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By U.S. FDA on March 02nd, 2010
Survey shows gains in food-label use, health & diet awareness
Consumers are increasingly aware of the link between diet and heart disease.
Category: Diet & Nutrition
By LocalHealthGuide on February 09th, 2010
Michelle Obama to lead campaign against childhood obestity
Goal: End the epidemic of childhood obesity in the U.S. within a generation.
By Michael McCarthy on January 25th, 2010
How’s your heart health?
Heart association launches 10-year program to cut heart and stroke deaths 20 percent.
By U.S. FDA on November 24th, 2009
Food Safety Tips for Healthy Holidays from the FDA
Clean, Separate, Cook and Chill — and watch out for that stuffing
By Michael McCarthy on November 18th, 2009
Washington ranked 11th healthiest state — but obesity rate soaring
State’s obesity rate has nearly tripled over the past 20 years.
By admin on August 24th, 2009
FDA investigates reports of liver damage due to orlistat, the active ingredient in Xenical and Alli
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced today that it was reviewing the safety of the weight-loss drug orlistat after receiving reports that 32 people using the drug developed severe liver damage, including reports of six cases of liver failure.
Orlistat is the active ingredient in the prescription weight-loss drug Xenical and the over-the-counter product [...]
By admin on August 12th, 2009
Batch of Liberté Méditerranée Wild Blackberry Yogourt recalled due to walnut allergy concern
The maker of Liberté Méditerranée Wild Blackberry Yogourt is recalling all its 6 oz size product dated September 2 and distributed in the U.S.A. due to concerns it may contained walnuts and plums not included in its ingredients list.
“People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to walnuts run the risk of serious or life-threatening [...]
By Michael McCarthy on July 28th, 2009
Some body-building “supplements” contain dangerous, unapproved drugs, FDA warns
Consumers should stop using any body building products that are sold with claims they contain steroids or steroid-like substances, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said today.
Many of these products are marketed as dietary supplements but, in fact, contain synthetic substances that can cause serious liver injury, kidney failure, blood clots in the lung [...]
By admin on July 10th, 2009
Food can cost twice as much at some Seattle supermarket chains–UW nutrition researchers find
It will cost you roughly twice as much to buy a standard “market basket” of food from PCC in Kirkland than it would if you had shopped at Fred Meyer, a study by University of Washington researchers has found.
Market Basket Price in Dollars by Chain
The purpose of the study was to see if there were [...]
By admin on July 07th, 2009
Maple & Brown Sugar Oatmeal Products Recalled Due to Salmonella Concerns
Malt-O-Meal Company is recalling its “Maple & Brown Sugar Instant Oatmeal” and its “Maple & Brown Sugar Instant Oatmeal” packets, which are sold in variety packs because of concerns of potential Salmonella contamination.
The product affected by this recall includes single-serve packets of “Maple & Brown Sugar Instant Oatmeal” and “Maple & Brown Sugar Instant Oatmeal” [...]
By admin on June 24th, 2009
Tortilla chips sold in Washington and Oregon recalled because of milk allergy concerns
Seattle-based La Mexicana, Inc. is recalling its Solena Tortilla Chips because they contain milk and milk products not declared on the chip packaging.
Solena Tortilla Chips are sold in clear, 16oz. bags that have the red, white, and green Solena label affixed to the front of the package.
The recalled chips bear the code date of “JUN [...]
By admin on May 23rd, 2009
Health stories in the news
Staying sharp as you age
Benedict Carey writes in the New York Times about the work of researchers who are trying to figure out why some people are able to stay mentally sharp well into their 90s.
Carey writes:
“The evidence suggests that people who spend long stretches of their days, three hours and more, engrossed in some [...]
By admin on May 01st, 2009
FDA warns consumers to stop using Hydroxycut after weight-loss supplement linked to liver damage
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is warning consumers to stop using Hydroxycut products after reports have linked the popular weight-loss supplement to liver damage.
In an advisory the FDA said it have received 23 reports of serious health problems ranging from jaundice and elevated liver enzymes, an indicator of potential liver injury, to liver [...]
By admin on April 28th, 2009
Do not eat raw alfalfa sprouts, FDA warns
Consumers should not eat raw alfalfa sprouts and sprout blends containing alfalfa sprouts until further notice because seeds for the sprouts have been sold throughout the country may be contaminated with the bacteria Salmonella, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration says.
The FDA warns:
Salmonella is an organism that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young [...]
By admin on April 22nd, 2009
More than 30 weight-loss supplements recalled after they are found to contain prescription drug
More than 30 dietary weight-loss supplements are being recalled after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration found they contained Sibutramine, a prescription appetite suppressant
The products, with names like ProSlim Plus, 3 DAYS fit and EIGHT FACTOR DIET, are distributed nationwide by Universal ABC Beauty Supply International, Inc.
