Lydia Enyidiya Eke's FOOD Blog

Today's Food Menu, Food News, Food Riddles, Food/Fruit Values, Gourmet Businesses..

Lydia Enyidiya Eke's FOOD Blog

Today's Food Menu, Food News, Food Riddles, Food/Fruit Values, Gourmet Businesses..

Lydia Enyidiya Eke's FOOD Blog

Today's Food Menu, Food News, Food Riddles, Food/Fruit Values, Gourmet Businesses..

Lydia Enyidiya Eke's FOOD Blog

Today's Food Menu, Food News, Food Riddles, Food/Fruit Values, Gourmet Businesses..

Lydia Enyidiya Eke's FOOD Blog

Today's Food Menu, Food News, Food Riddles, Food/Fruit Values, Gourmet Businesses..

Sunday, 25 March 2018

To avoid cancer stay away from these foods


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To avoid cancer stay away from these foods

1. Canned tomatoes most canned foods can be a concern because of the material the CAN is made of. The lining of almost all canned foods foods are made with a chemical called bisphenol-a orBPA. Studies show that BPA affects the way genes wok inside the brain. Our advise to you is, avoid cans and cook fresh or buy glass bottles

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2. Soda: research shows that people who consume more than one soda per day have a higher risk of stroke than people who don't drink sodas. These drinks are full of sugar and are an empty source of calories that cause weight gain and are one of the main reasons for developing obesity. Drinking large amount of soda cause your blood sugar to spike which can result to both inflammation and insulin resistance. These beverages also contain a load of artificial coloring and foods chemicals like derivative 4-methlylimidazole {4-mi}. No wonder soda pop has been shown to be very bad for your health and cause cancer

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3. Potatoes chips; are great, they are cheap, great tasting ND are the perfect quick snack. However the negative effect they have in your body may not be worth it. The snack is high in both fat and calories, which will definitely result in weight gain. Additionally, patatos chips are fullof trans-fats which can cause high cholesterol and they have excessive sodium levels which for many people, cause hight blood pressure.

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4. Procesed meat; you might wonder what type of meat are considered to be processed. This is a very long Lasting that includes, sausage, hot dogs, bacon and most lunch meat, study shows that the excessiv amount of salt and  chemicals that are used when making process meat are extremely damaging to your health and can increase the risk of early death all these processed Meats contain large amounts of chemicals and preservatives, includes sodium, which make the look appealing and fresh even when they are not. We advise you to only eat fresh meat instead of the processed ones.

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Image result for Processed meat;

5. Alcohol use is the second leading course of cancer, right behind tobacco. While a moderate or low consumption of alcohol can be healthy and lead to a reduced risk of heart disease, excessive drinking is known to cause heart failure, stroke and sudden death. In 2007,the world health organization international agency for research on cancer and alcohol use from 27 different studies. They found sufficient evidence to state that excessive alcohol use is the main cause of mouth, esophagus, liver, colon, mouth, rectum, and female breast cancers.

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Image result for Alcohol

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6. Diet foods; include frozen foods, or prepackaged foods that are labeles as "Diet" or "low fat", include sodas, contain aspartame. This is a chemical, artificial sweetener that we have mentioned before in this list. Many studies shows that aspartame causes many diseases and sicknesses such as cancer and heart problems.


7. Highly processed foods white flours: you are probably already aware of the fact that white flour is not a good thing, But you most likely don't really know how bad i actually is for your health. Nowadays, mills don't longer wait for their flour to whiten with time. But they bleach flour with a chemical called chlorine gas. Chlorine gas is a dangerous irritant that is not supposed to be inhaled and in large amounts can even be lethal.


8. Food that are highly salted, pickled or smoked: these products typically contain resevatives, such as long as possible. The additive used in processed food can pile up in your body over time and eventually damage the cellular level and lead to cancer. Smoked foods are even worse for you, when they are cooked in high temperature, the nitrates are converted to the much more dangerous kind of nitrites.

