AVATAR !!!

CANADA’s AVATAR SANDS

The largest oil exporter to the United States,  Canada extracts about 50 percent of its crude oil supplies from the dirty oil sands.

High Res (5.3 MB PDF)

Related Links:

• Dirty Oil Sands
• Disasters Caused by Oil and gas Drilling, Oil Spills, Leaks…
• The Fate of Energy Dinosaurs

Asteroid killed the Dinosaurs?

Thank YOU Asteroid (!)

If indeed an asteroid impact killed off the dinosaurs, the intelligent rock performed brilliantly, wiping off only those ugly species, thus selecting what was to evolve as homo sapiens x2 and all other wonderful species, which we now are committing to extinction, to survive and thrive. —Fire-Earth

Unfortunately, the scientists have not yet explained how the intelligent asteroid’s selection criteria worked!

University of California – San Diego: Public Release

30 years later, what killed the dinosaurs is revisited

Scripps researcher among dozens making the case with new evidence that an asteroid impact caused a mass extinction 65.5 million years ago

Scripps Institution of Oceanography, UC San Diego, paleoceanographer Richard Norris is one of 41 scientists presenting evidence that an asteroid impact really did kill off dinosaurs and myriad other organisms 30 years after the theory was first proposed.

An asteroid impact 65.5 million years ago left a clear band between light colored Cretaceous sediment (left) and dark-colored, Paleocene sediment (right) recovered from the seafloor off South America. The abrupt shift in sediment color that reflects the instantaneous drop in ocean biological productivity, fossil numbers, and species. Credit: Scripps Institution of Oceanography, UC San Diego

The 15km wide asteroid is said to have struck the planet with a force of more than 100 trillion tons of TNT (6.6 billion times more powerful than the atomic bomb at Hiroshima about 65 million years ago), resulting in the famous Chicxulub crater, which is buried underneath the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico.

The researchers are authors of a review paper being released Friday in the journal Science that represents a new salvo in an ongoing controversy over the cause of the mass extinction. Norris’ contribution to the paper was evidence in seafloor sediment records that indicate how deep-sea life was profoundly reshaped by the impact.

“The story is a lot stronger now than 30 years ago, when it was admittedly a little more speculative,” said Norris. “Since 1980, we have accumulated an overwhelming amount of evidence that there was an impact. We also think the evidence is overwhelming that there was a mass extinction as a direct result of this event.”

In that year, father and son researchers Luis and Walter Alvarez first proposed the notion that an asteroid impact killed off the dinosaurs. They had discovered that high levels of iridium, an element rare on Earth but common on extraterrestrial objects like meteors, were uniformly present in sedimentary samples that could be dated back to the extinction event, which marked the transition between two geologic periods.

At the time, they did not know where on Earth that impact might have taken place. It would be another 11 years before researchers Alan Hildebrand and Glen Penfield suggested that a crater left behind by an asteroid impact was buried on the Yucatan peninsula. With the crater nearly 200 kilometers (125 miles) in diameter, the impact was one large enough to have caused the mass extinction in agreement with the Alvarez hypothesis.

The force of the impact itself — there is evidence of giant earthquakes and tsunami waves more than 1,000 feet tall being generated in the immediate aftermath — and the following profound atmospheric changes combined to make the planet uninhabitable for between 40 and 70 percent of all life forms on Earth.

But rival explanations, though outside the mainstream, have continued to proliferate in high-profile fashion. One theory that has gained widespread attention attributes the mass extinction to a volcanic event in India that took place at roughly the same time as the impact. Another faction of researchers acknowledges that the asteroid did strike but that its effects were not enough to cause the mass extinction.

The sizes of deep sea foraminifera fossils from just after the impact (a) and immediately before the impact. The scale bar in both pictures is 500 microns (half a millimeter). Credit: Scripps Institution of Oceanography, UC San Diego

Norris notes that an inspection of ancient layers of seafloor sediment around the world show a clear record of the event contained in a red or green band composed of materials ejected from the blast. These include pieces of rock like those on the Yucatan, glassy droplets that represent melted rock, microscopic diamonds made under the very high pressures produced by the impact and meteoric debris.

“There are also monster submarine landslides along the entire East Coast of the U.S. from the massive earthquake triggered by the impact,” he said.

Norris points to several pieces of evidence from the deep sea that support a tight link between the impact and the mass extinction. In most places in the deep ocean, the impact debris layer is associated with an abrupt decrease in the size of fossils — the appearance of a dwarfed “disaster” fauna. Abrupt environmental changes throughout history such as the impact tend to favor smaller organisms that have more rapid lifecycles and fewer resource needs than larger organisms. Biological productivity plummets in many parts of the oceans immediately after the impact. The drop in productivity is partly reflected by a change in the color of deep-sea sediments — from creamy white to brown or grey — as light-colored fossil shells abruptly decreased in number.

Individually, the decrease in fossil size, the appearance of a “disaster fauna” and the plummet in ocean productivity are unusual, and together with an impact debris layer, are unique in the deep-sea sediment record.

“This is not a ‘smoking gun,'” said Norris, “it’s a ‘smoking cannon.'”

A smoking cannon that fires selectively—Fire-Earth

Related Links:

• Volcanoes Killed Off Dinosaurs
• Energy Dinosaurs

Trapped in Ice

Image of the Day:

Tell me again about how dinosaurs vanished

About 50 ships, including four passenger ferries with 1,133 people on board are trapped in ice in the Baltic Sea,  off the Swedish coast, the Swedish Maritime Administration said.

SMA said the Baltic freeze was the worst in 15 years.

Photo released by the Swedish Coast Guard shows a cargo ship trapped in ice in the Baltic Sea, off the coast of Sweden, on March 4, 2010.

