Kansans and Friends In Weight Loss

The Birthday meme I got tagged.

31 07 2007

Here is how it works and what ya gotta do.

You go to Wikipedia and type in your birthday (month and day). Then you write down 3 events, 2 births, 1 holiday, and tag 5 friends. There are five slots in the meme list…If you are tagged, you have to remove the name in the first slot and bump everyone up so that your name can be added to the bottom. Participation is optional.

Here’s the list:

Comedy Plus

TwistedSister…

Ugly Mailbox

Earnest Parenting

Kansans and Friends In Weight Loss

I am tagging:

Derek

AngelinaBeadalina

Jon Holato

copyblogger

Christy’s Coffee Break

3 Events

1492 - Reconquista: Granada, the last Moorish stronghold in Spain, surrenders.

1872 - Brigham Young is arrested for bigamy due to having 25 wives

1882 - John D. Rockefeller unites his oil holdings into the Standard Oil trust

2 Birthdays
1920 - Isaac Asimov, Russian-born author

1968 - Cuba Gooding Jr., American actor

1 holiday

Ancestry Day, Haiti

Kind of cool to know I share a birthday with Cuba and Issac I am not sure what Ancestry Day is but I aim to find out. I thought it would be interesting to highlight years from a previous century in respective decades that I was born especially a whole century before I was born about Brigham Young he is the one BYU is named after.

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Categories : blogging

More Beef being recalled this time in Nebraska Meat Plants

25 07 2007

Nebraska Firm Recalls Ground Beef and Buffalo Products Due to Possible E. Coli O157:H7 Contamination

Recall Release	CLASS I RECALL
FSIS-RC-035-2007	HEALTH RISK: HIGH

Congressional and Public Affairs
(202) 720-9113
Amanda Eamich

WASHINGTON, July 25, 2007 - Custom Pack, Inc., a Hastings, Neb., establishment, is voluntarily recalling approximately 5,920 pounds of ground beef and buffalo products because they may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service announced today.

Preparing Ground Beef For Safe Consumption

USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline 1-888-MPHOTLINE or visit www.fsis.usda.gov
Although the product(s) being recalled should be returned to the point of purchase, consumers preparing other ground beef products should heed the following advice.

Consumers should only eat ground beef patties that have been cooked to a safe temperature of 160 °F. When a ground beef patty is cooked to 160 °F throughout, it can be safe and juicy, regardless of color.

The only way to be sure a ground beef patty is cooked to a high enough temperature to kill harmful bacteria is to use an accurate food thermometer.

Color is not a reliable indicator that ground beef patties have been cooked to a temperature high enough to kill harmful bacteria such as E. coli O157:H7.

Eating a pink or red ground beef patty without first verifying that the safe temperature of 160 °F has been reached is a significant risk factor for foodborne illness.

Thermometer use to ensure proper cooking temperature is especially important for those who cook or serve ground beef patties to people most at risk for foodborne illness because E. coli O157:H7 can lead to serious illness or even death. Those most at risk include young children, seniors, and those with compromised immune systems.

The products subject to recall include:

10-pound bags of “CUSTOM PACK, INC., GROUND BEEF.” Each label bears a package date of “6-1,” “6-4,” “6-5,” “6-7,” “6-8,” “6-11,” 6-12” or “6-13.”
25-pound boxes of “3.2 OZ. BEEF PATTIES.” Each box bears the package date of “6-7-07.”
25-pound boxes of “4 OZ. BEEF PATTIES.” Each box bears the package date of “6-7-07.”
25-pound boxes of “5 1/3 OZ. BEEF PATTIES.” Each box bears the package date of “6-7-07.”
25-pound boxes of “8 OZ. BEEF PATTIES.” Each box bears the package date of “6-7-07.”
6-pound boxes of “16-6 OZ. CHAR PATTIES.” Each box bears the package date of “6-7-07.”
12-pound boxes of “GROUND BUFFALO PATTIES.” Each box bears the package date of “6-7-07.”

Each package also bears the establishment number “Est. 5650” inside the USDA mark of inspection.

