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Author: Kohylah Piper, Antigua & Barbuda
Physician, medical educator, and health writer; FOAMed, Emergency Medicine, and MedEd enthusiast who hopes to encourage and motivate aspiring physicians in the Caribbean, and worldwide to continue humbly exploring, discovering, and studying what this art continuously teaches, while contributing to medical education development.
September 27, 2021 August 23, 2021 ~ Kohylah Piper, Antigua & Barbuda	~ Leave a comment
What We Know From Current Statistics
Alcohol (ethyl alcohol), also known as ethanol, is one of the most abused substances worldwide, and alcohol poisoning is one of its varying manifestations. Furthermore, alcohol is psychoactive and is known for its ability to induce dependence. Therefore, misuse of alcohol has detrimental effects neurologically and systemically on an individual's body, and it impacts their sphere of life psycho-socially and economically, the effects of which are generally negative within households and countries on a wider scale.
The National Health Institute mentions that 5.3 percent of deaths globally are related to alcohol consumption, with men being more at risk. The World Health Organization informs that this percentage approximates to around 3 million lives lost around the world.
In the United States particularly, Levine (2021) explains that "more than half of all trauma patients are intoxicated with ethanol" upon accessing the trauma center. It is also a frequent substance ingested along with other substances in suicide attempts.
As a result, it is crucial to be able to identify the presentation of alcohol poisoning or ethanol poisoning in the acute setting.
Increased risk for alcohol poisoning is related to factors linked to the individual and how alcohol is consumed.
Risks Related To The Individual:
Recent food ingestion
Alcohol tolerance level
Risks Related To Alcohol:
Amount of alcohol ingested
Co-ingestion of other drugs
Rate of alcohol consumption
Risk factors may also include a history of alcoholism, binge drinking, as well as mental health issues, including depression associated with suicidal ideation.
The general cause of alcohol poisoning results from drinking too much alcohol in a short period; more specifically, binge drinking is considered the main factor, where large quantities of alcoholic beverages are consumed rapidly in less than three hours.
Levine (2021) clarifies that identifying recent changes in the circumstances of the patient may reveal the reason for the presentation.
It is important to note that the serum concentration of ethanol along with the frequency at which the patient may ingest alcohol can influence presentation as patients with antecedents of chronic drinking may not manifest cerebellar dysfunction in comparison to new drinkers. Signs and symptoms will encompass slurred speech, disinhibition in behavior as well lack of coordination. Posteriorly, the patient may show signs of central nervous system depression. Thus, causes that may also present with depression of the central nervous system (CNS) must also be considered. Hidden injuries must be evaluated in the physical examination.
Especially in children and adolescents, the physician must also consider the hypoglycaemic effects of alcohol in the clinical presentation due to the risk of experiencing it after single use in comparison to adults.
Signs and Symptoms of Alcohol Intoxication:
Behavioural disinhibition
Differential Considerations
The following are a few causes that also present similarly to alcohol poisoning:
Acute hypoglycemia
Other drug toxicities
As previously mentioned, other causes related to depression of the CNS must be considered in such a presentation. (See a list of differentials above)
However, despite various tests that correspond to alternative causes, an investigation that must be evaluated quickly is the serum glucose level. Other tests include and are not limited to:
Serum ethanol level. Levine (2021) notes the toxic dose of ethanol is 5 mg/dl and in children 3mg/dl.
Toxicology Screen
Routine Complete Blood Count and Chemistry to include Bicarbonate, bearing in mind that as the patient progresses, values will also change as related to the anion gap calculation.
Imaging studies are dependent on suspicion or discovery of traumatic injuries, for example, head trauma.
Treating or managing alcohol poisoning is founded on supportive care, bearing in mind the risk of respiratory depression; the patient's airway must be protected.
Glucose must be checked frequently when the clinical presentation is severe. It should be monitored ideally every two hours in such cases. The presence of hypoglycemia must be corrected using intravenous dextrose solution. Intravenous fluids may also serve a dual effect to correct dehydration caused by the diuretic effect of alcohol on the body. Any associated traumatic injuries must also be managed. It is important to note that 100 mg of thiamine may be intravenously or intramuscularly administrated if Wernicke's encephalopathy is suspected.