9; hydrogenated oils: all hydrogenated oil are vegetable oils. Vegetables oil cannot be extracted naturally but have to be chemically removed from their source. To make them look appealing manufacturers frequently add color and scent. All vegetables oils contain high level of omega-6-fatty acids. Snack excess of these acids can cause various health problems, such as heart disease and skin cancer.

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10: refined sugars: refined sugar do not only highly increase your insulin levels but they are also the most preferable food for cancer cells, therefore promoting their growth, tumor and cancers both use Sugar to feed and to increase in size I order to growa and reproduce, cancer cells seem to prefer feeding on frustoce-rich sweeteners like high-fructose corn syrup. Food like cake, pies, cookies, sodas, juice, careals, and many other popular items are loaded with refined sugar so it shouldn't come as a surprise that you should stay away from them.


11; micro wave popcorn: even if micro wave popcorn is extremely convenient, it can be very dangerous to your health. It is not even only about the popcorn itself but the microwave bags are lined with chemical called prefluorooctanoic acie, a chemical that is linked to infertility in woman. Numerous studies show that exposure to PFOA increases the risk of kidney bladder, liver, pancreas, and testicular cancer.

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Blueberry Muffins!

Blueberry Muffins!

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Some blueberry muffins sold by cafes and supermarkets contain more than the recommended daily intake of sugar for adults.
This is according to researchers who have discovered that an analysis by Action on Sugar and the Obesity Health Alliance in January discovered that the cakes could contain up to eight teaspoons of sugar.
The BBC noted that the recommended daily limit for adults is seven – for children it is less.
Health experts said the findings showed it was “all too easy” to consume “huge” amounts of sugar.
Action on Sugar and the Obesity Health Alliance, which looked at 28 muffins sold in food outlets in train stations and supermarkets, found 61% of them contained six teaspoons of sugar or more – the upper daily limit for a child aged seven-to-10 years old.
They also found muffins bought at train station food retailers had 19% more sugar per portion and were 32% bigger than those bought in supermarkets.
There was also a big variation, with muffins from Marks and Spencer containing just three teaspoons.
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Caroline Cerny, from the Obesity Health Alliance, said: “We may think grabbing a blueberry muffin is a reasonably healthy option for a snack on the go compared to other cakes or a chocolate bar – yet the figures suggest otherwise.
“There is huge variation in both the size of muffins and the sugar content, and with limited nutrition labelling, it’s all too easy to eat a huge amount of sugar in just one serving.”
Most sugary muffins table, with columns: Brand/retailer; Product name, portion size where stated; Sugars (g) per 100g; Sugars (tsp) per muffin – 1tsp = 4g. Costa* Blueberry Muffin, 122g, 33.0*, 40.3*, 10*; McDonald’s Blueberry Muffin (portion size not stated), Not provided, 32.0, 8; Pret A Manger Double Berry Muffin, 124g, 24.6, 30.5, 8; Tesco Blueberry Muffins 4 Pack, 82g, 35.4, 29.0, 7; Starbucks Blueberry Muffin, 122g 21.6 26.3 7. *The sugar in Costa’s muffin has been reduced to 28.6g (seven teaspoons) since the start of March.
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Least sugary muffins table, with columns: Brand/retailer; Product name, portion size where stated; Sugars (g) per 100g; Sugars (tsp) per muffin – 1tsp = 4g. M&S 4 Blueberry Muffins, 65g, 21.0, 13.7, 3; Co-op Bakery 4 Blueberry Muffins, 64g, 26.0, 17.0, 4; Holly Lane (Aldi) 4 Blueberry Muffins, 75g, 25.0, 18.0, 5; Asda Baker’s Selection 4 Blueberry Muffins, 25.0, 18.0, 5; Pumpkin Blueberry Muffin, 92g, 20.1, 18.3, 5
The research also found a lack of nutrition labelling on a number of muffins, both those sold in stations and in supermarkets.
The two organisations are now calling for manufacturers to reduce sugar in line with the government’s plans to cut it by 20% in common products by 2020.
They are also calling for front-of-pack “traffic-light” nutrition labelling to be mandatory across all products, including the out-of-home sector.
The British Retail Consortium, which represents food retailers, said its members were “actively engaged” in Public Health England’s sugar reduction strategy and had removed thousands of tonnes of sugar in products such as bakery items.
Andrea Martinez-Inchausti, its deputy director of food policy, added: “Food-to-go retailers that provide takeaway products proactively provide energy information for their products and have further nutrition information available whilst all major supermarkets have led the way in providing clear labelling using the UK recommended front-of-pack scheme.”
Costa told the BBC that the figure of 40.3g of sugar for its blueberry muffins is not correct. It said this figure appeared on its nutritional information as a result of an internal error. The sugar content was previously 33.4g per muffin, Costa said.

