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Federal Government Outlines Tighter Food Safety Guidelines
Enough is enough, the White House has declared: Yesterday, a food safety working group established by Barack Obama announced new standards in the production of foods such as eggs, poultry, beef, leafy greens, melons, and tomatoes.
In the last year, members of virtually every food group — from spinach, jalapeños, milk, and peanut butter to cookie dough, beef, and now dry milk — have been recalled due to possible salmonella or E. coli contamination.
Do You Worry About the Quality of Your Home's Materials?
A study by the US Consumer Product Safety Commission has linked Chinese drywall to not only the corrosion of metal and electrical components in US homes and a "rotten egg" odor, but to a whole slew of respiratory problems. Yikes! When I'm shopping for supplies, the last thing that I want to think about is whether materials will cause health problems, so I always try to buy eco-friendly, chemical-free products.
Stork Craft Recalls 2.1 Million Cribs in Largest Crib Recall Ever
A couple of years ago, it seemed like toy recalls were being announced daily for choking or lead poisoning hazards. This holiday season, parents are being hit with major baby gear recalls. First Maclaren issued a voluntary notification that its hinges could hurt small fingers if a child's hands were holding on to the sides of a stroller during the opening or closing of it.
How Pink Can My Pork Be?
Last night my hubby cooked a pork loin roast — I love when he cooks me dinner. The recipe said to cook the meat until the internal temperature registers 140 to 145°F, and while the meat rests the temperature will rise another five to 10 degrees. He did this, and the pork was pink running with pink juices.
Another Plastic Health Risk — Erectile Dysfunction
While there have been previous studies, linking bisphenol A (BPA), found in hard plastics, to health problems, including precancerous tumors, prostate cancer, and brain damage, a new study, conducted in China, substantiates its claims with results in humans. In one of the first studies of its kind to be conducted on humans, researchers are finding that much of what they've previously seen in animal studies holds true — men exposed to significant amounts of BPA are at greater risk of sexual health problems.
The study compared the levels of sexual dysfunction in two groups of male factory workers — one group, which was exposed to high levels of BPA, while the other was not.
Summer Safety: Beware of Beach Sand
Whether you're building sandcastles or just burrowing your feet, getting sandy is an essential part of going to the beach. But if la playa plays into your vacation plans, be warned: beach sand can contain bacteria known to cause stomach bugs.
Though sand often looks and feels clean, remember that germs are everywhere.
Burning Question: When Is It OK to Eat Moldy Food?
The other day, a co-worker asked me whether it was OK to eat a piece of cheese that had grown slightly moldy. That question sparked a discussion on how to handle moldy foods. Can you ever simply cut off the bad parts and proceed to eat the rest?
Do You Care About a Restaurant's Health Inspection Rating?
Like New York, Los Angeles, and most other major cities, San Francisco imposes a cleanliness grade on all dining establishments, and requires that these inspection scores are placed prominently where customers can view them (often in the front window). These ratings are meant to reflect how clean a restaurant's kitchen is and create incentives for a higher level of food safety. Are these marks important to you?
How Clean Is Your Beach?
If you're heading to the beach soon to beat the Summer heat, you might want to see how clean it is. Recently, we learned that playing in the sand can increase your risk of developing gastrointestinal ailments, and the water might not be too clean either.
The National Resource Defense Council just released its annual report on the cleanliness of our beaches, and unfortunately some did not pass muster.
Sunscreen Smarts: Protect Your Part
When going down my list of places to apply sunscreen, I often overlook the part in my hair. You wouldn't expect this spot to get that much sun, but if you have a defined hair part and you forget to protect, it can lead to a painful and peculiar sunburn.
The easiest thing to do is to wear a hat or other head covering, but if you dare to go bare, then try spritzing a spray sunscreen along the length of your part.
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