Latest news with #cook
The Guardian
a day ago
- Health
- The Guardian
Arrests in China after more than 230 kindergarten children poisoned by lead paint in food
Chinese authorities have arrested six people and launched disciplinary investigations into almost 30 others after more than 230 kindergarten children were poisoned by food coloured with industrial-grade lead paint The incident, which occurred in Gansu province earlier this month, is one of China's worst school food safety incidents and has drawn national attention. An investigative report released by the Gansu provincial party committee on Sunday found a litany of failures in safety and oversight, as well as attempts to cover up the incident, bribe people in charge and modify test results. The report said the principal at the Tianshui kindergarten had wanted to attract more enrolments by 'enhancing' the colour and look of the food served to children. The school's cook bought industrial-grade pigment online, adding it to dishes despite the packages saying it was 'not for consumption'. One pigment was found to have lead levels 400,000 times the safe legal limit. The report said the school had previously bought food-safe colouring, at a cheaper cost, but preferred the 'brighter' colours. Initially, 235 students were hospitalised after eating the coloured food. Local state media quoted a parent at the time saying children had suffered stomach pain and nausea, and some children's teeth had turned black. Final tests revealed that 247 students, as well as staff including the principal, had elevated lead levels in their blood as a result of eating the food. Six kindergarten staff, including the principal, have been arrested, accused of knowingly serving toxic and harmful food. Disciplinary investigations have been launched into the actions of 27 others working for the school, hospital and government. However, Sunday's report revealed mistakes and mishandling at almost every level of the process and response. It said the Gansu Provincial Centre for Disease Control and Prevention neglected the case after accepting it, and took samples in a way that violated health regulations and led to a 'huge difference' in the test results and the actual levels. At the Tianshui Second People's hospital, at least two children's test results were illegally 'modified' to record substantially lower lead levels, the report said. 'The management of Tianshui Second People's hospital and its laboratory department was chaotic, job responsibilities were not fully implemented, laboratory quality control was not fully implemented and relevant inspection personnel lacked systematic training,' the report said. It also accused the local education bureau of having 'turned a blind eye' to the kindergarten – which charges high fees – operating without a proper licence, and not conducting food safety inspections at any private kindergarten for two years. It said officials in charge of preschool education across multiple departments were suspected of accepting benefits and bribes from the Tianshui kindergarten's major investor and others linked to the school. The report said China's top anti-corruption authorities had filed a case for review and investigation against government officials of multiple levels, and opened an investigation into senior management at the hospital. It said the children had been treated and all but one had been discharged after the first round of treatment, during which lead levels dropped by an average of 40%. 'The provincial party committee and the provincial government are deeply saddened by the abnormal blood lead problem in the Brownstone Peixin Kindergarten in Maiji district, Tianshui city, and express their deep apologies to the children and their parents,' the report said. The release of the report was accompanied by reported protests by parents on Sunday evening outside the kindergarten. Footage shared online by Teacher Li, who monitors dissent inside China, claimed to show clashes between police and a few hundred people outside the Tianshui kindergarten. The footage showed officers using physical force, including batons, and angry parents confronting individuals in plain clothes, questioning their use of violence. As police cars appeared to try to escort the plain-clothed individuals away, parents blocked the road, shouting: 'Hand over those who beat people up.' Additional research by Lillian Yang
The Independent
a day ago
- General
- The Independent
The best can openers that make light work of tough tins
