Insidermedicine in 60 - June 4, 2008

From Chicago - The FDA is reporting an outbreak of Salmonella that may stem from eating raw tomatoes. Outbreaks have been reported in 9 states, with two of them, Texas and New Mexico, linking the reports to tomatoes. So far at least 17 people have been hospitalized, and the FDA has reported that, according to preliminary data, the varieties to blame may be raw red plum, red Roma, or round red tomatoes.

From Washington - A consumer advocacy group is pressuring the FDA to ban the use of eight artificial food colorings. The group cites studies that have been conducted over the last 30 years which have shown that these artificial dyes may lead to hyperactivity and behavior problems in some children. The FDA maintains that color additives undergo comprehensive safety reviews prior to approval and are considered safe for the general population.

And finally, from Arkansas - Tyson Foods, the second-largest producer of chicken in the U.S., has announced it will destroy 15,000 chickens that were exposed to a mild strain of bird flu. Routine blood tests led to the discovery of antibodies to the H7N3 strain, the same strain that two workers at a poultry plant in British Columbia became infected with in 2004. The birds will be destroyed as a precautionary measure, and will not enter the food supply.

For Insidermedicine in 60, I'm Dr. Susan Sharma.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• salmonella
• tomato
• virus
• illness
• food
• colouring
• artificial
• dye
• chicken
• poultry
• avian
• bird
• influenza
• H7N3
• symptoms
• flu
• fd

[gardenmagik]

The good thing is the fact that tomatoes only have a shelf life of about 2 weeks.. Please see my vid on growing tomatoes in Georgia...