Related Links:

• IF Nature Had a List of Extreme Dislikes

• 2010: Year One of Human-Enhanced Disasters
• Major Blackout Plunges Brazil into Darkness
• Murphy’s law has no time vector!
• Floods Kill 32 on Portuguese Island of Madeira
• Earthquake, Heavy Rain, Mudslides Strike Peru

• ConocoPhillips Alaska Head Killed in Avalanche
• U.S. power plant explosion kills 50*
• Australian Coal and the Planet
• Australian fires toll may exceed 200
• The Australian Clean Energy Ruse

• A Living Hell Heated by Australian Coal
• 10 Facts on Climate Change
• Our Oceans Are Dying
• How many are up there polluting our skies?

Salmonella Infected Additive Prompts Massive Food Recall

Comparative Advantage Theory = Large Scale Food-borne Infection

Economic Theories Turned on Their Heads [Hands Down]

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has advised multiple food companies to recall at least 30 varied products that contain a food additive, found to be infected by salmonella.

The product is a commonly used flavor enhancer named ‘hydrolyzed vegetable protein,’ or HVP, processed by Basic Food Flavors Inc, a Las Vegas-based company.

HVP is used in tens of thousands of processed food products retailed throughout the U.S., and represents about  1.5% of the ingredients in packaged foods.

It takes just a single ingredient processed by a single manufacturer to infect a large proportion of the food you eat.

Even Dinosaurs had better survival odds!

FDA Notice

Salmonella is an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e., infected aneurysms), endocarditis and arthritis. For more information on Salmonella bacteria, please visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s website at http://www.cdc.gov¹. For a list of various company recalls and for more information on the FDA’s ongoing investigation, please visit the FDA’s website at www.fda.gov².

The recalled products, and their manufacturers, are listed below:

1. Reser’s Fine Foods, Inc.

15570 SW Jenkins Road
Beaverton, Oregon 97006
Steve Loehndorf , Technical Services Director
503-643-6431

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – March 3, 2010 – Reser’s Fine Foods, Inc. of Beaverton, OR has been notified by a supplier that certain seasoning ingredients it supplied to Reser’s contain hydrolyzed vegetable protein (HVP) that may be contaminated with Salmonella. Salmonella is an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy people may experience fever, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea (which may be bloody) and abdominal pain. In rare cases the organism can get into the bloodstream and cause more severe complications including endocarditis, arthritis and arterial infections such as infected aneurysms. For more information, please visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s website at www.cdc.gov¹. As a precautionary measure, Reser’s is voluntarily recalling a limited number of products.

No illnesses have been reported in connection with these products.

Reser’s is recalling the following items sold to retailers and distributors nationwide:

UPC	Description	Size / Packaging	Use By Date
54627.20327	Ranch House Dressing	8 lb. Carton	1/23/10 – 4/27/10
71117.00171	Creamy Ranch Dip	8oz. Plastic Cup	5/12/10 – 6/9/10
71117.00240	Clam Dip	8oz. Plastic Cup	3/22/10 – 6/5/10
71117.00243	French Onion Dip	8oz. Plastic Cup	3/1/10 – 6/5/10
71117.00249	Cheese and Bacon Dip	8oz. Plastic Cup	4/2/10 – 5/27/10
71117.16981	Creamy Ranch Dip	8 lb. Carton	5/2/10 – 6/4/10
71117.17050	Creamy Ranch Dip	4oz. Plastic Cup	4/29/10 – 6/5/10
21130.06741	Redskin Potato Safeway	16oz. Plastic Container	3/14/10 – 4/10/10
81131.91681	Potato RedSkin Walmart	16oz. Plastic Container	12/27/09 – 4/6/10
81131.91687	Potato RedSkin Walmart	32oz. Plastic Container	12/27/09 – 4/6/10
71117.06031	Redskin Potato	5 lb. Plastic Tub	2/24/10 – 4/5/10
71117.14751	Ranch Dip	8 lb. Carton	4/25/10 – 6/5/10

These products should NOT be eaten. Customers may return them to the place of purchase for a full refund.

2. Earth Island Announces Voluntary Recall on Select Follow Your Heart Products that Contain Natural Flavor Because of Possible Health Risk

Contact:
Sheena Bliss, Earth Island
(818) 725-2820

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – Chatsworth, CA – March 3, 2010 – Earth Island is conducting a voluntary recall on its distribution of the following Follow Your Heart brand products as a precautionary measure due to possible Salmonella contamination of a natural flavor from one of our suppliers.

The recalled products contain natural flavor supplied by Basic Food Flavors of Las Vegas, Nevada. Follow Your Heart deli products are sold at grocery and health food stores and served in commissaries in the Southern California region. Follow Your Heart dressings are sold in grocery and health food stores nationwide.

Products included in the recall are:

PRODUCT	USE BY DATES	BARCODE
Follow Your Heart BBQ Braised Tofu – 10 oz	11/10/09 through 03/09/10	0-49568-01001-4
Follow Your Heart BBQ Braised Tofu – 8 lb	11/10/09 through 03/09/10	0-49568-07025-4
Follow Your Heart Cheezy Garlic Pasta – 8 oz	11/10/09 through 03/06/10	0-49568-01006-9
Follow Your Heart Cheezy Garlic Pasta – 7 lb	11/10/09 through 03/06/10	0-49568-04006-6
Follow Your Heart Curried Tofu – 10 oz	11/10/09 through 03/09/10	0-49568-01010-6
Follow Your Heart Curried Tofu with Rice – 7 lb	11/10/09 through 03/09/10	0-49568-04011-0
Follow Your Heart Heartsmart Burger – 7 oz	11/10/09 through 03/19/10	0-49568-01098-4
Follow Your Heart Kung Pao Tofu – 10 oz	11/10/09 through 03/08/10	0-49568-01023-6
Follow Your Heart Kung Pao Tofu with Rice – 7 lb	11/10/09 through 03/08/10	0-49568-04003-5
Follow Your Heart Savory Tofu Saute – 10 oz	11/10/09 through 03/10/10	0-49568-01038-0
Follow Your Heart Savory Tofu Saute – 7 lb	11/10/09 through 03/10/10	0-49568-04014-1
Follow Your Heart Smoked “Chicken” Pasta – 8 oz	11/10/09 through 03/14/10	0-49568-01076-2
Follow Your Heart Smoked “Chicken” Pasta – 7 lb	11/10/09 through 03/14/10	0-49568-04076-9
Follow Your Heart Sweet & Sour Tofu – 10 oz	11/10/09 through 03/08/10	0-49568-01430-2
Follow Your Heart Sweet & Sour Tofu – 7 lb	11/10/09 through 03/08/10	0-49568-04430-9
Follow Your Heart Thai Peanut Tofu – 10 oz	11/10/09 through 03/08/10	0-49568-01028-1
Follow Your Heart Thai Peanut Tofu Wrap – 12 oz	11/10/09 through 03/11/10	0-49568-01034-2
Follow Your Heart Thai Peanut Braised Tofu – 8 lb	11/10/09 through 03/08/10	0-49568-04407-1
Follow Your Heart Texas Tofu – 10 oz	11/10/09 through 03/12/10	0-49568-01037-3
Follow Your Heart Veggie Burrito with Cheese – 12 oz	11/10/09 through 03/05/10	0-49568-01070-0
Follow Your Heart Low Fat Veggie Burrito – 12 oz	11/10/09 through 03/05/10	0-49568-01069-4
Follow Your Heart Beef Al Jus – 224 oz	11/10/09 through 03/19/10	N/A
Follow Your Heart Organic Creamy Ranch Dressing – 12oz	JUN 14 10, JUN 21 10	0-49568-66012-7
Follow Your Heart Organic Creamy Ranch Dressing – 32oz	JUN 14 10, JUN 21 10	0-49568-66032-5
Follow Your Heart Organic Creamy Ranch Dressing – 128oz	JUN 14 10	0-49568-66128-5
Trader Joe’s Organic Creamy Ranch Dressing & Dip – 12oz	JUN 13 10	0069-6890

(Trader Joe’s Organic Creamy Ranch Dressing & Dip—affected code is limited to product sold at Arizona, Las Vegas, New Mexico and Southern California stores.)

3. Homemade Gourmet Recalls “Tortilla Soup Mix” Because of Possible Health Risk

Contact:
Homemade Gourmet
1000 Homemade Way
Canton, TX 75103
(903) 287-1000

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – March 3, 2010 – Homemade Gourmet of Canton, Texas is voluntarily recalling approximately 320 packages of 1.96 oz Tortilla Soup Mix, because it has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e., infected aneurysms), endocarditis and arthritis.

“Tortilla Soup Mix” is distributed nationwide via mail order delivery and through independent consultant sales. The recalled lots are S1004812411 and S1004912111, which were sold 2/17/2010 through 3/1/2010. All known purchasers of the 320 packages have been contacted and told to destroy them. A full refund has been offered to every customer and consultant.

“Tortilla Soup Mix” is packaged in clear plastic packages with red and beige labeling. The product was sold individually in a 1.96 oz (55.6 g) pouch, and as part of two kits including the “Let’s Make Dinner Collection (stock #40.1032) or the “$800 pre-select” order for consultants (stock #37.0320).

To date, no known illnesses have been associated with this product.

The “Tortilla Soup Mix” was made using Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein (HVP), manufactured by Basic Food Flavors, Inc., Las Vegas, Nevada. The HVP had tested positive for Salmonella at its original manufacturing plant Basic Food Flavors, Inc.

This product should be destroyed immediately. Consumers with questions should contact Homemade Gourmet Customer Service Department at 1-888-477-2848 (Monday – Friday 8-5 C.S.T.) for replacement, substitution or refund.

• Product Label

4. Tim’s Cascade Snacks Recalls ‘Hawaiian^® Kettle Style Potato Chips – Sweet Maui Onion’ and ‘Hawaiian – Sweet Maui Onion Rings’ Because of Possible Health Risk

Contact:
Michelle Weese,
973-541-8620

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – March 02, 2010 – Out of regard and concern for our consumers, Tim’s Cascade Snacks of Algona, Washington is recalling ‘HAWAIIAN® Kettle Style Potato Chips – SWEET MAUI ONION’ AND ‘HAWAIIAN – SWEET MAUI ONION RINGS‘ because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e., infected aneurysms), endocarditis and arthritis.

‘Hawaiian^® Kettle Style Potato Chips- Sweet Maui Onion’ and ‘Hawaiian- Sweet Maui Onion Rings’ were distributed nationwide and in Canada through retail stores, distributors, direct delivery and internet sales. These products were sold as individual bags and as components of packs, including variety packs. No other ‘Hawaiian’ products are involved in this recall.

Only the following products are being recalled:

‘Hawaiian Kettle Style Potato Chips – Sweet Maui Onion’With code dates MAR 09 10 up to and including JUN 07 10
BAG NET WT	UPC
1 ounce bags	1159400116
1.5 ounce bags	1159402213
2 ounce bags	1159420211
5 ounce bags	1159400503
8 ounce bags	1159410034
18 ounce bags	1159402005
32 ounce bags	1159403201
2 ounce 15 pack	Bag    1159420211Box    1159499007
1.5 ounceIt’s Time for Tim’s Variety Pack, 36 count	Bag    1159402213Tray    1159436001
70 gram bags	1159400704
210 gram bags	1159400754
908 gram bags	1159403201

‘Hawaiian – Sweet Maui Onion Rings’With code dates MAR 23 10 and all dates up to JUN 21 10
BAG NET WT	UPC
0.75 ounce bags	1159407501
1.5 ounce bags	1159402022
4 ounce bags	1159440401
42 gram bags	1159401501

There are no known illnesses reported.