A good can opener is an essential kitchen accessory that you won't appreciate until you don't have one. Whether you're looking to crack open a tin of tomatoes for a pasta dish or need to open some meaty chunks for your dog's dinner, there is nothing more frustrating that a tin opener that is difficult to use or leaves behind jagged edges. Can openers come in a range of styles with various price points. From classic metal models to handles designed for those with limited grip strength, choosing the right tin opener for you depends on your own needs and preferences. As a keen cook, I've tested my fair share of kitchen appliances and gadgets, so I know exactly what separates a great tool from one that's just taking up drawer space. When it comes to can openers, I've learned to look beyond the basics. I test for smooth, safe cuts, how comfortable the grip is during use, how easy it is to clean, and whether it works reliably over time without jamming or slipping. After years of hands-on experience, I know which features actually make your life easier and which ones are just marketing fluff. So, whether you're looking for a reliable everyday can opener or one that will support your specific needs, my tried-and-tested picks have you covered. How I tested I tested these can openers the way most people actually use them – at home, in the middle of busy weeknight dinners and lazy Sunday meal preps. I opened everything from standard soup cans to stubborn, oversized tomato tins, sometimes one after another, just to see how each opener held up when put to work. Some went straight into rotation for weeks as I wanted to know not just how well they worked fresh out of the box, but whether they stayed sharp and didn't make a simple task more frustrating than it needed to be. I tested against a strict set of criteria including: ease of use, comfort, cutting performance, build quality, durability, and extra features. Ease of use: This was a top priority during testing because a can opener should make life easier, not more frustrating. I paid close attention to how quickly and smoothly each opener attached to the can, whether it locked into place securely or needed fiddling. I also looked at how much effort it took to turn the handle or crank with the best gliding through lids effortlessly. Comfort and grip: I also paid special attention to comfort and grip, as this is especially important for anyone with arthritic hands or limited wrist strength. A good can opener should feel secure and stable in your hand without causing strain. I looked at the handle size, shape, and material, giving bonus points to those with soft, non-slip grips that felt great even during longer use. Cutting performance: Even the most comfortable can opener is useless if it struggles to open a can cleanly, so I looked at how easily and smoothly each model pierced the lid and whether it cut all the way around without stopping, slipping, or leaving jagged edges. A good can opener should glide through the metal with minimal effort and produce a clean, safe cut every time. Durability: A can opener needs to hold up over time, not just work well out of the box. I paid attention to the materials used, how solid each opener felt in hand, and whether any parts wobbled, bent, or loosened with repeated use. A well-built can opener should feel dependable from the first use to the hundredth. Why you can trust IndyBest reviews Rachael Penn is a journalist who specialises in lifestyle, tech and food and drink. She has been writing product reviews for IndyBest since 2021, covering a whole range of home and kitchen appliances, from the best toaster for your morning slice to the best microwaves. For each review, Rachael prioritises quality, high performance and, of course, affordability. The best can openers for 2025 are:
Irish Times
2 days ago
- Health
- Irish Times
Arrests in China after more than 230 kindergarten children poisoned by lead paint in food
Chinese authorities have arrested six people and launched disciplinary investigations into almost 30 others after more than 230 kindergarten children were poisoned by food coloured with industrial-grade lead paint The incident, which occurred in Gansu province earlier this month, is one of China's worst ever school food safety incidents and has drawn national attention. An investigative report released by the Gansu provincial party committee on Sunday found a litany of failures in safety and oversight, as well as attempts to cover up the incident, bribe people in charge and modify test results. The report said the principal at the Tianshui kindergarten had wanted to attract more enrolments by 'enhancing' the colour and look of the food served to children. The school's cook bought industrial-grade pigment online, adding it to dishes despite the packages saying it was 'not for consumption'. One pigment was found to have lead levels 400,000 times the safe legal limit. The report said the school had previously bought food-safe colouring, at a cheaper cost, but preferred the 'brighter' colours. READ MORE Initially 235 students were hospitalised after eating the coloured food. Local state media quoted a parent at the time saying children had suffered stomach pain and nausea, and some children's teeth had turned black. Final tests revealed that 247 students, as well as staff including the principal, had elevated lead levels in their blood as a result of eating the food. Six kindergarten staff, including the principal, have been arrested, accused of knowingly serving toxic and harmful food. Disciplinary investigations have been launched into the actions of 27 others working for the school, hospital and government. However, Sunday's report revealed mistakes and mishandling at almost every level of the process and response. It said the Gansu Provincial Centre for Disease Control and Prevention neglected the case after accepting it, and took samples in a way that violated health regulations and led to a 'huge difference' in the test results and the actual levels. At the Tianshui Second People's hospital, at least two children's test results were illegally 'modified' to record substantially lower lead levels, the report said. 