Another one bites the dust: Pistachios & Salmonella

Just when Americans were starting to eat peanuts again, the second-largest producer of pistachios, Setton Pistachio, has called for a voluntary recall involving one million pounds of its product due to Salmonella contamination. Beyond raw pistachios, the recall will affect a number of other products that contain the ingredient, and the company will release a list of other products influenced by the contamination.

As of now, two people have complained of digestive ailments, allegedly linked to Salmonella poisoning.

Click here to read a short article about the recall. 

Keep checking the FDA Web site for a complete list of pistachio-based recalled products.

Get into E/The Environmental Magazine

A little shameless self-promotion...

I'm an intern for the non-profit E/The Environmental Magazine this semester. It's a really great magazine and it's the oldest environmental magazine in the U.S. 

I have a book review on Andrew Nikiforuk's "Tar Sands: Dirty Oil and the Future of the Continent" in the current issue, but there are some great features in the March/April issue that are definitely worth checking out.

Want to learn more about E? Become a fan on Facebook!

Cool video

I know - sorry for the vague post title, but my friend Nicole sent me the coolest video. It is really clever and sheds light on what we value - or should - in this country. Check it out.

Foodies are mad as hell and they aren't going to take it anymore

The New York Times published an encouraging article recently about a possible food revolution, which, given how the vast majority of Americans perceive and eat food, isn't that far-fetched. 

Local food advocates are tired of agribusiness and factory farming interest groups occupying the attention of our elected officials. However, farmers' markets and increased public education about the local food movement as well as a revival of biodynamic and organic farming and eating practices have only furthered this desire for change.

Famous foodies Alice Waters and Michael Pollan have long been calling for politicians to convert the White House lawn into a community garden. The new Obama presidency, coupled with the Obamas' knowledge on local and organic foods, may make this dream a reality and truly reinvent the way we look at food as a nation.

First Lady Michelle Obama broke ground on a small vegetable garden last week, a symbol of only further encouragement, action and the Obama favorite - hope.

"Green Scene" premiere

Starting with the latest issue of The Mirror, I will be writing a series of environmental news briefs to discuss the latest in the ecology forefront, called "The Green Scene."

If you see anything of interest that you think would make an interesting brief, please comment!

Kristof does article series on pigs + pork

Renowned NY Times columnist Nicholas Kristof just wrote two terrific articles on meat safety - specifically pork - and how it is handled in the U.S. (Read "Pathogens in Our Pigs, Our Food, Our Health" and "Pathogens in Our Pork")

Given the number of instances of food safety raised within the past few months - salmonella in peanut butter, mercury in high fructose corn syrup - Americans need to know what is going into their food.

We need more brilliant and mainstream columnists like Kristof to give time - and space - to important food issues, especially the hazards of agribusiness and factory farming. 

To listeners of Chicago Public Radio's "This American Life," you may enjoy this segment on the experience of one film crew as they visit a pig farm in Iowa. Download the episode from the Showtimes series of the radio show from iTunes.

It's about time!

Finally! As of Monday, certain types of meats, fresh and frozen produce  and other perishable food items will not be required to have new labels stating the food's place of origin. 

This new policy is part of a wide-ranging farm bill enacted by Congress last year and it is definitely a step in the right direction.

Click here to find out more about the Farm Bill.

It's encouraging to see how the government is making an effort - albeit a small one - to educate the public about where food comes from. Ultimately, the people should be asking questions and demanding answers. 

2008: A Cool Year

Read this interesting blog post from Sundance's The Green about how 2008 was cooler than experts expected.

As the post suggests, this does not mean that global warming doesn't exist.

On a lighter note, maybe people are getting the hint and doing things to take care of the planet.

After you finish reading the post, check out the other features of The Green. Sundance has some really great shows, documentaries and even an eco-minded greening network called it's Eco-munnity.