The ‘HAWAIIAN® Kettle Style Potato Chips – SWEET MAUI ONION’ AND ‘HAWAIIAN – SWEET MAUI ONION RINGS’ are being recalled because they contain HVP (hydrolyzed vegetable protein) manufactured, distributed and recalled by Basic Food Flavors, Inc., Las Vegas, NV.

Consumers who have purchased these products should not consume them and should return them to the retailer they were purchased from for a full refund. Tim’s Cascade and our retailers are removing recalled product from retailers’ shelves. As a result, consumers can be assured that all other Tim’s Cascade products that remain on-shelf are safe and not subject to this recall. Consumers with questions may call 888-299-7646. Live assistance is 8am-4pm CST and a recording with all pertinent information runs continuously.

• Click here for product labels

5. T. Marzetti Company Announces a Voluntary Recall of Dips Due to Possible Health Risk

Media Contact:
Jill Schmidt,
Tel: 612-375-8513
jill.schmidt@clynch.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE — March 01, 2010 – Columbus, Ohio – T. Marzetti Company today announced as a precautionary measure that it is voluntarily recalling certain production codes of T. Marzetti Veggie Dips, Oak Lake Chip Dips and Great Value Chip Dips because an ingredient used in the product has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. There have been no reports of illnesses associated with the identified products, and no other types, varieties of flavors of products are affected by this recall.

Products subject to this recall that were distributed nationwide in the United States under the T. Marzetti brand in plastic tubs and sold in the produce section include:

• T. Marzetti Southwest Ranch Veggie Dip, 15.5 ounce (UPC 70200 52004)
  Best By dates: APR2010F, APR2810F, MAY1610F, MAY3110F, JUN0610F, JUN1410F, JUN1910F
• T. Marzetti Fat Free Southwest Ranch Veggie Dip, 13 ounce (UPC 70200 52033)
  Best By dates: MAY1610F, MAY3010F, JUN0810F, JUN1210F, JUN2510F
• T. Marzetti Spinach Veggie Dip, 15 ounce (UPC 70200 52059)
  Best By dates: APR1910F, MAY0910F, JUN0710F

Products subject to this recall distributed in Canada and Laredo, Texas, under the T. Marzetti brand in plastic tubs and sold in the produce section include:

• T. Marzetti Spinach Veggie Dip, Epinards, Trempette A Legumes, 340 gram (UPC 70200 58843)
  Best By dates: 10AL11F, 10AL17F, 10AL24F, 10AL30F, 10MA08F, 10JN12F
• T. Marzetti Southwest Ranch Veggie Dip, Ranch style sud-ouest americain Trempette A Legumes, 340 gram (UPC 70200 58844)
  Best By dates: 10AL17F, 10AL24F, 10AL30F, 10MA08F, 10JN05F, 10JN14F

Product subject to this recall distributed in Ohio under the Oak Lake Farms Brand in plastic tubs and sold in the refrigerated case includes:

• Oak Lake Farms French Onion Chip Dip, 16 ounce (UPC 73534 43480)
  Best By dates: APR2310F, JUN1110F, JUN2610F

Product distributed in the United States under the Great Value brand in plastic tubs and sold in the refrigerated section includes:

• Great Value Ranch Chip Dip, 16 ounce (UPC 78742 43099)
  Best By dates: 042810F, 050810F, 052910F, 053010F, 053110F, 060410F, 060510F, 061110F

T. Marzetti was notified by its supplier, Basic Food Flavors, Inc., of the recall of an ingredient used in these products due to potential Salmonella contamination. Because the safety of consumers is a top priority and out of an abundance of caution, T. Marzetti has voluntarily recalled these product.

T. Marzetti is working closely with Food and Drug Administration to conduct this voluntary recall.

Salmonella is a common food borne pathogen that can cause severe illnesses, including fever, abdominal cramps and diarrhea. While most individuals recover in three to five days without medical intervention, the infection can be life-threatening to young children, the elderly and those with compromised immune systems. Consumers with any of these symptoms should call their physician. For more information on Salmonella, please visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Website at http://www.cdc.gov¹.

Consumers who have purchased the recalled products are advised to discard this product or return it to the place of purchase for a refund. Consumers with questions about the recall should contact T. Marzetti Co. at 1-800-427-0147 between 8 a.m. and 9 p.m. EST or visit the company’s Website at www.marzetti.com².

6. Food Recall: Castella Chicken Soup Base

7. Johnny’s Fine Foods Recalls Johnny’s French Dip Powdered Au Jus Because of Possible Health Risk

Contact:
William Szybura, President
253-383-4597

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – February 26, 2010 – Tacoma, WA – Johnny’s Fine Foods of Tacoma, Wash., Johnny’s Fine Foods is recalling French Dip Powdered Au Jus in 6oz bottles and French Dip Powdered Au Jus in 1.1oz foil packets, because it has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. Salmonella is an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e., infected aneurysms), endocarditis and arthritis.

Johnny’s French Dip Powdered Au Jus is distributed nationwide and is sold in retail stores.

Johnny’s French Dip Powdered Au Jus 6oz is packaged in a clear plastic bottle with a red, white and blue label. The expiration date for this product is 0332. Johnny’s French Dip Powdered Au Jus 1.1oz is packaged in a red, white and blue foil packet. The expiration date for this product is 02212.

