Food allergies linked to hygiene hypothesis? ‘If fewer allergies is more infection, no parent would expose their child to more infection- January 7th, 2012

A very interesting article about the increase of allergy issues, and a plausable theory to possibly explain it.

People from well-educated families are almost twice as likely to suffer from some dangerous food allergies as others — possibly because their bodies’ natural defences have been lowered by rigorous hygiene and infection control, suggests a new Canadian study.
The research from McGill University also found that immigrants were about half as likely to be afflicted by the allergies, perhaps reflecting differences in diet and environment between their countries of origin and Canada.
The study, just published in the Journal of Allergy, was meant to address an enduring medical mystery: Why have so many people in certain industrialized countries developed violent reactions to peanuts, shellfish and other foods in recent decades?
The link to higher education may be explained by what is called the hygiene hypothesis, the unproven idea that smaller families, cleaner homes, more use of antibiotics to treat infections and vaccines to prevent them have curbed development of the immune system, said Dr. Moshe Ben-Shoshan, who led the research. That in turn could make some people more susceptible to allergy.
If the hypothesis does actually explain some food reactions, though, parents may not be able to do much about it, admitted the allergist at Montreal Children’s Hospital. The benefits of such health products as antibiotics and vaccines easily outweigh the risk of children developing serious allergies, said Dr. Ben-Shoshan.
“We can’t suggest we become dirtier and expose our children to more bacteria,” he said. “If the price of having fewer allergies is more infection, I don’t know any parent who would expose their child to more infection.”
The study’s findings are far from conclusive but they, and the hygiene hypothesis as an explanation, seem plausible, said Dr. Stuart Carr, president of the Canadian Society of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. He also cautioned, however, that translating the knowledge into preventive action would be complicated.

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Two Australians die after eating poisonous mushrooms- January 5th, 2012

People still pick wild mushrooms and get it wrong!

Two people have died in a Sydney hospital after eating death cap mushrooms.
A third person is still being treated at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, a spokeswoman says.
Four people became ill after eating the poisonous mushrooms at a New Year’s Eve party in Canberra but one was discharged from hospital on Tuesday.
A 52-year-old woman and a 38-year-old man were among those being treated at RPA.
It is believed the four people had may have mistaken the poisonous mushrooms for mushrooms used in Chinese cooking.
The mushrooms are usually found in Canberra in autumn, near oak trees, but recent summer rain has spurred the growth of the mushrooms.

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Reigate take-away owners fined- January 3rd, 2012

The owners of a take-away in Reigate have been fined more than £2,500 for a string of serious food and health and safety offences.

Reigate and Banstead Borough Council took action to prosecute the owners of the Reigate Kebab and Burger House in London Road after they continuously failed to comply with the minimum legal standards to keep diners safe.

The offences included water leaking from the ceiling onto live electrics, and the display and handling of salad items being such that they were at risk of being contaminated by raw meats.

Adem and Clare Eskisan pleaded guilty to eight offences at South East Surrey Magistrates Court.

A third defendant, Tuncay Eskisan, also pleaded guilty to a charge of obstruction of an authorised officer.

The court heard the offences at the take-away also included failing to provide hot running water to hand wash sinks, and failing to provide hot running water to sinks used for washing equipment.

Other offences comprised of a failure to maintain the ceiling of a food room in good order, with watermarks, mould and flaking paint presenting a risk to open foods, poor repair to internal and external surfaces of the walk-in freezer unit, and a poor standard of repair to the floor of a food room.

The business had also failed to put in place a documented food safety management system, to ensure the safety of food offered for sale.

Further, the court heard Tuncay Eskisan had knowingly provided false or misleading information to an authorised officer.

Adem and Clare Eskisan were fined a total of £2,600.

A borough council spokeswoman said the take-away had been given a Food Hygiene Rating of zero out of a possible five, and the council’s Environmental Health Officers were working closely with the business to ensure improved hygiene and safety standards are maintained.

Steve Farrer, borough council executive member for safer communities, said: “The council has worked hard to get this business to comply with the minimum legal standards over a number of years.

“We have taken a range of actions from the provision of considerable advice and coaching, to legal Hygiene Improvement Notices.”

Coun Farrer said: “Prosecution is always seen as a last resort, but, unfortunately in this case, it was brought due to the council’s previous measures failing to secure any long-term improvement in food hygiene and health and safety standards.”

He said: “The council strives to ensure residents can expect the highest standards of food safety when eating out in the borough.”

People can view the hygiene ratings of food outlets in the borough at the council’s website: www.reigate-banstead.gov.uk/foodrating

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Wales to make food ratings mandatory- December 23rd, 2011

The Welsh Government has put forward draft legislation to require food businesses to display their food hygiene rating or face a possible £1,000 fine.

Health minister Lesley Griffiths launched a three-month consultation on the proposals, which could become enacted in law by 2014.

She said: ‘I believe food hygiene is vital for the protection of public health, and this scheme will help drive up standards and benefit consumers and businesses alike.

“Professor Hugh Pennington, who chaired the public inquiry into the 2005 E. coli outbreak, supports such a scheme as an inexpensive way of driving significant improvements in food safety.’

All 22 Welsh local authorities operate the Food Standards Agency’s Food Hygiene Rating System.

Steve Naldrett, Director at Ardan Training said: “I think this is a marvellous idea and believe it is important for the public to be able to make informed choices about where they eat.”

‘It also creates a level playing field for businesses that are highly compliant with food safety laws from those who are not’

Food safety tips for Xmas and a Funny Xmas hat!- December 22nd, 2011

Steve Naldrett, Director at Ardan Training Consultancy appears in the HU17 magazine. He is seen dressed as Santa as he launches Ardans annual Festive Food Safety awareness campaign.

Merry Christmas and a Happy new yesr from all at Ardan Training consultancy Ltd

Ho! Ho! Ho!

Full story – see HU17