kickingfrog

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/health...article1241213/ Cook your food. Tuesday, Aug. 04, 2009 08:05PM EDT Canadian retailers pulled several brands of wieners off store shelves yesterday, and consumers were warned not to eat them, after Maple Leaf Foods said they may be contaminated with small amounts of listeria monocytogenes bacteria. The nationwide recall comes about one year after the start of the company's listeriosis crisis, which was linked to the deaths of 22 Canadians and subject to an investigation commissioned by the federal government. The affected products, which include nine varieties of Shopsy's, Hygrade and Maple Leaf brand wieners, were recalled after company testing revealed some samples tested positive for listeria. The bacteria were detected through a second, more aggressive test, after some product samples passed a primary food safety test and were sent to stores, said Randall Huffman, chief food safety officer at Maple Leaf Foods. Although the levels were low, the company decided to err on the side of caution and launch a recall, Dr. Huffman said. The company said small amounts of listeria are commonly found in the environment and are often detected in meat and poultry products – and in ready-to-eat products in particular. Maple Leaf said it follows the federal government's new listeria policy and has stepped up its testing and inspection measures, which means it will likely detect the bacteria more often. “We've taken significant steps to enhance our food safety system,” Dr. Huffman said. But the reality is that there is no way to completely eliminate the risk that listeria – or other potentially harmful bacteria such as E. coli, salmonella or campylobacter – will make their way into grocery carts across the country. “There's no such thing as 100-per-cent safe foods, no matter what food we eat,” said Mansel Griffiths, professor in the food science department at the University of Guelph and director of the Canadian Research Institute for Food Safety. He was also a member of the expert advisory group of the federal listeriosis investigation. Most people can tolerate low levels of listeria, and other types of bacteria, without falling ill, Prof. Griffiths said. He recommends that people who are pregnant, elderly or have weak immune systems are more at risk, and should avoid consuming ready-to-eat meats. Dr. Huffman of Maple Leaf says those groups can consume the products, but must exercise caution. But there are ways consumers can protect themselves when eating ready-to-eat meat and other products, according to Rick Holley, professor of food microbiology and food safety at the University of Manitoba. Some people eat prepared meats, and even hot dogs, right out of the package. But doing so can result in a serious food-borne illness, he said: People should thoroughly cook hot dogs. The Public Health Agency of Canada also says that people who are concerned can reheat deli meats until they are steaming hot. The idea of killing bacteria through cooking applies to other types of food-borne pathogens as well, such as E. coli, which is often associated with uncooked hamburger meat. While children aren't particularly vulnerable to listeria, they can be susceptible to E. coli, Prof. Holley said. Although there have been no illnesses reported in connection with the latest recall of Maple Leaf wieners, food safety experts say the news that traces of listeria were detected by the company should serve as a warning to Canadians that there's no guarantee the food they buy is safe. But that doesn't mean Canadians should just accept the fact their food supply carries a degree of risk, Prof. Holley said. Canadian governments and the food industry must make much better efforts to minimize the potential for bacterial contamination before it happens or illness outbreaks such as the one experienced by Maple Leaf last year will continue to occur, he said. Certain measures, such as better controls to ensure the quality of feed given to animals or revamping on-farm food safety programs, could help eliminate bacteria from fields or processing plants. But one of the most important things Canada could do is overhaul the way it tracks food-borne illnesses. While some provinces keep track of the number of people who become ill from certain bacteria, such as salmonella, other provinces may not be so vigilant. In addition, Canada doesn't track which food items may have led to the illness, which is an important way to figure out if certain foods pose a greater risk to the public. “There certainly are ways the safety can be improved,” Prof. Holley said. “We're as vulnerable today as we were this time last year.” Full details of the recall are available at the Canadian Food Inspection Agency website.

Hard to believe this is real. It was on the Globe and Mails web site. Makes me wonder why they would want to demo a building that is strong enough to do that? http://www.theglobeandmail.com/video/demol...article1239384/

Either rubbing on something on the bottom (Zebra mussels are a PITA) or maybe your tip-top eye has a burr.

Figures that they would be shooting sitting ducks.

What do I get to blame my corruption on? What do we blame for corrupting yesterday's youth? Tomorrow's?

I quit! Nice fish.