The ground beef products were produced between June 1 and June 13, 2007, and were distributed to restaurants and institutions in Nebraska. The ground buffalo patties were produced on June 7, 2007, and distributed to restaurants and institutions in Colorado. None of these products were sold through grocery stores.

The problem was discovered through sampling done by the Nebraska Department of Health Services, in coordination with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as part of an investigation into a reported illness.

Consumers and media with questions about the recall should contact company President David B. Dirks at (402) 462-2532.

E. coli O157:H7 is a potentially deadly bacterium that can cause bloody diarrhea and dehydration. The very young, seniors and persons with compromised immune systems are the most susceptible to foodborne illness.

Consumers with food safety questions can “Ask Karen,” the FSIS virtual representative available 24 hours a day at AskKaren.gov. The toll-free USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline 1-888-MPHotline (1-888-674-6854) is available in English and Spanish and can be reached from l0 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Eastern Time) Monday through Friday. Recorded food safety messages are available 24 hours a day.

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Categories : USDA recalls

What’s Your Supplement Knowledge.Take the test.

25 07 2007

I Found this little quiz on the FTC’s website in their section about supplements. I missed one but considering I have been going to college I shouldn’t have missed any.

Take the following quiz to find out where you stack up.

If you want graded so to speak comment and leave me your answers. I have the master grading scale. I would provide the answers at the bottom like they do with the kiddy meals at restaurants and other things like cereal boxes and stuff, but I want you to really think about the answers and maybe seek out the knowledge yourself. There is empowerment in learning for yourself especially when it comes to your health.

Test Your Supplement Savvy

Advertised throughout the media, displayed in grocery stores and pharmacies, and promoted widely on the Internet, dietary supplements look like just another consumer product on the shelf. But are they? Take this quiz to find out how much you know about using dietary supplements safely.

A supplement labeled “natural” means that it also is:
1. mild
2. without any risk of side effects
3. safe to use with other medications
4. none of the above
Since dietary supplements are so easily available — and don’t require a doctor’s prescription — they are much safer than drug products and can be used to self-treat illnesses without a health professional’s advice or supervision.

True or False
Testimonials in dietary supplement promotions give a good idea of the supplement’s benefits and safety because they’re based on firsthand accounts.

True or False
Many supplements have proven health benefits.

True or False
Before you start taking a dietary supplement, talk it over with a knowledgeable person like:
1. your doctor or health professional
2. your pharmacist
3. a supplement salesperson
4. a friend who takes them

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Categories : supplements, FTC, self analysis

Another Meat Recall This Time it’s BEEF!

22 07 2007

Michigan Firm Recalls Ground Beef Products Due to Possible E. coli O157:H7 Contamination

Recall Release	CLASS I RECALL
FSIS-RC-034-2007	HEALTH RISK: HIGH

Congressional and Public Affairs
(202) 720-9113
Steven Cohen

WASHINGTON, July 21, 2007 - Abbott’s Meat Inc., a Flint, Mich., establishment, is voluntarily recalling approximately 26,669 pounds of ground beef products because they may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service announced today.

Preparing Ground Beef For Safe Consumption

USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline 1-888-MPHOTLINE or visit www.fsis.usda.gov
Although the product(s) being recalled should be returned to the point of purchase, consumers preparing other ground beef products should heed the following advice.

Consumers should only eat ground beef patties that have been cooked to a safe temperature of 160 °F. When a ground beef patty is cooked to 160 °F throughout, it can be safe and juicy, regardless of color.

The only way to be sure a ground beef patty is cooked to a high enough temperature to kill harmful bacteria is to use an accurate food thermometer.

Color is not a reliable indicator that ground beef patties have been cooked to a temperature high enough to kill harmful bacteria such as E. coli O157:H7.

Eating a pink or red ground beef patty without first verifying that the safe temperature of 160 °F has been reached is a significant risk factor for foodborne illness.

