McDonald's Says Chicken McNuggets Sold in China Have `Harmless' Additives

The use of tertiary butylhydroquinone in the fast-food chain’s fried chicken pieces meets Chinese food safety standards, McDonald’s unit in the nation said in an e-mailed statement. “The chemical is toxic to some extent,” the China Daily newspaper quoted Liu Qingchun, a nutritionist at the General Hospital of Armed Police Forces, as saying today. Liu said China’s standards allow its use.

McDonald’s has “strict quality control on all its food,” Jacky Sun, a spokesman for the company said by phone today. Chinese Vice Premier Li Keqiang on April 20 called for authorities to “significantly improve” the safety and reputation of domestic foods, the official Xinhua News Agency reported.

McNuggets served in the U.S. also contain tertiary butylhydroquinone, a petroleum-based product, and dimethylpolysiloxane, an anti-foaming agent used in cosmetics and other goods. McDonald’s Holdings Co. Japan also serves chicken with the additives, which meet Japanese safety standards, Kazuyuki Hagiwara, a spokesman for the company said today. Both chemicals are “harmless,” Sun of McDonald’s China said.

“The State Food and Drug Administration is working with other relevant departments to monitor the products of McDonald’s McNuggets,” the agency said in a statement posted on its website. “The government asks food service providers to strictly follow the national standard use of food additives, and to ensure public food safety.”

Poultry Eaters

Poultry is the second most-consumed meat in China after pork. Demand this year is estimated at more than 12.6 million tons, according to a statement on the industry website China Animal Agriculture Association.

Safety concerns about food have risen in China since contaminated milk powder killed at least six babies in 2008 and sickened about 300,000 children. That same year, pesticide- tainted dumplings imported from China sickened at least 10 people in Japan.

China opened its first 1,000 McDonald’s restaurants faster than any other country outside of the U.S. and is the main focus for investment in the region, Tim Fenton, McDonald’s president for Asia, Middle East and Africa, said in an interview on June 10. The fast-food chain plans to have 2,000 outlets there by 2013, he said.

The company, which opened its first restaurant in Shenzhen in 1990, now has 1,146 stores in China, the world’s third- largest economy.

--Jin Jing, Stephanie Wong in Shanghai, with assistance from Feiwen Rong and Yidi Zhao in Beijing and Naoko Fujimura in Tokyo. Editors: Dave McCombs, Ben Richardson.

The use of tertiary butylhydroquinone in the fast-food chain’s fried chicken pieces meets Chinese food safety standards, McDonald’s unit in the nation said in an e-mailed statement. “The chemical is toxic to some extent,” the China Daily newspaper quoted Liu Qingchun, a nutritionist at the General Hospital of Armed Police Forces, as saying today. Liu said China’s standards allow its use.

McDonald’s has “strict quality control on all its food,” Jacky Sun, a spokesman for the company said by phone today. Chinese Vice Premier Li Keqiang on April 20 called for authorities to “significantly improve” the safety and reputation of domestic foods, the official Xinhua News Agency reported.

McNuggets served in the U.S. also contain tertiary butylhydroquinone, a petroleum-based product, and dimethylpolysiloxane, an anti-foaming agent used in cosmetics and other goods. McDonald’s Holdings Co. Japan also serves chicken with the additives, which meet Japanese safety standards, Kazuyuki Hagiwara, a spokesman for the company said today. Both chemicals are “harmless,” Sun of McDonald’s China said.

“The State Food and Drug Administration is working with other relevant departments to monitor the products of McDonald’s McNuggets,” the agency said in a statement posted on its website. “The government asks food service providers to strictly follow the national standard use of food additives, and to ensure public food safety.”

Poultry Eaters

Poultry is the second most-consumed meat in China after pork. Demand this year is estimated at more than 12.6 million tons, according to a statement on the industry website China Animal Agriculture Association.

Safety concerns about food have risen in China since contaminated milk powder killed at least six babies in 2008 and sickened about 300,000 children. That same year, pesticide- tainted dumplings imported from China sickened at least 10 people in Japan.

China opened its first 1,000 McDonald’s restaurants faster than any other country outside of the U.S. and is the main focus for investment in the region, Tim Fenton, McDonald’s president for Asia, Middle East and Africa, said in an interview on June 10. The fast-food chain plans to have 2,000 outlets there by 2013, he said.

The company, which opened its first restaurant in Shenzhen in 1990, now has 1,146 stores in China, the world’s third- largest economy.

--Jin Jing, Stephanie Wong in Shanghai, with assistance from Feiwen Rong and Yidi Zhao in Beijing and Naoko Fujimura in Tokyo. Editors: Dave McCombs, Ben Richardson.

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Fast food 'fuelling Asia diabetes boom'

Many Vietnamese have diabetes but are unaware of it - and the condition is spreading fast in South East Asia, scientists have warned.

