Foods and Other Products Recall

Nuts and vehicles today:

Apr 18---Jeppi Nut and Candy recalls Natural PISTACHIOS
Apr 18---NOW Foods recalls In-Shell PISTACHIOS
Apr 18---Ross Nut Co. recalls Roasted Salted In-shell PISTACHIOS
Apr 18---CFIA recalls Spunky's PISTACHIO Products---Canada
Apr 18---Sabersport recalls Aftermarket Corner/Bumper LAMP ASSEMBLIES on Many Vehicles{check list}
Apr 18---Tiffin recalls 2008-2009 Allegro BUSES
Apr 18---Daimler recalls 2008-2009 Orion VII BUSES
Apr 18---Mazda recalls 2010 Mazda3 VEHICLES
Apr 18---Carrier recalls K410 Rooftop Mounted Condensor ASSEMBLIES
Apr 18---Hyundai recalls Several 1999-2008 VEHICLES

Stay safe, friends!

EPA Declares Greenhouse Gases A Public Health Threat

Image of projected climate change. Image by NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association).

Finally, a government is admitting to what we have known all along. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued a finding that greenhouse gases endanger public health and welfare. Hopefully, this type of finding will begin to be recognized by governments worldwide.

"Today’s action shows that President Obama takes the threats posed by global warming seriously and is ready to act," said Martin Hayden, vice president of policy and legislation. "The Obama administration has removed a road block in curbing pollution responsible for climate change and signaled a turn toward a clean energy future. We applaud this action, and welcome the President’s leadership to overcome the greatest environmental challenge of our time.”

The action is a response to the Supreme Court’s landmark Massachusetts v. EPA decision from 2007. Earthjustice co-argued this case at the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit in 2005.

"The Obama administration has reaffirmed that the Clean Air Act gives EPA authority to combat global warming pollution, and this is what we have been fighting for all along," Hayden said.

Read the proposed finding here:

A New Lichen Discovered

Caloplaca obamae growing on Pleistocene soils on Santa Rosa Island. Credit: J. C. Lendemer

It seems like the world has been infected with “Obamamania” – from the high and mighty to the meek and lowly.

Lichen is about as meek and lowly as you can get - visually speaking. It is a plant-like growth that looks like moss; possibly a dry leaf or it could resemble something dying on a rock. However, lichen is good browse for wildlife when other food is not available; and, it is lichen that supplies the “antifreeze” needed to keep the reindeer’s blood from freezing in Lapland and similar countries.

This recently-discovered species was the pot at the end of the rainbow for Kerry Knudsen, lichen curator at the University of California, Riverside Herbarium. He was doing a survey in 2007 on lichen diversity on Santa Rosa Island in California when he found it.

While many scientists name a species they discover after themselves or a loved one, Kerry Knudsen named his lichen after President Obama.

"I named it Caloplaca obamae to show my appreciation for the president's support of science and science education," he said. "I made the final collections of C. obamae during the suspenseful final weeks of President Obama's campaign for the United States presidency."

C. obamae, is the first species of any organism to be named in honor of President Obama. (You really want to check this last hyperlink!)

"This species barely survived the intensive grazing of cattle (100 years), elk and deer on Santa Rosa Island," Knudsen said. "But with cattle now removed, it has begun to recover. With future removal of elk and deer — both of which were introduced to the island — it is expected to fully recover."

Lichens, which grow slowly and live for many years, result from fungi and algae living together.

Of the 17,000 species of lichen worldwide, 1,500 are from California. Of those 1,500, more than 300 lichens are from Santa Rosa Island. There are almost as many native species of plants on the island as there is lichen.

"C. obamae teaches us that possibly other species of lichens and plants unique to Santa Rosa Island may have disappeared, without ever being known to science, since sheep ranching began there in the 1850s," Knudsen said.

Knudsen published his discovery in the March issue of the journal Opuscula Philolichenum.

