Hypochondriacs, beware. Today's release of Contagion, the pandemic film featuring a star-studded cast as they search for a vaccine to a mysterious virus, will have you disinfecting everything in sight and steering clear of anyone with a cough. We've been scared by contagious movies in the past, so if you want to worry yourself into a fright this weekend add these films to an infectious movie marathon.
That peanut butter sandwich may be giving you more than just a hefty dose of protein and calories...
It is being reported that you should throw away certain jars of Peter Pan and Great Value peanut butter because these spreads were linked to a salmonella outbreak that has sickened almost 300 people around the country.
Lids of jars produced by ConAgra Foods with a product code beginning "2111" can be returned to the company for a refund.
This is the first reported major case of peanut butter being contaminated with salmonella in the U.S. What's so bad about Salmonella anyway? Salmonella infection is known each year to sicken about 40,000 people in the United States, Salmonellosis (technical term), kills about 600 people annually. Though fortunately no one has died due to this recent outbreak. How do you know if you have it? Symptoms can include diarrhea, fever, dehydration, abdominal pain and vomiting.
Taco Bell has recently announced that they will be taking out the trans fat, but maybe they should have focused on taking out the E. coli before thinking about the trans fat.
There have been 27 confirmed cases of E. coli in New Jersey, and many more listed as possible infections among people who ate at Taco Bell during the last two weeks of November. In New York (Long Island), there have been at least 25 reported cases of infection. Four new cases have been reported in Pennsylvania. More to come, I'm sure -- It looks like Taco Bell is giving Spinach a run for its money.
In a prepared statement, Taco Bell said:
As a precautionary measure, Taco Bell has thrown out all existing food and is bringing in new food. In addition, the company has completely cleaned and re-sanitized the restaurants, utensils and all cooking equipment.
Fit's Tip: Since the E. coli bacterium can be found in ground beef, it is recommended that you (this includes you, Taco Bell) cook ground beef and hamburger thoroughly. If you're cooking a hamburger patty, the innermost part should read at least 160 degrees. If you don't have a meat thermometer, you can decrease your risk of illness by not eating ground beef patties that are still pink in the middle.