A study by Australian and Vietnamese scientists found about 11% of men and 12% of women in Vietnam's Ho Chi Minh City had undiagnosed type 2 diabetes.

This was in addition to the 4% of people who had been diagnosed.

The scientists, from Australia's Garvan Institute of Medical Research, blamed changing lifestyles and fast food.

"Dietary patterns have been changing dramatically in Vietnam in recent years, particularly in the cities as they become more Westernised," said Professor Tuan Nguyen of the Sydney-based institute.

"There are fast food outlets everywhere," he said, adding that similar studies in Thailand reinforced the link.

"Because of that, we feel very confident that we can extrapolate our findings to other parts of South East Asia including Malaysia, Singapore, Cambodia and Laos," he said.

The study was based on a sample of more than 2,000 people.

The condition is caused by high levels of sugar and fat in the diet and inadequate exercise.

The most common form of diabetes can lead to heart disease, vision loss and kidney failure.

Many Vietnamese have diabetes but are unaware of it - and the condition is spreading fast in South East Asia, scientists have warned.

A study by Australian and Vietnamese scientists found about 11% of men and 12% of women in Vietnam's Ho Chi Minh City had undiagnosed type 2 diabetes.

This was in addition to the 4% of people who had been diagnosed.

The scientists, from Australia's Garvan Institute of Medical Research, blamed changing lifestyles and fast food.

"Dietary patterns have been changing dramatically in Vietnam in recent years, particularly in the cities as they become more Westernised," said Professor Tuan Nguyen of the Sydney-based institute.

"There are fast food outlets everywhere," he said, adding that similar studies in Thailand reinforced the link.

"Because of that, we feel very confident that we can extrapolate our findings to other parts of South East Asia including Malaysia, Singapore, Cambodia and Laos," he said.

The study was based on a sample of more than 2,000 people.

The condition is caused by high levels of sugar and fat in the diet and inadequate exercise.

The most common form of diabetes can lead to heart disease, vision loss and kidney failure.

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Fish oil may reduce risk of breast cancer

PHILADELPHIA — A recent report in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention, a journal of the American Association for Cancer Research, adds to the growing evidence that fish oil supplements may play a role in preventing chronic disease.

Researchers at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle, Wash., led by Emily White, Ph.D., a member of the public health sciences division, asked 35,016 postmenopausal women who did not have a history of breast cancer to complete a 24-page questionnaire about their use of non-vitamin, non-mineral "specialty" supplements in the Vitamins and Lifestyle (VITAL) cohort study.

After six years of follow-up, 880 cases of breast cancer were identified using the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results registry.

Regular use of fish oil supplements, which contain high levels of the omega-3 fatty acids, EPA and DHA, was linked with a 32 percent reduced risk of breast cancer. The reduction in risk appeared to be restricted to invasive ductal breast cancer, the most common type of the disease.

The use of other specialty supplements, many of which are commonly taken by women to treat symptoms of menopause, was not associated with breast cancer risk.

This research is the first to demonstrate a link between the use of fish oil supplements and a reduction in breast cancer. Studies of dietary intake of fish or omega-3 fatty acids have not been consistent.

"It may be that the amount of omega-3 fatty acids in fish oil supplements are higher than most people would typically get from their diet," White said.

However, White cautioned against gleaning any recommendations from the results of one study.

"Without confirming studies specifically addressing this," she said, "we should not draw any conclusions about a causal relationship."

Edward Giovannucci, M.D., Sc.D., professor of nutrition and epidemiology at the Harvard School of Public Health and an editorial board member of Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention, agreed.

"It is very rare that a single study should be used to make a broad recommendation," said Giovannucci. "Over a period of time, as the studies confirm each other, we can start to make recommendations."

Still, fish oil continues to excite many, as evidence emerges about its protective effect on cardiovascular disease and now cancer.

Harvard researchers are currently enrolling patients for the randomized Vitamin D and Omega-3 Trial (also called VITAL), which will assess the impact of fish oil supplements and vitamin D on cancer, heart disease and stroke.

The researchers plan to enroll 20,000 U.S. men aged 60 years and older and women aged 65 years and older who do not have a history of these diseases and have never taken supplements.

PHILADELPHIA — A recent report in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention, a journal of the American Association for Cancer Research, adds to the growing evidence that fish oil supplements may play a role in preventing chronic disease.

Researchers at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle, Wash., led by Emily White, Ph.D., a member of the public health sciences division, asked 35,016 postmenopausal women who did not have a history of breast cancer to complete a 24-page questionnaire about their use of non-vitamin, non-mineral "specialty" supplements in the Vitamins and Lifestyle (VITAL) cohort study.

After six years of follow-up, 880 cases of breast cancer were identified using the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results registry.