Food and Other Products Recall

Vehicles, food, toys, candy and food:

Apr 17---Ivar's Soup, Seafood and Sauce issues allergy alert on Turkey SOUP BASE Products
Apr 17---GP Supermarkets issues allergy alert on Dauphinois CHEESE---Canada
Apr 17---Janzen Farms recalls Roasted/Salted PISTACHIOS in the Shell
Apr 17---Staples recalls Crunch Time PISTACHIO NUTS
Apr 17---Dollarama issues allergy alert on Bergen Apple Cinnamon COOKIES---Canada
Apr 17---CFIA recalls more PISTACHIO Containing Products---Canada
Apr 17---Sainsbury’s recalls Frozen Thin & Crusty Vegetable Stonebake PIZZA---U.K.
Apr 17---Tesco issues allergy alert on Storck Nimm 2 POLISH CANDY---U.K.
Apr 17---The Swiss Colony recalls Certain In-Shell PISTACHIO Products
Apr 17---Osage Pecan Company recalls Roasted/Salted In-Shell PISTACHIOS
Apr 17---Island Snacks recalls Chile Lemon PISTACHIOS
Apr 17---Life Time Sales/Besco Beauty recall SHAMPOO/ CONDITIONER/ MOUSSE---Canada
Apr 17---SkyLead Trading recalls Remote Control TOY HELICOPTERS---Canada
Apr 17---Eprom/Maruson Tech. recalls Micro AVR-1000 POWER BARS---Canada
Apr 17---Oley recalls Motorised PROJECTOR SCREENS---U.K.
Apr 17---Irish Creative Stamping recalls Toy KALEIDOSCOPES---U.K.
Apr 17---Colgate-Palmolive recalls Twister Fresh TOOTHBRUSHES---U.K.
Apr 17---Pacific Magazines recalls Ben 10 Alien Fighter WATCHES---Australia
Apr 17---Atomic recalls Several Different LIGHTERS---Cyprus
Apr 17---Xoops recalls Children's Sweatshirt TOPS/JACKETS---Lithuania
Apr 17---Dipinto recalls Hooded SWEATSHIRT TOPS---Finland
Apr 17---Salsa Collection recalls Cotton Cake Food IMITATION PRODUCTS---Germany
Apr 17---Newquida recalls Wavechopper Remote controlled Boat ADAPTORS---Germany
Apr 17---Botanis recalls Goat Butter SKIN CREAMS---Germany
Apr 17---Koopman recalls Reindeer/Snowman DRAUGHT STOPPERS---Germany
Apr 17---Vivanco recalls Compact TRAVEL ADAPTORS---Germany
Apr 17---Kress recalls Wet/Dry VACUUM CLEANERS---Germany
Apr 17---Pasite/Nio Nio/Ess recall Several BOOTS/SHOES/FOOTWEAR---Spain
Apr 17---Soaker Slammers/Lanard recall Plastic TOY MACE---Spain
Apr 17---Unilite recalls Ball-Point Pen Electronic LIGHTERS---Spain
Apr 17---Hohot Toys recalls MUSICAL DOLLS---Spain
Apr 17---Witka recalls Magnetic EDUCATIONAL TOYS---Spain
Apr 17---Powerplus recalls Petrol POWER GENERATORS---Spain
Apr 17---Dokocom/Denver recall DVD Player BATTERIES---Denmark
Apr 17---Buddy Wood recalls Animal Toy WOODEN TRAINS---Denmark
Apr 17---Jumbo recalls Red/Blue BABY'S JACKETS---Greece
Apr 17---Liberty recalls Gouache WATER COLOR SET---Greece
Apr 17---Pop recalls Make-Up BEAUTY SET---Greece
Apr 17---Common Toys recalls "Fluffy Ball" YO-YO BALL---Greece
Apr 17---Disney Baby recalls Disney Baby/Jumbo BABY'S JUMPSUIT---Greece
Apr 17---Boxing Game recalls Toy BOXING SET---Greece
Apr 17---Akamai recalls White Children's JACKETS---Greece
Apr 17---Hyundai recalls 2001-2003 Elantra/Tiburon/Santa Fe VEHICLES
Apr 17---Ford recalls 2005-2007 Focus VEHICLES---Germany
Apr 17---Honda recalls GG2/GG3 Jazz VEHICLES---Germany
Apr 17---Volkswagen recalls 2007 Crafter VEHICLES---Greece
Apr 17---Renault recalls 2003-2006 Twingo VEHICLES---Germany
Apr 17---Citreon recalls Several Models of VEHICLES---Germany
Apr 17---Shen Neng Herbal Med. recalls Chuan Xiong Cha Tiao Wan PILLS---Australia

Stay safe, friends!

