Report Finds High Levels of Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria in MeatApril 17th, 2013 - Jill Ettinger
A new report released by the Environmental Working Group finds an alarming amount of the meat sold in U.S. supermarkets and restaurants contain high levels of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Read More:Report Finds High Levels of Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria in MeatHow Much Do You Weigh? It All Depends on Who Lives in Your GutApril 1st, 2013 - Jill Ettinger
Recent studies published in Science Translational Medicine and in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism point to the key role intestinal bacteria play in how easily people gain or lose weight, reports the New York Times. Read More:How Much Do You Weigh? It All Depends on Who Lives in Your GutBacteria-Tainted Salad Greens Leading Cause of Food PoisoningFebruary 2nd, 2013 - Jill Ettinger
One in 5 foodborne illnesses in the U.S. can be linked to a leafy green vegetable—more than any other food source—according to a new study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Read More:Bacteria-Tainted Salad Greens Leading Cause of Food PoisoningAlgae Turns Wastewater into BiodieselFebruary 24th, 2011 - Gerald "Gerry" Pugliese
Scientists at the Rochester Institute of Technology are working to use microalgae to clean wastewater and produce biodiesel simultaneously; the school announced in a press release last week. Purifying wastewater before sending it back into the ecosystem would reduce or eliminate pollutants, such as nitrates, phosphates, bacteria, and toxins. Microalgae consume these materials and then the algae – which are less expensive and grow quicker than corn and soybeans – can be converted into biofuel. Read More:Algae Turns Wastewater into BiodieselEggo Waffle Listeria Scare – Kellogg Plant ShutdownSeptember 16th, 2009 - Gerald "Gerry" Pugliese
Listeria pops up in foods like unpasteurized milk and ready-to-eat meals, and can weaken the immune system, making it especially dangerous to pregnant women. An investigation turned up no traces of the bacteria, but the plant remains closed. Kellogg’s officials plan to resume production in the near future. The facility halted production of Eggo Waffles, after listeria turned up in a sample of Kellogg’s Buttermilk Eggo Waffles, prompting a recall of 4,500 cases. Contamination could have occurred on a production line, but analysis revealed none of the recalled products tested positive for listeria. Kellogg said they are working with the Georgia Department of Agriculture to improve sanitation. Via Food Production Daily. Spinach WoesSeptember 19th, 2006 - Barbara Feiner
According to the FDA, there are now 21 confirmed states with infected consumers (two more than reported previously): California, Connecticut, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Utah, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming. OrganicAuthority.com will continue to provide updates through this blog as part of our commitment to organic living. Read More:Spinach WoesUpdate: Spinach and E. Coli OutbreakSeptember 18th, 2006 - Barbara Feiner
Natural Selection Foods of San Juan Bautista, Calif., is recalling all products that contain spinach in all the numerous brands they pack with “Best if Used by Dates” of Aug. 17 through Oct. 1. The company’s brands include: Natural Selection Foods, Pride of San Juan, Earthbound Farm, Bellissima, Dole, Rave Spinach, Emeril, Sysco, O Organic, Fresh Point, River Ranch, Superior, Nature’s Basket, Pro-Mark, Compliments, Trader Joe’s, Ready Pac, Jansal Valley, Cheney Brothers, Coastline, D’Arrigo Brothers, Green Harvest, Mann, Mills Family Farm, Premium Fresh, Snoboy, The Farmer’s Market, Tanimura & Antle, President’s Choice, Cross Valley and Riverside Farms. River Ranch, of El Centro, Calif., is recalling packages of spring mix containing spinach, which it obtained from Natural Selection Foods. The brands involved are Farmers Market, Hy Vee, Fresh and Easy. Products that do not contain spinach are not part of this recall. The FDA will continue to investigate whether other companies and brands are involved. E. coli causes diarrhea, often with bloody stools. While most healthy adults can recover completely within a week, some people may develop a form of kidney failure called hemolytic uremic syndrome, which usually occurs in young children and the elderly. HUS can lead to serious kidney damage and death. At press time, 109 cases of illness have been reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), including 16 cases of HUS and one death. Illnesses are still being reported, and fresh spinach should be avoided until further notice. States that have reported illnesses are: California, Connecticut, Idaho, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Utah, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming. The affected products were also distributed to Canada and Mexico. If you believe you have experienced symptoms of illness after consuming prepackaged spinach, contact your healthcare provider. OrganicAuthority.com will continue to provide updates through this blog. Suggested Reading Prevent Back-to-School Foot FungusSeptember 4th, 2006 - Barbara Feiner
“Getting away from mom and dad may be great, but college dorm life also has its downfalls, including the foot fungus and wart-causing virus that can be picked up in communal bathrooms and showers,” says Dr. Oliver Zong, a podiatrist and cosmetic foot surgeon who serves as medical advisor for PediFix. (Check out the company’s natural Tea Tree Ultimates Soaking Crystals.) “Shared showers are one of the easier places to contract fungus and bacteria because the wet, steamy atmosphere is a great place for them to breed,” he adds. “To keep feet fungus-free, college students should wear flip-flops in communal bathrooms, scrub feet regularly and check feet regularly for abnormalities. And when you’re hanging out in your dorm room, give your feet a break and go barefoot or wear sandals.” You can also practice prevention by cleaning showers and bathrooms with natural products that fit into your organic lifestyle. We recommend Seventh Generation’s Natural Citrus Bathroom Cleaner and Shower Cleaner. Read More:Prevent Back-to-School Foot Fungus |
A Kellogg’s food plant in Georgia was shutdown earlier this month over a possible outbreak of listeria bacteria.
An update on the 
As many students head back to school this week, danger lurks in communal showers and bathrooms.
