Report - Phthalates and IQ Levels in Children

A published study claims a link between lower IQ levels in children with higher levels of phthalates in their mothers during pregnancy.  But there have been other linkages to issues associated with development and reproductive health.  The chemical does not bioaccumulate in the body and does break down in the environment..

Phthalates are used in a large variety of products, from enteric coatings of pharmaceutical pills, gelling agents,  adhesives and glues, detergents, packaging, children's toys, modelling clay, waxes, paints, printing inks and coatings, pharmaceuticals, food products, and textiles. Phthalates are also frequently used in soft plastic fishing lures, sex toys, caulk, paint pigments, shower curtains, vinyl upholstery, adhesives, floor tiles, food containers and wrappers, and cleaning materials. Personal-care items containing phthalates include perfume, eye shadow, moisturizer, nail polish, liquid soap, and hair spray.  Items made of PVC and cosmetics may be the primary contributors.

 So it is easy to see that people are commonly exposed to phthalates.  In one study, CDC has found that people had the metabolites of multiple phthalates in their urine.

From the FDA webpage on the topic:

FDA reviewed the safety and toxicity data for phthalates, including the CDC data from 2001, as well as the CIR conclusions based on reviews in 1985 and 2002. While the CDC report noted elevated levels of phthalates excreted by women of child-bearing age, neither this report nor the other data reviewed by FDA established an association between the use of phthalates in cosmetic products and a health risk. Based on this information, FDA determined that there wasn’t a sound, scientific basis to support taking regulatory action against cosmetics containing phthalates.

Here is the link to the CDC website on the topic.

Like BPA, there is controversy around the real risk associated with phthalates.  And so what we can say is that where possible, we avoid risk.  This is not always easy because many of the items where phthalates are used, do not have regulations that require them on the label.  So on cosmetic items, especially fragrances, look for 'phthalate free'.  Use plastic with recycling codes 1, 2, and 5.  Throw out old plastic toys (pre-2010) or don't let little kids play with them (for you 'collectors').  Do not heat food in plastic containers.  Sex toys....won't go there.



Reuters
http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/12/10/us-health-pthalates-child-iq-idUSKBN0JO26620141210
Prenatal exposure to chemicals tied to lower IQ at age 7
By Kathryn Doyle

Wed Dec 10, 2014 2:20pm EST

(Reuters Health) - Children whose mothers were exposed to higher levels of phthalates, common chemicals in consumer products, in late pregnancy tend to score lower than other kids on intelligence tests at age seven, according to a new study.

Some soaps, nail polish, hairspray, shower curtains, raincoats, car interiors and dryer sheets contain phthalates, which are used as so-called plasticizers, or softening agents.

At present, the Food and Drug Administration does not have evidence that phthalates as used in cosmetics pose a safety risk, but six types of phthalates are currently banned from children’s toys, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Does BPA increase Blood Pressure? The BPA Controversy Continues

In the ongoing controversy on BPA, that chemical used in the lining of cans and in plastic containers, a Korean research team claims that BPA increases blood pressure. The American Chemistry Council (ACC) countered and said the study "inappropriately concerns and confuses consumers" in that the claim "is a gross overstatement of the findings, an incredible disservice to public health, and runs contrary to years of research by government scientists".

Huffington Post
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/12/08/bpa-cans-blood-pressure_n_6290644.html
BPA In Cans Tied To Increased Blood Pressure
Reuters
Posted: 12/08/2014 4:31 pm EST Updated: 12/08/2014 5:59 pm EST
By Andrew M. Seaman

(Reuters Health) - People have small increases in blood pressure after drinking from cans lined with material that includes a common chemical, South Korean researchers say.

When can linings contained bisphenol A - more commonly known as BPA - systolic blood pressure (the top number) went up by about 5 millimeters of mercury (mm/Hg), researchers found.

"I would like to recommend consumers use fresh foods or glass bottled foods rather than canned foods," said Dr. Yun-Chul Hong, the study's senior researcher from the Seoul National University College of Medicine. "I also hope manufacturers develop and use healthy alternatives (instead) of BPA for inner lining of the can containers."

Increasing Demand for Organic Food Challenges Certifying Inspector Capacity

USDA estimates that the double digit growth in organic food will reach $35 Billion in sales this year.

According to a report in the WSJ,  this has created challenges for the inspectors who certify those farms as organic.  There are 81 accredited agencies who certify farms and according to the report:

40% of these 81 certifiers have been flagged by the USDA for conducting incomplete inspections; 16% of certifiers failed to cite organic farms’ potential use of banned pesticides and antibiotics; and 5% failed to prevent potential commingling of organic and nonorganic products

It is  not an easy task....farms must keep accurate records in order to show compliance with numerous restrictions.  And these records must be maintained over a number of years to demonstrate that the food can be called organic.

But for the consumer, they are willing to pay more than double for organic foods.




