed in food or supplements.
Our bodies make natural vitamin D when our skin is exposed to sunlight. We should be getting 10 to 15 minutes of sunlight a few times each week without sunscreen.
Although sunlight and vitamin D supplements are most often recommended, certain foods are also good sources of vitamin D. Catfish, sardines, tuna and whole eggs top the list. You can also find cereals, milk, yogurt and other products fortified with Vitamin D.
So check with your doctors for safe sun exposure information and their recommendations for your daily vitamin D needs, then go catch some rays!