Three million deaths globally are linked to alcohol use.
Alcohol poisoning is related to drinking large quantities of alcohol over a short period of time. Binge drinking is a major cause of alcohol poisoning.
The clinical presentation ranges from slurred speech to coma in severe presentation.
Patients' blood glucose must be monitored, and another diagnosis that may present with signs of central nervous system depression must be ruled out.
Investigations related to evaluating for hypoglycemia, verifying ethanol toxicity, organ damage, assessing suspected or apparent trauma, and ruling out other possible causes of the clinical presentation.
Treatment is generally supportive and includes correction of hypoglycemia, dehydration, and management of any traumatic injuries.
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (2021) 'Alcohol Facts and Statistics' NIH. [Online] Available at: https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/brochures-and-fact-sheets/alcohol-facts-and-statistics (Accessed 16th August, 2021)
LaHood, A. J. and Kok, S.J. (2021) 'Ethanol Toxicity' NCBI. [Online] Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK557381/ (Accessed 16th August, 2021)
Levine M. (2016) 'Alcohols,' in Tintinalli, J.E. (ed.) Tintinalli's Emergency Medicine. 8th Edition. McGraw-Hill Education pp 580-583
Levine M. (2021) 'Alcohol Toxicity' in Medscape [Online] Available at: https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/812411-overview (Accessed 16th August, 2021)
World Health Organization (2018) 'Alcohol' World Health Organization [Online] Available at: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/alcohol (Accessed 16th August, 2021)
Wyatt, J.P., et al. (2012) Oxford Handbook of Emergency Medicine. 4th Edition. Oxford University Press pp 197-217
Cite this article as: Kohylah Piper, Antigua & Barbuda, "Alcohol Poisoning," in International Emergency Medicine Education Project, September 27, 2021, https://iem-student.org/2021/09/27/alcohol-poisoning/, date accessed: January 20, 2022
Sepsis – An Overview and Update
June 28, 2021 June 12, 2021 ~ Kohylah Piper, Antigua & Barbuda	~ Leave a comment
What is Sepsis?
Sepsis is a composite of symptoms and clinical signs that correspond to infection within a patient. This clinically heterogeneous syndrome may be fatal due to the extensive inflammatory processes and organ dysfunction it can provoke.
The New Definition of Sepsis
In 2016, after a revision by the European Society of Intensive Care Medicine and the Society of Critical Care Medicine, sepsis was redefined as "a life-threatening organ dysfunction caused by a dysregulated host response to infection."
This new definition of sepsis means that the patient's body, in response to infection, reacts by causing damage to its own organ structures, and this process can progress to the point where death can be an unfortunate end result.
Along with this up-to-date definition of sepsis, up-to-date criteria for evaluating sepsis were also provided; however, let's first consider the causes of sepsis.
What is the Aetiology of Sepsis?
Sepsis can be caused by various organisms ranging from viruses to fungi to protozoans; however, bacterial infections are the main offenders. Vincent et al. (2009) concluded in the international EPIC II study that gram-negative bacteria were the principal perpetrators, accounting for 62%, while the gram-positives followed with a frequency of 47%. Of these groups, the principle organisms include:
Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas at 20%
Escherichia coli at 16%
Different risk factors may predispose persons to become infected by these organisms.
Non-Communicable diseases (Diabetes Mellitus, Chronic Kidney Disease)
Immunodeficient conditions
The elderly, children, infants
Corticosteroid Use
Prolonged Hospital Stay
What is the Clinical Presentation of Sepsis?
The presentation of sepsis ranges from acute to insidious. There are cases where the patient may indicate a site of infection to cases where there is none apparent. Symptoms and signs of this syndrome generally include the following:
Another early sign of sepsis includes the presence of leukopenia or leukocytosis.
Along with these parameters, there are also specific signs within each organ system that must also be taken into account when investigating the source of primary infection or exploring the secondary effects of the same.
For example, when examining the respiratory system, listen for adventitious sounds or decreased breath sounds that may point to pneumonia and other chest infections. Respiratory causes of sepsis account for 42% of cases, according to the EPIC II study.
Patients who present with abdominal pain should be evaluated to rule out infection sources in abdominal structures such as the appendix, colon, pancreas, gallbladder. Other sources of infection may include the urinary tract and the prostate gland.
