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Results give Washington dairy cattle all clear from toxic substances

The Food and Drug Administration's Forensic Chemical Center (FCC) laboratory in Cincinnati has completed its testing of milk samples from cows exposed to a toxic substance in Washington State.

24 Jun 2004

U.S. babies' health hurt by hunger

Infants and toddlers being raised in food insecure homes are more likely to suffer poor health, including illness severe enough to require hospitalizations, according to a new study published in the June 2004 issue of the Journal of Nutrition.

2 Jun 2004

Thirty-five countries now face serious food shortages

Thirty-five countries now face serious food shortages, including two dozen in Africa, according to a report released by the United Nations Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO).

1 Jun 2004

Call for Bush Administration to remedy failures on mad cow disease

Carol Tucker Foreman, director of Consumer Federation of America's Food Policy Institute, joined Consumers Union, Public Citizen and R-CALF in calling on the Bush Administration to remedy failures and improve protection against BSE.

1 Jun 2004

FDA final ruling on Bioterrorism Act

The Food and Drug Administration today announced the final rule establishing procedures for administrative detention of food under the authority of the Public Health Security and Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response Act of 2002 (Bioterrorism Act). This new authority applies to food for which the agency has credible evidence or information that it presents a threat of serious adverse health consequences or death to humans or animals.

27 May 2004

Foodborne diseases pose a serious threat to densely populated areas of Asia and the Pacific

Foodborne diseases pose a serious threat to densely populated areas of Asia and the Pacific, two UN agencies said today. ''So far, food contamination incidents and food-borne disease outbreaks in the region have been relatively isolated, but the potential danger is just round the corner.

25 May 2004

Folic acid important before pregnancy

Only about 25 per cent of women in many countries voluntarily take folic acid tablets before conception, says a U of T researcher.

22 May 2004

25% of women in many countries voluntarily take folic acid tablets before conception

By taking folic acid before pregnancy or during the first few weeks after conception, women can markedly lower the risk of neural tube defects in their offspring; the defects commonly manifest themselves as a debilitating health condition known as spina bifida. The neural tube is fully developed 22 to 28 days after conception

19 May 2004

New device lab-on-a-chip sensor to detect milk contamination

Whitaker investigator David Beebe, Ph.D., of the University of Wisconsin-Madison has developed a process to make on-demand, miniature sensors for a wide variety of poisons, including naturally occurring contaminants and intentionally introduced toxins.

15 May 2004

British man charged for contaminating baby formula with boric acid

A British national was charged today with extortion and tampering with consumer products for sending several adulterated food items – including baby formula contaminated with boric acid – to the Ralphs grocery chain and demanding $180,000 to prevent poisoned food from being placed on store shelves.

7 May 2004

Researchers investigate ways to detect intentional contamination of the nation's food supply

UW-Madison will use its share of a three-year, $15 million grant from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (HS) to investigate ways to detect intentional contamination of the nation's food supply.

5 May 2004

Researchers develop low-carb corn with enhanced protein and oil

Researchers at the University of California, Riverside reported the development of technology that doubles the protein and oil content of corn while reducing its carbohydrate content, a boost for growers to feed both people and livestock.

4 May 2004

Rates of hepatitis A higher in an El Niño year

Researchers at the Queensland University of Technology have examined the possible association between the Southern Oscillation Index and the occurrence of hepatitis A in Australia. The results indicate that the SOI is statistically significantly associated with the transmission of hepatitis A.

2 May 2004

The FDA is issuing a proposed rule covering the use of private sampling services and laboratories in connection with imported food

The Food and Drug Administration is issuing a proposed rule covering the use of private sampling services and laboratories in connection with imported food. Once finalized, the rule will strengthen the safety and wholesomeness of the U.S. food supply by helping to assure the integrity and scientific validity of data and results submitted to FDA.

26 Apr 2004

WHO calls for Sudan humanitarian assistance

Intensified and urgent action is needed in the Greater Darfur Region of western Sudan to address one of the most severe humanitarian emergencies today. Given the current situation, the humanitarian crisis will last several months.

23 Apr 2004

Consumer trust in food is high in the United Kingdom, Denmark, and Norway, but low in Italy and Portugal

Consumer trust in food is high in the United Kingdom, Denmark, and Norway, but low in Italy and Portugal and relatively low in Germany. Research also shows that consumers in these countries are most sceptical about meat products, fast-food outlets and food processors.

5 Apr 2004

Ban Chlorpyrifos and Diazinonon Impacts Child Birth Weights

A federal ban on two insecticides has resulted in a significant reduction in their impact on newborns' birth weight and length, according to a new study funded by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences of the National Institutes of Health, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and other private foundations.

23 Mar 2004

20% of worldwide population lack enough zinc in diet

Up to one-fifth of the world's people lack sufficient zinc in their diet, while an estimated one-third live in countries considered at high risk of zinc deficiency, warns a comprehensive new report by an international group of medical researchers.

23 Mar 2004

New Drug Offers Hope For Advanced Colorectal Cancer

Patients with advanced colorectal cancer have new hope for a longer life. The Food and Drug Administration recently approved the drug Avastin to be used in combination with chemotherapy. Doctors are calling it a big breakthrough.

22 Mar 2004