Wall Street Journal - Business
http://www.wsj.com/articles/organic-farming-boom-stretches-certification-system-1418147586?mod=WSJ_hpp_MIDDLENexttoWhatsNewsThird

Organic-Farming Boom Stretches Certification System
USDA Farms Out Inspections, but Thoroughness Is Questioned
By
Caelainn Barr Dec. 9, 2014 12:53 p.m. ET


The $35 billion organic-food industry has nearly tripled in size in the past decade, challenging the Agriculture Department’s ability to monitor the more than 25,000 farms and other organizations that sell organic crops and livestock.

Sliced Apple Product Recalled Due to Positive Listeria Test

Del Monte is recalling approximately 3000 units of packaged sliced apples after the Ohio Department of Health found Listeria in testing retail product.  No illnesses have been reported.  The product identified in the recall is past its expiration date.

While the risk of a Listeria outbreak from sliced apples may be considered low due to lack of an associated outbreak, there have been recalls of sliced apples due to Listeria.  One recall occurred at a Washington company in 2013 and also at a New Jersey company in 2012.  Listeria has been shown to grow on sliced apples when those apples are temperature abused, or when certain spoilage organisms grow and cause fruit rotting (Conway, eta. 2000).  So while the shelf-life on this product is relatively short (approximately 12 days), there theoretically can be an issue in certain situations.

 

Business Wire
http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20141209006788/en/Del-Monte-Fresh-Produce-N.A.-Voluntarily-Recalls#.VIhiEE10yUk
Del Monte Fresh Produce N.A., Inc. Voluntarily Recalls Fresh Cut Fruit Containing Gala Red Apple in a Few States in North East US Because of Possible Health Risk

December 10, 2014 12:39 AM Eastern Standard Time

CORAL GABLES, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Del Monte Fresh Produce N.A., Inc. (“Del Monte Fresh”) announced today the voluntary recall of fresh cut fruit containing Gala red apples grown in Pennsylvania. The affected product was distributed to a limited number of customers in a few States in North East US and is being recalled because these apples have the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, an organism that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems.

E. coli O157:H7 Outbreak Linked to Cucumbers (Colorado, 2013)

A 2013 outbreak of  E. coli O157:H7, where 9 individuals were infected, appears to be linked to eating sandwiches containing cucumbers.  All ill patrons ate at different shops of the same restaurant chain which all used the same lot of cucumbers.

From the report:

Prior to this outbreak, there have been no documented E. coli O157:H7 outbreaks associated with cucumbers in the United States, per a literature search conducted by CDPHE and by searching for outbreaks on CDC’s Foodborne Outbreak Online Database (http://wwwn.cdc.gov/foodborneoutbreaks/), which captures foodborne outbreak reports generated by local and state health departments and the CDC from 1998 through 2012. An outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 associated with consumption of cucumber salad (consisting of cucumbers, hard-boiled egg, and vinaigrette dressing) affected school-age children from England who were visiting France in 2002 (5). The investigators hypothesized that the cucumbers became contaminated in the growing field. There is evidence that cucumbers can support the growth of E. coli O157:H7 based on a 1993 study by Abdul-Raouf et al (6). The researchers inoculated sliced cucumbers with E. coli O157:H7 and found that the bacteria load increased when storage temperatures were at 21 degrees Celcius (69.8 degrees Fahrenheit). Mukherjee et al conducted microbiological analyses of fresh cucumbers produced by organic and conventional farmers in Minnesota and were not able to isolate E. coli O157:H7 but did find that cucumbers are often contaminated with coliforms, an indicator of fecal contamination (7).

For this particular investigation, it is not clear how the cucumbers could have been contaminated. It is very unlikely that contamination occurred within the 3 implicated Jimmy John’s locations, as no major food handling violations were noted during the environmental assessments and no ill food handlers were discovered. It is more likely that the implicated stores received contaminated cucumbers. Our investigation found no evidence that would support that the cucumbers became contaminated at the Denver-based produce distributor (Colo-Pac Produce, Inc.) or during shipment to the implicated Jimmy John’s locations. 

But it is easy to see that cucumbers can be a source. They are on the ground when harvested, and if not washed sufficiently, that contamination can be transferred to the slice when cut.
  
  
 Marler Blog / Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment
http://www.marlerblog.com/files/2014/12/CDPHE-Final-Report-Dec.-4-2014.pdf-Adobe-Acrobat.pdf
 Outbreak #2013-00-006 - Escherichia coli O157:H7 Outbreak Associated with Cucumbers Consumed at a Sandwich Restaurant Chain – Colorado, October 2013

Summary
 CDPHE and several Denver metropolitan area public health departments investigated an outbreak of Escherichia coli O157:H7 (E. coli O157:H7) that occurred in October 2013. Nine cases were identified, including 1 probable case and 8 laboratory-confirmed cases with matching pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) and multiple-locus variable number tandem repeat analysis (MLVA) patterns from E. coli O157:H7 isolated from stool. All 9 cases reported eating sandwiches at Denver-area Jimmy John’s locations in early October 2013. The outbreak investigation consisted of case finding and interviews, 2 separate case-control studies, environmental investigations, produce traceback, and laboratory testing. The results of this investigation indicate that consumption of Jimmy John’s sandwiches containing cucumbers imported from Mexico was the likely cause of the outbreak. To our knowledge, this is the first E. coli O157:H7 outbreak associated with cucumbers reported in the United States. Public health and food safety officials should be aware that cucumbers may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7, which could cause sporadic E. coli O157:H7 infections as well as outbreaks. As of the date of this report, no other cases of E. coli O157:H7 with the PFGE pattern combination seen in this outbreak were reported in Colorado.

