RECALL ALERT: Cheese with Listeria in California, Wisconsin and Minnesota

Bekkum Family Farms LLC of Westby, WI, is recalling shredded cheese because it may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.

The cheese is labeled "Grumpy Goat Shreds" under the Nordic Creamery brand name, in eight-ounce bags with a code date of 10-MAR-12. It was sold in stores in Wisconsin, Minnesota and California beginning Nov. 11. The product should be thrown away or returned to place of purchase for a full refund.

Bekkum Family Farms was informed by Alpine Slicing & Cheese Conversion, Monroe, WI, that its cheese was shredded on the same equipment where other cheese had tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes. Alpine processes and packages cheese for other companies.

Consumption of food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes can cause listeriosis, an uncommon but potentially fatal disease. Listeriosis can cause high fever, severe headache, neck stiffness, and nausea. Listeriosis can also cause miscarriages and stillbirths. The very young, the pregnant, the elderly, and persons with compromised immune systems are the most susceptible to infection. People experiencing these symptoms should seek immediate medical attention.

Soure: fda.gov

US News & World Reports' Best Diets for 2012

The best diet of 2012 is the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet, according to new rankings released by U.S. News & World Report. The rankings were decided by a panel of 22 experts in diet, nutrition, obesity, food psychology, diabetes and heart disease, according to the magazine's website. The experts rated the 25 diets in seven categories: how easy they are to follow, their ability to produce short-term and long-term weight loss, nutritional completeness, safety and potential for preventing and managing diabetes and heart disease. 

The top three diets for weight loss are the Weight Watchers Diet, the Biggest Loser Diet and the Jenny Craig Diet, according to the rankings.Weight Watchers won the category of best commercial diet plan, edging out the Jenny Craig diet, which relied too heavily on packaged meals and came with a high cost, according to the rankings.

The DASH and TLC diets topped the category of best diets for healthy eating, which emphasized nutrional completeness and safety. The Mediterranean diet ranked third.

The DASH diet prescribes the number of servings of grains, vegetables, dairy and other food types that a person should eat daily, based on their calorie needs. It suggests high amounts of fiber, potassium and magnesium, and keeps sweets to a minimum.

The data show that the DASH diet has the best overall nutrition, Enos said. "It has one of the highest levels of B-12 and potassium," she noted, whereas the Weight Watchers plan is low in those nutrients, and recommends that its followers take a multivitamin.

Click here to access a summary of the DASH diet (6 pages)

Click here to access a full DASH diet material (64 pages)

Sources: USNews Health, US Dept. of Health and Human Services

RECALL ALERT: Cheese and Milk with Listeria in Massachusetts and Canada

The MA Department of Public Health (MDPH) is issuing a warning to consumers to avoid consumption of certain cheese and milk products because the products may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes (L. monocytogenes). The presence of L. monocytogenes in foods such as cheese and milk products represents a significant danger to public health.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency issued an 11/24/11 health alert notifying residents of Canada of a voluntary recall initiated by the dairy plant, 3903052 Canada Inc., Boisbriand, in Québec. This large recall followed two previous alerts, fairly extensive product testing and a clinical match to a case of listeriosis.

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) notified MDPH on 12/28/11 that product was distributed to Cedar Market located in Norwood, MA.  Cedar Market is a retail establishment, which also sold the following products to Bahnan’s located in Worcester, MA.

The recalled products distributed in Massachusetts have the brand name “Fromagerie Marie Kade”.  All cheese products involved bear establishment number 1874. Any Best Before dates up to and including those listed, are affected by the alert. The cheese products that are the subject of the consumer alert in Massachusetts include:

• Akawi Cheese Best Before 08 MAR 2012
• Baladi Cheese Best Before 08 FEB 2012.
• Shinglish Cheese Best Before 07 NOV 2012
• Tresse Cheese Best Before 10 NOV 2012
• Vachekaval Cheese Best Before 10 MAR 2012
• Halloom Best Before 01 MAY 2012
• Moujadale Best Before 04 MAY 2012      

L. monocytogenes is an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems.  Although healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms, such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, listeria infection can cause miscarriages and still births among pregnant women.

To date, no illnesses have been reported in MA.  MDPH has worked with the US FDA and local officials to embargo and destroy these products and to review inventory records for distribution.

Since the recalled products have not expired, it is possible that consumers may have products in their home. For that reason, MDPH is advising consumers who have purchased products listed to discard them. Consumers with questions may call MDPH Food Protection Program at 617-983-6712.

Canadian notice:  http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/corpaffr/recarapp/2011/20111124be.shtml
The Canadian website may periodically list expanded products involved in this recall.


Source: fda.gov

Good Ol' Post-Holiday Blues!

Are you having some post-holiday blues? If yes, you are definitely not alone. After so much fun with Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's, it is quite common to feel lonely and a bit depressed, specially in areas where winter is harsh in January. 
Well, there is a lot to look forward to in 2012. Here are a few tips from GalTime to help you get back on track:

1.) Schedule events or outings to look forward to. Whether you enjoy going out with friends or engaging in your favorite hobby, pre-planning enjoyable events will give you something to get excited about.

2.) Seek support from your friends. Now is not the time for isolation. Call a trusted friend or family member. Just hearing their voice will help refocus you on all the wonderful people you have in your life.

3.) Get out of the house. Remember all those things you wanted to do but couldn't because you had too much going on…now is the time to go for it!

4.) Throw yourself into the next holiday (or sport, try basketball or hockey.)

5.) Remember, this too will pass. Before you know it the holidays will be upon you again. Live life in the present, don't pine away waiting for the time to pass, you may miss something you will regret later!

Source: GalTime, Yahoo