Regular use of fish oil supplements, which contain high levels of the omega-3 fatty acids, EPA and DHA, was linked with a 32 percent reduced risk of breast cancer. The reduction in risk appeared to be restricted to invasive ductal breast cancer, the most common type of the disease.

The use of other specialty supplements, many of which are commonly taken by women to treat symptoms of menopause, was not associated with breast cancer risk.

This research is the first to demonstrate a link between the use of fish oil supplements and a reduction in breast cancer. Studies of dietary intake of fish or omega-3 fatty acids have not been consistent.

"It may be that the amount of omega-3 fatty acids in fish oil supplements are higher than most people would typically get from their diet," White said.

However, White cautioned against gleaning any recommendations from the results of one study.

"Without confirming studies specifically addressing this," she said, "we should not draw any conclusions about a causal relationship."

Edward Giovannucci, M.D., Sc.D., professor of nutrition and epidemiology at the Harvard School of Public Health and an editorial board member of Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention, agreed.

"It is very rare that a single study should be used to make a broad recommendation," said Giovannucci. "Over a period of time, as the studies confirm each other, we can start to make recommendations."

Still, fish oil continues to excite many, as evidence emerges about its protective effect on cardiovascular disease and now cancer.

Harvard researchers are currently enrolling patients for the randomized Vitamin D and Omega-3 Trial (also called VITAL), which will assess the impact of fish oil supplements and vitamin D on cancer, heart disease and stroke.

The researchers plan to enroll 20,000 U.S. men aged 60 years and older and women aged 65 years and older who do not have a history of these diseases and have never taken supplements.

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Shape Magazine July 2010

Featuring article by Dr Kevin Lau

Featuring article by Dr Kevin Lau

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Spleen Biopsies in Cats

Leblanc, C.J., L.L. Head, and M.M. Fry, Comparison of aspiration and nonaspiration techniques for obtaining cytologic samples from the canine and feline spleen. Vet Clin Pathol, 2009. 38(2): p. 242-6.

The objective of the study was to compare the quality of splenic cytology specimens obtained using aspiration versus nonaspiration techniques. Along with 24 dogs, 7 client-owned cats were evaluated. Two clinical pathologists were used to blindly and independently score the samples for cellularity, amount of blood, and preservation of cellular morphology. The aspiration technique is performed by using a 22-25 G needle and a 6-20 mL syringe to apply suction and obtain negative pressure for cellular yield. In the nonaspiration technique, a 22-25 G needle is guided into the target organ and incompletely retracted and redirected several times in an attempt to shear and displace cells into the cylinder of the needle. The authors concluded the nonaspiration technique is recommended for obtaining more cellular, less hemodiluted cytologic specimens of the feline spleen. [VT]

Related articles:
Ballegeer, E.A., et al., Correlation of ultrasonographic appearance of lesions and cytologic and histologic diagnoses in splenic aspirates from dogs and cats: 32 cases (2002-2005). J Am Vet Med Assoc, 2007. 230(5): p. 690-6.

More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library
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Leblanc, C.J., L.L. Head, and M.M. Fry, Comparison of aspiration and nonaspiration techniques for obtaining cytologic samples from the canine and feline spleen. Vet Clin Pathol, 2009. 38(2): p. 242-6.

The objective of the study was to compare the quality of splenic cytology specimens obtained using aspiration versus nonaspiration techniques. Along with 24 dogs, 7 client-owned cats were evaluated. Two clinical pathologists were used to blindly and independently score the samples for cellularity, amount of blood, and preservation of cellular morphology. The aspiration technique is performed by using a 22-25 G needle and a 6-20 mL syringe to apply suction and obtain negative pressure for cellular yield. In the nonaspiration technique, a 22-25 G needle is guided into the target organ and incompletely retracted and redirected several times in an attempt to shear and displace cells into the cylinder of the needle. The authors concluded the nonaspiration technique is recommended for obtaining more cellular, less hemodiluted cytologic specimens of the feline spleen. [VT]

Related articles:
Ballegeer, E.A., et al., Correlation of ultrasonographic appearance of lesions and cytologic and histologic diagnoses in splenic aspirates from dogs and cats: 32 cases (2002-2005). J Am Vet Med Assoc, 2007. 230(5): p. 690-6.

More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library
Join us on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter

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Ringworm in a Cat Shelter

Carlotti, D.N., et al., Eradication of feline dermatophytosis in a shelter: a field study. Vet Dermatol, 2009. 21(3): p. 259-266.

