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Water balls may be dangerous warns Consumer Product Safety Commission

Walking on water using water balls poses risks of suffocation and drowning, the Consumer Product Safety Commission said on Thursday. Water walking balls are large clear plastic balls filled with air via a blower through a zipper opening. The zipper is then closed and the ball becomes air-tight, allowing the person in the ball to move across water, ice or grass.

31 Mar 2011

Northern Territory will soon see tough alcohol regulations

Residents of Australia’s Northern Territory have been plagued by alcohol related crimes and have urged the government to come to their aid. Drink-related social problems in the ‘Red Centre’ have even led federal Opposition Leader Tony Abbott to call for a second federal intervention in towns such as Alice Springs, Tennant Creek and Katherine.

31 Mar 2011

U.N., aid groups highlight food aid need in North Korea

World Food Program delegates "on Wednesday stressed the need for major food aid for North Korea, while a cautious South Korea called for transparent distribution of any assistance," Agence France-Presse reports.

31 Mar 2011

New Image to build dairy plant in New Zealand

Health and wellness products manufacturer New Image Group is to help meet global demand for more nutritional milk products with the building of a multi-million dollar, spray drying plant in New Zealand.

31 Mar 2011

Study finds global adolescent death rates exceed rates for child, infant deaths

A study published on Tuesday in the Lancet found that in a reversal of historical trends, "death rates among adolescents are now higher than in children," Reuters reports.

30 Mar 2011

New study on hunger identifies 50 million food-insecure Americans

A new study on hunger entitled "Map the Meal Gap" is the first study to identify the county-level distribution of over 50 million food-insecure Americans.

29 Mar 2011

Economist articles examine agriculture, nutrition issues

In an article examining the relationship between health and agriculture, the Economist writes that while agricultural growth is "no magic solution" to helping people gain access to nutritious foods, "farming ought to be especially good for nutrition."

29 Mar 2011

Anti-hunger leaders fast to protest proposed spending cuts as FY11 budget debate resolution appears elusive

Leaders from "five anti-hunger organizations on Monday will lead open-ended fasts to protest proposed cuts to domestic and international food programs contained in the House-passed six-month spending bill," The Hill's "On The Money" blog reports.

29 Mar 2011

SFDA, Intertek sign Conformity Assessment agreement for Cosmetics products import

Intertek, a leading provider of quality and safety solutions serving a wide range of industries around the world, announced today that it has signed a Conformity Assessment Agreement with the Saudi Food and Drug Authority to provide Conformity Assessment services for the import of Cosmetics products into the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

29 Mar 2011

Burger that needs an hour of exercise to burn off

Fast food chain KFC is set to launch its latest fat-and-sodium laden creation that has done away with the most basic of burger ingredients - the bun. The ‘Double Down’ instead has bacon, sauce and two slices of melted cheese between two pieces of deep fried chicken. The figures stand thus;

28 Mar 2011

Nano-bricks may improve plastic food packaging strength and performance

Scientists are reporting on a new material containing an ingredient used to make bricks that shows promise as a transparent coating for improving the strength and performance of plastic food packaging.

28 Mar 2011

Anti-smoking ads targeting the indigenous population launched

In a bid to reduce the smoking rates in Australia’s indigenous population the Federal Government is launching the first anti-smoking campaign this Monday (today) aimed specifically at indigenous Australians. Figures have shown that nearly 50% Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people smoke, and one in five die from smoking-related diseases. According to Government spokesmen the new campaign is part of its plan to halve the number of indigenous smokers by 2018. The radio, television and print campaign will cost $4 million and is part of the Government's wider aim to significantly reduce the number of Australians who smoke.

27 Mar 2011

U.N. Secretary-General Ban receives preliminary support for second term

U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon "has received preliminary pledges of support for a second five-year term … from the United States and other key members of the Security Council, U.N. diplomats said," Reuters reports in an article that examines Ban's first term at the U.N., set to end on Dec. 31. Although Ban has yet to officially announce his candidacy for re-election, diplomats say Ban has expressed interest in doing so.

25 Mar 2011

U.S., World Bank sign MOU to enhance efforts to bring clean water, sanitation to world's poor

Marking World Water Day Tuesday, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, on behalf of the U.S. government, joined World Bank President Robert Zoellick in signing a Memorandum of Understanding to enhance collaborative efforts between the groups to improve water and sanitation conditions for the world's poor, the Epoch Times reports.

24 Mar 2011

After noncontroversial past, Title X Family Planning now facing challenges

The Title X Family Planning program, established in 1970 with bipartisan support in Congress and signed into law by President Nixon, has been largely noncontroversial. It makes no funds available for abortion, and focuses on what Nixon characterized as the premise that "no American woman should be denied access to family planning assistance because of her economic condition."

23 Mar 2011

World Water Day focuses on impact of rapid urban population growth on water security

Tuesday marks World Water Day 2011, which this year focuses "on the impact of rapid urban population growth, industrialisation and uncertainties caused by climate change, conflicts and natural disasters on urban water systems," the Daily Times reports.

23 Mar 2011

Nordic Naturals introduces Kenai Wild Alaskan Salmon Oil

Nordic Naturals, the industry leader in omega-3 fish oil, introduces Kenai Wild™ Alaskan Salmon Oil to address the growing demand for salmon oil supplementation and to ensure that consumers have a choice that has been third-party tested for heavy metals including, arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury, and other contaminants such as PCBs.

22 Mar 2011

Queen’s University completes first ever analysis of all food recalls over last decade

As the increasing number food scares causes consumers to question the safety of everyday food items, researchers at Queen's University Belfast have completed the first ever analysis of all the food recalls announced in the USA, UK and Ireland over the last decade.

22 Mar 2011

Illinois professor to receive 2011 Tyler Prize for Environmental Achievement

University of Illinois entomology professor and department head May Berenbaum will receive the 2011 Tyler Prize for Environmental Achievement, an international award that recognizes "those individuals who have contributed in an outstanding manner to scientific knowledge and public leadership to preserve and enhance the environment of the world."

22 Mar 2011