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.

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.

Image credit: Foody Life.

• The FDA is still advising consumers not to eat any fresh spinach or salad blends containing fresh spinach that are consumed raw (organic and nonorganic).
• E. coli in spinach can be killed by cooking it at 160°F for 15 seconds. (Water boils at 212°F.) If spinach is cooked in a frying pan and all parts do not reach 160°F, all bacteria may not be killed.
• If consumers choose to cook spinach, they should avoid cross-contamination with other foods and cooking surfaces.
• Wash hands, utensils and surfaces with hot, soapy water before and after handling the spinach.
• If you develop diarrhea after consuming fresh spinach or salad blends that contain it, contact your healthcare provider. Have a stool specimen tested for E. coli.
• If you ate fresh spinach or salad blends before the outbreak was announced and you feel well, you do not need to see a healthcare provider.

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.

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.

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• Are Bagged Salads Hazardous to Your Health?
• Bagged Salad Risks: Part 2

“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.