Holiday Food Safety TIps

November 30, 2012

This holiday season we want to ensure that we are safe from the foods we will set on our tables. We must then be vigilant in buying food products. This is to avoid acquiring of food-borne diseases. 

In severe cases, unsafe food may lead consumers to illnesses such as gastritis, typhoid fever, cholera, food poisoning and amoebiasis. Among the symptoms to observe are diarrhea, vomiting and flu like symptoms. Better be careful than sorry. Here are some food safety tips.

1. This season avoid holiday rush so you will have ample time to scrutinize the items you will buy.  Always make sure to buy your food in trusted and reputable shops.

2.  We love to make fruit salads and most of the ingredients are canned. Check the physical quality of the product. Do not buy deformed items especially on canned foods. 

3. Always check the expiration of the product. It may be on sale but it was best before months or years back. Some small shops use stickers to hide original expiration dates. If you think, it was tampered, do not buy it. 

4. In wet market, there are food products for sale but bears no labels. Sellers may claim, it is what we're looking for. Watch out, it may be not. Proper labels are important to verify the brand and quality of item. 

5. Always wash hands before handling, preparing or cooking food. No excuse on that. 

5. Fresh fruits and vegetables must be washed properly before using or eating.  

6. Cook the food properly and accordingly. Temperature is important in cooking food. Make sure to use food thermometer to check the roast chicken inside the oven. Do not base your judgement on outer look. 

7. Refrigerate what's left good and discard the spoiled or contaminated food. 

How about you, do you have any food safety tips to share? You can share it on the comment box below. Have a stress-free holiday. 

Best Vitamins and Supplements for Energy

If you pay a visit in the supermarket, you will see massive display of energy sources. There are energy drinks and energy bars that you can easily grab at the cooler and counter. There are also large numbers of energy supplements at the corner.  It seems like people are more concern about wanting more energy to sustain daily activities. That is fine as long as people know what they are picking from the shelves.

Folic Acid and Vitamin B12 are some of the vitamins mainly linked with reduced energy.  Experts believe that deficiency of these vitamins will lead to tiredness, fatigue and stress. Presence of other symptoms may also occur.

Production of healthy red blood cells is through Vitamin B12 together with folic acid. These cells help in proper digestion and absorption of food. These cells are able to turn the food into energy that has influence in metabolism. Reduced level of Vitamin B12 may be due to medications or the lifestyles of people. A person with insufficient Vitamin B12 can be seen with symptoms such as lack of energy, numbness of feet and hand, sore and cracked tongue and rare mood changes. Long term deficiency of this vitamin can lead to permanent brain and central nervous system impairment. Among the foods rich in Cobalamin that should be included in the diet are liver, eggs, caviar, beef, fish, lamb, oysters, mussels, crabs, lobsters, and cheese. Cyanocobalamin is also available in different drug formulation together with other important vitamins and minerals. Vitamin B12 Supplements are available as well in the market and online. You can check out their websites to check the wide variety of supplements that are energy boosters.

Another important energy giving vitamin is folic acid, other known as folate. As mentioned earlier, this goes with the Vitamin B12 in creation of new red blood cells that help the body in so many things. Insufficient levels of folic acid may lead to a disorder called as megaloblastic anemia. Symptoms that may occur with insufficient folic acid are insomnia, weakness, shortness of breath, digestive disturbances, memory problems and inflamed tongue. This particular vitamin is mostly destroyed during cooking so proper way of handling food is necessary to achieve appropriate levels of folic acid. Dark leafy vegetables, avocado, celery, corn, beets, beans, peas, citrus fruits, okra, seeds and nuts, carrots, squash, cauliflower and brussel sprouts are some of the foods rich in folic acid.

Vitamin B12 and folic acid supplements are available drug dosage forms in the pharmacy and health shops as well as online. You can check out their websites to check the wide variety of energy booster supplements.

Shall I take my medication or not?

Certainly, drugs have their beneficial effects and unwanted effects. But taking them to provide remedy for an existing condition is far better than the risks of not to continue medication. 

Five Tips to Reduce Exam Stress.

November 25, 2012

Here are five tips to reduce exam stress.

1. Mental fatigue is arising when you are so loaded of ideas, notes and numbers causing you later on to lost concentration. Stop studying for a while. Have short frequent breaks. Grab a glass of water and walk for few minutes. Those will help you to focus again.

2. Always have a timetable and checklist to follow. This will prevent you from forgetting something and rushing. 

3. Eat a well-balanced diet. Avoid caffeine since it will only boost you up for some time but will prevent you from getting a good night sleep. Stick with fruits, water and multivitamins. 

