World’s First Virus-Filtering Water Bottle | EcoGeek

As someone who has used water filters, and thinks that access to safe drinking water is the most important single thing for humans to be healthy (followed by basic education for women and… hmmm… you can get just about anything with those two): World’s First Virus-Filtering Water Bottle | EcoGeek

The Lifesaver is a portable water filter system, offering clean water from any water source. Setting aside how handy this is for backpacking, this could be a huge leap forward for ensuring safe drinking water in developing countries, disaster areas, or war zones where clean water is in short supply. And it’s far more palatable than other icky but earth-friendly water filtration ideas.
 
The inventor is Michael Pritchard, who thought of the concept in response to recent natural disasters. The basic science is in creating a filter smaller than the smallest virus, which is 25 nanometers across. The filter, therefore, has holes 15 nanometers across, successfully trapping even the feistiest of disease-causing bacteria, viruses, parasites, fungi, and other waterborne pathogens. It is the world’s first filtration water bottle to achieve such thorough filtration.
 
The most important feature of the Lifesaver is the fact that it is useable by anyone, even children.

Food dye rebellion may color U.S. action — Health, Kraft Foods Inc., Oak Brook — chicago

“Artificial food dyes, which are primarily derived from petroleum and coal tars, are a staple in breakfast cereals, snacks and soft drinks.”

people! why do we feed this to children? I wonder, since companies explicitly say they respond to consumer demand… yet people don’t demand. I don’t think people can say “I didn’t know”. They can say “I didn’t care enough to listen or be concerned” I guess.

Perhaps parents should panic more at the grocery store than they do online, and at least take similar precautions.

Food dye rebellion may color U.S. action — Health, Kraft Foods Inc., Oak Brook — chicagotribune.com

That’s what has been happening in the UK, as food industry giants such as Kraft Foods Inc. and Mars Inc. have reacted to increasing consumer worries over artificial colors, particularly after a British study bolstered the hyperactivity theory.

Late last year, Mars banished artificial colors from its well-known Starburst and Skittles candies sold in the UK. Northfield-based Kraft did the same in early 2007 with its British version of Lunchables.

“This is about listening to consumers,” said Kraft spokesman Michael Mitchell.

Thus far, U.S. consumers haven’t spoken up enough to cause big manufacturers to drop the dyes.

Kraft’s market research in the United Kingdom has shown a “much higher interest” in food dyes than in the United States. Here, consumers are more interested in calorie, fat and sodium content, he said. So in the U.S., Kraft, Mars and others use artificial dyes, which tend to be less expensive and look more vibrant than natural colorings.

Artificial food dyes, which are primarily derived from petroleum and coal tars, are a staple in breakfast cereals, snacks and soft drinks.