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NHS recommended sugar limits guidelines
Children aged four to six: Five teaspoons of sugar per day
Children seven to 10: Six teaspoons
Adults: Seven teaspoons

Source – bbc.com

Rice cultivation in Nigeria!

Rice cultivation in Nigeria!

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The Federal Government of Nigeria has announced that the number of rice farmers in Nigeria is currently being increased by five million people.
This is in order to enhance rice cultivation across the country,
It said although rice farmers in Nigeria increased from five million to 12 million in the past two years, it was important to attract more people into the business so as to attain sufficiency in rice production.
The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, who disclosed this during a tour of some rice farms, stated that the government had commenced the cultivation of rice on additional 200,000 hectares of land in different states across the country.
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He stated that 25 farmers would cultivate the crop on each hectare, adding that a total of five million farmers would be needed to work on the 200,000 hectares of farmland.
Mohammed further explained that the initiative had commenced in Kano, where 31,000 farmers had been engaged by the Central Bank of Nigeria through the CBN Anchor Borrowers Programme.
He said, “We’ve grown the number of rice farmers from five million two years ago to over 12 million today. And there is a pilot scheme going on this season again with 200,000 hectares for the cultivation of rice. Now, each hectare employs 25 people; so that will have another five million people that will be added to the rice revolution.
“We want to make Nigeria self-sufficient in rice production and the fact that we are now growing the number of our farmers and we are reducing importation means that we are gradually getting to our target of self-sufficiency in food production.
“The cultivation of rice on 200,000 hectares has been flagged off and right now, about 31,000 farmers are being empowered by the CBN under this initiative in Kano this season.”
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Source – Punch Newspapers.com

Flour Mill Commissions Sugar Estate in Nigeria!


Flour Mill Commissions Sugar Estate in Nigeria!


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Flour Mills of Nigeria Plc, (FMN Group), a Nigerian market leader in food and agro-allied products in Nigeria, has commissioned its biggest agricultural investment in Nigeria t– The Sunti Golden Sugar Estate,
The country’s president Muhammad Buhari carried out the exercise.
Located on the banks of River Niger, in Mokwa, Niger state, the Sunti Golden Sugar Estate is reportedly owned by Sunti Golden Sugar Estates (SGSE) Ltd. a subsidiary of Flour Mills of Nigeria Plc.
The sugar estate features 17, 000 hectares of irrigable farmland and a Sugar mill that process 4,500 metric tons of sugarcane per day. At full capacity, the estate is expected to produce 1 Million tons of Sugarcane which roughly translates into 100,000 metric tons of sugar yearly.
Enclosed within a 35-kilometre dyke, the production facility area is 15,100 hectares, with a cane area that features a maximum output of 10, 000 hectares.
Reports say the dyke provides flood protection from the River Niger.
Over N1 billion was invested in the state-of-the-art irrigation system that will ensure the efficient cultivation of sugar cane, with infrastructure that includes drain pumps, pump stations, and a power grid.
The estate is the purest representation of the Federal Government’s Nigerian Sugar Master Plan (NSMP) with an ambitious Backward integration program that intends to set Nigeria on the path to self-sufficient sugar production. The farm at peak production will provide direct employment for about 10,000 people yearly, and impact up to 50,000 people indirectly, including 3,000 small-scale out growers who will be cultivating sugarcane to feed the mill.
The estate has brought infrastructure benefits to the surrounding community, with 28 communities in the total taking advantage of a new 30-kilometre road, plus expansive road networks that provide a variety of access routes to the homes of the indigenes. Drains, culverts, and flood-protection walls have also been constructed.
The project illustrates the desire to reduce sugar importation, save billions in foreign exchange, boost local capacity, and reduce unemployment by putting thousands of Nigerians to work.
 The FMN Group’s mantra, “Feeding the Nation, every day,” is at the heart of the company’s strategic decisions on what they produce, how and where factories are set up, the level of care that is put into products, and how they interact with host communities and the wider environment.
The commissioning of the Sunti Golden Sugar Estate on March 15th will be the first step towards a collective dream of agricultural progress for all in Nigeria.