'The management of Tianshui Second People's hospital and its laboratory department was chaotic, job responsibilities were not fully implemented, laboratory quality control was not fully implemented and relevant inspection personnel lacked systematic training,' the report said. It also accused the local education bureau of having 'turned a blind eye' to the kindergarten – which charges high fees – operating without a proper licence, and not conducting food safety inspections at any private kindergarten for two years. It said officials in charge of preschool education across multiple departments were suspected of accepting benefits and bribes from the Tianshui kindergarten's major investor and others linked to the school. The report said China's top anti-corruption authorities had filed a case for review and investigation against government officials of multiple levels, and opened an investigation into senior management at the hospital. It said the children had been treated and all but one had been discharged after the first round of treatment, during which lead levels dropped by an average of 40 per cent. 'The provincial party committee and the provincial government are deeply saddened by the abnormal blood lead problem in the Brownstone Peixin Kindergarten in Maiji district, Tianshui city, and express their deep apologies to the children and their parents,' the report said. The release of the report was accompanied by reported protests by parents on Sunday evening outside the kindergarten. Footage shared online by Teacher Li, who monitors dissent inside China, claimed to show clashes between police and a few hundred people outside the Tianshui kindergarten. The footage showed officers using physical force, including batons, and angry parents confronting individuals in plain clothes, questioning their use of violence. As police cars appeared to try to escort the plain-clothed individuals away, parents blocked the road, shouting: 'Hand over those who beat people up.' - Guardian
The Guardian
2 days ago
- Health
- The Guardian
Arrests in China after more than 230 kindergarten children poisoned by lead paint in food
Chinese authorities have arrested six people and launched disciplinary investigations into almost 30 others after more than 230 kindergarten children were poisoned by food coloured with industrial-grade lead paint The incident, which occurred in Gansu province earlier this month, is one of China's worst ever school food safety incidents and has drawn national attention. An investigative report released by the Gansu provincial party committee on Sunday found a litany of failures in safety and oversight, as well as attempts to cover up the incident, bribe people in charge and modify test results. The report said the principal at the Tianshui kindergarten had wanted to attract more enrolments by 'enhancing' the colour and look of the food served to children. The school's cook bought industrial-grade pigment online, adding it to dishes despite the packages saying it was 'not for consumption'. One pigment was found to have lead levels 400,000 times the safe legal limit. The report said the school had previously bought food-safe colouring, at a cheaper cost, but preferred the 'brighter' colours. Initially 235 students were hospitalised after eating the coloured food. Local state media quoted a parent at the time saying children had suffered stomach pain and nausea, and some children's teeth had turned black. Final tests revealed that 247 students, as well as staff including the principal, had elevated lead levels in their blood as a result of eating the food. Six kindergarten staff, including the principal, have been arrested, accused of knowingly serving toxic and harmful food. Disciplinary investigations have been launched into the actions of 27 others working for the school, hospital and government. However, Sunday's report revealed mistakes and mishandling at almost every level of the process and response. It said the Gansu Provincial Centre for Disease Control and Prevention neglected the case after accepting it, and took samples in a way that violated health regulations and led to a 'huge difference' in the test results and the actual levels. At the Tianshui Second People's hospital, at least two children's test results were illegally 'modified' to record substantially lower lead levels, the report said. 'The management of Tianshui Second People's hospital and its laboratory department was chaotic, job responsibilities were not fully implemented, laboratory quality control was not fully implemented and relevant inspection personnel lacked systematic training,' the report said. It also accused the local education bureau of having 'turned a blind eye' to the kindergarten – which charges high fees – operating without a proper licence, and not conducting food safety inspections at any private kindergarten for two years. It said officials in charge of preschool education across multiple departments were suspected of accepting benefits and bribes from the Tianshui kindergarten's major investor and others linked to the school. The report said China's top anti-corruption authorities had filed a case for review and investigation against government officials of multiple levels, and opened an investigation into senior management at the hospital. It said the children had been treated and all but one had been discharged after the first round of treatment, during which lead levels dropped by an average of 40%. 