Thermometer use to ensure proper cooking temperature is especially important for those who cook or serve ground beef patties to people most at risk for foodborne illness because E. coli O157:H7 can lead to serious illness or even death. Those most at risk include young children, seniors, and those with compromised immune systems.

The products subject to recall include:

10-pound boxes of “Abbott’s GROUND BEEF PATTIE.” Each box bears the product code “1160.”
10-pound boxes of “Abbott’s GROUND BEEF PATTIE 2/1.” Each box bears the product code “1120.”
10-pound boxes of “Abbott’s GROUND BEEF PATTIE 4/1.” Each box bears the product code “1140.”
13-pound boxes of “Abbott’s GROUND BEEF PATTIE 5/1.” Each box bears the product code “1145.”
10-pound boxes of “Abbott’s ORIGINAL CONEY ISLAND TOPPING, Beef Pattie Mix.” Each box bears the product code “1779.”
25-pound boxes of “Abbott’s ORIGINAL CONEY TOPPING MIX, Beef Pattie Mix.” Each box bears the product code “1794.”
10-pound boxes of “Abbott’s THE BOSS Beef Patties, 6 oz.” Each box bears the product code “1638.”
10-pound boxes of “Abbott’s GROUND BEEF.” Each box bears the product code “1610.”
10-pound boxes of “Abbott’s GROUND BEEF, Loose Pack.” Each box bears the product code “1625.”
10-pound boxes of “Abbott’s OUR EXTRA FANCY GROUND BEEF.” Each box bears the product code “1710.”

Each box also bears the establishment number “Est. 10215″ inside the USDA mark of inspection.

The problem was discovered through routine FSIS microbiological testing. FSIS has received no reports of illnesses associated with consumption of these products. The ground beef products were produced between July 12 and July 20, 2007 and were distributed to hotels, restaurants and institutions in Michigan.

Consumers with questions about the recall should contact company HACCP Coordinator Pamela Glasco or company President Edward Abbott at (810) 232-7128. Media with questions about the recall should contact company President Edward Abbott at (810) 232-7128.

E. coli O157:H7 is a potentially deadly bacterium that can cause bloody diarrhea and dehydration. The very young, seniors and persons with compromised immune systems are the most susceptible to foodborne illness.

Consumers with food safety questions can “Ask Karen,” the FSIS virtual representative available 24 hours a day at AskKaren.gov. The toll-free USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline 1-888-MPHotline (1-888-674-6854) is available in English and Spanish and can be reached from l0 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Eastern Time) Monday through Friday. Recorded food safety messages are available 24 hours a day.

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Categories : USDA recalls

Expanded Canned Meat Recall Please Check Your Cupboards!

21 07 2007

Georgia Firm Expands Recall of Canned Meat Products That May Contain Clostridium botulinum

Recall Release	CLASS I RECALL
FSIS-RC-033-2007	HEALTH RISK: HIGH

Congressional and Public Affairs
(202) 720-9113
Amanda Eamich

WASHINGTON, July 21, 2007 - Castleberry’s Food Company, an Augusta, Ga., establishment owned by Bumble Bee Foods, LLC, is voluntarily expanding its July 19 recall of canned meat products that may contain Clostridium botulinum, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service announced today.

The recall is being expanded after information gathered by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and FSIS indicated that processing malfunctions at the establishment have existed longer than initially estimated. For that reason, Castleberry’s has agreed to recall all of the following products that may still be in commerce, regardless of the “best buy” date stamped on the bottom of the can. Consumers who have any of the products listed are urged not to eat them, but rather return or dispose of them.

