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Sunday 18 March 2018

These Everyday Foods Have Been Recalled — Avoid Them at All Costs

When buying groceries, the last thing that comes to mind is the chance that your fresh food will make you sick. Unfortunately, though, food recalls happen all the time. Foodsafety.gov reminds us if there’s any reason to believe a food may be contaminated and make consumers ill, it must be taken off the market. The following products were recalled in the last year. Check your fridge and pantry for these foods.

1. JBS USA ground beef

We have bad news for North Carolina natives who purchase JBS ground beef: There was a massive recall. WRAL reported nearly 5,000 pounds of ground beef may be contaminated with packaging materials, like shredded styrofoam. The recalled beef was produced back in July, so check your frozen meats if you think you may have bought some around this time.

2. Bush’s Best Baked Beans

This recall isn’t the most serious on the list, but if you’re a fan of Bush’s beans, you’ll want to check your cans. The Brown Sugar Hickory Baked Beans, Country Style Baked Beans, and Original Baked Beans could have defective side seams. If your cans’ “Best By” dates show “Jun 2019,” then you should discard them. It’s important we note that no one has reported an illness from Bush’s products, but better to be safe than sorry.

3. Bhu Foods protein bars

Here’s another food company that voluntarily recalled its products for possible contamination. The sunflower seeds in Bhu Foods’ protein bars may be contaminated with listeria. To be safe, the company recalled multiple flavors. If you love these products, make sure the ones in your pantry aren’t on the list.

4. Great Value Frozen Organic Dark Sweet Pitted Cherries

Just because the label says organic doesn’t mean it’s safe. The FDA announced these cherries contain a possible listeria contamination. Ninety cases of the cherries are out for recall. If you do contract listeria as a healthy adult, you’ll likely only suffer short-term symptoms, like high fever, digestive distress, and headache. In young children and the elderly, however, it can cause a fatal infection.

5. Harris Teeter and Roundy’s hash browns

Now this is bizarre. You may not suspect hash browns, but ones sold from Harris Teeter or Roundy’s Supermarkets may contain golf ball materials, says CNN. Apparently, the golf ball materials “may have been inadvertently harvested with potatoes used to make this product.” It’s possible this poses a choking hazard. Look for the production code “B170119” on the back of the bag to see if you have a contaminated serving.

6. House of Thaller hummus

This Tennessee-based company voluntarily recalled some of its hummus products due to a possible listeria contamination. In this case, it wasn’t the chickpeas that were the problem — it was the pine nut topping. If you shop at Fresh Foods Market, Lantana, or Marketside, then the hummus in your household may be this brand.

7. Tyson ready-to-eat chicken products

There’s no easier dinner to prepare than Tyson’s frozen chicken. If you have a milk allergy, however, you’ll want to discard the products the company recently recalled. Over 82,000 cases of chicken products don’t mention that they contain milk. No illnesses have been reported from this slip-up yet. But Tyson’s products are available across the U.S., so the company is still wary.

8. Nathan’s and Curtis hot dogs

If you store hot dogs in your freezer, be sure to check if yours are on the recall list. CNN reports Nathan’s and Curtis beef franks both recalled over 200,000 pounds of hot dogs due to complaints that consumers found metal objects in the products. No one has reported an injury from consumption yet. But if you still have a package in your freezer, it’s time to get rid of it.

9. Aunt Jemima frozen products

Check your freezer for Aunt Jemima pancakes, waffles, or French toast slices. Back in May, Pinnacle Foods Inc. said these products may be contaminated with listeria. No one reported feeling ill, but they’re taking precautions and warning you against consuming these breakfast foods. If you can’t get enough of Aunt Jemima’s pancakes, the dry mixes and syrups are fine.

10. Campbell’s chicken soup products

Check your pantry to see if you have Campbell’s chicken soup products, as yours may be recalled. This recalldidn’t occur due to known pathogens, however. It happened because the cans’ contents are different from the label. The soup also contains milk, an allergen not listed in the ingredients. Want to know if your soup was on the recall list? On the bottom of the can, it will show “EST. 4R.”

