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Infrared Systems International is now AquaLiv Technologies

Infrared Systems International announced it has changed its name to AquaLiv Technologies, Inc. in order to better reflect its new corporate strategy. Along with the name change the company has been issued a new symbol by FINRA of AQLV.

17 Sep 2011

Harvard’s own ‘Healthy Eating Plate’ as an improvement upon USDA’s MyPlate

A few months earlier the United States Department of Agriculture unveiled ‘MyPlate’, the replacement for the food pyramid. Now the Harvard School of Public Health says that MyPlate doesn't offer enough about good nutrition, and they have offered their own version.

16 Sep 2011

Horn of Africa: Fighting food insecurity with forests and trees

Restoring and preserving dryland forests and planting more trees to provide food, fodder and fertilizer on small farms are critical steps toward preventing the recurrence of the famine now threatening millions of people in the Horn of Africa, according to forestry experts from the CGIAR Consortium.

16 Sep 2011

Report urges integrated aid approach to tackle poverty, disease

Action Against Hunger, Action for Global Health, End Water Poverty, PATH, Tearfund and WaterAid on Wednesday released a report that "provides clear and compelling evidence that a new combined approach to tackling poverty and disease that brings together work on water and sanitation, health, education and nutrition achieves better results for the world's poorest," according to a joint press release.

16 Sep 2011

Integrated health, education and water/sanitation programs can defeat disease and poverty

As governments prepare to gather at the United Nations General Assembly in New York on September 19 and 20, a new report published by a group of six influential aid agencies provides clear and compelling evidence that a combined approach to tackling poverty and disease-that brings together work on water and sanitation, health, education, and nutrition/food security-achieves better results for the world's poorest.

15 Sep 2011

FDA creates Coordinated Outbreak Response and Evaluation Network

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced today a streamlined, integrated approach to effectively and rapidly respond to human and animal foodborne illness outbreaks: the FDA Coordinated Outbreak Response and Evaluation (CORE) Network.

15 Sep 2011

Major UK retailers, Liverpool scientists partner to reduce incidence of food poisoning

Scientists at the University of Liverpool are working with the major UK food retailers to reduce bacterial infections in chickens and reduce incidence of food poisoning in humans.

15 Sep 2011

Study indicates need for antivenoms and better health-care services in Africa

One and a half million people per year are poisoned by snake venom in Sub-Saharan Africa. An IRD researcher recently analysed around 100 surveys and medical reports published over the past 40 years. No large-scale study of the situation had hitherto been conducted and public health authorities had underestimated the size of the problem.

12 Sep 2011

National Research Council releases new report on role of health impact assessment

The National Research Council released a report, "Improving Health in the United States: The Role of Health Impact Assessment." The publication states that "good health is determined by more than money spent on the healthcare system. In fact, a growing body of research indicates that living conditions-including such factors as housing quality, exposure to pollution, and access to healthy and affordable foods and safe places to exercise-have a greater effect on health."

9 Sep 2011

IFT: Deciphering lot codes and food expiration dates on food products

Health-conscious consumers are paying closer attention to the numbers and dates stamped on the bottom of their favorite cereals, canned goods, packaged snacks and even fresh produce. But what do all these numbers really mean?

8 Sep 2011

Innovative UMD-based food safety program to launch on Sept. 15

Amid ongoing concerns about E. coli, Salmonella and other food-borne illnesses, a new facility will take a unique approach to make imports bound for the United States safer: Give foreign technicians who test those foods intensive, hands-on lab training in U.S. government methods, standards and technology, as well as acceptable alternatives.

8 Sep 2011

Tips for packing school lunches for kids

You do everything you can think of to ensure your kids eat a healthful lunch. But do you also consider the safety of the food you pack in their lunch bags each day? "Packing your child's school lunch not only helps you know they're eating healthful fare, it can also save money - an important consideration in the current economy," says food safety expert Dr. Don Schaffner of the Institute of Food Technologists and Rutgers University. "Parents also need to keep in mind, however, the importance of safe handling practices when preparing food for their children's lunch boxes."

8 Sep 2011

'No evidence' mutant bird flu virus poses increased risk to humans, WHO and FAO say

After the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) "last week voiced concern about the appearance in Vietnam and China of" a mutant strain of the H5N1 bird flu virus, the WHO and FAO on Monday "said in a joint statement issued in response to questions from Agence France-Presse" that "there is no evidence to suggest yet that this new virus strain will have any increased risk to human health," the news agency reports.

7 Sep 2011

U.N. declares famine in sixth region of Somalia, expresses concern over spread of disease

The U.N. "announced Monday that Somalia's famine had spread to a sixth area within the country, with officials warning that 750,000 people could die in the next few months unless aid efforts were scaled up," the New York Times reports.

7 Sep 2011

Three cases of novel influenza A virus now linked to agricultural fair in southwestern Pennsylvania

The Pennsylvania departments of Health and Agriculture today announced three cases of a novel influenza A virus have been identified, and are now linked to an agricultural fair in southwestern Pennsylvania.

6 Sep 2011

New federal study spotlights heavy soda use

CDC finds that half of Americans consume drinks containing sugar, such as soda and energy drinks, and that teenagers and young adults drink the most.

2 Sep 2011

Research shows numerous health benefits of Modified Citrus Pectin

New research published in the journal BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine shows Modified Citrus Pectin (MCP) packs a powerful immune punch.

31 Aug 2011

New innovations in plant biotechnology could bring hope for patients with Celiac disease

From medicine and food to energy and agriculture, bio-based innovations are in great demand, providing new solutions to the challenges faced by societies in the 21st century. New innovations in plant biotechnology, such as the development of gluten-free wheat, could bring hope to those suffering from Celiac disease. On a global scale, as the world population nears seven billion people, biotechnology plays an increasing role in plant health and thereby, human food supplies.

31 Aug 2011

FAO warns mutant form of H5N1 bird flu poses threat to Asia

"The U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) on Monday warned about a new mutant strain of the deadly bird flu H5N1 virus in China and Vietnam, saying there could be a 'major resurgence' of the disease," Agence France-Presse reports.

30 Aug 2011

Bird flu on the rise again

Avian or bird flu is showing signs of a resurgence, while a mutant strain – that cannot be prevented by vaccination - could be spreading in Asia, the United Nations has warned. This mutant strain appeared in Vietnam and China and its risk to humans cannot be predicted, veterinary officials said.

30 Aug 2011