Radar online is reporting that the celebrity chef known for hosting FOX reality TV shows “Kitchen Nightmares” and “Hell’s Kitchen” is facing a class action lawsuit brought by former employees of his Los Angeles restaurant The Fat Cow. The lawsuit doesn’t involve the frank and at times verbally abusive outbursts that have made Ramsay famous, however. Rather, Ramsay faces allegations of a managerial nature, The Daily Mail points out.

The Fat Cow former employees Jennifer Becerra, Montinique Dever, Andrea Bourke and Lauren Benge said they were not properly compensated for overtime hours, and also were forced to work through meal times and other breaks.

For more on the allegations against Ramsay click over to Radar Online.

In April, Ramsay faced two separate lawsuits over unpaid bills, one from his accountants in New York over an outstanding $75,000 invoice and another from the company he hired to renovate the Fat Cow, which claims it is owed $45,000.

Of the most recent lawsuit, a spokesperson for Ramsay told Radar Online, “we are aware there was a problem with [The Fat Cow's] previous management which has since been changed, but this is totally unacceptable if any truth to it.”

source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/06/15/gordon-ramsay-sued_n_3447604.html?ncid=edlinkusaolp00000003&ir=Food

The Center for Science in the Public Interest, a nonprofit watchdog group, said today that it was downgrading its safety rating of sucralose from “safe” to “caution,” meaning that the additive “may pose a risk and needs to be better tested.”

The change was spurred by a recent study from researchers in Italy that found that sucralose caused leukemia in mice, according to the CSPI. This study has not been published, and needs to be reviewed by other scientists to determine whether the findings are credible.

While sucralose may turn out to be safer than other artificial sweeteners, “the forthcoming Italian study warrants careful scrutiny before we can be confident that the sweetener is safe for use in food,” said CSPI executive director Michael F. Jacobson.

The CSPI recommends people avoid the artificial sweeteners saccharin (Sweet ‘N Low), aspartame (NutraSweet and Equal), and acesulfame potassium (Sunett and Sweet One).

The issue of whether artificial sweeteners pose health risks is controversial. Many of the studies showing risks, including the new Italian study, have been done in animals, and it’s not known whether the same effects would be seen in humans.

Even the CSPI says that it considers drinking diet soda, which often contains artificial sweeteners, to be safer than drinking regular soda. Regular soda “poses the greater and demonstrable risks of obesity, diabetes, heart disease, gout, tooth decay, and other health problems,” the CSPI said in a statement.

To avoid both the risks of sugar and artificial sweeteners, the CSPI recommends drinking water, seltzer water, flavored unsweetened waters, seltzer mixed with some fruit juice or unsweetened iced tea.

It’s worth noting that the CSPI also gives caffeine a safety rating of “caution.” Caffeine “keeps many people from sleeping, causes jitteriness, and affects calcium metabolism,” the CSPI says.

source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/06/12/splenda-health-risks-cspi-leukemia-artificial-sweeteners_n_3431024.html?ncid=edlinkusaolp00000003&ir=Food

Public Health’s (MDPH) surveillance system on June 12, 2013 of a case of E-Coli in a Wellesley, MA 

resident.

The public health nurse at WHD promptly began an investigation. This investigation has

expanded to include the State health department (MDPH), as well as WHD staff. It has been

brought to the WHD’s attention that additional cases of E‐Coli will be included in the current

investigation. The origin of the cases’ illness is being investigated. Rumors have been

circulating that the cause of the illnesses has been linked to a local supermarket. At this point,

no local supermarkets are a focus of the investigation. WHD will provide updates as warranted.

Product was distributed nationwide through See’s Candies Retail Stores, Licensees and Mail Order. The product is sold bulk and packaged at the stores in 8oz clear cellophane bags. No illnesses have been reported to date. The product UPC are as follows: Milk Raisins UPC: 737666083060 and Dark Raisins UPC: 737666083053.

The recall was initiated after a retail store discovered a chocolate covered pecan in the raisin bulk pack. Subsequent investigation indicates the problem was caused because of shared lines that produce nut containing candies. There is a potential that nut and egg residue may be present in some of the chocolate enrobed raisins.

Consumers who have purchased Sees’ Candies Milk or Dark Raisins and are sensitive to nuts and eggs are urged to return the raisins to the place of purchase for a full refund or exchange. Consumers with questions may contact the company at 1-800-789-7337 (Monday thru Friday, 8:30am to 4:30pm PDT).