The following products are subject to recall:

12-pack of 15-ounce cans of “Austex Beef Stew.”
15- and 19-ounce cans of “Austex Chili with Beans.”
12-pack of 15-ounce cans of “Austex Chili No Beans.”
12-pack of 19-ounce cans of “Austex Chili No Beans.”
15-ounce cans of “Best Yet Chili with Beans.”
15-ounce cans of “Best Yet Corned Beef Hash.”
15-ounce cans of “Big Y Chili with Beans.”
15-ounce cans of “Big Y Chili no Beans.”
15-ounce cans of “Big Y Corned Beef Hash.”
15-ounce cans of “Black Rock Chili with Beans.”
24-pack of 10-ounce cans of “Bryan Hot Dog Chili Sauce.”
24-pack of 15-ounce cans of “Bryan Corned Beef Hash.”
24-pack of 10-ounce cans of “Bryan Chili No Beans.”
24-pack of 15-ounce cans of “Bryan Chili No Beans.”
24-pack of 15-ounce cans of “Bryan Chili with Beans.”
10-ounce cans of “Bunker Hill Chili no Beans.”
10-ounce cans of “Bunker Hill Chunky Chili no Beans.”
10-ounce cans of “Castle Chili No Beans.”
15-ounce cans of “Castleberry’s Beef Stew.”
15-ounce cans of “Castleberry’s Brunswick Stew.”
10-ounce cans of “Castleberry’s BUNKER HILL, ORIGINAL Chili NO BEANS.”
15-ounce cans of “Castleberry’s CHILI WITH BEANS.”
12-pack of 15-ounce cans of “Castleberry’s Chili No Beans.”
15-ounce cans of “Castleberry’s Corned Beef Hash.”
10-ounce cans of “Castleberry’s HICKORY SMOKED, OVEN ROASTED, WITH SKINS, BARBECUE PORK IN BARBECUE SAUCE.”
12-pack of 15-ounce cans of “Castleberry’s Hot Chili with Beans.”
10- and 14.5-ounce cans of “Castleberry’s BBQ Pork.”
10-ounce cans of “Castleberry’s Sausage Gravy.”
10-ounce cans of “Castleberry’s Chip Beef Gravy.”
15-ounce cans of “Cattle Drive Beef Stew.”
15-ounce cans of “Cattle Drive Chili with Beans.”
15-ounce cans of “Cattle Drive Chili no Beans.”
15-ounce cans of “Cattle Drive CHILI WITH BEANS.”
8-pack of 15-ounce cans of “Cattle Drive Chili with Beans.”
15-ounce cans of “Cattle Drive Chicken Chili with Beans.”
15-ounce cans of “Firefighter Chicken Chili.”
15-ounce cans of “Firefighter Chicken Chili with Beans.”
15-ounce cans of “Firefighter Chili with Beans.”
15-ounce cans of “Firefighter Chili no Beans.”
15-ounce cans of “Food Club Chili with Beans.”
15-ounce cans of “Food Club Corned Beef Hash.”
15-ounce cans of “Georgia Hash.”
10- and 15-ounce cans of “Goldstar Chili.”
15-ounce cans of “Goldstar Tex Mex Chili.”
15-ounce cans of “Great Value Chili with Beans.”
15-ounce cans of “Great Value Hot Chili with Beans.”
15-ounce cans of “Kroger Beef Stew.”
15-ounce cans of “Kroger Chili with Beans.”
15-ounce cans of “Kroger Chili no Bean.”
15-ounce cans of “Lowes Chili no Bean.”
15-ounce cans of “Lowes Chili with Beans.”
15-ounce cans of “Lowes Corn Beef Hash.”
15-ounce cans of “Meijer Chili with Beans.”
15-ounce cans of “Meijer Chili no Beans.”
15-ounce cans of “Meijer CORNED BEEF HASH.”
12-pack of 15-ounce cans of “Morton House Chili with Beans.”
15-ounce cans of “Morton House Corned Beef Hash.”
10- and 15-ounce cans of “Paramount Hot Dog Chili Sauce.”
15-ounce cans of “Paramount Chili no Bean.”
15-ounce cans of “Paramount Chili with Beans.”
15-ounce cans of “Piggly Wiggly Chili with Beans.”
10- and 15-ounce cans of “Piggly Wiggly Chili no Bean.”
15-ounce cans of “Piggly Wiggly Corned Beef Hash.”
12-pack of 15-ounce cans of “Prudence Corned Beef Hash.”
15-ounce cans of “Southern Home Chili with Beans.”
10- and 15-ounce cans of “Southern Home Chili no Bean.”
15-ounce cans of “Southern Home Corned Beef Hash.”
10-ounce cans of “Steak N Shake Chili.”
15-ounce cans of “Thrifty Maid Chili with Beans.”
15-ounce cans of “Thrifty Maid Corned Beef Hash.”
15-ounce cans of “Triple Bar Chili with Beans.”
12-pack of 15-ounce cans of “Triple Bar Chili with Beans.”
15-ounce cans of “Triple Bar Chili no Beans.”
12-pack of 15-ounce cans of “Triple Bar Chili no Beans.”
15-ounce cans of “Value Time Chili with Beans.”