11. Banquet frozen meals

If your go-to quick meal is a Banquet frozen dinner, then you’ll want to pay attention to this recall. Good Housekeeping says the brownie mix used in the Banquet Chicken Nuggets with Mac & Cheese dessert may be contaminated with salmonella. Over 110,000 pounds of these dinners were recalled, so check your freezer. The potentially affected ones have a use-by date of July 20, 2018.

12. Frito-Lay kettle cooked chips

Your favorite chips may not be as satisfying as you think. Frito-Lay recalled their Jalapeño Flavored Lay’s Kettle Cooked chips and Jalapeño Flavored Miss Vickie’s Kettle Cooked chips in April due to salmonella concerns in the seasoning. Luckily, the actual chips didn’t contain salmonella, and there was no reported illness. Any chips available for purchase right now are totally safe.

13. Woodstock Organic Matcha Vanilla Oats

For health nuts, these Organic Matcha Vanilla Oats provided a filling, nutritious breakfast. Unfortunately, you may get more than you bargained for if you purchased yours in July. The oats produced around this time may be contaminated with listeria. If you suspect yours were recalled, look for a sell-by date of May 11, 2018, and this UPC code provided by the FDA.

14. Maradol papayas

Love this tropical fruit? Make sure your papayas aren’t on the recall list. Maradol papayas from multiple farms in Mexico tested positive for salmonella. If you contract salmonella from this fruit, you can expect diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramping between one and three days after consumption. In some cases, the infection can be severe and require hospitalization. The good news is the FDA believes no papayas from these farms are currently on the market, so at least that’s a relief.

15. CC Kitchens meat and poultry salad products

If you’re a fan of CC Kitchens’ pre-made salads, then you probably remember this recall from June. The company recalled over 2,000 pounds of salads containing meat or poultry due to listeria concerns. Luckily, the salads only have a six-day shelf life, so the major recall is behind us. But if you’re a fan of their Chef Salad or Chicken & Bacon Cobb Salad, it doesn’t hurt to know these were among the ones recalled.

This Is the Absolute Unhealthiest Fast Food Burger in America

Out of all the fast food chains you’ve likely visited in your lifetime, it’s possible you’ve eaten some of the best — and many of the worst — menu options these places have to offer. There’s a chance you’ve eaten the unhealthiest fast food burger in America, and you might not have even known it.

Here are the top 10 least nutritionally savvy burgers you can get in the United States. How many on this list have you had the pleasure (or displeasure) of sampling?

10. McDonald’s Double Quarter Pounder with Cheese

Surprisingly, McDonald’s ranks lowest on this list. Even though they’re doing their best to make customers’ food healthier, there are still plenty of high-calorie options on their menu. If you’re trying to watch your sodium intake, this burger doesn’t belong in your mouth.

When it comes to burgers, their Double Quarter Pounder — with cheese — offers a total of 770 calories, 21 grams of saturated fat, 10 grams of sugar, and 1,290 milligrams of sodium.

9. Smashburger BBQ, Bacon, & Cheddar Burger

Known for their “smashing” beef patties, Smashburger makes it easy to customize your own burger to make sure it includes all the ingredients you want. Ordering from the menu without making modifications might not always play out in your favor.

Smashburger’s BBQ, Bacon, & Cheddar burger contains 764 calories, 16 grams of saturated fat, 10 grams of sugar, and 1,690 milligrams of sodium. If you removed the butter from the egg bun and beef patty, and left out the onions, you’d cut your calorie intake down to 560 calories — that’s slightly better.

8. Five Guys Bacon Cheeseburger

This famous fast food chain allows you to choose the burger of your dreams — but if you aren’t careful, it could become your worst food-centric nightmare.

Five Guys serves a bacon cheeseburger that adds up to 920 calories, 62 total grams of fat, 40 grams of carbs, and 1,310 milligrams of sodium. You can eliminate almost 150 calories and trim your sodium intake down to 690 milligrams if you order a bacon burger without cheese.

7. Burger King Double Whopper with Cheese

Everyone knowns Burger King has the best french fries — but their burger selections don’t quite make the “best” list. Especially the Whoppers.

