E. coli Tainted Lettuce in the News Again

E. coli tainted lettuce is in the news again... but this time it is E. coli 0145 (not the more common E. coli 0157) and it has been linked to romaine lettuce sold under the Freshway and Imperial Sysco brands with the "best before" date of May 12, 2010.

There are reports of 19 people falling ill owing to the E. coli outbreak, 12 of whom are in hospital. Three of the patients with life-threatening symptoms were diagnosed with hemolytic uremic syndrome, which can cause bleeding in the brain or kidneys:

College students at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Ohio State in Columbus and Daemen College in Amherst, N.Y., are among those affected, according to local health departments in those states. (Associated Press - read more.)

FDA Press Release on the Recall

Apples - The Next Superfruit?

A new market survey finds that Americans believe apples should take their place alongside blueberries, cranberries and pomegranates as 21st century superfruit.

The new market survey Apples: The Next Superfruit, prepared by SupermarketGuru.com and The Lempert Report found:

"Shoppers regard apples as one of the top three healthiest fruits and 96 percent view the fruit as a value-based anytime food for both adults and children."

Apples were the first fruit we put on our Whole Food Sources for best liquid vitamins. It comes as no surprise to us that this wonderful fruit is finally getting the positive attention we feel it truly deserves!

Phil Lempert, CEO of Supermarketguru.com and The Lempert Report, says, "Apples are rich in nutrients, especially fiber, are fat, sodium and cholesterol free, and contain a variety of phytonturients, including antioxidants, that play a role in the prevention of disease."

Although we are mindful that the survey was conducted on behalf of the US Apple Association, we cheer its findings.

The February 1866 edition of Notes and Queries magazine included a Pembrokeshire proverb: "Eat an apple on going to bed, And you'll keep the doctor from earning his bread."

This phrase over time became, "An apple a day keeps the doctor away."

Yes! Let's get this wonderful fruit onto the superfruit list!