The product was made using hydrolyzed vegetable protein manufactured by Basic Food Flavors, Inc. Las Vegas, Nevada. Basic Food Flavors initiated a recall of the hydrolyzed vegetable protein due to Salmonella contamination.

This product should be destroyed immediately. Consumers with questions may contact Johnny’s Fine Foods at 1-800-962-1462 Monday thru Friday 8am to 3pm Pacific Standard Time.

• Product Label

The following companies have also recalled their food products due to suspected salmonella infection, which may or may not be  related to HVP, processed by Basic Food Flavors Inc, Las Vegas.

8. Trader Joe’s Company Voluntarily Recalls Chocolate Chip Chewy Coated Granola Bars

Contact:
Press Contact: Alison Mochizuki
Office: 626-599-3779
E-mail: amochizuki@traderjoes.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE — February 19, 2010 – Trader Joe’s Company of Monrovia, California is voluntarily expanding the recall of the Trader Joe’s Chocolate Chip Chewy Coated Granola Bars (SKU 82818) to include all code dates, manufactured by Bloomfield Bakery, a subsidiary of Ralcorp Holdings, Inc. because it has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e., infected aneurysms), endocarditis and arthritis.

The product involved in this recall was distributed at Trader Joe’s stores nationally and comes in a 7.4 oz box. Production of the product has been suspended while FDA and Bloomfield Bakery continue their investigation.

• Product Labels

9. Thumb Oilseed Recalls Soy Grits and Flour Because of Possible Health Risk

Contact:
Thumb Oilseed Producers’ Cooperative©
2145 Leppek Road, Ubly, MI 48475
Phone (989) 658-2344
Toll-Free (866) 658-2344
Fax (989) 658-2372

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – February 25, 2010 – Thumb Oilseed Producers’ Cooperative of Ubly, MI. has recalled certain shipments of soybean grits and flour because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses.

The recalled soybean grits and flour were distributed to a limited group of wholesale customers located around the nation. These customers have been contacted by Thumb Oilseed and are reviewing this inventories and production processes and taking the necessary steps to protect consumer health, including, if necessary, sub recalls.

The product is labeled with Soy Beginnings or Nexsoy brands; packaged in 40# paper bags. Feed is packaged in 1500# totes. (Lot numbers include TF121608 through TF012210, TG121608 through TG010510).

The recall resulted from routine sampling programs conducted by the company and its wholesale customers. Thumb Oilseed has suspended production and distribution of the potential affected products and is cooperating with the US Food and Drug Administration and Michigan Department of Agriculture in investigating the situation.

The recall does not involve soy oil products produced by Thumb Oilseed.

Consumers with questions may contact the company at 989-658-2344 between 9:00 am and 4:00 pm EST Monday-Friday.

10. American Pecan Co. Recalls Pecans Because of Possible Health Risk

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – February 26, 2010 – American Pecan Co. of Yancey, Texas, is recalling 1 lb. bags of Pecan Pieces, small, medium, and large sizes, because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e., infected aneurysms), endocarditis and arthritis.

The 1 lb. bags of pecans were sold to walk-up customers at their Yancey,Texas location, as well as to mail order customers in Texas, New York, and Massachusetts. The bagged pecans consist of Ziploc-type bags labeled with “PECAN PIECES (Small, Medium, or Large) Ingredients: Shelled Pecans: Repacked by: American Pecan Co. P.O. Box 151 Yancey, Tx. 78886 Net weight 1-Lb. (16 oz.) 454 g. Might contain Pecan shells..” There are no codes associated with the products. No illnesses have been reported to date.

The recall was as the result of a routine sampling by the Food and Drug Administration, which revealed that the finished products contained the bacteria. The company has ceased the production and distribution of the product as FDA and the company continue their investigation as to what caused the problem.

Consumers who have purchased 1 lb. bags of PECAN PIECES are urged to dispose of the products and contact Mr. Rey Elizondo at American Pecan Co. for further instructions at 1-800-364-9053. Mr. Elizondo will be available 9:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M., CST, Monday thru Friday.

11. Heartland Foods, Inc. voluntarily recalls Coarse Ground Black Pepper because of possible Salmonella Contamination

Contact:
Heartland Foods, Inc. Recall Department
(800) 762-6909

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – March 1, 2010 – Indianapolis, IN – Heartland Foods, Inc. of Indianapolis is voluntarily recalling all sizes/containers of COARSE GROUND BLACK PEPPER shipped from their facility at 6815 E. 34th Street, Indianapolis IN. Potential distribution took place on or after October 19th, 2009 to February 17th, 2010. These products have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, the elderly, and other with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e., infected aneurysms), endocarditis and arthritis.

The product involved includes the following sizes: 1 lb Quart (jar), 4 lb Gallon, 8 lb Bucket (new pail). Each container is identified with an individual label showing the Heartland Foods company logo, the description: Coarse Ground Black Pepper, and the specific Net Weight of the container (i.e., 1 lb, 4 lb, 8 lb). Product distribution of Coarse Ground Black Pepper has been suspended while the FDA continues its investigation.

Heartland Foods, Inc. takes the safety of our customers and the integrity of our products very seriously. Customers who have purchased Coarse Ground Black Pepper during the specified dates above, are urged not to use the product and return the product to a Heartland Foods, Inc. representative for a full refund. Customers are also urged to recall any product they further distributed.

Customers with questions may contact Heartland Foods, Inc. Recall Department Monday through Friday 5am to 5pm EST at (800) 762-6909.