Hepatitis Outbreak in NJ Sends People Running to Get Vaccinated

A Hepatitis A infected kitchen worker at a New Jersey restaurant has caused hundreds to get vaccinated.  However, at this point, the only person to  be diagnosed is that employee.


CBS Philadelphia
http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2014/12/04/as-hundreds-try-to-avoid-become-sick-from-exposure-to-hepatitis-a-in-a-popular-nj-restaurant-health-officials-fear-2nd-person-has-the-virus/
Health Officials Rule Out Possible Second Case Of Hepatitis A In Hamilton Township, NJ
December 4, 2014 5:10 PM

By Cleve Bryan

HAMILTON Twp., NJ (CBS) – Fear of contracting hepatitis A drove hundreds of people to a vaccination clinic Thursday after learning a kitchen worker at Rosa’s Restaurant and Catering is severely ill from the virus and may have been contaminating customer’s food for weeks.

Yogurt Recall - FDA Claims State Inspectors Knew of Issue Prior to Recall

Last year, Chobani recalled yogurt due to extensive mold contamination. The recall was issued after numerous consumer complaints.  According to the FDA Inspection report (page 6 if you really want to see), the Idaho Department of Agriculture knew about the mold issue 2 months before the recall.   Idaho DofA denies this claim.

 MagicValley.com
http://magicvalley.com/news/local/article_686ede3a-0735-5e15-90be-0eb801c48c87.html#.VIMXFpr9qOE.twitter
State Knew Chobani Yogurt was Tainted Months before Recall, FDA Says


December 05, 2013 2:00 am • By Joe Cadotte - jcadotte@magicvalley.com

TWIN FALLS • The Idaho Department of Agriculture saw moldy yogurt during a routine inspection at Chobani two months before the company issued a voluntary recall, says a U.S. Food and Drug Administration report obtained by the Times-News under a Freedom of Information Act request.

The state denies the FDA claim.

Virginia Company Issues 2nd Recall for Sprouts Due to Listeria

A Virginia company is issuing another recall after the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services found Listeria in the samples they had tested.  This is the 2nd recall for this company, the other recall occurring in 2012.


The Packer
http://www.thepacker.com/fruit-vegetable-news/Sprout-investigation--32-months-and-counting-284786261.html

Sprout investigation — 32 months and counting

12/04/2014 01:41:00 PM
Coral Beach

Criminal charges may be the next step in Virginia’s efforts to protect the public from Henry’s Farm, a fresh sprout grower that has been on officials’ food safety radar because of listeria since April 2012. Courtesy Virginia Department of AgriculturePositive tests for listeria in fresh sprouts from Henry's Farm, Woodford, Va., spurred recalls in April 2012 and November this year. A warning letter from FDA states the labels on the packages violate federal law.

Frozen Enchiladas Recalled Due to Potential Of Salmonella Due to Cilantro Ingredient

A California Company is recalling their frozen chili cheese enchilada product due to the potential for Salmonella.  The recall came after the supplier of the organic cilantro ingredient used in the product notified the producer that they had found Salmonella in their routine testing of the cilantro.

This frozen product appears to be cooked by the processor, at least partially.  Although we can't tell whether the cilantro was added before or after the thermal process.

Another item to notice is that the package has cooking instructions that direct the consumer to fully cook this product before consuming.  These process steps would help to lower the risk of Salmonella in the product, however, if an issue were to arise, then it be a disaster for the manufacturer.  The likelihood of under cooking by the consumer must also be taken into account.


FDA Recall Notice - Dec 3, 2014
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm425648.htm
Recall -- Firm Press Release
FDA posts press releases and other notices of recalls and market withdrawals from the firms involved as a service to consumers, the media, and other interested parties. FDA does not endorse either the product or the company.

Overhill Farms Voluntarily Recalls Open Nature Chile Cheese Enchiladas Sold At Safeway Stores Nationwide Due To Possible Salmonella Contamination

Contact: Consumer: 1-323-582-9977

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE — December 3, 2014 — Overhill Farms, Inc. of Vernon, California is voluntarily recalling the frozen food product Open Nature Chile Cheese Enchiladas due to potential Salmonella contamination. The supplier for the organic cilantro contained in such product notified Overhill Farms that the organic cilantro may have Salmonella contamination based on routine testing conducted. The product is sold nationwide at all Safeway-owned stores, including Safeway, Carrs, Genuardi’s, Pak ‘N Save, Pavilions, Randalls, Tom Thumb and Vons.