About Flour Mills Nigeria PLC

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Flour Mills of Nigeria Plc was incorporated on 29 September 1960 as a private limited liability company and commenced operations in 1962 with an installed flour milling capacity of 500 metric tons per day. In 1978, Flour Mills of Nigeria was converted to a public limited liability company and its shares were subsequently listed on The Nigerian Stock Exchange. Today, Flour Mills of Nigeria is the largest flour milling company in Nigeria, with an installed flour milling capacity of approximately 12,000 metric tons per day.
In 2012, Flour Mills of Nigeria commenced the implementation of backward integration programs through its agro-allied business initiatives, primarily to support its core food business. The Company has continued to pursue strategic business opportunities, such as capacity expansion and realignment of its core food business, whilst backwardly integrating its processes by increasing local content in a substantive and sustainable way, to further mitigate reliance on imports and exposure to external volatility in the food business.
Flour Mills of Nigeria remains Nigeria’s largest and oldest food and agro-allied company, with a broad product portfolio and a robust pan-Nigerian distribution network. The Company’s three major business segments – Food, Agro-allied and Support Services, are constantly evolving to meet the diverse needs of all stakeholders.
Source – Allafrica.com
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More youth advised to embrace agriculture in Nigeria!

More youth advised to embrace agriculture in Nigeria!

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Nigeria’s agriculture needs more involvement of the youth as the majority of farmers are old and slow in technology compliance.
This according to Cooperate Farmers International (CFI).
Co-founder of CFI, Akinwale Alabi, today in Lagos noted that 80 percent of Nigerian farmers were digital immigrants (elderly people) with only 40 percent technology-compliance.
Alabi, who spoke in an interview with newsmen in Lagos remarked that “The remaining 20 percent are young farmers with 90 percent acceptability of technology, stressing that  there is this excitement about technology and farming amongst them,”
Akinwale, however, lamented that  Nigeria was growing slowly in agricultural technology.
His words, “Technology has helped to solve a lot of problems ranging from accessing bank facility to gauging the quantity of rain needed in a soil for a particular plant. With innovation, some many people and banks are beginning to see light in agriculture. Although it is slow, it is beginning to grow gradually; there is no much investment right now, but it will soon pick up,” he said.
Alabi also explained that all the equipment and innovations in place for agricultural technology were health-friendly.
He noted that the younger farmers adapted to technology fast, and expressed the hope that older ones would soon increase their pace of adaptation to technology.
The CFI co-founder told newsmen that training and exposure would enable old farmers to move forward I agricultural technology. “Apart from training, there is the need for awareness or knowledge sharing platform where farmers can come together and assess their performances based on the use of a particular technology.
He equally emphasised the need for funding agricultural technology.
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Source Vanguard Newspapers