Alcohol is another one to avoid since it has a bad impact on your short term memory and will decrease the effects of your multivitamins causing you welcomes more stress. 

4. It is vital to sleep well. You should rest for an hour after reviewing before heading to your bed. Listening to a soothing music will help you relax naturally. Avoid staying up so late. 

5. Except from the multivitamins, exercise also helps boost your energy levels. Walking and running are few examples of de-stressing. Try them. 

Voluntary Recall of Calchews

November 21, 2012
The DOH-FDA issued an advisory stating the voluntary recall order of Calchews manufactured by Pascual Laboratories. The Calchews Chocolate Flavor affected are lots with LN: 382BWA & 382BWB ED: 8/2014. The said company is in the process of investigating the cause of the contamination. 

Please do not consume affected products but instead, return them to:

Pascual Consumer Healthcare Corporation

10/F ETON Cyberpod 1, Centris Bldg., 

Edsa corner Quezon Avenue, Quezon City

Alternatively, consumers may contact the following:

Chiko Lara (Corporate Communication Manager) at 0917-7271710

Mr. James F. Yaranon (Pharmacovigilance Officer) at 0917-7271304; email address jfyaranon@pascuallab-pharma.com.

If you feel ill from taking the affected products, consult your doctor.

Resource: DOH-FDA Advisory No. 2012-013

Disclaimer: 

The information and reference materials contained here are intended solely for the general information of the reader and NOT intended to replace the official advisory. The owner of this site disclaims any responsibility for the decisions you make based on this information. If you have any health-related questions, persistent health condition or before taking any medication, please consult your health care provider.

Voluntary Recall of NESQUIK® Chocolate Powder

November 18, 2012
The FDA Philippines issued an advisory concerning the voluntary recall of  NESQUIK® Chocolate Powder because of the possible presence of Salmonella in particular lots of its ingredient, Calcium Carbonate. Although the product is distributed within US only, there is a chance of acquiring them in the Philippines through families in US by balik-bayan box or by other means. Whether you're in US or not, taking note of this advisory is important. 

Nestlé USA announced the voluntary recall of limited quantities of Nestlé NESQUIK® Chocolate Powder in the 10.9, 21.8 and 40.7 ounce canisters. The voluntary recall is limited to only NESQUIK Chocolate Powder, which was distributed nationally. No other varieties of NESQUIK powder or any sizes or flavors of NESQUIK ready-to-drink are affected by this recall. 

For precautions, still consumers are advised to check the bottom of the canisters and check the product code. All affected canisters are manufactured early October 2012 and bears an expiration date BEST BEFORE OCT 2014. The recall is limited to the following sizes, UPC and production codes:  

Size	UPC Code	Production Codes
40.7 oz. Chocolate (72 servings)	0 28000 68230 9	2282574810 2282574820
21.8 oz. Chocolate (38 servings)	0 28000 68090 9	2278574810 2278574820 2279574810 2279574820 2284574820 2284574830 2285574810 2285574820 2287574820 2289574810 2289574820
10.9 oz. Chocolate (19 servings)	0 28000 67990 3	2278574810

For US residents, if you have bought the affected batch, you can return the product to the place of purchase or call Nestlé Consumer Services at (800) 628-7679.

For Philippine consumers, if the affected product ended up on your hands for whatever means, please call DOH FDA at Tel. No. 807-8275.

Resources: DOH-FDA Advisory No. 2012-012

Recall NESQUIK® 2012

Disclaimer: 

The information and reference materials contained here are intended solely for the general information of the reader and NOT intended to replace the advice of a doctor/government official. The owner of this site disclaims any responsibility for the decisions you make based on this information. If you have any health-related questions, persistent health condition or before taking any medication, please consult your health care provider.

Prices of Basic Medicines Monitored By DOH Philippines (October 26, 2012)

Health Secretary Enrique T. Ona informed the public that prices of drugs and medicines will be continuously and closely  monitored.

Possible Choking Hazards with Toy Whistles

Not all toys are safe for kids. Some toy compositions are dangerous and can be life threatening.

Food and Dietary Supplement Has No Approved Therapeutic Effects

November 1, 2012

DOH-FDA advised the consumer in taking food or dietary supplements.

KOREAN NOODLES CONTAMINATED WITH BENZOPYRENE

November 1, 2012
Six Korean Noodles were found to be contaminated with Benzopyrene by Korean FDA.