Scientists are starting to assemble some compelling evidence that ingesting certain strains of Acidophilus can reduce cholesterol. In a study of 40 people, eating 200 grams of yogurt a day caused a reduction of 3 percent in serum cholesterol. Researchers gave formula fortified with bacteria thought to prevent diarrhea to some babies, and they gave regular formula to other babies. Of the 29 babies who got the fortified formula, just two developed diarrhea, while 8 of the 26 infants who got unfortified formula developed diarrhea. The researchers also found that the babies who got fortified formula had fewer rotaviruses in their feces.
Rotaviruses infect the lining of the intestine and cause diarrhea, especially in children.
Often, they are assigned the work of two inspectors. It has becoming increasingly routine for them to pop into a plant for 15 minutes or so, conduct a cursory look around, then rush off to the next plant, according to food-inspection union leaders. The story states that some inspectors are too busy to collect food samples for bacteriological testing. Meanwhile, it isn't uncommon for plants to operate for days without seeing an inspector, despite a federal law requiring daily inspections. The chairman of a U.S. House Agriculture subcommittee said he hoped to see symmetry in U.S. seafood and meat inspection programs, which are now inspected by different federal departments.