A Burger King Double Whopper with Cheese will cost you 980 calories, 24 grams of saturated fat, 11 grams of sugar, and 1,410 milligrams of sodium. You could go for a single Whopper, or just a simple burger, for a lot less.

6. Whataburger Mushroom Swiss Burger

Combine two beef patties, grilled mushrooms, Swiss cheese, and smother it all in au jus sauce, and what do you get? One of the unhealthiest burgers on any menu, anywhere.

Whataburger’s Mushroom Swiss Burger contains 1,110 calories, 23 grams of saturated fat, 11 grams of sugar, and 1,890 milligrams of sodium.

5. Dairy Queen ½ lb. Flamethrower Grillburger

Even though it’s best known for the miraculous things it can do with ice cream, Dairy Queen also serves a particularly high-stakes burger — and a few that aren’t so risky.

When you order the half-pound burger by itself (not as a combo), you still take in a total of 970 calories, 25 grams of saturated fat, 9 grams of sugar, and 1,570 milligrams of sodium. If you stick with a quarter-pound burger, you’ll save yourself a lot of probable misery.

4. Jack in the Box Bacon Ultimate Cheeseburger

Jack in the Box is here for you, whether you want breakfast, a late-night meal, or something in-between. Beware of their burgers, though — especially the Ultimates.

The Bacon Ultimate Cheeseburger weighs in at 930 calories, 25 grams of saturated fat, 6 grams of sugar, and 1,590 milligrams of sodium. That’s what happens when you pile two beef patties, two types of cheese, and a questionable cocktail of condiments between two halves of a butter-soaked bun.

3. Wendy’s Dave’s Triple Burger

Wendy’s rivals many of its competitors when it comes to the nutritional quality of its selections. This isn’t the case with all of its menu items, though.

Dave’s Triple Burger contains 1,090 calories, 30 grams of saturated fat, 9 grams of sugar, and 1,910 milligrams of sodium (the recommended daily maximum is 2,300). Dave also created single and double versions of his burger, so you don’t have to go big to enjoy the taste.

2. Sonic Bacon Double Cheeseburger with Mayo

Sonic offers a wide selection of regular and junior-sized burgers to satisfy all your beefy food cravings. Why choose something small and innocent when you could order one of the unhealthiest fast food burgers in America — just by doubling its size?

Take a relatively harmless bacon cheeseburger (with mayo) and multiply it by two. That’s 1,030 calories, 23 grams of saturated fat, 12 grams of sugar, and 1,880 milligrams of sodium you’ll never get back.

1. Carl’s Jr./Hardee’s Monster Thickburger

The unhealthiest fast food burger in America comes from one of the most well-known restaurant chains nationwide. Carl’s Jr. (or Hardee’s, depending on where you’re from) serves a literal monster of a burger you’d do much better without.

Nearly a pound of beef, 4 bacon strips, 3 slices of cheese, and mayo all adds up — to 1,240 calories, 35 grams of saturated fat, and 1,690 milligrams of sodium, to be exact. Is this necessary? Is it really worth the stomachache? You decide.

Multigrain, wholegrain, wholemeal: what's the difference and which bread is best?

Wholemeal, wholegrain, multigrain, sourdough, rye, white, high fibre white, low GI, low FODMAP, gluten free. Leah Dowling, a dietetics lecturer from Swinburne University of Technology, sums up the pros and cons of different breads for The Conversation.

Bread has always been a dietary staple in Australian households. It’s a good source of carbohydrate, it’s low in fat, and wholegrain varieties are a good source of protein, fibre, vitamins and minerals, as well as healthy fats.

Wholegrains are high in dietary fibre, which helps keep us feeling full. Diets high in wholegrains are linked to a reduced risk of health conditions such as excess weight and obesity, heart disease, type 2 diabetes and some cancers. Dietary fibre is also beneficial for bowel health by preventing constipation and feeding the “good” gut bacteria which is likely to result in a number of health benefits. A recent study found a diet high in wholegrains was associated with a lower risk of bowel cancer.