12.  Wholesome Spice Recalls 25 Lb. Boxes Of Crushed Red Pepper Because Of Possible Health Risk

Company Contact:
Michael Williams
(718) 388-1549

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – February 25, 2010 – Brooklyn, NY – Wholesome Spice of Brooklyn, NY is recalling all lots of 25 lb boxes of Crushed Red Pepper sold between 4/6/09 and 1/20/10, because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e., infected aneurysms), endocarditis and arthritis.

The 25 lb boxes of Crushed Red pepper were distributed in the Northeastern U.S.. The product was not sold on the retail level to consumers.

The Crushed Red Pepper product is packaged in a clear plastic bag which is placed inside of a cardboard box with an adhesive white label with a blue border and blue and black lettering. The brand name on the product labels is WHOLESOME SPICES. The product name is listed as CRUSHED RED PEPPER.

The firm was informed that samples of its product have tested positive for Salmonella. The firm is currently working with the FDA to determine how the contamination occurred.

Manufacturers who have purchased 25 lb boxes of WHOLESOME SPICES brand Crushed Red Pepper are urged not to use the product and to recall any product they further distributed. Manufacturers with questions may contact the firm via telephone at (718) 388-1549. Our hours of operation are from Monday to Friday 8:30-4:30pm Eastern Standard Time.

13. Trader Joe’s Company Voluntarily Recalls Chocolate Chip Chewy Coated Granola Bars

Company Contact:
Trader Joes Customer Relations
626-599-3817

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – February 10, 2010 – Monrovia CA –  Trader Joe’s Company of Monrovia, California is voluntarily recalling Trader Joe’s Chocolate Chip Chewy Coated Granola Bars, UPC 82818, Use by Dates/Lot Codes 16JUL10H2 and 17JUL10H1, manufactured by Bloomfield Bakery, a subsidiary of Ralcorp Holdings, Inc. because it has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e., infected aneurysms), endocarditis and arthritis.

The product involved in this recall was distributed at Trader Joe’s stores nationally and comes in a 7.4 oz box marked with Use by/Lot Codes 16JUL10H2 and 17JUL10H1 on the top of the box and stamped individually on the side of each granola bar. Production of the product has been suspended while FDA and Bloomfield Bakery continue their investigation.

14. Queseria Bendita Recalls Queso Fresco, Panela, and Requeson Because of Possible Health Risk

Company Contact:
Queseria Bendita
512 S. 3rd St.
Yakima, WA 98901
Sandra Aguilar 509-574-8587

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – February 19, 2010 – Queseria Bendita of Yakima, Wash., is recalling three types of cheese, Queso Fresco, Panela, and Requeson, because they have the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, an organism that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems.

Although healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, Listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.

The Queso Fresco, Panela, and Requeson cheeses are sold at Queseria Bendita’s retail store and were distributed in Washington and Oregon, where they are sold in Hispanic markets.

The Queso Fresco is packaged in one- and three-pound vacuum packed wheels; the Panela is vacuum packed in one- and three- pound sizes; and the Requeson is packed in eight-ounce and one- pound clear plastic tubs.

Each cheese has a green label identifying the type of cheese, the Queseria Bendita brand name, and a date code up to and including “Apr 30 2010”.

To date there is one confirmed illness in Washington related to the recalled product. Other illnesses in Washington and Oregon may also be related.

The public health investigation of the illnesses led to sampling and testing of the cheeses. The testing revealed the contamination of the product with Listeria monocytogenes.

The company has ceased production and distribution of the product while the Washington State Department of Agriculture, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and the firm investigate the source of the problem.

Consumers who have purchased the product are urged to return it to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with questions may contact the company at 1-509-574-8587 Monday through Friday between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.

15.  Lovin Oven LLC Voluntarily Recalls Certain Health Valley® Organic Peanut Crunch, Dutch Apple and Wildberry Chewy Granola Bars

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – Irwindale, CA, February, 19, 2010 – Lovin Oven, LLC of Irwindale, CA announced that it has taken the precautionary measure of voluntarily recalling certain Health Valley Organic Peanut Crunch, Dutch Apple and Wildberry Chewy Granola Bars because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. The bars contain organic toasted soy grits supplied by Thumb Oilseed Producers Cooperative of Ubly, MI. No illnesses have been reported in connection with the recalled bars and no other types of Health Valley brand bars are being recalled.

Salmonella is an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e., infected aneurysms), endocarditis and arthritis.

The recalled Peanut Crunch, Dutch Apple and Wildberry chewy granola bars are distributed nationally. The only lots affected are:

6.1oz HV ORG PEANUT CRUNCH	6.1oz HV ORG DUTCH APPLE	6.1oz HV ORG WILDBERRY
07DEC09H2	03JAN10H1	05JAN10H2
15JAN10H2	05FEB10H2	15JAN10H1
23FEB10H2	05FEB10H2	12APR10H1
28FEB10H2	28MAR10H2	06JUL10H1
28MAR10H2	17AUG10H1	08MAR10H1
29MAR10H1
13APR10H1
06SEP10H2
06NOV10H2
09FEB10H2

Product Description and SKU (number on bottom used to scan at checkout)

Health Valley Organic Peanut Crunch Chewy Granola Bars, 6.1 oz box   # 0-35742-15483-4

Health Valley Organic Dutch Apple Chewy Granola Bars, 6.1oz box        # 0-35742-15482-7

Health Valley Organic Wildberry Chewy Granola Bars, 6.1oz box            # 0-35742-15481-0

Consumers who have purchased any products covered by this recall are urged to return them to the store of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with questions or concerns about the recall may call the hotline at 1-800-423-4846 (7:00 AM – 5:00 PM Mountain Time). Consumers with questions or concerns about their health should contact their doctor.