Patients with a history of trauma, wounds, and recent surgeries should be evaluated for any signs of wound infection (e.g., pain, erythema, purulent discharge, weeping wound, abscess formation)
In patients who are already admitted to the hospital and have been given invasive adjuncts, such as a central line, urinary catheters, and hemodialysis access sites, evaluate for inflammatory signs around the insertion site.
Warning Signs of Severe Sepsis
Sepsis progresses through a continuum that begins with a systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) and ends with multi-organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS), where mortality is almost inevitable. Its severest form is known as Septic Shock, a subcategory of sepsis where there is a great probability of mortality due to severe metabolic and circulatory irregularities.
The New Criteria for Evaluating Sepsis
The Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score, otherwise known as the SOFA score, is the new criteria used to evaluate sepsis. It replaces the SIRS Criteria.
SOFA takes into consideration six parameters that relate to specific organ systems. These systems are aligned with clinical signs and laboratory values, which fit into a numerical score ranging from 0 to 4, where 0 corresponds to normal values, and 4 corresponds to a high level of organ failure. See the image below, adapted from Vincent et al. (1996).
Since this criteria at its base enable physicians to assess the level of dysfunction occurring in the patient's organ systems, the higher the score given, the more probable there will be an increase in mortality.
Using the SOFA criteria, a score equal to and greater than 2 in the presence of confirmed or suspected infection corresponds to organ dysfunction. It indicates a mortality risk of around 10%.
The abbreviated version of the SOFA score, known as quick SOFA or qSOFA, is helpful for screening patients suspected to have sepsis by quickly evaluating three parameters, mental status, systolic blood pressure, and the respiratory rate.
REBELEM Blog (2016) qSOFA Score
Laboratory and Imaging
The general laboratory, imaging, and special studies for sepsis can include various tests depending on the suspected source of the infection, for example:
A Chest X-ray may show signs of pneumonia or any other lung infection.
CT imaging may reveal abdominal abscesses, perforation of the bowels.
An ultrasound can rule out pelvic sources of infection, as well as in organs such as the gall bladder.
Cardiac tests (electrocardiogram and troponins) may reveal suspected causes such as Myocardial Infarction.
Routine tests such as Complete Blood Count and Chemistry studies provide a baseline analysis for infection screening and organ dysfunction (kidney and liver).
Procalcitonin is a sepsis biomarker and increases in the presence of systemic bacterial infection.
Blood, urine, and source cultures should be taken for organism identification and antibiotic sensitivities.
Certain clinical presentations may necessitate abscess aspiration, lumbar puncture, or paracentesis.
Arterial blood gas is also a beneficial test for analyzing how septic a patient may be.
It is also important to note that serum lactate has become an important test in diagnosing sepsis, especially in relation to septic shock. (Lee and An, 2016)
The image below provides a summary of test results related to sepsis, as adapted from Mahapatra and Heffner (2020):
Treatment of Sepsis
The foundational aspects of treating sepsis rest upon rapid recognition and rapid remedy.
Schmidt and Mandel (2021) explain that resuscitation must be aggressively instituted in order to reperfuse the organs; just like antibiotic therapy, fluid resuscitation should be implemented within the first hour. It is given at 30 mL/kg and should be finalized by the third hour.
Initial antibiotic therapy should aim to cover both gram-positive and gram-negative organisms, any other considerations must be fully in line with the information found in the patient's history, and physical examination. Where the source of infection necessitates surgical intervention, this must be pursued additionally.
The patient's response to the treatments should be continuously monitored for improvements or worsening condition, and appropriate transfers should be pre-empted, for example, if the patient needs to be transferred to the Intensive Care Unit.
Sepsis is a clinically heterogeneous syndrome, which has a progression that can lead to severe cellular, metabolic, and overall hemodynamic dysfunction.
If left un-recognized or, if it is not treated aggressively, the patient outcomes may be dim.
The SOFA score is a criteria that is used in-depth and in a quick overview to assess the level of organ dysfunction in suspected or confirmed sepsis.
Patients should be consistently monitored while exploring for the possible primary source.
Sepsis is treated with rapid infusion of intravenous fluids and by using broad-spectrum antibiotics.
