Lotte USA Inc., of Battle Creek, Mich.

* All flavors of Koala March Cookies. Distributed nationwide and to Canada through wholesale distributors and retail stores. The products are packaged in a plastic overwrap.

Hua Xia Food Trade USA Inc. of Flushing, N.Y.

* YILI Brand Sour Milk Drink. Distributed to New York City through Asian retail grocery stores and packaged in 250 ml flexible paperboard boxes with blue, red and green Chinese writing. There is a picture of an Asian man in a green shirt and white tie.
* YILI Brand Pure Milk Drink. Distributed to New York City through Asian retail grocery stores and packaged in 250 ml flexible paperboard boxes with black, red and white writing in English and Chinese. There is a picture of two cows playing a sport on the face of the box.
Tristar Food Wholesale Co. Inc. of Jersey City, N.J.

* Blue Cat Flavor Drink. Sold nationwide in Asian grocery stores, the product comes in 100 ml plastic bottles with a logo of blue cat on the back of the bottle and the word “blue cat” in Chinese on the front.
QFCO Inc. of Burlingame, Calif.

* White Rabbit Candy. Sold through wholesale distributors to retail stores in California, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Minnesota, New York, Oregon, Texas and Washington.
Sunny Maid Corp. of Monterey Park, Calif.

* Mr. Brown instant coffee and milk tea products. Mr. Brown 3-in-1 and 2-in-1 powdered packets were sold in plastic bags, each containing 30 individual packets. Flavors include Mandheling Blend, Arabica, Blue Mountain Blend, Caramel Macchiato, French Vanilla and Milk Tea.

The FDA is advising consumers not to consume the following products because of possible melamine contamination:

* Fresh and Crispy Jacobina Biscuits
* Koala’s March Crème filled Cookies
* YILI Brand Sour Milk Drink
* YILI Brand Pure Milk Drink
* Blue Cat Flavored Drinks
* White Rabbit Candies
* Mr. Brown Mandehling Blend Instant Coffee (3-in-1)
* Mr. Brown Arabica Instant Coffee (3-in-1)
* Mr. Brown Blue Mountain Blend Instant Coffee (3-in-1)
* Mr. Brown Caramel Macchiato Instant Coffee (3-in-1)
* Mr. Brown French Vanilla Instant Coffee (3-in-1)
* Mr. Brown Mandheling Blend instant Coffee (2-in-1)
* Mr. Brown Milk Tea (3-in-1)
* Infant formula manufactured in China

Consumers should stop using these products and return them to the place of purchase for a refund.

FDA Statement (here)
Melamine Contamination in China (here)

A human egg has been filmed in close-up emerging from the ovary for the first time, captured by chance during a routine operation.

Fertile women release one or more eggs every month, but until now, only animal ovulation has been recorded in detail.

Gynaecologist Dr Jacques Donnez spotted it in progress during a hysterectomy.

The pictures, published in New Scientist magazine, were described as “fascinating” by a UK fertility specialist. (more)

by Catherine Carter

Cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpum) offers much more than mere tang for the tongue. Cranberries are good sources of natural antioxidants. In addition to the usual nutrients such as vitamins and minerals, extracts of the fruit are also rich in anthocyanin, flavonoids, and phenolic acids which also have antioxidant properties.

These little tart berries help to sanitize the urinary tract and may help to keep your internal plumbing free flowing. Cranberry juice or the cooked berries are an old time cure for bladder infections.

A diagnosis of a urinary tract infection refers to a presence of a large amount of bacteria in the urine that can cause pain during urination and can lead to more severe infections of the bladder and kidneys

A recent study highlighted the usefulness of cranberry, for UTIs. As far back as 1887 a Dr. Millspaugh commented on how Indians and settlers used the plant for uterine affections and puerperal (childbirth) diseases. Interestingly one of the old time uses of cranberries, by Native Americans was for nausea and research has now highlighted cranberries usefulness against e.coli bacteria.

Avoid juice with added sweeteners. Don’t drink in excess. The study did not determine a recommended dose.

Cranberries are a rich source of oxalic acid which in excess can inhibit calcium absorption. Here’s to your health.

A New York company is voluntarily recalling about 286,000 pounds (129,700 kg) of fresh and frozen meat and poultry products that may be contaminated with bacteria, U.S. agriculture officials said on Saturday

The meat and poultry products that may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service announced today.