A Reader Says...

Hello Pippa,

I couldn't find your contact info., so I figured I could leave you a message on here. first off, my name is Miranda Mullett and it seems we have a lot of the same interests. I will be going to Beijing in 4 weeks to somehow use myself to help sustain the environment. Do you have any ideas? My e-mail address is mam376@nau.edu. Thanks!!

Here's link to her page on Beijing: http://mirandasadventurestochina.blogspot.com/

Readers: the gauntlet has been thrown, let's give this woman some really great ideas to take to Beijing with her. You can leave her messages either by email or on her blog - unfortunately I was only able to establish a link to her blog page.

Food and Other Products Recall

More nuts and some medical recalls:

Apr 16---R.U. Nuts Co. recalls Roasted Salted PISTACHIOS
Apr 16---Haas Baking Co. recalls Nut/Peanut ROLLS, Coffee CAKE
Apr 16---Triunfo Import & Export recalls Nestum Flocos/Nestum/Cerelac CEREALS
Apr 16---D. F. Stauffers Biscuit Co. recalls Original Gourmet Original Double Chocolate Chip COOKIES
Apr 16---Union International Food updates Lian How/Uncle Chen SAUCE/ OIL recall
Apr 16---Wine.com recalls Ten GIFT BASKETS w/Pistachios
Apr 16---Superior Nut and Candy recalls Several Pistachio Containing PRODUCTS
Apr 16---Zenobia Co. recalls California PISTACHIO NUTS
Apr 16---European Food & Feed recalls---Week 15
Apr 16---European Food & Feed recalls---Week 14
Apr 16---Bush Hog recalls Off-Road Utility VEHICLES
Apr 16---EB Brands recalls Bally Total Fitness/Everlast/Valeo/Body Fit FITNESS BALLS---International
Apr 16---Tupperware recalls Shape-O TOY MARACA---International
Apr 16---Holica Electronics recalls Digital POWER SAVERS---Canada
Apr 16---Keystone recalls 2010 Hornet TRAVEL TRAILERS
Apr 16---Motor Coach Ind. recalls 2008-2009 J4500 Coach VEHICLES
Apr 16---Subaru recalls 2008-2009 Impreza VEHICLES---Australia
Apr 16---DiaDexus recalls PLAC Test Reagent KITS
Apr 16---Cardinal Health recalls ReadyMed Elastomeric Ambulatory PUMPS
Apr 16---Roche/Hitachi recalls Several Modular Analytics SYSTEMS
Apr 16---Integra LifeSciences recalls Bilayer Matrix Wound DRESSING
Apr 16---GE Healthcare recalls Infinia Hawkeye SCANNERS---International
Apr 16---Medtronic issues RV LEAD Integrity Alert---International
Apr 16---Physio Control recalls Internal Sterilizable Lifepak PADDLES/HANDLES---International
Apr 16---Biomet recalls Offset Tibial Tray ADAPTORS---International
Apr 16---Boston Scientific recalls Delivery/Introducing SHEATH KITS---International
Apr 16---Cardinal Health recalls Viasys Sonora Transcranial Doppler (TCD) SYSTEMS---International
Apr 16---Immuno Concepts recalls ANA Fluorescent/Colorzyme Test SYSTEMS---International
Apr 16---Teleflex Medical recalls Pilling Coronary SCISSORS---International

Stay safe, friends!