'The provincial party committee and the provincial government are deeply saddened by the abnormal blood lead problem in the Brownstone Peixin Kindergarten in Maiji district, Tianshui city, and express their deep apologies to the children and their parents,' the report said. The release of the report was accompanied by reported protests by parents on Sunday evening outside the kindergarten. Footage shared online by Teacher Li, who monitors dissent inside China, claimed to show clashes between police and a few hundred people outside the Tianshui kindergarten. The footage showed officers using physical force, including batons, and angry parents confronting individuals in plain clothes, questioning their use of violence. As police cars appeared to try to escort the plain-clothed individuals away, parents blocked the road, shouting: 'Hand over those who beat people up.' Additional research by Lillian Yang
Yahoo
12-07-2025
- Lifestyle
- Yahoo
The Easy Trick that Keeps Salad Greens Fresh for Longer
Summer means crisp, fresh salad season, and I've got an entire garden of gorgeous greens ready to be devoured. However, salad greens can be delicate and temperamental. Unless you plan to eat an entire head or heart of lettuce in one sitting, these greens do require proper storage and care if they're going to last you longer than a day or two. The secret to top notch salad care is most likely sitting on your kitchen counter, ready to be put to work: All you need to keep your greens crisp, crunchy, and fresh for several days to come, is a couple of cold, damp paper towels. Related: It's Your Last Day to Grab These Under-the-Radar Amazon Prime Day Outlet Deals The method for keeping salad greens fresh and crisp lies in a simple, three-step process: Begin by thoroughly washing your salad greens, and then drying them completely. You can do this by assembling the greens in a single layer on a towel lined sheet pan before patting them down with paper towels, or by using a salad spinner. Next, lightly dampen a paper towel with cold water. Place it on the bottom of the bowl, and then transfer the greens to the bowl. Top the greens with another cold, damp paper towel. Finally, cover the bowl loosely with cling wrap to allow for a bit of air circulation, and place it in the refrigerator. Check your greens every day or two, and if you see a difference in their quality, or the paper towels seem more damp than they originally were, replace them with fresh, slightly damp ones. That way, excess moisture will be continuously absorbed. This method is helpful for a number of reasons. Excess moisture will make greens wilted and soggy. Paper towels control these levels by absorbing excess moisture so the greens will stay dry. The paper towel and loose cling wrap will allow for the correct amount of air circulation, because too much or too little air can also cause spoilage. While the paper towels are busy at work controlling moisture and air, the greens will remain crisp for up to a week - sometimes even longer. This approach is a no-brainer for preparing meals ahead of time, getting the most of your weekly grocery haul, and preventing food waste. Be sure the paper towel is damp, and not wet. The role of a paper towel here is to absorb excess moisture from the greens. A soggy or dripping wet paper towel will work against your greens. It can cause accelerated wilting, browning, sogginess, and spoilage. Nobody wants a slimy finish on their salad. Some mix-ins are ok to add, while others are not. If you're looking to further prepare your salad for later on, stick to heartier, non-soggy components that have skins, so they will not brown, wilt, or rot the greens. This may include whole cherry tomatoes, shredded carrots or cabbage, diced celery, dried fruit, and nuts or seeds. Avoid juicy, delicate, and very aromatic ingredients that can overpower or damage greens, such as sliced tomato, strawberries, avocado, onion, bell peppers, or beets. Leave these elements for later on, when you're ready to dress and serve the salad. Don't overcrowd the greens. If you find yourself stuffing the salad greens into a bowl for refrigeration, the greens won't be able to breathe or release moisture. As a solution, try layering the paper towels throughout the greens. To do this, add one or two additional paper towel layers between the greens before sealing and securing them with the top paper towel and cling wrap. If you can fit the bowl in the crisper drawer, even better. Humidity levels are better controlled in a crisper drawer, which means your greens will probably have even more longevity stored there. No crisper drawer, or tight on space? No problem! Your salad will still thrive on the refrigerator shelf. Read the original article on ALLRECIPES
