Listeriosis Outbreak in Canada

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has linked a deadly listeriosis outbreak to a Maple Leaf Foods plant in Toronto. Products include ready to eat deli meant under brand names of Schneiders, ML Sure Slice, Deli Gourmet, Burns. For a complete list, refer: CFIA Recall Alert.

Maple Leaf Foods had already issued a voluntary recall of the suspected products and closed its Bartor Road plant in Toronto after its meat products tested positive for the bacteria. Maple Leaf Foods has also widened the recall of the affected foods.

Canada's Public Health Agency has reported four deaths from this strain of listeriosis linked to the meat plant. A further 21 people are confirmed as displaying symptoms of this bacterium. Another 30 cases are now under investigation.

About Listeriosis:
Listeriosis symptoms can occur even 70 days after contaminated food has been consumed. The Health Agency thus expects the number of confirmed and suspected cases to rise in the coming days. This foodborne illness is most serious among the elderly, pregnant women and people with depressed immune systems. The bacterium is typically found in herd animals, meats, unpasteurized milk and unprocessed cheese products. Symptoms of listeriosis include fever, muscle aches, nausea or diarrhea. The infection can spread to the nervous system and cause headaches, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance and even convulsions. Treatment usually includes a course of antibiotics.

Local Living: Become a Shareholder at a Community Farm

Do you buy your groceries at your local farmers market? Or do you shop around your local farms and buy produce directly from them? Well, now there is another alternative that is catching on fast across the USA. Community-supported agriculture is undoubtedly the next big thing!!

In an article in The New York Times dated 10th July 2008, Susan Saulny, gives a great overview of exactly how this process is working both for farmers and consumers who wish to grow and shop fresh, local, and socially and environmentally sustainable produce.


Here's your chance to develop a healthy interest and support local farmers while simultaneously reducing your carbon footprint. Find you local CSA farm here.

Read: Cutting Out the Middlemen, Shoppers Buy Slices of Farms

21 Healthy Foods to Include in Your Diet

Here are some foods that nutritionists recommend including in your diet:

1. Almonds: reduces cholesterol, prevents cancer, in Ayurveda it is considered nutritive for the brain and the nervous system, constituents of almond have anti-inflammatory, immunity boosting, and anti-hepatotoxicity effects
2. Beans: chock full of the B vitamins including folic acid, niacin, pyridoxine and thiamine, good source of Vitamin K and iron
3. Beets: rich in folate and antioxidants
4. Cabbage: contains nutrient called sulforaphane, a chemical believed to boost cancer-fighting enzymes
5. Cinnamon: said to assist in controlling blood sugar and cholesterol
6. Canned pumpkin: high in fiber and vitamin A, has very few calories
7. Swiss chard: packed with carotenoids that can protect aging eyes
8. Frozen blueberries: associated with better memory
9. Goji berries: considered a medicinal food in Tibet for over 1,700 years
10. Guava: very high concentration of lycopene, an antioxidant that fights prostate cancer, just 1 cup provides 688 milligrams of potassium, and it is the ultimate high-fiber food - around 9 grams of fiber in every cup
11. Purslane: a popular vegetable and herb in many countries, purslane has very high amount of heart-healthy omega-3 fats of any edible plant, and 10 to 20 times more melatonin - an antioxidant that may inhibit cancer growth
12. Pomegranate Juice: could lower blood pressure chock full of antioxidants
13. Prunes/Dried plums: packed with antioxidants
14. Pumpkin seeds: packed with magnesium - a mineral linked to longevity
15. Quinoa: high protein content (12%–18%), a balanced set of essential amino acids, good source of dietary fibre, high in phosphorus, magnesium and iron, gluten free and hence easy to digest.
16. Sardines: high in omega-3’s, loaded with calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, zinc, copper and manganese as well as all B vitamins
17. Salmon: high in protein, high Omega-3 Fatty Acids, and high Vitamin D content
18. Spinach: rich source of iron, high calcium content, an excellent source of vitamin K, vitamin A, manganese, folate, magnesium, iron, vitamin C, vitamin B2, potassium, and vitamin B6, also a good source of dietary fiber, copper, protein, phosphorous, zinc, vitamin E,f omega-3 fatty acids, niacin and selenium
19. Tomatoes: rich in vitamin C and contain lycopene
20. Turmeric: it may have anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties.
21. Walnuts: high in antioxidants and ALA - a plant-based omega-3 fatty acid, contain arginine - an amino acid that keeps blood vessels flexible