The following products are subject to recall: [View Labels, PDF Only]
* 6-pound bulk packages of “GOURMET BOUTIQUE HONEY CHICKEN SALAD.” Each package bears the establishment number “P-18799″ inside the USDA mark of inspection.
* 3-pound bulk packages of “GOURMET BOUTIQUE CHICKEN MARSALA.” Each package bears the establishment number “P-18799″ inside the USDA mark of inspection.
* 3-pound bulk packages of “GOURMET BOUTIQUE GRILLED CHICKEN BREAST IN TERIYAKI SAUCE, PORTION CONTROL.” Each package bears the establishment number “P-18799″ inside the USDA mark of inspection.
* 6-pound bulk packages of “GOURMET BOUTIQUE GRILLED LEMON CHICKEN, PORTION CONTROL.” Each package bears the establishment number “P-18799″ inside the USDA mark of inspection.
* 6-pound bulk packages of “GOURMET BOUTIQUE GRILLED LEMON CHICKEN, PORTION CONTROL, Keep Frozen.” Each package bears the establishment number “P-18799″ inside the USDA mark of inspection.
* 3-pound bulk packages of “GOURMET BOUTIQUE Home Style Chicken Salad.” Each package bears the establishment number “P-18799″ inside the USDA mark of inspection.
* 4-pound bulk packages of “GOURMET BOUTIQUE Grilled Chicken B&E PRET A MANGER.” Each package bears the establishment number “P-18799″ inside the USDA mark of inspection.
* 3.5-pound bulk packages of “GOURMET BOUTIQUE Breaded and Fried Chicken Cutlet.” Each package bears the establishment number “P-18799″ inside the USDA mark of inspection.
* 3.125-pound bulk packages of “GOURMET BOUTIQUE ITALIAN STALLION TWISTER.” Each package bears the establishment number “EST. 18799″ inside the USDA mark of inspection.
* 8-pound bulk packages of “GOURMET BOUTIQUE Meatloaf with Gravy KIT.” Each package bears the establishment number “EST. 18799″ inside the USDA mark of inspection.
* 4.6-pound bulk packages of “GOURMET BOUTIQUE CHICKEN BURRITO.” Each package bears the establishment number “P-18799″ inside the USDA mark of inspection.
* 3.125-pound bulk packages of “GOURMET BOUTIQUE TURKEYCLUB TWISTER.” Each package bears the establishment number “P-18799″ inside the USDA mark of inspection.

The recalled products bear the production code of “GBD 08058″ on the package. The meat and poultry products were produced on Feb. 26 and 27, 2008, and were sent to retail establishments in Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, South Carolina and Wisconsin, and distribution centers in New York.

The problem was discovered through FSIS microbiological sampling. FSIS has received no reports of illnesses associated with consumption of this product.

Consumption of food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes can cause listeriosis, an uncommon but potentially fatal disease. Healthy people rarely contract listeriosis. However, listeriosis can cause high fever, severe headache, neck stiffness and nausea. Listeriosis can also cause miscarriages and stillbirths, as well as serious and sometimes fatal infections in those with weakened immune systems, such as infants, the elderly and persons with HIV infection or undergoing chemotherapy.

Consumers with questions about the recall should contact Quality Control Manager Vanessa Lindsay at (718) 977-1200 (ext. 0166).

Consumers with food safety questions can “Ask Karen,” the FSIS virtual representative available 24 hours a day at AskKaren.gov. The toll-free USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline 1-888-MPHotline (1-888-674-6854) is available in English and Spanish and can be reached from l0 a.m. to
4 p.m. (Eastern Time) Monday through Friday. Recorded food safety messages are available 24 hours a day.

Recommendations For People At Risk For Listeriosis

Wash hands with warm, soapy water before and after handling raw meat and poultry for at least 20 seconds. Wash cutting boards, dishes and utensils with hot, soapy water. Immediately clean spills.

Keep raw meat, fish and poultry away from other food that will not be cooked. Use separate cutting boards for raw meat, poultry and egg products and cooked foods.

Do not eat hot dogs, luncheon meats, bologna or other deli meats unless reheated until steaming hot.

Do not eat refrigerated pâté, meat spreads from a meat counter or smoked seafood found in the refrigerated section of the store. Foods that don’t need refrigeration, like canned tuna and canned salmon, are safe to eat. Refrigerate after opening.

Do not drink raw (unpasteurized) milk and do not eat foods that have unpasteurized milk in them. Note: there is evidence that raw milk and unpasteurized is beneficial for health. Know the source.

Do not eat salads made in the store such as ham salad, chicken salad, egg salad, tuna salad or seafood salad.

Do not eat soft cheeses such as Feta, queso blanco, queso fresco, Brie, Camembert cheeses, blue-veined cheeses and Panela unless it is labeled as made with pasteurized milk.

Use precooked or ready-to-eat food as soon as you can. Listeria can grow in the refrigerator. The refrigerator should be 40 °F or lower and the freezer 0 °F or lower. Use an appliance thermometer to check the temperature of your refrigerator