Due to the grains being ground down during processing, white and wholemeal breads have a higher glycaemic index (GI) than wholegrain bread, which results in glucose being released into the bloodstream more quickly. Regular consumption of lower GI foods helps to regulate blood glucose levels, keeping us fuller for longer, and helping us eat fewer calories to keep our weight in check.

White bread is made from wheat that has had the germ and bran removed, thereby reducing the fibre, B group vitamins, vitamin E and minerals such as iron, zinc, magnesium and phosphorus.

Wholemeal

Wholemeal bread is made from wholegrains that have been milled to a fine texture, giving a plain brown appearance. Wholemeal flour contains more fibre than white flour. Wholemeal bread also contains more vitamins and minerals than many white breads, but has a higher GI than wholegrain breads. Multigrain

Often multigrain bread is made from white flour with some added grains. Despite this, multigrain breads tend to have more fibre and a lower GI than white bread, resulting in longer lasting energy.

Example: Tip Top Multigrain.

Wholegrain

Wholegrain bread contains the entire grain: the bran (outer layer), endosperm (starchy middle layer) and germ (nutrient rich inner part). It’s a rich source of carbohydrates, protein, unsaturated (good) fats, vitamins and minerals, as well as three types of fibre: soluble, insoluble and resistant starch. Wholegrain bread has a dense wholemeal flour base and well as lots of grain and seeds. Look for “whole grain” in the ingredient list.

Soy and linseed bread has the added benefit of healthy omega 3 fats. Wholegrain bread is low GI as are wholemeal breads with added grains.

Example: Helga’s wholemeal grain, Burgen wholemeal & seeds, Burgen wholegrain and oats, Schwobbs wholegrain, Tip top 9 grain (wholemeal), Bakers Delight Capeseed (wholegrain).

Rye

Rye bread has a heavier texture due to a lower gluten content (but it’s not gluten free). Wholegrain rye with added grains has a higher fibre and vitamin content than light rye and has a lower GI, as does rye sourdough. Wholegrain rye is a good choice for health and even light rye is better than white.

Example: Burgen Rye bread, Schwobb’s kibbled rye, Dench’s rye sourdough

Sourdough

Sourdough bread has a lower GI due to the higher acidity level. Fibre, vitamin and mineral levels vary with the flour used, with wholegrain sourdough being the preferred choice. Be sure to choose an authentic sourdough, as some are faux sourdough and contain yeast rather than the traditional starter.

Authentic sourdough takes a long time to produce and results in an acidic and chewy bread, two features that lower the GI. Look for a chewy texture and the absence of yeast in the ingredients, preferably with wholewheat flour or rye wholemeal, grains and seeds.

Example: Dench bakers (esp. superseed or grain sourdough), Phillippa’s, Firebrand sourdough bread.

High fibre white

High fibre white breads are white breads that have fibre added to them. This makes them a better choice than regular white bread especially for children (or big kids) who won’t eat wholegrain bread.

Example: Wonder white low GI bread, Bakers Delight High Fibre low GI

Gluten-free

Gluten-free breads are made from an alternative grain to wheat, so as to avoid the wheat protein gluten. Traditionally, gluten-free breads have had a lower fibre content and higher GI than their wheat-containing counterparts, although, there are now some with added seeds.

These breads are useful for people with a gluten intolerance such as coeliac disease, but offer no additional health benefits beyond regular breads for the rest of us.

Example: Abbott’s gluten-free mixed seeds and gluten-free soy and linseed, Helga’s gluten free.

Low FODMAP

Similarly, low FODMAP breads have recently hit the market. These breads are suitable for people such as those with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), who are sensitive to a group of carbohydrates known collectively as FODMAPS. FODMAPS are found in a number of foods including wheat. These breads still contain gluten and are not suitable for people with coeliac disease.

Although better than regular white bread as they contain seeds and grains, the fibre content varies between brands, so people without sensitivities are generally better to choose wholegrain breads.

Example: Bakers Delight LO-FO loaf, Helga’s lower carb 5 seed (low GI).

What's the healthiest bread?

Not all breads are created equal. Ideally look for heavy, dense breads with lots of grains and seeds. Ingredient lists on food labels are written in descending order so look for words such as wholegrain, kibbled grain, nuts and seeds at the beginning of the ingredients list. Foods with more than 4g fibre per serve are considered a good source of fibre under the Australian food standards code.