Each can label or can end bears the establishment number “EST. 195″ inside the USDA seal of inspection. The canned meat products were distributed nationwide. The problem was discovered during an investigation into illnesses in Indiana and Texas. The investigation led to a recall by FDA of three types of meatless hotdog chili sauce. The FDA’s recall release can be found at www.fda.gov. That recall is also being expanded to include all meatless products produced at the plant that might still be in commerce. There have been no reports of illness from consumption of the products listed in this news release.

Botulism is a rare but serious paralytic illness caused by a nerve toxin. Symptoms of botulism include double vision, blurred vision, drooping eyelids, slurred speech, difficulty swallowing, dry mouth, and muscle weakness. The illness can cause paralysis, respiratory failure and death. Symptoms usually occur from 18 to 36 hours after eating contaminated food. Anyone who is experiencing any of these symptoms should contact a physician. For additional information about botulism, please visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Web site at www.cdc.gov/botulism/botulism.htm.

Consumers with questions about the recall should contact company’s Consumer Hotline at (888) 203-8446. Media with questions about the recall should contact the company public affairs representative Della Sweetman at (619) 200-0436 or Doug McGraw at (212) 453-2202.

Consumers with food safety questions can “Ask Karen,” the FSIS virtual representative available 24 hours a day at AskKaren.gov. The toll-free USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline 1-888-MPHotline (1-888-674-6854) is available in English and Spanish and can be reached from l0 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Eastern Time) Monday through Friday. Recorded food safety messages are available 24 hours a day.

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Categories : USDA recalls

My Carnival for Friday July 20th

20 07 2007

Guided Meditation for Self-Healing and Personal Development posted at Tupelo Kenyon

Alcoholism Signs - 15 Telltale Symptoms You Need to Know posted at Addiction Recovery Blog

10 Babysteps for Mom posted at Go Workout Mom

How I Lost 25 Pounds by Being a Manager posted at Running Naked

Importance of Balance posted at Weight Master

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Categories : blog carnival

Is Your Canned Meat on this ReCall List?

20 07 2007

Georgia Firm Recalls Canned Meat Products That May Contain Clostridium botulinum

Recall Release	CLASS I RECALL
FSIS-RC-033-2007	HEALTH RISK: HIGH

Congressional and Public Affairs
(202) 720-9113
Amanda Eamich

WASHINGTON, July 19, 2007 - Castleberry’s Food Company, an Augusta, Ga., establishment owned by Bumble Bee Foods, LLC, is voluntarily recalling approximately 721,389 pounds of canned meat products that may contain Clostridium botulinum as a result of an equipment malfunction, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service announced today.

The following products are subject to recall: [View Labels | PDF Document, 1.2MB]