Cite this article as: Kohylah Piper, Antigua & Barbuda, "Sepsis – An Overview and Update," in International Emergency Medicine Education Project, June 28, 2021, https://iem-student.org/2021/06/28/sepsis-an-overview-and-update/, date accessed: January 20, 2022
Bokhari, A.M. (2019) 'Bacterial Sepsis Clinical Presentation' in Medscape [Online] Available at: https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/234587-clinical (Accessed 22nd May, 2021)
Lee, S. M. and An, W. S. (2016) 'New clinical criteria for septic shock: serum lactatee level as new emerging vital sign' Journal of Thoracic Disease. 8(7) pp. 1388-1390 [Online] Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4958885/ (Accessed 23rd May, 2021)
Mahapatra, S. and Heffner, A.C. (2020) 'Septic Shock' StatPearls. [Online] Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK430939/ (Accessed 23rd May, 2021)
Marick, P.E. and Taeb, A. M. (2017) 'SIRS, qSOFA and new sepsis definition' Journal of Thoracic Disease. 9(4) pp. 943-945 [Online] Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5418298/#r1 (Accessed 22nd May, 2021)
Puskarich, M.A. and Jones, A.E. (2016) 'Workplace Assessment', in Tintinalli, J.E. (ed.) Tintinalli's Emergency Medicine. 8th Edition. McGraw-Hill Education pp 1021-1029
Rezaie, S. (2016) 'Sepsis 3.0' REBELEM. [Online] Available at: https://rebelem.com/sepsis-3-0/ (Accessed 22nd May, 2021)
Schmidt, G. A. and Mandel, J.. (2021) 'Evaluation and management of suspected sepsis and septic shock in adults' UpToDate [Online] Available at: https://www.uptodate.com/contents/evaluation-and-management-of-suspected-sepsis-and-septic-shock-in-adults (Accessed 23rd May, 2021)
Singer, M. et al. (2016) 'The Third International Consensus Definitions for Sepsis and Septic Shock (Sepsis-3)' JAMA. 315(6) pp. 801-810 [Online] Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4968574/ (Accessed 22nd May, 2021)
Vincent, J-L. et al. (1996) 'The SOFA (Sepsis-related Organ Failure Assessment) score to describe organ dysfunction/failure' Intensive Care Medicine. 22 pp. 707-710 [Online] Available at: https://www.iccueducation.org.uk/uploads/2/3/1/0/23109338/sofa_score.pdf (Accessed 23rd May, 2021)


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Three great games to play with a non-gaming partner
By Marshall Honorof , Katie Mortram , Rory Mellon published 22 August 21
The Tom's Guide staff discusses three games that even non-gamers might love
(Image credit: Team17)
Gaming is a fantastic hobby to share with your partner — provided that they actually enjoy video games, that is. If they don't, games can seem like a mystifying pursuit, where twitch-based action is the order of the day, and only the most skilled players stand a chance of completing a single level.
Thankfully, that's not the case, as some of our partners discovered recently. Gaming is a more diverse and welcoming pastime than it's ever been, with titles to suit every taste and skill level. Still, it can be extremely difficult to predict exactly which games a non-gaming significant other might enjoy, since they don't have any basis for comparison.
Play the best games for new gamers
Splitgate: Ranks, crossplay, release date and more
Plus: Call of Duty Vanguard: 3 reasons to be excited and 2 to be worried
Here, then, are three games that actually caught the interest of our non-gaming partners. Perhaps they'll do the same for yours — and if not, we'd be curious to know which ones did.
Bugsnax
(Image credit: Young Horses)
When the PS5 launched, I installed every new game I could find to put the system through its paces. My domestic partner wasn't at all interested in playing Spider-Man: Miles Morales, Demon's Souls or Sackboy: A Big Adventure — but asked whether we could play "the bug game." I realized she meant Bugsnax: a weird indie adventure that happened to be the complimentary PlayStation Plus title that month.
I loaded up the game and handed her the controller — and didn't get it back until she had finished the whole experience a week later. Aside from the occasional round of Mario Kart, my partner had never played a console game before, and certainly never a narrative-driven one. But something about Bugsnax's colorful world, intriguing characters and intuitive gameplay drew her in and didn't let go.
