Food Poisoning

Rauth et al 2012 report that prenatal exposure to chlorpyrifos, measured in umbilical cord blood,  is associated with neurobehavioural deficits in humans and animals. Affected are, alertness, emotions, control of impulse and social relationship. Rauth and colleagues found in their study more than  4,39 Pikogramm Chlorpyrifos/gram umbelical blood., which is   even rather low, compared to samples of the blood bank of Cincinnati whhich present an average 9,9 Pikogramm pro Gramm. [1]

He, Paule and Ferguson 2012 studied the effects of pre- and post-natal treatment with low bisphenol A (BPA) doses on rats. Their data indicate that BPA can have sex-specific effects on the increase of the volume of sexually dimorphic nucleus of the preoptic area (SDN-POA) in males. This effect, however, was not found in females. 

The dioxin scandal in European eggs in early 2011 is being followed by new dioxin-like PCB tainted eggs found in Germany. The source of the 2011 poison was tracked back to fatty acids  of the production of bioDiesel which were illegally added to the feed of hens. However, no source is known which might have caused the 2012 PCBs which poisoned organic eggs of North Rhine-Westphalia/Germany and conventional free range farms in Lower Saxony/Germany. PCBs levels in eggs were found to be six times the permitted limit.

Shortly before the eastern feast, in early April 2012, news were spread that organic eggs are tainted by dioxin-like PCB. The chicken farm in North Rhine-Westphalia/Germany with 25.000 laying hens was closed by veterinary authorities. The dioxin-like Polychlorinated Biphenylen (PCB) content was found to be three to six times of the permitted levels. [1]

In October 2011 California adopted the Toxin-Free Infants and Toddlers Act. Ten other states had already restricted the use of BPA in food contact materials. The California forbids the use of bisphenol A  in bottle or cup which come in contact with food. Deadline is July 1, 2013. Detectable levels of BPA in these products may not exceed 0.1 part per billion (ppb). Canada and the European  Union banned bisphenol A in Baby bottles. [1]

Bee populations are on decline, such phenomena is known as Colony Collapse Disorder. Goulson et al.2012  believes that neonicotinoid  imidacloprid insecticides are linked to the decline as they occur at trace levels in the nectar and pollen of crop plants. [1]

The juice sold by any one company can be made from concentrate that is literally sourced throughout the world, including U.S. domestic sources. For example, Asia and South America are major suppliers of apple juice concentrate. Even if a company buys concentrate from only one supplier in a country, such as Argentina, that supplier may be getting juice from a dozen or more different farms within Argentina. [1]

In potato tubers, 30-80% of the solanine develops in and close to the skin. Greening of potatoes  suggests solanine build-up, although each process can occur without the other. A bitter taste in a potato is another, potentially more reliable indicator of toxicity.  The symptoms of solanine poisoning are mainly vomiting and diarrhea, and the condition may be misdiagnosed as gastroenteritis. [1]

Carbendazim is being found in orange juice in USA and it is believed that this fungicide is present in orage juices sold worldwide.The Coca Cola Company reported for the first time the finding of  Carbendazim in its orange juice Minute Maid and Simply Orange and in competitor products. Probably also affected is Pepsico Inc.'s Tropicana brand   Analyse values, however, were very low and FDA officials  said that these values are of no health risk. [1]

According to Khalid Al Hosni, laboratory tests found large amounts of bacteria and fungi in the drink, which falls short of the UAE accepted health standards. The fungi found in Vimto drink  produce dangerous toxins that could lead to serious diseases. Mister AlHosny urged the public not to buy the drink if they found it in stores and to report shops selling it to the municipality. [1]