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Now that school is back in session, kids may like to pack a lunch because it gives them some control over their food choices. But unless caution is taken, a packed lunch can set the stage for food illnesses. Certain types of foods can be breeding grounds for bacteria when left at room temperature for prolonged periods. However, using a few tips from the Partnership for Food Safety Education, you can pack a lunch that will be safe.
According to public health and food safety experts, each year millions of illnesses in this country can be traced to foodborne bacteria. While the likelihood of serious complications is unknown, the Food and Drug Administration estimates that 2 percent to 3 percent of all foodborne illnesses lead to secondary long-term illnesses.
At www.fightbac.org/school_press.cfm, you'll find suggestions on how to boost packed-lunch safety by keeping hot foods hot, cold foods cold, and other tips. While on the site, check out related information about food safety at cookouts and during seasonal events.
In recent years, the size of food portions served in restaurants has expanded considerably. From french fries to sodas to plates of pasta, there's just a lot more food tempting you to eat more. It's well-established that consuming excess calories can lead to unhealthy weight gain. So how do you know the right amount of food to eat and still manage your weight? According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), the answer lies not only in how much you eat but how often.
In an online brochure called "Just Enough for You," the NIDDK explains that a portion is how much food you choose to eat, while a serving is a more standardized amount. By recognizing standard serving sizes, you can determine how much you are eating and strive not to overeat. One helpful way to stay on track is to keep a food diary that charts when and what you eat throughout the day. The diary helps you become aware of the times and reasons you eat. If you eat too much, the diary can help you make different choices in the future. The online brochure shows an example of a food diary, along with tips on how to control portion sizes when you are at home and when you eat out. It also links to other related NIDDK brochures on subjects such as physical activity and walking.
The FDA has created a Web site to help consumers understand cochlear implants, which are surgically implanted electronic hearing devices that stimulate nerves within the inner ear. The devices can produce useful hearing sensations in people with severe-to-profound nerve deafness who get little or no benefit from hearing aids. The result is not the same as that for natural hearing. A cochlear implant processes sound and sends small electric currents that activate the auditory nerve, sending a signal that the brain learns to recognize, thereby allowing the patient to experience "hearing."
The FDA site has an animated movie that helps visualize the implants and how they work. Also included are lists of benefits and risks, what determines implant success, what educators need to know, and what to expect before, during, and after implant surgery.
It's a rare homeowner who hasn't had the occasional problem with mold. Though fairly common in homes, mold shouldn't be ignored, says the Environmental Protection Agency. In an online brochure called "A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture, and Your Home," the EPA urges consumers to act quickly to resolve mold problems because the longer mold grows, the more damage it does.
The brochure also explains that mold can cause health problems because it produces allergens, irritants and, in some cases, potentially toxic substances called mycotoxins. Immediate or delayed allergic reactions to mold are common.
The key to mold growth is moisture. Though the EPA says it is virtually impossible to get rid of all mold indoors, it is possible to manage the problem by controlling moisture in the house.
The brochure includes helpful sections on mold cleanup, what to wear when cleaning moldy areas, moisture and mold prevention and control, and hidden mold.
FDA.gov is written by John Henkel, a member of the FDA's Website Management Staff.