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The recalled “Coconut Bar Dark Chocolate”, “Coconut Bar Dark Chocolate Minis”, “Fig Dark Chocolate Bars” and “Almond Dark Chocolate Bars” was distributed nationwide to retail stores.

The product comes in a 1.9 ounce, flexible plastic wrapper, UPC 666016-300703 (Coconut Bar Dark Chocolate), UPC 666016-400311 (Coconut Bars Dark Chocolate Minis), UPC 666016-300307 (Fig Dark Chocolate Bars) and UPC 666016-300420 (Almond Dark Chocolate Bars) marked with the following stamp, which can be found on the front of the wrapper:

P 1/1/13 through 6/6/13
EXP 7/7/14 through 12/12/14
LOT 001 through 154

There have not been any complaints of allergic reactions to this product.

The recall was initiated after it was discovered that the “Coconut Bar Dark Chocolate”, “Coconut Bar Dark Chocolate Minis”, “Fig Dark Chocolate Bars” and “Almond Dark Chocolate Bars” may contain milk in the product. Subsequent investigation indicates the problem was caused by a temporary breakdown in the company’s production process.

Consumers who have purchased these products are urged to return it to Oskri for a full refund. Consumers with questions may contact Laura Pineda at Oskri’s Quality Department by emailing quality@oskri.com

Please return products to: Oskri, 528 E. Tyranena Park Road, Lake Mills, WI 53551.

Salmonella is a bacterial organism that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in people, particularly young children, frail or elderly people, and those with weakened immune systems. Salmonella can affect animals eating the product and there is risk to humans from handling contaminated products, especially if they have not thoroughly washed their hands after having contact with the product or any surfaces exposed to these products. Some healthy individuals infected with Salmonella may 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 or chronic illness.

The product was shipped nationwide from May 13, 2013 through June 4, 2013. In total, 8,112 1.2-oz. plastic containers of Wardley Betta Fish Food, UPC number 0-43324-01648, isolated to the lot code PP06331 (located on the bottom).

Although Hartz has not received any reports of illness to date in animals or humans as a result of coming into contact with this product, Hartz is taking immediate steps to remove the product from all retail stores and distribution centers. Fish owners who have purchased this product should check the lot code on their containers. If the code is not visible, or if the container has the following lot code PP06331 imprinted on it, they should immediately discontinue use of the product and discard in the trash.

Consumers can contact Hartz Consumer Affairs at 1-800-275-1414 (24 hours/day 7 days/week) with any questions they may have and to obtain reimbursement for purchased product.

SOURCE Hartz Mountain Corporation

This product has not been produced since November 26, 2012.

The product is packed in a clear clam-shell type package with a label which also serves to seal the item.

No illnesses have been reported to date.

This recall was initiated after it was discovered that the product was still available and being sold at a single Price Chopper store located in Schenectady, NY. Management had believed that there was no more of this product in circulation since it had not been produced in more than five months and there was no existing stock of the product in possession of the bakery.

At this point all of this product has been removed from the shelves and is no longer available at retail. Butterfly bakery management indicated the problem with this specific retail label was that walnuts had not been included among the ingredients. Corrective steps to prevent a re-occurrence of this type of situation have been put into place.

Consumers are urged to return the product to the place of purchase for a full refund.

FDA advises that these products may pose a threat to consumers because sibutramine is known to substantially increase blood pressure and/or pulse rate in some patients and may present a significant risk for patients with a history of coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure, arrhythmias or stroke. This product may also interact, in life-threatening ways, with other medications a consumer may be taking.

Bethel 30, green capsules are marketed as a Natural Herb for Weight Loss manufactured with a pharmaceutical & Nutraceuticals laboratory. Bethel 30 Herb Supplement is packaged in plastic white bottles containing 30 capsules per bottle and bears Lot #’s 120514, with EXP: 12/05/2014.

The lot 120514 is the only one subject to recall and it will not be distributed through http://www.bethel30.com1, or retail in office.

The product was sold directly to individual customers in our New York, NY, sales office and online at http://www.bethel30.com2. The company discontinued total distribution. It sincerely regrets any inconvenience to our customers.

No illnesses or injuries have been reported to the company to date in connection with this product.