Susan Boyle: Bringing Out My SoapBox

I think it only fair to tell you that I am on my soapbox on this one. My parents say I have more soapboxes than Ivory Snow has flakes; but, keeping quiet has never been my long suit. Today's lecture: Never judge a book by its cover. (And especially NOT infront of the book you're laughing at!)

Susan Boyle is an eccentric 47-year-old lady from Scotland. She is not very attractive, never been married, never been kissed, and lives with her cat Pebbles in a tiny village that is little more than an enlargement in the road. She is a contestant on Britain's Got Talent 2009.

When it was her turn, she walked on stage and during her little intro expressed her desire to be as famous as Elaine Paige - a hugely popular British singer. The polite snickered up their sleeves (a quaint British expression) while the not-so-polite laughed out loud. Faces were pulled and it was generally bad behaviour by all.

If it were not for the rules that said she had to be given a chance to sing, I doubt they would have let her continue.

So, with everyone expecting her to fall flat on her face and make a fool of herself on National TV, Susan began to sing. (Keep your eyes on Simon's face.)


All the way to the million with ya, Susan!

Food and Other Products Recall

Pistachios top the list and the rest is a bit of a mixed bag:

Apr 15---National Importing recalls Smoked SALMON Products---Canada
Apr 15---Gordy’s County Market issues allergy alert on Taco BRATWURSTS
Apr 15---Hines Nut Co. recalls Roasted/Salted Inshell PISTACHIO NUTS
Apr 15---Indian Groceries & Spices recalls Raw Pistachio KERNELS
Apr 15---Azar Nut Company recalls Raw PISTACHIOS
Apr 15---Nino Salvaggio Int. recalls Special Selection PISTACHIO NUTS
Apr 15---Nassau Candy recalls Various PISTACHIO Products
Apr 15---Albanese Confectionery recalls PISTACHIO Products
Apr 15---In-Room Plus recalls In-Shell/Berry Granola PISTACHIOS---U.S./Canada
Apr 15---Nut Producers recalls Value Pack Dry Roasted/Salted PISTACHIOS---Australia
Apr 15---Philips Consumer Lifestyle recalls Senseo One-Cup COFFEEMAKERS
Apr 15---Athearn recalls Genesis SD60M HO TRAINS
Apr 15---B&Q recalls Barcelona Wooden Garden HAMMOCKS---U.K.
Apr 15---Omega Tankers & Trailers recalls Heil TANKERS---Australia
Apr 15---ION Labs Inc. recalls Influend Cough/Cold PRODUCTS
Apr 15---Teleflex Medical/Arrow Int. recalls Intra Aortic Balloon Pump (IAB) CATHETERS
Apr 15---FDA updates Ceftriaxone (marketed at Rocephin and generics) PRODUCT alert
Apr 15---GE Healthcare issues medical alert on Aisys/Avance Anaesthetic CARESTATIONS---U.K.

Stay safe, friends!

Capt. Richard Phillips: Victim of Overfishing? You Be The Judge!

In this photo released by the U.S. Navy, Maersk-Alabama Capt. Richard Phillips, right, shakes hands with Lt. Cmdr. David Fowler, executive officer of USS Bainbridge after being rescued by U.S Naval Forces off the coast of Somalia on Sunday April 12, 2009. (AP Photo/ U.S. Navy)

The entire world breathed a sigh of relief on Easter Sunday, April 12, 2009, when Captain Richard Phillips, was freed from his Somali captors. As everyone knows Captain Phillips and his crew were taken hostage by Somali pirates. Capt. Phillips courageously offered himself as hostage; so, his crew would be set free.

The theory is being put forward now that Captain Phillips and his crew are actually the victims of overfishing. How can a hostage-taking be linked with overfishing? The theory is:

Thousands of Somalis once made their living as fishermen. The waters around the coastline of Somalia once teemed with fish providing an adequate living for the fishermen, their families and all the trickle-down businesses that flourished because of the fishing trade. However, Somalia has been without a central government for nearly two decades; so, there is no government body that is actively and effectively protecting the country’s rights to its coastline. Foreign countries have been willing to take advantage of this; and, exploit the fisheries off Somalia’s coast leaving the nets of the local fishermen empty.