“Consumers should not consume the above products and should return the dietary supplements on [...]
By admin on March 21st, 2009
FDA issues nationwide alert after drugs are found in scores of “natural” weight-loss supplements
People taking 72 weight-loss products sold as herbal remedies and dietary supplements should stop taking them immediately and consult their health care providers, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said today.
The products which are often marketed as “natural” supplements actually contain potent pharmaceutical ingredients, the FDA said.
“These tainted weight loss products pose a great risk [...]
By admin on February 19th, 2009
Three Washington companies recall peanut products due to concerns about Salmonella contamination
Three Washington companies have issued recalls of peanut products due to concerns that they might be contaminated with the bacterium Salmonella.
All the companies obtained peanut products from the Peanut Corporation of America, whose plant in Blakely, Georgia has been identified with an Salmonella outbreak that has sickened more than 640 people nationwide and has been [...]
By admin on January 28th, 2009
Weight-loss supplement contains potentially dangerous drug, FDA warns
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is warning consumers not to take Venom HYPERDRIVE 3.0, a weight-loss product that is sold as a dietary supplement but which the FDA says contains a potentially dangerous drug sibutramine.
Sibutramine is an appetite suppressant but is considered a controlled substance because it is associated with the risk of [...]
By admin on January 12th, 2009
Cookbook offers healthy, traditional recipes to help Hispanics avoid diabetes
Today, more than one in ten Hispanics age 20 years and older has diabetes. The reasons for this are unknown. Diabetes can run in families, so heredity might play a role. Some researchers believe that certain ethnic groups carry a “thrifty gene”.
People with this gene would be better at storing up food as fat during [...]
By admin on January 11th, 2009
Seattle company recalls yogurt parfait products over nut allergy concerns
Seattle-based Triple B Corporation has issued a recall of its Charlie’s brand yogurt parfait products because they contain walnuts and almonds that are not included in the list of ingredients.
“People who have allergies to walnuts or almonds run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume these products,” the company warns.
The yogurt [...]
By admin on January 06th, 2009
Losing weight in 2009 – Dr. Carolyn Clancy’s tips for getting started
Even modest weight loss can make a big difference in your health and how you feel: a loss of just 5 to 7 percent of your body weight can reduce your blood pressure, lower your risk of diabetes, and improve your cholesterol levels.
But how to get started?
In today’s column, Dr. Carolyn Clancy, director of the U.S. [...]
By admin on December 31st, 2008
Morning Report: Seattle and national health news roundup
Honey often mislabeled and adulterated
The international honey trade is “fire with crime and intrigue” with honey traders “resorting to elaborate schemes to dodge tariffs and health safeguards”, the Seattle Post-Intelligencer senior correspondent Andrew Schneider reports in a two-part investigative series on the honey industry.
As a result, Schneider warns, don’t believe the label. “You may be [...]
By admin on December 30th, 2008
Nutrition labeling in many King County chain restaurants starts January 1st
Did you know that at Denny’s an order of three slices of french toast with syrup and margarine contains 1,261 calories?
Well, these and other shockers will be posted on the menus of local chain restaurants beginning January 1st.
The information will include the calorie, saturated fat, carbohydrate and sodium content of the restaurants’ meals.
The information is [...]
By admin on December 25th, 2008
Morning Report: Seattle, regional and national health stories in the news
Fighting hunger and obesity at the same time
The Obama administration intends to use federal food assistance programs to improve the nutrition of the poor, the Washington Post reports.
Obesity is a growing health problem with one in four Americans now being dangerously overweight and one in three children being either overweight or obese.
Research, including work being [...]
By admin on December 22nd, 2008
FDA orders recall of more than 25 weight-loss products
Consumers should not purchase or take more than 25 weight-loss products that have been found to contain a variety of potentially dangerous drugs and chemicals, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration warned today.
The tainted weight loss products are:
Fatloss Slimming
2 Day Diet
3x Slimming Power
Japan Lingzhi 24 Hours Diet
5x Imelda Perfect Slimming
3 Day Diet
7 Day Herbal Slim
8 [...]
By admin on December 20th, 2008
Cocoa products may contain melamine
The distributer of four cocoa products has issued a recall after samples have found to contain melamine.
Melamine is a nitrogen-containing compound used for a variety of industrial uses.
It is potentially poisonous and is not allowed in food in the U.S.A.
The products had been distributed to Big Lots and Shopko retail outlets.
The recalled products are:
G&J Hot Cocoa [...]
By admin on December 18th, 2008
Say it’s not so – Christmas medical myths exposed
Sugar causes hyperactivity in children, yes? — No.
Suicides increase over the holidays, yes? — No.
Poinsettias are poisonous, yes? — No.
You lose most of your body heat through your head, yes? — No, again
Eating at night makes you fatter, yes? — No.