16.  Fresh & Easy Neighborhood Market Voluntarily Recalls Fresh & Easy Chewy Chocolate Chip Granola Bars Because of Possible Health Risk

Contact: Brendan Wonnacott
Office: (916) 554-3466
Cell: (310) 384-3833

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – February 18, 2010 – EL SEGUNDO, CA – Fresh & Easy Neighborhood Market Inc., is voluntarily recalling all date codes of fresh&easy™ Chewy Chocolate Chip Granola Bars as a result of a recall initiated by Thumb Oilseed Producers. This company supplies an ingredient that has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella.

Salmonella is an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e., infected aneurysms), endocarditis and arthritis.

This is the only Fresh & Easy product affected and there have been no illnesses reported.

Product Description	Barcode	Dates Affected
fresh&easy™ Chewy Chocolate Chip Granola Bars 6count/7.4oz carton	5051379001377	All Date Codes

The recalled products were sold in Fresh & Easy Neighborhood Market stores located in California, Nevada, and Arizona.

Customers may return the unused product, empty product containers or present the receipt as proof of purchase of the recalled product to any Fresh & Easy store for a full refund. Consumers who have questions or concerns about this recall should contact the Fresh & Easy 24-hour toll free number at 1 (800) 648-8622.

17. Estrella Family Creamery Expands Recall Of Various Cheeses Because Of Possible Health Risk

Company Contact:
Kelli Estrella

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – February 17, 2010 – Estrella Family Creamery of Montesano, WA is recalling Brewleggio, Domino, and Wynoochee River Blue cheeses because they have the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Although healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, Listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.

The products were sold to restaurants and cheese shops in WA, OR, and NJ.

The Domino cheese is a one pound, natural rind wheel made from cow’s milk. The Brewleggio cheese is a soft washed rind cow’s milk wheel 8″ wide by 2″ tall, weighing approximately 3 pounds.  The Wynoochee River Blue Cheese is a 5 pound wheel with a rustic natural rind, blue veined.  The products are not coded.

The recall, which initially included Red Darla cheese, has now been expanded to include Domino Cheese that also tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes.  Brewleggio and Wynoochee River Blue cheeses are also being included in the expanded recall because they were aged in the same room as the Domino cheese. The company has ceased the production and distribution of the products as the Washington State Department of Agriculture, the Food and Drug Administration, and the company continue their investigation as to what caused the problem.

Consumers can return any remaining product to the place of purchase for a full refund. Any questions can be answered by Kelli or Anthony at the Creamery, 360.249.6541, Monday – Friday, 6:00am – 8:00pm PST.

18. Walong Marketing, Inc. Issues Nationwide Voluntary Recall of Flying Horse Black and White Sesame Chewy Candy Due to Undeclared Peanuts

Company Contact:
Julie Lai
714-670-8899

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – February 17, 2010 – Buena Park, CA – Walong Marketing, Inc.  of Buena Park, California is voluntarily recalling Flying Horse Black and White Sesame Chewy Candy due to undeclared peanuts.  People who have severe sensitivity to peanuts run the risk of serious or life threatening allergic reactions if they consume this product.

The product is packaged in a 3.5 oz plastic bag labeled with UPC Code 673367487915 and sold through retail stores nationwide. All “Best Before” dates are affected by this recall.

Walong Marketing, Inc. initiated the recall after being notified by the FDA of a consumer complaint involving an allergic reaction related to the consumption of the affected product. Subsequent testing by the FDA indicated the product contains peanuts. No illness or allergic reactions have been reported to Walong Marketing, Inc. to date in connection with this product.

Consumers who have purchase the product are urged to return it to the place of purchase for a full refund.  Consumers with question may contact Walong Marketing, Inc. Monday thorough Friday, 9am to 5pm PST at 714-670-8899 ext. 137.

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Arctic Ocean Seafloor Methane Venting

Who’s afraid of seafloor methane emissions?

National Science Foundation: Public Release

Methane releases from Arctic shelf may be much larger and faster than anticipated

Thawing by climate change of subsea layer of permafrost may release stores of underlying, seabed methane

A section of the Arctic Ocean seafloor that holds vast stores of frozen methane is showing signs of instability and widespread venting of the powerful greenhouse gas, according to the findings of an international research team led by University of Alaska Fairbanks scientists Natalia Shakhova and Igor Semiletov.

Structure of a gas hydrate block embedded in the sediment of hydrate ridge, off Oregon. GNU Free Documentation license. Details

The research results, published in the March 5 edition of the journal Science, show that the permafrost under the East Siberian Arctic Shelf, long thought to be an impermeable barrier sealing in methane, is perforated and is starting to leak large amounts of methane into the atmosphere. Release of even a fraction of the methane stored in the shelf could trigger abrupt climate warming.

“The amount of methane currently coming out of the East Siberian Arctic Shelf is comparable to the amount coming out of the entire world’s oceans,” said Shakhova, a researcher at UAF’s International Arctic Research Center. “Subsea permafrost is losing its ability to be an impermeable cap.”

Worldwide distribution of confirmed or inferred offshore gas hydrate-bearing sediments. USGS

Methane is a greenhouse gas more than 30 times more potent than carbon dioxide. It is released from previously frozen soils in two ways. When the organic material (which contains carbon) stored in permafrost thaws, it begins to decompose and, under anaerobic conditions, gradually releases methane. Methane can also be stored in the seabed as methane gas or methane hydrates and then released as subsea permafrost thaws. These releases can be larger and more abrupt than those that result from decomposition.

Laptev and East Siberian Seas. Credit: UAF.

The East Siberian Arctic Shelf is a methane-rich area that encompasses more than 2 million square kilometers of seafloor in the Arctic Ocean. It is more than three times as large as the nearby Siberian wetlands, which have been considered the primary Northern Hemisphere source of atmospheric methane. Shakhova’s research results show that the East Siberian Arctic Shelf is already a significant methane source, releasing 7 teragrams of methane yearly, which is as much as is emitted from the rest of the ocean. A teragram is equal to about 1.1 million tons.

