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Warning over Apple Mullerice - February 2004 A batch of Apple Müllerice Creamy Dairy Rice with Apple Pieces in Syrup dessert, sell by date 7th Feb 04, has been withdrawn from supermarket shelves, although others may still be for sale in smaller shops or already in consumers fridges. Investigations show that a raised level of methoxyphenol (guaiacol) has been found in the product the cause of which is being investigated by Müller Dairy (UK) Ltd. Although guaiacol, at a raised level, may cause a burning sensation, the risk of any other more serious health effects is very low. Check out the materials data sheets on hazards of guaiacol (Canada) http://www.jtbaker.com/msds/englishhtml/g8246.htm Thai Chicken in Lemsip Sauce Flu virus may spread from Thai chickens to other countries and mutate, threatening a human pandemic. Thailand exports large quantities of chicken to the UK and the rest of Europe - over 40,000 tonnes last year - doubled from the previous year. In Januray 2004, 5 people in Vietnam and one person in Thailand have died from the flu caught from the birds. The flu may spread to other countries, resulting in larget losses of chickens. This will have implications for human health. If the virus mutates, humans could start passing it on resulting in a pandemic. While little fresh chicken meat in the UK will come from Thailand, poultry-ready meals are bought frozen on hte global market. Marks & Spencer and Waitrose do not buy any chicken frm outside the EU. Once the flu is in a flock, it is virtually impossible to control, as seen in Holland in 2003. The disease spread like wildfire to Belgium and Germany, despite the army called in to enforce. The likelihood of of avian flu being transfereed from Thailand to Britain is low, as we do not import live birds. For latest information see WHO Avian influenza For more on chicken borne diseases
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© 2003 EP@W Publishing Co Ltd
Photos courtesy of http://www.usda.gov