For those who haven't played it, Bugsnax challenges you to collect a bunch of edible bugs while rebuilding a small town and forming bonds with its residents. It's kind of chill, kind of challenging and kind of touching. She hasn't yet found another game that's entranced her in the same way, but Night in the Woods got positive marks, as did Astro's Playroom. – Marshall Honorof
Little Nightmares II
(Image credit: Bandai Namco Entertainment)
My partner has never really shown much interest in any of the games I've played over the years. He typically sits glued to his phone throughout, which almost makes me feel guilty — almost. Funnily enough, I piqued his interest while I was watching someone else play a game on my phone. Who would have thought that this, rather than live play, would finally get his attention?
I don't make a habit of watching others play games, but Little Nightmares II was interesting enough to intrigue us both. When I spotted my partner watching over my shoulder, I first thought he was judging my video choice. But then, he said, "what happens when you get caught?" We ended up watching the rest of the video together, amazed at the quality of the graphics, and the creativity that had gone into the plot and monsters. It's not the sort of game I would usually play, which goes to show how well it's done. Little Nightmares II builds suspense so well, and gets your heart racing once you start a chase.
When I finally get a copy of the game, maybe we can take turns, and I can finally give him a glimpse of why the hobby is so addictive. — Katie Mortram
After my partner bounced off both Lego Harry Potter and Animal Crossing: New Horizons, I'd all but given up on getting her into gaming. Then, a little co-op game called Overcooked came along.
I can't say I had high hopes going in, but Overcooked quickly won us both over. The easy-to-grasp core concept, charming visual aesthetic, and simple control scheme all make it extremely accessible for gaming novices.
Within minutes, the cartoon cooking simulator had us working in harmony, creating burgers and soups for our hungry diners. The inclusion of an assist mode, which increases your allotted time and prevents order tickets from expiring, also helped her ease into the game at her own pace.
We might not be topping the leaderboards anytime soon, but I'm thrilled that I finally found a game she wants to play. — Rory Mellon
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redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Clean, Fresh, Laundry. Doesn't it just give you a feeling of satisfaction to see the laundry basket empty and smell the fresh scent of clean laundry every time you open a drawer? Chances are, those clean, fresh smelling clothes made a trip through your washer and dryer at home on the way to your dresser or closet. We rely on our Laundry Appliances daily. If you don't think so, just wait until one breaks and then see what kind of a fix you're in. We rely so heavily on these appliances, but do we take as good care of them as they take care of us?
Grab a bottle of spray cleaner, and wash off the tops and all outside surfaces until they sparkle. Open that washer... are the bleach and fabric softener dispensers gunky? Give then a quick clean up with an old toothbrush and some water. Wipe all around the rim and under the lid of your washer - don't forget the knobs!
Is your dryer piled high on top with the stuff you can't find any other place for? Car washing rags that have been washed, but not returned to the garage?... Cleaning supplies, or maybe even the mates to your kid's lost socks? Let's get rid of all of it! Return things to their places... And just toss those lost sock mates (chances are, you're never going to find them - and if you do - they'll be too small by then anyway)... go ahead, it won't take very long.
When was the last time you cleaned your lint trap? If you answered "every load".. good for you! If not, this is really an important part of your laundry routine. Not only will it help your dryer operate efficiently, but its also a safety issue. If you use fabric softener sheets in the dryer, some types can cause a buildup on the lint screen too. Once a month or so, just pull out your lint screen and give it a scrub with soap & water and a small, soft brush (like a nail brush).
There you go! Stand back and admire how great they look now! A quick wipe down once a week will keep them looking new - and remember to empty those lint filters after every load!
Yes, there's nothing better than a soft, fresh smelling sweater or sliding into cool, crisp sheets. You couldn't do it without your washer and dryer so take good care of them, and they'll take good care of you for years to come.
Helpful Hint: Hard water can cause clothes to become dingy after being washed many times. To brighten things up - ad a few pinches of regular table salt to the washer with the detergent. Simply let a little water fill into the washer, add the salt, then the clothes. Your colors will be so much brighter!
Next Week: Are you using the right detergent?