Dermatophytosis is a superficial fungal skin infection affecting many animals, as well as humans. In otherwise healthy cats, it is self-curing, resolving in several months. Treatment, however, shortens the course and prevents spread, including to humans. This is particularly important in a shelter situation where infection can impede adoptions, and is a risk for staff and visitors. This report describes a successful eradication of fungal infection from a shelter in the UK. The authors used a three-area method in the existing facility. One area was used to isolate cats with lesions and positive skin culture; cats with no lesions, but positive by fungal culture were placed in a separate area; and healthy, fungus-free cats were kept in a third area. Cats in the first two groups were treated topically (enilconazole) and systemically (itraconazole). In addition, the environments were sampled every three weeks using a dust-catching cloth. Sequential use of detergent (cleaning) and 1% sodium hypochlorite (disinfection) were used on premises and materials. Cats were not moved into group C (fungal-free) until two negative culture results (done every two weeks). The protocol described did have a significant cost but proved successful in eradicating fungal infections from the shelter housing approximately 140 cats. In addition, by isolating incoming animals initially and assessing for infection, maintenance of fungal-free population was possible. [MK]

Related articles:
Newbury, S., et al., Use of lime sulphur and itraconazole to treat shelter cats naturally infected with Microsporum canis in an annex facility: an open field trial. Vet Dermatol, 2007. 18(5): p. 324-31.

More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library
Join us on Facebook
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Carlotti, D.N., et al., Eradication of feline dermatophytosis in a shelter: a field study. Vet Dermatol, 2009. 21(3): p. 259-266.

Dermatophytosis is a superficial fungal skin infection affecting many animals, as well as humans. In otherwise healthy cats, it is self-curing, resolving in several months. Treatment, however, shortens the course and prevents spread, including to humans. This is particularly important in a shelter situation where infection can impede adoptions, and is a risk for staff and visitors. This report describes a successful eradication of fungal infection from a shelter in the UK. The authors used a three-area method in the existing facility. One area was used to isolate cats with lesions and positive skin culture; cats with no lesions, but positive by fungal culture were placed in a separate area; and healthy, fungus-free cats were kept in a third area. Cats in the first two groups were treated topically (enilconazole) and systemically (itraconazole). In addition, the environments were sampled every three weeks using a dust-catching cloth. Sequential use of detergent (cleaning) and 1% sodium hypochlorite (disinfection) were used on premises and materials. Cats were not moved into group C (fungal-free) until two negative culture results (done every two weeks). The protocol described did have a significant cost but proved successful in eradicating fungal infections from the shelter housing approximately 140 cats. In addition, by isolating incoming animals initially and assessing for infection, maintenance of fungal-free population was possible. [MK]

Related articles:
Newbury, S., et al., Use of lime sulphur and itraconazole to treat shelter cats naturally infected with Microsporum canis in an annex facility: an open field trial. Vet Dermatol, 2007. 18(5): p. 324-31.

More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library
Join us on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter

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Dark chocolate lowers blood pressure

For people with hypertension, eating dark chocolate can significantly reduce blood pressure. Researchers writing in the open access journal BMC Medicine combined the results of 15 studies into the effects of flavanols, the compounds in chocolate which cause dilation of blood vessels, on blood pressure.

Dr Karin Ried worked with a team of researchers from the University of Adelaide, Australia, to conduct the analysis. She said, "Flavanols have been shown to increase the formation of endothelial nitric oxide, which promotes vasodilation and consequently may lower blood pressure. There have, however, been conflicting results as to the real-life effects of eating chocolate. We've found that consumption can significantly, albeit modestly, reduce blood pressure for people with high blood pressure but not for people with normal blood pressure".

The pressure reduction seen in the combined results for people with hypertension, 5mm Hg systolic, may be clinically relevant – it is comparable to the known effects of 30 daily minutes of physical activity (4-9mm Hg) and could theoretically reduce the risk of a cardiovascular event by about 20% over five years. The researchers are cautious, however, "The practicability of chocolate or cocoa drinks as long-term treatment is questionable", said Dr Ried.

For people with hypertension, eating dark chocolate can significantly reduce blood pressure. Researchers writing in the open access journal BMC Medicine combined the results of 15 studies into the effects of flavanols, the compounds in chocolate which cause dilation of blood vessels, on blood pressure.

Dr Karin Ried worked with a team of researchers from the University of Adelaide, Australia, to conduct the analysis. She said, "Flavanols have been shown to increase the formation of endothelial nitric oxide, which promotes vasodilation and consequently may lower blood pressure. There have, however, been conflicting results as to the real-life effects of eating chocolate. We've found that consumption can significantly, albeit modestly, reduce blood pressure for people with high blood pressure but not for people with normal blood pressure".

The pressure reduction seen in the combined results for people with hypertension, 5mm Hg systolic, may be clinically relevant – it is comparable to the known effects of 30 daily minutes of physical activity (4-9mm Hg) and could theoretically reduce the risk of a cardiovascular event by about 20% over five years. The researchers are cautious, however, "The practicability of chocolate or cocoa drinks as long-term treatment is questionable", said Dr Ried.

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