Microscopic and Macroscopic Identification of Moulds in Foods

Like bacteria, moulds play an important role in foods. They can usually be seen by the naked eye (unlike bacteria). They are multi-cellular, consist of many cells connected with together.

Moulds are saprophytes and break down complex organic materials into simpler substance. This can encourage the decay of rotting matter. In this way moulds contribute to food spoilage, i.e. the visible decay of foods that occurs after ripening or damage but which is itself does not normally lead to food poisoning.

Basically most foods can be affected by moulds. Their presence will be apparent when they start to produce blue/green ‘fur’ or orange spots on foods. Continue reading “Microscopic and Macroscopic Identification of Moulds in Foods”

Are Eggs Good Or Bad For You? – The Final Verdict

Over the years there have been several health scares concerning hen’s eggs. The two main concerns have been Salmonellosis, food poisoning caused by the Salmonella bacteria and those of cholesterol. Other concerns are that because of the cholesterol in eggs, eating them could increase the risks of heart disease and strokes.

The Salmonella bacteria can be found in eggs that are clean and uncracked as well as damaged ones, but cooking eggs well will kill the bacteria. If you eat raw eggs, then make sure they are organic as these have less risk of contamination, especially if they are from your own hens which have been fed on flax seeds which are rich in omega-3 fatty acids. Having a fried egg sunny-side up is perhaps not such a good idea, but a hard boiled, scrambled or poached eggs shouldn’t harm you.

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Stocking a Non-Toxic Spice Rack

I recently had someone ask me what was wrong with sassafras–I did not include this item in the main spice section of my book. My answer was that if you bought it in a store, it was probably fine. The FDA banned its use because it contained safrole, which causes liver damage and some kinds of cancer, if taken over a long period of time. Root extracts from the plant do not contain this substance and are, thus, still used in making tea and root beer. I would not use it in the wild, because the leaves may contain safrole.

When I was deciding which spices and herbs to include in the book, items that I felt were of concern were placed in the back of the spice section and defined. Licorice, MSG (monosodium glutamate), rue and sumac were also defined as flavorings to avoid, regardless of the fact that they may have some positive uses. Even common herbs and spices, such as juniper, lovage and nutmeg may cause problems.

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What is Reactive Arthritis (Reiter’s Syndrome)?

My name is Barbara Allan. In 1988, at the age of 25 I suddenly developed arthritis. This was 6 weeks after contracting Shigella food poisoning while camping during a vacation in Michigan.

The type of arthritis I was diagnosed with is reactive arthritis, since it was in reaction to a Shigella infection. (Shigella is a bacteria, similar to Salmonella, that cause bacterial dysentery, which is what I had.) Many types of bacteria can trigger reactive arthritis. They include Yersinia, Chlamydia, Salmonella, and Shigella.

Reactive arthritis is also known as Reiter’s Syndrome. There is an unfortunate stigma attached to the name Reiter’s Syndrome because that name is strongly associated with arthritis caused by bacterial infections in the genital area, in other words, venereal diseases. I say unfortunate stigma because it can interfere with being treated with proper respect by the medical community. Continue reading “What is Reactive Arthritis (Reiter’s Syndrome)?”

Insight Into Chicken Recipes

Chicken is one of the favorite food items found around the globe. It can be cooked in many different ways. It can either be deep-fried, roasted, while some want to eat it in the form of spicy chicken curry. If you are really conscious about your health and don’t want to eat deep fried one then baked or roasted chicken is best for you. There are many forms in which a chicken can be used, it can either be baked or roasted or you just need to use the right mixture of ingredients.

Chicken which is mostly preferred by most non-vegetarians has many nutritional benefits as it is made up of low quantity of saturated fatty acids. Instead of eating fatty meat which is high in unsaturated fatty acids and increases your blood cholesterol. People prefer to eat white meat such as chicken which is high on protein and contains minerals which are low in fat.

Be it kids or adults everyone wants to enjoy dishes which contain chicken as the main ingredient. Those who are in habit of eating outside junk food there is one better option of eating health and tasty food which is called baking. The baked chicken recipes have received much popularity after people became conscious about their health related issues.

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How to Grow Healthy Organic Food

The increasing pollution of the environment with industrial waste and poisonous substances have become a major health concern in recent years. Food, air, water and other essentials components of human existence are now polluted with dangerously high concentrations of poisonous chemical. As a result, there is now an increasing need for organic food that is free of pollution.