Heated seats are expensive and are considered a luxury feature in most regions. Hence, most often they are used in the luxury car segment of the passenger cars market. With the rapid development of road infrastructure, which encourages long distance traveling, there is an increased adoption of heated seats among the outreach segments such as the motorcycle, mid segment cars, and commercial vehicles. This widens the heated seats market. The high adoption of LCVs in North America and China is also fueling the heated seats market and it will remain a dominant category during the forecast period.
Technavio's analysts forecast the global automotive heated seats market to grow at a CAGR of 6.25% during the period 2016-2020.
The report covers the present scenario and the growth prospects of the global automotive heated seats market for 2016-2020. To calculate the market size, the report considers the unit shipment of heated seats in vehicles across all regions.
Technavio's report, Global Automotive Heated Seats Market 2016-2020, has been prepared based on an in-depth market analysis with inputs from industry experts. The report covers the market landscape and its growth prospects over the coming years. The report also includes a discussion of the key vendors operating in this market.
• Rostra Precision Controls Inc.
Gentherm, Continental, II-VI Incorporated, Rostra Precision Controls, Seat Comfort Systems, Altimate Automotive, Automotive Concepts, Heated Seat Kits, I.G. Bauerhin, Kongsberg Automotive, Motormods, Sargent Cycle Products.


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AfraRaymond	in Corruption, Politics and Public Affairs, Property Matters, Public Procurement Reform	 March 19, 2015 December 23, 2015 1,310 Words
Las Alturas buildings cracked. Courtesy T&T Guardian.
This article is about the Las Alturas Enquiry into the collapse of two new Morvant apartment buildings erected by China Jiangsu International Corporation (CJIC) for the Housing Development Corporation (HDC). This Enquiry seems a politically-motivated one into a serious failure of professional practice which could have cost human lives. It is only in its opening stages, but it is already clear to me that this episode is one which contains serious lessons for our country in terms of the role of Enquiries; the role of the Chinese contractors; the culture of non-enforcement which we practice and of course, the impact of targets and political objectives on proper process. In the case of Las Alturas this is a large-scale multiple-housing project constructed on a former quarry-site on the Lady Young Road, just south of the lookout. Two apartment buildings which were completed in late 2010 were eventually declared uninhabitable due to severe cracking and the proposed demolition of those structures was announced at the end of May 2012. Each building comprised 24 three-bedroom/two-bathroom apartments, with the total cost of those buildings stated by HDC to be in the $29M range. The buildings were erected by CJIC on the design/build basis which usually places all responsibility for soil investigation, design and construction onto the contractor.
The role of Enquiries
The JCC offered to work with HDC in determining the causes of this serious failure and that offer was accepted, but our joint exercise did not last very long. The Commission of Enquiry was announced in September 2014 by the Prime Minister and despite the serious nature of the failure at this project, it seemed to suggest an attempt to discredit the Leader of the Opposition, Dr Keith Rowley, who was Minister of Housing between 2003-2007. I still feel that it was a poor choice of issue to investigate, given the burning questions at Invader's Bay, the Beetham Water Recycling Project, UWI Debe and EFCL, to name just a few. The Terms of Reference of the Enquiry were published in the Gazette of 3 December 2014 and a five-month period was stipulated for its Report to be made to the President.The Enquiry, which is chaired by retired Justice of Appeal Mustapha Ibrahim, is to examine the causes of the structural failure of two blocks of apartments built in 2008-2010 for the HDC by CJIC. The other two Commissioners are eminent Structural Engineers, Dr. Myron Chin and Anthony Farrell. We have also seen reports of the contractor, CJIC, declining to appear at the Enquiry. I consider that refusal to be deplorable and a real sign that serious penalties need to be attached to that course of action. As it is, the fines for non-attendance are nominal, so people can refuse on a whim, since there are few prosecutions for that.
The role of the Chinese contractors
The really stunning revelation here is that the State was aware, since 2011, that these two buildings at Las Alturas had to be demolished. Despite this, CJIC was able, from early 2012 onwards, to compete for and secure the $500M+ contract for UWI's Debe campus. The JCC protested at the poor process used in procuring that large-scale project. UWI Principal Professor Clement Sankat was advised that in view of the poor performance by CJIC in local State projects – including UTT Tamana, ETeck Wallerfield and various EFCL – no proper evaluation could proceed to recommend that further contracts be granted to that firm. Given that the normal pre-qualification process requires prospective bidders to identify claims, litigations or disputed matters, one can only wonder how CJIC was able to prevail in that project.