10-ounce cans of “Castleberry’s BUNKER HILL, ORIGINAL Chili NO BEANS.” Each label bears the establishment number “EST. 195″ inside the USDA seal of inspection. The bottom of each can is stamped with a “best by” date of “5/22/2009.”
15-ounce cans of “Castleberry’s CHILI WITH BEANS.” Each label bears the establishment number “EST. 195″ inside the USDA seal of inspection. The bottom of each can is stamped with a “best by” date of “5/17/2009.”
10-ounce cans of “Castleberry’s HICKORY SMOKED, OVEN ROASTED, WITH SKINS, BARBECUE PORK IN BARBECUE SAUCE.” Each label bears the establishment number “EST. 195″ inside the USDA seal of inspection. The bottom of each can is stamped with a “best by” date of “5/17/2009.”
15-ounce cans of “Cattle Drive CHILI WITH BEANS.” Each label bears the establishment number “EST. 195″ inside the USDA seal of inspection. The bottom of each can is stamped with a “best by” date of “4/30/2009,” “5/10/2009″ or “5/21/2009.”
15-ounce cans of “Meijer CORNED BEEF HASH.” Each label bears the establishment number “EST. 195″ inside the USDA seal of inspection. The bottom of each can is stamped a “best by” date of “5/3/2009.”
15-ounce cans of “MORTON HOUSE Corned Beef Hash.” Each label bears the establishment number “EST. 195″ inside the USDA seal of inspection. The bottom of each can is stamped with a “best by” date of “5/3/2009.”
15-ounce cans of “SOUTHERN HOME CORNED BEEF HASH.” Each label bears the establishment number “EST. 195″ inside the USDA seal of inspection. The bottom of each can is stamped with a “best by” date of “5/3/2009.”

The canned meat products were produced between April 30 and May 22, 2007 and were distributed to retail establishments in Alabama, Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia and Wisconsin.

The problem regarding the equipment malfunction was discovered during an investigation into illnesses in Indiana and Texas. The investigation led to a recall by the Food and Drug Administration of three types of meatless hotdog chili sauce. There have been no reports of illness from consumption of the products listed in this news release.

Botulism is a rare but serious paralytic illness caused by a nerve toxin. Symptoms of botulism include double vision, blurred vision, drooping eyelids, slurred speech, difficulty swallowing, dry mouth, and muscle weakness. The illness can cause paralysis, respiratory failure and death. Symptoms usually occur from 18 to 36 hours after eating contaminated food. Anyone concerned about an illness should contact a physician.

Consumers with questions about the recall should contact company Consumer Hotline at (888) 203-8446. Media with questions about the recall should contact the company public affairs representative Della Sweetman at (619) 200-0436 or Doug McGraw at (212) 453-2202.

Consumers with food safety questions can “Ask Karen,” the FSIS virtual representative available 24 hours a day at AskKaren.gov. The toll-free USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline 1-888-MPHotline (1-888-674-6854) is available in English and Spanish and can be reached from l0 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Eastern Time) Monday through Friday. Recorded food safety messages are available 24 hours a day.

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Categories : USDA recalls

ANA Acts: Touts Decline In Food Ads, Pledges Support Of Healthier Fare

19 07 2007

by Wayne Friedman, Thursday, Jul 19, 2007 8:00 AM ET

LOOKING TO HEAD OFF POSSIBLE TV advertising legislation, the Association of National Advertisers has offered research showing marketers have voluntarily cut back on unhealthy food advertising to kids in recent years.

The ANA and the Grocery Manufacturers Association/Food Products Association said there was an 8.5% decrease in food advertising targeted to kids 2-11 between 2004 and 2006. In the nine previous years–1993 through 2004–the ANA says there was a 13.5% decrease of food advertising targeted to this demo.

Overall, the ANA computes there has been a 22% decline in food, beverage and restaurant ads seen on TV by the average child during the past 12 years.

The ANA says this finding helps bolster the FTC recommendations issued in May 2006, which included pushing for the introduction of 10,000 new healthy food products, representing approximately $250 billion in annual U.S. food and beverage industry sales.

This shift is part of a voluntary pledge by 11 major food companies–which represent more than two-thirds of children’s food TV advertising–to devote at least half their advertising to healthier foods.

Those companies include General Mills, Campbell Soup Co., Kellogg, Kraft Foods, Coca-Cola, Mars/Masterfoods, Hershey Foods, Unilever and Cadbury Adams. But not–so far–companies like Burger King, ConAgra, Nestle and Chuck E. Cheese.

Advertisers also said they would refrain from using license entertainment characters in these advertisements that encourage–or sometimes confuse–young children.

In addition, the Ad Council and a broad range of marketers, media companies, nonprofits, foundations and government agencies will form the Coalition for Healthy Children.

