Blog outage

I'm sorry if the blog was unavailable to you this morning. Google had some server problems and Fresh Talk was down for a couple of hours. I'm looking forward to hearing more thoughts on Bruce's letter; it will also run in The Packer this week.

Along with The Packer's Andy Nelson, I'm off tomorrow to attend the U.S. Apple Association marketing clinic in Chicago.

Some headlines, passed along by K-State's Food Safety Network

Breakthrough Kitchen Appliance Removes E.Coli, Listeria, Salmonella and Other Dangerous Impurities From Food That's the claim from this press release, reading:
A kitchen counter top appliance that removes dangerous impurities from food, including E. coli, Listeria, and Salmonella, was made available to consumers today by Creative Culinary Marketing Solutions (CCMS). The kitchen unit, called CulinaryPrep, is the only appliance available today that applies a patented process to remove dangerous impurities from food, giving families direct control over the safety of the food they eat. CulinaryPrep(TM) uses the patented Grovac(TM) Process to remove unwanted bacteria and food borne pathogens from meat, fish, and produce. Removal of impurities also enhances the natural flavor of the food and extends its shelf life.


Baby carrots recall expanded to include Manitoba From Aug. 21 and the CBC:
Canada's food watchdog is updating an earlier recall of baby carrots after learning the product was distributed more widely than previously thought.
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency said Monday that Los Angeles Salad Company Baby Carrots, withdrawn for possible shigella contamination, were sold in Manitoba in addition to British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario, Quebec and Newfoundland and Labrador.
Costco Wholesale is voluntarily recalling the carrots from the marketplace.
Four associated illnesses have been reported in Calgary. None of the Calgarians was hospitalized. The Calgary Health Region is warning people to wash their hands thoroughly to prevent spread of the bacteria.

Plants provide potent antimicrobial extracts From Food Navigator:
Natural antimicrobial agents derived from cloves, oregano, thyme and paprika can be used to block pathogens on food surfaces and packaging, according to new research.Chemists and food scientists at Rutgers University in the US leveraged the antimicrobial ingredients found in a variety of plants to prevent the formation of difficult to remove biofilms of pathogens.Biofilms are a major problem at food manufacturing sites. Typically, a variety of bacteria will congregate on a surface to form a bacterial community that exists as a slime-like matrix biofilm.


Joint Statement of Prime Minister Harper, President Bush and President Calderon at the North American Leaders' Summit From the press release:

Safe Food and Products We will seek to strengthen the existing cooperation and mechanisms within the region, build on current standards and practices, and work with our trading partners outside North America using a scientific risk-based approach to identify and stop unsafe food and products before they enter our countries. These efforts could include: working with authorities to strengthen inspection and certification in exporting countries; identifying best practices by importers in selecting foreign manufacturers and inspecting goods either before export or before distribution; and reviewing our own existing authorities and practices to enhance national, regional and local coordination. Our governments will continue to address the safety of food and products imported into North America, while facilitating the significant trade in these products that our countries already have and without imposing unnecessary barriers to trade.


TK: Other coverage indicates that there is some disagreement over harmonization of food standards in North America, with Canada wanting to go farther than the U.S. and Mexico. The one area of agreement is significant, though, as this CP report says:
That one item is the development of common approaches for the safe production of fresh fruits and vegetables. Outbreaks of illnesses related to sprouts, berries and leafy foods have become a concern in all three countries.