“Our concern is that the subsea permafrost has been showing signs of destabilization already,” she said. “If it further destabilizes, the methane emissions may not be teragrams, it would be significantly larger.”

Glacier clathrate hydrate (fire-ice). The indications are that nature has no intention of releasing the “methane burp” gradually—Fire-Earth

Shakhova notes that the Earth’s geological record indicates that atmospheric methane concentrations have varied between about .3 to .4 parts per million during cold periods to .6 to .7 parts per million during warm periods. Current average methane concentrations in the Arctic average about 1.85 parts per million, the highest in 400,000 years, she said. Concentrations above the East Siberian Arctic Shelf are even higher.

The East Siberian Arctic Shelf is a relative frontier in methane studies. The shelf is shallow, 50 meters (164 feet) or less in depth, which means it has been alternately submerged or terrestrial, depending on sea levels throughout Earth’s history. During the Earth’s coldest periods, it is a frozen arctic coastal plain, and does not release methane. As the Earth warms and sea level rises, it is inundated with seawater, which is 12-15 degrees warmer than the average air temperature.

“It was thought that seawater kept the East Siberian Arctic Shelf permafrost frozen,” Shakhova said. “Nobody considered this huge area.”

“This study is a testament to sustained, careful observations and to international cooperation in research,” said Henrietta Edmonds of the National Science Foundation, which partially funded the study. “The Arctic is a difficult place to get to and to work in, but it is important that we do so in order to understand its role in global climate and its response and contribution to ongoing environmental change. It is important to understand the size of the reservoir–the amount of trapped methane that potentially could be released–as well as the processes that have kept it “trapped” and those that control the release. Work like this helps us to understand and document these processes.”

Earlier studies in Siberia focused on methane escaping from thawing terrestrial permafrost. Semiletov’s work during the 1990s showed, among other things, that the amount of methane being emitted from terrestrial sources decreased at higher latitudes. But those studies stopped at the coast. Starting in the fall of 2003, Shakhova, Semiletov and the rest of their team took the studies offshore. From 2003 through 2008, they took annual research cruises throughout the shelf and sampled seawater at various depths and the air 10 meters above the ocean. In September 2006, they flew a helicopter over the same area, taking air samples at up to 2,000 meters (6,562 feet) in the atmosphere. In April 2007, they conducted a winter expedition on the sea ice.

They found that more than 80 percent of the deep water and more than 50 percent of surface water had methane levels more than eight times that of normal seawater. In some areas, the saturation levels reached more than 250 times that of background levels in the summer and 1,400 times higher in the winter. They found corresponding results in the air directly above the ocean surface. Methane levels were elevated overall and the seascape was dotted with more than 100 hotspots. This, combined with winter expedition results that found methane gas trapped under and in the sea ice, showed the team that the methane was not only being dissolved in the water, it was bubbling out into the atmosphere.

These findings were further confirmed when Shakhova and her colleagues sampled methane levels at higher elevations. Methane levels throughout the Arctic are usually 8 to 10 percent higher than the global baseline. When they flew over the shelf, they found methane at levels another 5 to 10 percent higher than the already elevated Arctic levels.

The East Siberian Arctic Shelf, in addition to holding large stores of frozen methane, is more of a concern because it is so shallow. In deep water, methane gas oxidizes into carbon dioxide before it reaches the surface. In the shallows of the East Siberian Arctic Shelf, methane simply doesn’t have enough time to oxidize, which means more of it escapes into the atmosphere. That, combined with the sheer amount of methane in the region, could add a previously uncalculated variable to climate models.

“The release to the atmosphere of only one percent of the methane assumed to be stored in shallow hydrate deposits might alter the current atmospheric burden of methane up to 3 to 4 times,” Shakhova said. “The climatic consequences of this are hard to predict.”

Shakhova, Semiletov and collaborators from 12 institutions in five countries plan to continue their studies in the region, tracking the source of the methane emissions and drilling into the seafloor in an effort to estimate how much methane is stored there.

###

Contact: Dana Cruikshank
dcruiksh@nsf.gov
National Science Foundation

Peru Earthquake Warning

Large Earthquake Could Strike Peru

Fire-Earth’s EarthModel simulations indicate that a large earthquake could occur in Peru.

Related Links:

• Earthquakes [Links Page]

Chile Lowers Quake Death Toll to 279

ANYTHING is possible in CHILE

How did the Government Count the Dead in Round One?

There’s a time-honored convention, a simple mathematical algorithm for counting things like dead bodies. You look at them, record them in some way and count them.

Only a day or so ago Chilean government put the number of the dead from the M8.8 mega quake and the giant tsunami waves that occurred on Saturday at 802. And the number of missing at about 1,000.

Chilean authorities have sharply lowered the daeth toll 20 279, Reuters reported.

The government did not say whether the new figure could be subject to future downsizing, again.

They haven’t given any explanation, of course, save for a mention in passing that the previous toll had included the number of missing [sic.]

Could it be that the government is in denial because they know they could have at least saved the lives of the tsunami victims?

Fire-Earth is lowering its estimate for the HAITI Quake Disaster from 20,000 dead and injured to less than 5,000 (five thousand). The Moderators would reconsider this estimate if a shred of evidence could be produced.

Another Powerful Aftershock Strikes

Meanwhile, another powerful aftershock measuring up to 6.5Mw struck Antofagasta, Chile about 1,260km north of the capital, Santiago.

The epicenter of the aftershock, which struck at a depth of about 100km, was located at 22.330°S, 68.340°W, USGS/EHP reported.

Related Links:

• Chile Earthquake Links Page