Thursday, 22 March 2018

World Water Day, on 22 March 2018

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World Water Day is an international observance day. The intention is to inspire people around the world to learn more about water-related issues and to take action to make a difference.
The global water crisis is one of the issues that calls for action.[1] The challenges include water scarcity, water pollution, inadequate water supply and the lack of sanitation for billions of people in less developed countries. The day brings to light the inequality of access to WASH services and the need to assure the human right to water and sanitation. What is World Water Day?
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World Water Day, on 22 March every year, is about focusing attention on the importance of water. The theme for World Water Day 2018 is ‘Nature for Water’ – exploring nature-based solutions to the water challenges we face in the 21st century.
Damaged ecosystems affect the quantity and quality of water available for human consumption. Today, 2.1 billion people live without safe drinking water at home; affecting their health, education and livelihoods.

Sustainable Development Goal 6 commits the Sustainable Development Goal 6 commits the world to ensuring that everyone has access to safe water by 2030, and includes targets on protecting the natural environment and reducing pollution.

Tuesday, 13 March 2018

Tuesday, 6 March 2018

Lagos government checks food and water contamination in eateries, restaurants and hotels!

Lagos government checks food and water contamination in eateries, restaurants and hotels!

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The Lagos State government recently moved to check food and water contamination in eateries, restaurants and hotels across the state, imploring stakeholders to embrace the Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) and certification.
HACCP is a management system that gives a systematic preventive approach to food safety, from biological, chemical, and physical hazards from raw material production, procurement and handling, to manufacturing, distribution and consumption of the finished product.
Speaking at a sensitization meeting for food, water, beverage handling establishments in Lagos, Special Adviser to the Governor on Primary Healthcare, Dr. Olufemi Onanuga, lamented that food safety had become a major concern to the food industry given that the consumption of contaminated food and water contributed to a myriad of health problems.
He said: “Food and water prepared, served at the restaurants, eateries, hotels and those processed in factories may look clean and taste delicious, but may have been contaminated by biological, chemical or physical hazards during the preparation procedures from the source through to service.
It is barely a month when this workshop took place, but the question of effective implementation becomes paramount.
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Rockmelon contamination in Australia!

Rockmelon contamination in Australia!

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Three Australians have reportedly died after consuming melon contaminated with listeria amid an outbreak that has promoted health authorities to warn those at risk to throw out pre-cut melons.
Listeria is a commonly found bacteria and for most people who consume foods that contain it, it  does not cause illness. But for  elderly people, pregnant women or those with serious conditions like diabetes or cancer, it poses a serious threat.
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At least 15 cases of listeriosis have been reported since authorities were first alerted to the outbreak last month.
Director Communicable Diseases New South Wales Health Dr Vicky Sheppeard in a statement declared that all the  15 cases are elderly people, and most of them have significant underlying health conditions. He however declared that People vulnerable to listeriosis should discard any rockmelon purchased before 1 March.
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The source has been linked to a farm in New South Wales state, with authorities investigating the supply chain after issuing a warning on February 23.
Listeriosis begins with flu-like symptoms including chills, fever and muscle aches. It can take up to six weeks after consuming contaminated foods for the symptoms to occur. These include  the media, school, the workplace amongst others.

Pregnant women should not eat more than two portions of oily fish per week because of levels of mercury in some fish!

Pregnant women should not eat more than two portions of oily fish per week because of levels of mercury in some fish!

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A recent research has suggested that taking a daily fish oil capsule during pregnancy and the first few months of breastfeeding may reduce a baby’s risk of food allergy.
This is according to a large analysis of past trials by Imperial College London which noted that this led to a 30% reduction in egg allergy risk by the age of one.
Fish oil contains a special kind of fat called omega-3 that has a positive, anti-inflammatory effect.
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Experts said larger trials were needed that followed up children for longer. But they said the research confirmed that diet in pregnancy could influence the development of allergies in early life.
One in 20 children in the UK is said  to be affected by allergies to food, such as nuts, eggs, milk or wheat – and it’s a growing problem and these allergies are caused by the immune system malfunctioning and over-reacting to these harmless foods, and this triggers symptoms such as rashes, swelling, vomiting and wheezing.