Culture of non-enforcement
One of the seldom-discussed findings of the Uff Enquiry was as to the lack of any culture of enforcement of contracts in the State construction sector, as set out in the sidebar. So, I was both thrilled and intrigued by the headline in this newspaper on Friday 6 March 2015 'HDC to sue Chinese contractor'. The role and reputation of Chinese contractors in the local market have long been a bone of contention for the JCC. That statement was made in opening remarks by Vincent Nelson QC, who is the lead Counsel for HDC at this Enquiry –
"…The Housing Development Corporation (HDC) is moving to pursue legal action against China Jiangsu International Corporation (CJIC), the company contracted to construct the two towers at Las Alturas, Morvant, which subsequently had to be demolished because of structural damage resulting from land slippage. Attorney for the HDC, Vincent Nelson, was adamant about this as he delivered his opening statement at the Commission of Enquiry into the housing project yesterday at the Caribbean Court of Justice in Port of Spain…"
The culture of non-enforcement, considered with the chiefs at HDC (who transferred there after abruptly departing Caribbean Airlines), together with the special influence seemingly enjoyed by the Chinese contractors, all make me very sceptical as to whether a real and forceful lawsuit will ever emerge against CJIC.
The role of targets
Finally, one needs to consider the detrimental role of politically-motivated overambitious targets. The 2002 National Housing Policy set an unforgettable target of 100,000 new homes to be built in 10 years, which translates to an annual average of 10,000, which means a literally impossible 200 homes per week. Those are the facts behind the bizarre 'numbers game' which in turn likely had a decisive influence on the decision-makers at UDECOTT, HDC and of course the Housing Ministry. It would be useful, in this season of 100 houses a week and a billion dollars in land each year being promised, to reconsider the role of over-ambitious targets in distorting proper process.
SIDEBAR: The Outline Timeline
This is only an outline, but it is instructive –
December 2002 – UDECOTT acquires the Las Alturas site.
2003 – Initial layout prepared for a total of 120 apartments, which was revised later that year to 292 units given the Town & Country Planning Division's advice on the allowable number of units.
December 2003 – CJIC wins tender to design & build 297 apartments.
November 2004 – Start on Site.
2005/2006 – Soil problems identified on part of the site.
July 2005 – UDECOTT rejects project redesigns for lower units numbers of 142 and 167 apartments. Those redesigns were intended to avoid the unsuitable soils.
July 2006 – the project is transferred from UDECOTT to HDC.
2008-2010 – Blocks H & I are built onto the areas reported to be unsuitable.
2011 – Blocks H & I are recommended to be demolished due to severe cracking.
We have also seen reports that both UDECOTT and the HDC were resistant to any reduction in unit numbers on the site.
SIDEBAR: Uff's understanding
The 2010 Uff Report into the Public Sector Construction Industry contains remarkable findings which were not listed amongst the 91 formal recommendations. At page 269 –
"Holding to account 29.21. …A recurrent feature of practice in the construction industry in Trinidad & Tobago is the extent to which rights and obligations prescribed by the Contract are or are not enforced. A simple example, discussed above, is the apparently mutual ignoring of contract provisions…"
At page 271 –
"…29.26. Underlying all the foregoing, however, is the question of enforcement of contractual rights and duties. What has been observed by the Commissioners is a culture of non-enforcement of rights, which appears to operate mutually, for example, by contractors not pressing for payment of outstanding sums while the employer does not enforce payment of liquidated damages. Whatever the explanation, the non-enforcement of contractual rights available to Government is a serious dereliction of duty on the part of those charged with protecting public funds. Equally, the non-pursuit of sums properly owed to commercial companies is a dereliction on the part of the directors of that company…"
The key point disclosed here is that contractual rights are seldom enforced in State contracts. A move to such a regular practice would require a major shift in our country's governance culture.
Calder hart
China Jiangsu International Corporation
las alturas
Professor Clement Sankat
state enterprises
state housing policy
UDECOTT
UDI Debe
Integrity Reflections – the background
Our Land
3 thoughts on "Riding the Dragon"
Reblogged this on Barbados Underground.