Some $350 million in donated media time will be used to push a campaign touting physical activity, better food choices and smaller food portions. In February, the Ad Council launched a new round of PSAs featuring “Shrek” characters that urge children to get more exercise.

Some government officials have said the growing concern of children’s obesity could force legislation to limit or eliminate food TV advertising targeted to kids under 12.

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Categories : FTC, advertising

Junk Food Marketing and the Kansan Connection

18 07 2007

For those of you who have been following my blog here you know I have been reporting on the battle to reform the media’s influence on childhood obesity. Today was the day that the joint commission of the Federal Trade Commission and the Department of Health and Human services sat down at a workshop to reveal a report on how the 57 programs studied by the Associated Press have been reformed.

To give you some background I started following this story back in April of this year when there was talk about the FCC needing to get involved in regulation of all advertising practices geared toward kids and junk food marketing. In May of this year there was some buzz on Capital Hill about limiting the amount of junk food advertising toward children. Ed Markey(D-Mass.) has been the one at the forefront in pushing the FCC to get involved.

According to a June 4th article the FTC says that there are 9% fewer ad’s-5,538 in 2004 down from 6,100 in 1977. To me,while this may seem to be a significant decrease to some we still have a long way to go. The Kaiser Family Foundation 2005 study released in March showed a number double of what the FTC study showed.

95% of todays current advertising is pitching fast foods and restaurants,high sugar-cereal,desserts,sweets,snacks,and sweetened drinks.

Going back to the Associated Press report they feel that of the 57 programs currently being funded that encourage healthy eating habits among young kids the $1 billion to fund these programs is being wasted.

The government task force report was due out this month,but now has been pushed back to September. Food industry lobbyists are the ones responsible for influencing the delay of the report.

Also it is worth mentioning that the task force which was initiated by our own state Senator Sam Brownback was not meant to be a finger pointing mechanism but rather a tool to join hands against the fight against childhood obesity.

Now with that being said I traditionally do not vote republican when I go to the polls. I come from a democratic household and thus vote democrat when I feel we have a candidate worth voting for. However, I have applauded Senator Brownback for taking the initiative to get a movement any kind of movement going in an effort to focus on prevention so that we don’t have to spend money into treatment of obesity down the road.

One thing too is that I fail to see why the junk food marketers tend to target a population that is such a vulnerable market? These are the formative years when a child’s mind is still learning and growing. We should be instilling in them healthy eating and living habits instead of habits that will create problems that we have to pick up the tab for until they turn 18 and can go find their own insurance and pay their own bills.

In Kansas their was a study done around the early part of this decade that found that the state was spending well over $300 million in obesity related expenses from the medicare/medicaid budget. That is money that could have been used to expand the food stamp program so that recipients could maybe get more. A family of two like myself and my son are actually allowed just over $200 a month, but we get $157 a month.

Ok so now I am rambling on a bit I tend to do that when I get on a subject I am passionate about. I did an extensive amount of research last semester into the state food stamp program for a project I had to do for a class and what I learned I could use for content on this blog for many many weeks and months to come.

Additional Source not linked to: Media Post Publications

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Categories : Sam Brownback, FTC, FCC, children, advertising, cable junk food ad's, junk food, childhood obesity, food advertising for children

My Mention at Derek Semmler.com and a Collaborative Effort!

17 07 2007

My new blog friend Derek Semmler wrote a post yesterday on Speedlinking. He gave me a mention on his blog. I want to thank him over here and to let you all know that he is wanting to go to this dream 3 day chopper boot camp so if you get a chance go over and post on his blog and maybe shoot him some dough so he can fulfill his dream.

We shared company over at Wendy’s blog on the 2nd Internet group research project. and for anyone who hasn’t had a chance to go check this out let me tell you it is a phenomenal list to be sure there are so many talented individuals out there that took some time out of what must already be very busy schedules to put together one heck of a collaborative effort. I am very honored to be part of such a multi talented and diverse group of professionals.

Here is the list of the people I was fortunate to share this with.