Posts Tagged ‘contamination’

Researchers from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have found that 15 brands of infant powdered formula contain perchlorate, a compound used in rocket fuel, which is also known to contaminate drinking water in many states. The concerned brands were not listed, however, the two most contaminated brands accounted for 87% of the US powdered formula market in 2000. Perchlorate was once used to treat patients with hyperthyroidism because of its ability to reduce thyroid hormone production. Perchlorate pollution is largely a legacy of Cold War rocket and missile testing.

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Two US studies demonstrated trace amounts of mercury in high fructose corn syrup (HFCS). For many years HFCS has been produced by using a caustic mercury-containing soda to separate the corn starch (which goes to make the syrup) from the corn kernel. Although many modern plants employ mercury-free technology, there are four US plants that still use mercury. A 2008 study looked at 55 popular branded (including Hershey’s, Quaker, Smucker’s and Kraft) foods and drinks where HFCS is the first or second highest labelled ingredient. Nearly one-third of them contained trace amounts of mercury. In 2007, then Senator Barack Obama brought forth legislation to make production facilities phase out mercury technology by 2012. Learn more about mercury toxicity.

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Yet another warning today regarding food contamination. The Minnesota Department of Agriculture and the Department of Health have issued an advisory warning after state laboratories detected Salmonella in a jar of King Nut brand creamy peanut butter. This particular peanut butter is distributed throughout the state to long-term care facilities, hospitals, schools, restaurants, delis, universities, cafeterias and bakeries. If you, or anyone you know, lives in the state of Minnesota be aware that investigations are ongoing and it is probably a good idea to avoid foods containing peanut butter if you don’t know what the source of the peanut butter is. Salmonella infections can commonly cause nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, fever, and diarrhea, which can be bloody. Read more about salmonella here.

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