WE (wealthy Europeans) have overfished and overexploited our own stocks; so, now we feel justified in helping ourselves to theirs. This from Johann Hari, columnist for the London Independent:

More than $300m worth of tuna, shrimp, lobster and other sea-life is being stolen every year by vast trawlers illegally sailing into Somalia's unprotected seas. The local fishermen have suddenly lost their livelihoods, and they are starving. Mohammed Hussein, a fisherman in the town of Marka 100km south of Mogadishu, told Reuters: "If nothing is done, there soon won't be much fish left in our coastal waters."

But never let it be said that Europeans take things out without putting something else back in. In return for the fish they were harvesting illegally within Somalian waters, they repaid them with mysterious barrels thrown over the side of equally mysterious European ships.

Coincidentally, it was about this time that the coastal population began to get sick. Strange rashes developed accompanied by nausea. There was an increase in the number of deformed babies being born among the coastal populations. Then came the 2005 tsunami.

Give things a heck of a shaking and it’s amazing what pops out. Hundreds of dumped, leaking barrels were washed up on shore. People within close proximity to the barrels developed radiation sickness with over 300 eventually dying.

Ahmedou Ould-Abdallah, the UN envoy to Somalia, told Johann Hari: "Somebody is dumping nuclear material here. There is also lead, and heavy metals such as cadmium and mercury - you name it."

Again from Johann Hari:

Much of it can be traced back to European hospitals and factories, who seem to be passing it on to the Italian mafia to "dispose" of cheaply. When I asked Ould-Abdallah what European governments were doing about it, he said with a sigh: "Nothing. There has been no clean-up, no compensation, and no prevention."

Watching your loved ones starve (sometimes to death) brings a special kind of desperation and many of the fishermen took matters into their own hands. Many of these “pirates” began as vigilante patrol squads challenging vessels that were either fishing illegally or dumping toxic waste in Somali waters and demanded they pay a tax. This proved ineffective and these vigilantes organized into the “pirates” you see today.

The New York Times has an enlightening interview with a Somali “pirate” (given after his capture) who assisted in taking a Ukrainian vessel carrying a huge load of weapons to the Sudan.

So…you be the judge? Is Captain Phillips really the victim of overfishing? Thoughts, comments, musings, ramblings on this subject welcome.

Food and Other Products Recall

No surprise here...more nuts!

Apr 13---CFIA issues allergy alert on Choripdong BISCUITS (Rice Puffs)---Canada
Apr 13---Everson Distributing recalls Watta Munch Natural PISTACHIOS
Apr 13---Eastern Lamejun Bakers recalls PISTACHIO NUTS
Apr 13---House Of Flavors recalls Pistachio Containing ICE CREAM
Apr 13---Aurora Products recalls Several PISTACHIO Products
Apr 13---Freshdirect Recalls PISTACHIO Products
Apr 13---Bremner Food recalls Shurfine/Stop & Shop/Giant/First Choice PISTACHIOS
Apr 13---Flanigan Farms recalls PISTACHIO NUTS
Apr 13---Bezzerides Co. recalls Art’s California PISTACHIOS
Apr 13---Solo Italia recalls Gorgonzola CHEESE---Netherlands
Apr 13---Raisio Feed at center of Infected Chicken/Pig FEED---Finland
Apr 13---NEA/HM closes STALLS at Geylang Serai Temporary Market---Singapore
Apr 13---Hollow Tourist Farm recalls Kibi Vegetables OKIMASHI---Japan
Apr 13---Akira Maru recalls CHICKEN WINGS---Japan
Apr 13---Tokyu Hands recalls Otsuka Soyjoy Fe PRUNES---Japan
Apr 13---Sitech recalls Diving Hose Flow Restriction INSERTS
Apr 13---Beijing Gaoli recalls four varieties of Locecn COSMETICS---China
Apr 13---Dyson recalls DC22 VACUUM CLEANERS---Japan

Stay safe, friends!