I love that area. Lakiar is not far from there. That cabin on the rocks overlooking the water looks great.

http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/calsun/090802/c..._hunters_hunted After posting video of themselves showing off their shooting skills on YouTube, three men with a penchant for killing ducks are being hunted by the law. "It's just disgusting," said Darrell Crabbe, executive director of the Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation. In the 4:40-long video -- which was first uploaded Thursday before it was taken down then re-posted by someone else -- the driver of a Hyundai Tiburon is seen shooting ducks on a small pond with an air gun before it cuts to two men standing outside the car, this time armed with a .22 rifle. While their aim isn't always accurate, the pair manages to hit several ducks -- laughing and cheering each time -- while a third man films. Based on the background and lack of a front licence plate, Crabbe said it's likely the video was made in southwestern Saskatchewan or southeastern Alberta. "There's a field of canola there and we just don't have that many places that grow that kind of canola," he said. "It's turning so it narrows it down." One man is referred to as Dave in the video, while the other is called Jer. Both white and appearing to be in their 20s, the driver is seen wearing a grey shirt and orange shorts, while the second man is wearing a red shirt and dark pants. The videographer also turns the camera toward himself at one point, revealing he's wearing a black hat and has a goatee. "The enforcement guys are going through the whole video with the forensic guys," he said. "We got a couple pictures that are just crystal clear so we're going to post those and send them through our e-mail contacts, which is about 4,000 people in Saskatchewan. "I wouldn't doubt if these guys have a knock at their door within a week." With no ducks in season in Canada until Sept. 1, Crabbe said the trio could be facing charges ranging from careless use of a firearm to poaching Call the Saskatchewan Environment Ministry tip line at 1-800-667-7561 if you can help. [email protected]

I would recommend NOT using cork in the bottom of a tray. It would just absorb water that would then have to dry. I "air-out" my tackle trays when I get home. If it was a rainy day I"ll put the fan on them as well.

A 20 flippin' dollar lure for someone else??? You are a better man than I. One word... jig.

They mentioned that they found the old press from Downsview, where it had been outside for years. They shipped it out to Alberta and are using it, although they are still trying to figure out some of the notes written in marker on the press. Maybe you could set them straight?

4 months. Needs to work on his casting and lure selection however.

Little snippet on CBC news tonight on a company building new twin otters from machinery that had been thrown out years ago.

That's the one. There were a few spots that looked promising on the way in, but I really didn't have the time to explore them properly.

Me too. Thanks TJ

Sure, it was the lizards that kept the maids from going into your room.

July in Cuba is not my first choice for a summer vacation, but it was my sister inlaw's wedding, and usually I know where to pick my battles. The trip was great. I was concerned about flying with a 6 month old because I didn't want to be one of those people with the crying baby on the plane. Ryan was a better flyer then I am, mostly because he has more patients with idiots then I. 40 plus Celsius and humid every day, but the air conditioning in the room worked, the pool was close and the drinks were cold. I took a pack rod as as few lures as I've ever brought on a trip. I went for a long, hot walk down the highway in Varadaro to an area that looked promising on the bus ride into the resort. No luck. Here are some photos from the trip: I'd like to go back, but it will be in January or February for this Canuck.

They work great, even on lakes that don't have gobies. The general feeling is that the fish "think" it's a sculpin.

No doubt that lakes have large swinging cycles and some (in particular small ones) can be over fished easily. I have seen recent MNR and OPP patrols on the little Lake in Barrie. Are there enough patrols??? Another thing to keep in mind is that our memories can be very selective at times. We may remember fondly some distant good/great days on a body of water, but the fish-less days are omitted, or pushed to the dark corners of our minds (the same place where our true sports accomplishments are stored, not the ones we tell our friends). Those 6 big fish were not from one morning but from three trips over two years type of thing.

I'll skip your fishfries. I guarantee that many would not be able to tell the difference between drum and walleye. On a slightly different note: Ever see someone cover their freshly caught and cooked walleye in enough ketchup to make a seven year old choke??? Makes me want to give them freezer-burnt fishsticks.

Nice boat. I'm in a similar spot. I want a serious fishing boat, but we can't have/afford/store two boats. I'll spend the winter looking for a compromise.

TIGER TIGER

Murphy, he'll be 3 in the fall. Sorry about the snow

Do you get a family discount at the lodge? He'll have memories and stories to last 2 life times.