Go for a wholegrain, wholegrain rye or authentic sourdough breads (particularly rye or grain sourdough). The soft fluffy white breads are best left for the occasional Bunnings sausage sizzle, where the only decision to make is onions or no onions.

Saturday 17 March 2018

Homeless family of 4 found dead in parked van in California

A homeless couple and their two young children, all dressed for bed, were found dead from suspected carbon monoxide poisoning in a parked van that had its windows covered with blankets and a shade to block out the light outside a Southern California strip mall, police said Friday.

Garden Grove Police Lt. Carl Whitney said a man, a woman, a boy and girl were found inside the white Honda van outside a CVS store late Thursday after a woman reported a foul odor coming from the vehicle.

"They were in pajamas and sleeping gear and it looks like they were all asleep inside the van," Whitney said.

There were no signs of obvious trauma. The cause of death is still under investigation, but authorities suspect carbon monoxide poisoning based on their initial observations, Whitney said.

Both children appeared under the age of 2 and were still in diapers, he said.

On Friday the Orange County Coroner's office identified the man as Phunyouphone Kanyavong, 41. Authorities said they believe they know the identities of the others but will not release their names until they are confirmed through DNA and fingerprints.

Garden Grove police detectives said they have spoken with relatives of Kanyavong who told them they believe the woman and the children are his girlfriend and the couple's two children.

The case comes as Southern California grapples with a rise in homelessness amid soaring housing costs.

The family had been living in the van for some time and relatives were aware of the situation but the father did not seek help, Whitney said.

"What is tragic about this is we have our special resources teams that have connections to different resources," Whitney said. "We don't want these people living in their cars, and especially with small children. We want them to be off the streets for their own safety."

The family in the van had been dead for at least two or three days by the time police arrived and the van was not running, Whitney said.

A clerk at the CVS store declined to comment early Friday. The strip mall — which also has a tea house, shoe store, pizza shop and mobile phone retailer — is located at a busy intersection in the city of 175,000 people about 30 miles southeast of Los Angeles.

Ex-CIA Boss John Brennan Tears Into Donald Trump Over Andrew McCabe Firing

Former CIA chief John Brennan did not mince his words when taking aim at President Donald Trump on Saturday morning.

In a blistering tweet, Brennan blasted Trump for celebrating the dismissal of former FBI deputy Director Andrew McCabe.

Trump would take his “rightful place as a disgraced demagogue in the dustbin of history” once “the full extent” of his “venality, moral turpitude, and political corruption becomes known,” Brennan wrote.

“You may scapegoat Andy McCabe,” he added. “But you will not destroy America… America will triumph over you.”

When the full extent of your venality, moral turpitude, and political corruption becomes known, you will take your rightful place as a disgraced demagogue in the dustbin of history. You may scapegoat Andy McCabe, but you will not destroy America...America will triumph over you. https://t.co/uKppoDbduj
— John O. Brennan (@JohnBrennan) March 17, 2018

Attorney General Jeff Sessions fired McCabe from his role on Friday, just two days before he was slated to retire, over his alleged conduct during a review of an investigation into the Clinton Foundation.

Brennan’s tweet was in direct response to an earlier post from Trump, shortly after midnight, in which the president described McCabe’s firing as “a great day for the hard working men and women of the FBI” and “a great day for Democracy.”

Andrew McCabe FIRED, a great day for the hard working men and women of the FBI - A great day for Democracy. Sanctimonious James Comey was his boss and made McCabe look like a choirboy. He knew all about the lies and corruption going on at the highest levels of the FBI!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 17, 2018

McCabe has already hit back at his dismissal via a lengthy statement.

“This attack on my credibility is one part of a larger effort not just to slander me personally, but to taint the FBI, law enforcement, and intelligence professionals more generally,” he wrote. “It is part of this Administration’s ongoing war on the FBI and the efforts of the Special Counsel investigation, which continue to this day.”

Earlier this month, Brennan said there was “deep, deep worry and concern” about America’s safety under the Trump administration.