You can cure or prevent an hangover, yes? — Unfortunately, no.
Those, at least, are the conclusions of the two authors of [...]
By admin on December 14th, 2008
Imitation cream cheese and “peanot” butter products recalled
Cambrooke Foods has issued an urgent recall of batches of three products:
Cheddar Wizard Low Protein Imitation Cream Cheese (SKU 10310; 8 oz. jar);
Herb & Garlic Low Protein Imitation Cream Cheese (SKU 10308; 8 oz. jar); and
Plain Low Protein Imitation Cream Cheese (SKU 10306; 8 oz. jar).
Low Protein Peanot Butter (SKU 10809; 16 oz. jar).
Listeria monocytogenes
The company [...]
By admin on December 09th, 2008
Selenium and Vitamins C and E fail to prevent cancer in two large studies
The popular dietary supplements selenium and vitamins C and E failed to prevent prostate and other cancers in two large trials published online today by JAMA, the Journal of the American Medical Association.
In one study, more than 35,500 older men were randomly assigned to four groups. One group took selenium, one vitamin E, one selenium [...]
By admin on December 08th, 2008
Videos to help Native American children avoid diabetes
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Prevention has produced an animated video series to encourage Native American children to be active and eat right to reduce their risk of developing diabetes.
The series of four videos are based on the four Eagle Books written by Georgia Peres of Nambe Pueblo and illustrated by Partick [...]
By admin on November 25th, 2008
Holiday Food Safety Tips from the CDC
An estimated 76 million Americans come down with food poisoning every year.
To reduce your risk during the upcoming holiday season, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control urges you to follow the four basic rules of food safety: Clean, Separate, Cook, and Chill.
Food For Your Soul: Be “Food Safe” During the Holidays
Food-safety tips from the CDC
Food [...]
By admin on November 21st, 2008
Vegan cheese product recalled
A vegan cheese substitute marketed under the name Vegan Rella Cheddar Block has been recalled because it may contain milk protein.
“People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to milk protein run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume this product,” the company warns.
Here is the company’s press release announcing the [...]
By admin on November 19th, 2008
Blame the economy, not food for the US obesity epidemic, UW professor says
Obesity is often blamed on making poor dietary choices, leading a sedentary lifestyle and genetics.
Not so, says UW Professor Adam Drenowski in an op-ed piece in today’s Seattle Post-Intelligencer.
Obesity is due to poverty, Drewnowski argues.
Obesity is linked to poverty, because with less money to spend on food the poor are driven to buy cheap, high-calorie [...]
By admin on November 18th, 2008
JAMA Report: Gingko fails to prevent dementia
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By admin on November 18th, 2008
Nestlé recalls Lean Cuisine frozen chicken meal products
Nestlé Prepared Foods Company is recalling specific lots of three Lean Cuisine frozen chicken meal products after bits of plastic were reported to have been found in the products.
The health risk is considered high.
The recall includes specific lots of the following products:
9.5-ounce packages of “LEAN CUISINE PESTO CHICKEN WITH BOW TIE PASTA” brand frozen meals.
10.5-ounce [...]
By admin on November 17th, 2008
Dealing with kids’ food preferences
[ November 20, 2008; 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm. ]
“Pass the Tofurkey!” Food Preferences
What’s a vegetarian? What’s a vegan? What’s an eating disorder? Let’s talk about ways to accommodate food preferences, recognize problems, and make sure that everybody in the family gets appropriate nutrition. Free but registration required.
Pizza with Pediatrics is a free monthly seminar hosted by Virginia Mason Pediatrics and featuring topics of [...]
By admin on November 15th, 2008
Seattle’s Favorite Gourmet Cookies & Dessert Co Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Milk in Muffin Tops
Seattle’s Favorite Gourmet Cookies & Dessert Co is recalling its Orange Cranberry and Banana Nut Muffin Tops because they contain milk that is not declared on the list of ingredients.
People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to milk run the risk of serious or life threatening allergic reaction if they consume these products, the [...]
By admin on November 11th, 2008
Nestlé withdraws Nestlé Farinha Lactea cereal
Nestlé is withdrawing Nestlé Farinha Lactea cereal in the U.SA., because it has learned the product may contain residual traces of a pesticide not currently approved for use on wheat in the U.S.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE — November 3, 2008 — Nestlé is withdrawing Nestlé Farinha Lactea cereal in the United States. Nestlé is taking this [...]
By admin on November 09th, 2008
Vitamins E and C fail to prevent heart attacks and strokes in men
Taking vitamins E and C failed to prevent heart attacks and strokes in a large study of older men being released online today by JAMA, the Journal of the American Medical Association.
The study followed more than 14,600 male physicians over the the age of 50 years who were randomly assigned to take either a vitamin [...]