Some organic vegetables can be grown at home, as they require very little space. Thus, the following tips will help to comfortably grow healthy organic food at home.

To renew the bed in your garden, slice under the turf and turn it over. Cover it with wood chips and wait a few weeks. You can then use this bed to grow healthy organic food. The ground you have turned over is made richer by the turf that is under it. Continue reading “How to Grow Healthy Organic Food”

The Right Food to Feed Ragdoll Cats And Kittens

Cat food can be classified into dry, moist, and semi-moist foods. Each one has its advantages, and Ragdolls need various kinds of food at different stages. Kittens need on the whole breast milk and moist food, while adults require more protein and dry food. Pregnant Ragdolls have special dietary needs that change all through the pregnancy as well.

Ragdoll kittens ought to be only breastfed for the first four to five weeks. Cat milk includes all the nutrients necessary for the kitten’s growth, including antibodies that help prevent disease. Breast milk also passes on other antibodies that the mother produced to fight previous diseases.

More food ought to be supplied after four to five weeks, as the kitten requires more nutrients to support its fast growth. Introductory food ought to be easy to digest. Mix canned food with warm water or kitten replacement milk until it constitutes a loose paste. Do NOT use regular cow’s milk this is too heavy for kittens and could cause in indigestion.

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Modern Food Hygiene Legislation, a Blessing or a Curse?

Many years ago food handlers just donned a pinafore, rolled up their sleeves and prepared foods in the ways taught at Grandma’s knee.

Because the people consuming the foods were in the main from the same family or local village surrounded by identical bacteria and hazards, these consumers were seldom struck down by food poisoning or viruses because their tolerance to such local dangers had grown over the years as a form of natural defence.

But then over time, an era of comparative mass production became the order of the day with staff canteens, affordable high street snack bars and diners. The range of foods and production methods changed significantly and food borne bacteria were allowed to flourish creating a need for greater consideration towards food handling techniques and controls that by necessity were then forced into place.

It is from this period that the need to wash hands before handling food came to the fore. Refrigeration of certain high risk products became the norm and the old fashion belief that all air tight packaged foods were safe became dispelled with the identification of anaerobic bacteria in products such as corned beef and tinned salmon. Continue reading “Modern Food Hygiene Legislation, a Blessing or a Curse?”

Why Seniors Need To Eat Right And Healthy As They Age

True, eating a well-balanced diet is important at any age, but when you enter into the golden era of your life, you need to give more attention and importance to what you eat. Yes, you have heard this advice before; older adults need to pay special emphasis on their diet. But, do you know why this is so important?

What Happens As You Age?

As you grow older, your appetite, nutritional requirements, and food habits change drastically. Things you didn’t worry about earlier now become a major cause of concern. This is because of the following factors:

• Medical Conditions Develop: Health problems are common when you age. High blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes are the common problems that affect aging adults. As a result, you become sensitive to certain foods and hence, need to make changes in your diet. Continue reading “Why Seniors Need To Eat Right And Healthy As They Age”

The Technicalities and Intricacies of Federal Food Security Act Litigation

The term Food security is used to represent the accessibility of the public towards the food that is reasonably priced, provides the recommended dietary intake, safe, and is ethnically acceptable. The food provided to the people should be healthy and should not contain conservatories that may be harmful for one’s health.

Let us first discuss about the term “food safety”. Food safety is actually referred to the food that is prepared as per the time tested method and has the assurance of being pure and is not harmful. What determines these assurances? The first and foremost concern of federal food security act litigation is, the food that is consumed should not harm the public (1) the items that may damage the immune system should be treated well or maintained a minimum level that can be accepted by the food product; and (2) the food has been handled, prepared, and stored under safe and hygienic and controlled conditions in agreement with practices approved by government regulation. Even with money, it is probable to be struck by food uncertainty. If infestation or disaster strikes among plantations or the non vegetarian food that we consume, it can affect us and we may suffer from various diseases or health problems accordingly. Contaminated water or land can create a big distress, if people consume water or food from such contaminated area. One can be affected if they consume the meat that is also infected before hand through the consumption of infected food in the contaminated area. Continue reading “The Technicalities and Intricacies of Federal Food Security Act Litigation”