FDA Issues Veggie Booty Salmonella Warning

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is warning consumers not to eat Veggie Booty flavor of snack food, marketed by Robert’s American Gourmet, due to possible contamination with Salmonella Wandsworth, bacteria that cause gastrointestinal illness.

FDA advises consumers to throw away any Robert’s American Gourmet brand Veggie Booty they have in their home. Veggie Booty is sold in a flexible plastic foil bag in four ounce, one ounce, and one-half ounce packages. No other flavors or varieties of snack food marketed by Robert’s American Gourmet have been associated with Salmonella Wandsworth contamination.

Veggie Booty is often consumed by children, so parents are encouraged to watch their children, and seek medical care if they observe signs of illness.

Individuals who have recently eaten Veggie Booty and who have experienced any of the symptoms described below should contact a doctor or other health care provider immediately. Any such illnesses in persons with a recent history of eating Veggie Booty should be reported to state or local health authorities.

This warning is based on 52 reports of illness across 17 states, beginning in March 2007. Almost all the illnesses have occurred in children under 10 years old, with the most cases in toddlers. Most persons had reported bloody diarrhea; four were hospitalized. FDA learned of the illnesses on June 27 from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which conducted an investigation of the illnesses with state and local health officials. The outbreak is considered likely to be ongoing.

Salmonella typically causes diarrhea (may be bloody); the diarrhea is often accompanied by abdominal cramps and fever. Symptoms typically begin within one to four days after exposure to the bacteria. In infants, persons with poor underlying health and those with weakened immune systems, Salmonella can invade the bloodstream and cause life-threatening infections.

States reporting illnesses include: California (seven cases), Colorado (five cases), Connecticut (one case), Georgia (one case), Indiana (one case), Massachusetts (three cases), Minnesota (two cases), New Hampshire (two cases), New Jersey (two cases), New York (13 cases), Oregon (one case), Pennsylvania (three cases), Tennessee (one), Texas (one), Vermont (three cases), Washington (four cases), and Wisconsin (two cases).

Robert’s American Gourmet, of Sea Cliff, N.Y., which markets Veggie Booty, and its contract manufacturer, are fully cooperating with FDA’s investigation into the cause of the contamination. Manufacturing and distribution of this product has ceased, and Robert’s American Gourmet is recalling all potentially contaminated product, including all expiration dates and lot codes. The product is sold in all 50 states and Canada at retail locations and over the Internet.

FDA’s comprehensive investigation has begun at the manufacturing facility, focused on identifying the source of the contamination. Product samples have been collected and will be analyzed in FDA laboratories. Typical microbiological analysis takes approximately seven days. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are also continuing their investigation in close collaboration with state health departments and FDA. FDA will provide additional updates as the investigation progresses and more information becomes available.

Source: FDA

British Police on Alert After Twin Bomb Plots Foiled

Police have stepped up security and patrols in downtown London after two explosive laden cars were discovered in the city on Friday. The car bombs are apparently part of a plot believed to be the work of Islamic extremists either linked to or inspired by al-Qaida, as Sonja Pace reports from London.

London is on alert - police have stepped up patrols and a search is under way for a man seen running from a Mercedes car that contained gas canisters, gasoline, nails and a cell phone that was believed to be the detonating device.

The Mercedes was abandoned in the Haymarket district of London - an area full of nightclubs, restaurants and theaters. It raised suspicion when ambulance drivers called to a nearby nightclub about an accident noticed smoke coming from the Mercedes and called in police. There are unconfirmed reports one of the policemen found the cell phone and removed it from the vehicle - thus averting an explosion.

A second car was parked illegally nearby and was towed to an impound lot, where police later discovered similar explosive materials.

The head of London’s anti-terrorism police, Peter Clark, said the two incidents are clearly linked, and he said had they not been found in time, the car bombs could have killed hundreds of people.

London Mayor Ken Livingstone has tried to reassure residents.

“This is what’s great about the way Londoners do react to these things, they put them in perspective… I think people will be completely safe to walk about the streets of London today,” he said.

Police have so far not named any suspects. However, terrorism experts say indications are that individuals or a group either linked to or inspired by al-Qaida was behind the bombing attempts.

Next week, Britain marks the second anniversary of the July 7 bombings, in which four Muslim suicide bombers set off explosions on London’s transport system that killed 52 bus and subway passengers.

Friday’s attempted bombings came just two days after Gordon Brown took over from Tony Blair as Britain’s new prime minister. Mr. Brown called for heightened vigilance on part of the entire population amidst this latest threat.

Source: VOA

Nintendo Wii VC Goes Bloody And Cutesy

The latest Wii Virtual Console additions bring both violence and cutsiness galore.  They’re masters of the yin and the yang, that Nintendo.  First on the plate for Nintendo Wii gamers is Kirby’s Dream Course, followed by Bloody Wolf.

 Kirby’s Dream Course: Gone are the peaceful greens that golf fans normally know; in their place are devious obstacles, traps and enemies. In this 1995 Super Nintendo classic, Kirby assumes the role of the ball, soaring through the air and rolling across the courses. Players must use our pink hero and his special powers to smash enemies out of the way around 64 colourful courses before sinking himself to complete each hole. Kirby’s Dream Course  is available now for 800 Wii Points.

Bloody Wolf: Players assume the role of a special-forces commando as they go deep behind enemy lines to rescue the kidnapped President. With eight scenes to overcome, including one not featured in the arcade game each with its own challenging boss, this title will really put your skills to the test. Bloody Wolf is available now for 600 Wii Points.

Source: Nintendo

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