Image result for A recent research has suggested that taking a daily fish oil capsule during pregnancy and the first few months of breastfeeding may reduce a baby's risk of food allergy.

Looking at allegic impact, Dr Robert Boyle, lead author of the research, from the department of medicine at Imperial College London, said: “Our research suggests probiotic and fish oil supplements may reduce a child’s risk of developing an allergic condition, and these findings need to be considered when guidelines for pregnant women are updated.”
The supplements contain omega-3 fatty acids, which are also present in oily fish and current advice is that pregnant women should eat no more than two portions of oily fish per week because of the levels of mercury in some fish, and avoid shark, swordfish or marlin altogether.
Source – BBC.COM

Big cheese festival without cheese

Big cheese festival without cheese

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If you’re going to promise a cheese festival, the one thing you really need is cheese.
Organisers of an event in Brighton are now offering refunds after running out of the smelly stuff.
They’ve been been hit with complaints on social media, with people calling it a “shambles” – with one simply saying “hmmm, was expecting more cheese” while the weather is being blamed for some traders being unable to get to the site.
The Big Cheese Festival had promised “a plethora of the finest international cheesemakers and mongers showcasing their amazing cheeses”.
But for some of those who paid £22 to get in, there simply weren’t enough of those mongers.
 As well as the cheese, organisers invited guests “to enjoy and indulge in our range of bars serving craft beers, liquor and wine, plus live comedy, local bands & cheesy DJ’s performing a selection of jazz, funk & R n Brie”.
Organisers say they’re now offering a 50% discount to next year’s event for everyone who bought a ticket!
Source – BBC.COM

Popular sausage and food poisoning outbreak in South Africa!

Popular sausage and food poisoning outbreak in South Africa!

Image result for Supermarkets in South Africa have been clearing a popular sausage from the shelves after it was blamed for a food poisoning outbreak behind 180 deaths.
Supermarkets in South Africa have been clearing a popular sausage from the shelves after it was blamed for a food poisoning outbreak behind 180 deaths.
The government identified the cold meat polony as the source of the listeria poisoning – but advised consumers to avoid all ready-to-eat processed meat.
A BBC report says customers have descended on meat outlets demanding a refund, while other African countries are bringing in bans.
The report noted that the outbreak continued for more than a year before finally being traced.
According to Reuters the outbreak which the UN calls the largest outbreak ever have recorded  948 cases of listeria poisoning in South Africa. It was reported since January 2017,
Image result for Supermarkets in South Africa have been clearing a popular sausage from the shelves after it was blamed for a food poisoning outbreak behind 180 deaths.
The outbreak is believed to have originated in a factory in the northern city of Polokwane, which makes Enterprise Food products.
The chief executive of Tiger Brands, which owns the Enterprise label, insisted on Monday that “no direct link” had been proved between its products and any of the 180 deaths.
Even so, Lawrence McDougall said his firm was “being extra cautious and vigilant” and abiding by the government’s recall order.
A plant owned by a second company, RCL Foods, is also said to be  under suspicion. It has suspended meat production too.
Health authorities reportedly  ordered a recall of polony, prompting supermarkets like Shoprite, Pick n Pay, Spar and Woolworths to clear it from their shelves, along with bacon, sausages and other processed meat products.
Read more – @BBC.COM

Wednesday, 21 February 2018

Different colours of mangoes!

Different colours of mangoes!

Mangoes are in season in Nigeria, some parts of Africa and other parts of the world!


I decided to take a look at the divers colours we have and I discovered the  following colours  –  red, blue, yellow, purple, white and even black!


Not minding the colour of the mangoes you find around you, just go ahead and relish a vitamin enriched time with any of these lovely fruity – colours!

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…red mangoes!
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…yellow mangoes!
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…green mangoes!
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…white mangoes!
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…purple mangoes!
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blue mangoes!