Pingback: Chinese contractors in the Caribbean can build it cheap… but then the walls collapse | Barbados Free Press
the1mrh says:
Reblogged this on the1mrh and commented:
How much has to be wasted and stolen before this comatose patient called T&T realizes they are being violated !


Open to all students, faculty, and staff, this hour-long workshop will demonstrate how to use the Social Explorer database to locate and visualize U.S. statistics, including demographic, economic, health, religion, and crime data. Time for exploring with librarian assistance will be provided.
Register now for U.S. Statistics: Using Social Explorer to Locate and Visualize Data Workshop!


Including Internal Multiples in Imaging Marine Data with Anisotropy - A joint migration inversion application.
Session: WS13: Surface and Internal Multiples - Lose them or Use them?
Research Note: Near-surface layer replacement for sparse data: is interpolation needed?


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POLITICO Europe, one of the most influential publication on European affairs, is partnering with Microsoft to transform the election tracking experience for its readers. The European Parliamentary elections spans thousands of candidates and hundreds of parties across the EU's 27 member nations. POLITICO Europe has built a new Elections hub with a stunning interactive data visualization powered by Microsoft Power BI.
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Looking for additional information on starting a food business in Michigan? Check out this page for additional details to help you get started.
Michigan's Cottage Food Law, PA 113 of 2010 exempts a "cottage food operation" from the licensing and inspection provisions of the Michigan Food Law. A cottage food operation still has to comply with the labeling, adulteration, and other provisions found in the Michigan Food Law, as well as other applicable state or federal laws, or local ordinances.
Under the Cottage Food Law, non-potentially hazardous foods that do not require time and/or temperature control for safety can be produced in a home kitchen (the kitchen of the person's primary domestic residence) for direct sale to customers at farmers markets, farm markets, roadside stands or other direct markets. The products can't be sold to retail stores; restaurants; over the Internet; by mail order; or to wholesalers, brokers or other food distributors who resell foods.
Operating a business under the Cottage Food Law is not for everyone. Some food products do not fit under the exemptions and some businesses aim to make more each year than the $25,000 cap outlined in the Cottage Food Law. However, the Cottage Food Law is a great opportunity for many who have been thinking about starting a food business, but have been reluctant to spend the money needed to establish or rent commercial kitchen space.
Selling directly to consumers under the Cottage Food Law provides an opportunity for new, small scale food processors to "test the waters" and see if operating a food business is the right fit for them. The law also enables farmers who sell produce at farmers markets and on-farm markets to expand their product lines to include things like baked goods and jams. Hopefully, this will be a stepping stone into a full-scale, licensed food processing business for many cottage food businesses in the future.
Michigan State University Extension offers an online Cottage Food Law Food Safety Training program to educate those wishing to prepare and sell foods under the Cottage Food Law. The training program, funded by a Food Safety Education Fund grant from the Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development, covers safe food production, packaging and labeling, storing and transportation. To complete the online training, visit Michigan Cottage Food Law Food Safety Online Training.
If you have a question or concern about the Michigan Cottage Food Law not covered in this information, please contact the Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development at MDA-Info@michigan.gov. Please supply your zip code with your question, so it can be directed to a food inspector in your area.
Cottage Foods are specific types of foods that you make in the unlicensed kitchen of your single family domestic residence within the State of Michigan. Not all food products can be sold as Cottage Foods. They must be non-potentially hazardous foods that do not require time and/or temperature controls for safety. You must also store your Cottage Food products at your home following safe, good handling guidelines outlined in the Michigan Food Law to prevent adulteration caused by insects, household chemicals, water damage, insanitary conditions, etc.
What is a 'single family domestic residence'?
This is the place where you live, whether you own the home or are renting. So, a house, an apartment, condominium or a rental home all could be a single family domestic residence. It does not include group or communal residential settings, such as group homes, sororities or fraternities.
Can I make products from my motor home kitchen, cottage or summer home, an outbuilding on my property (such as a shed or barn) under the Cottage Food Law?
The Cottage Food Law applies only to foods made in the kitchen of your primary residence. Second homes, vacation homes, or motor homes do not qualify if they are not your primary residence. Products must also be stored in your primary residence.
Can I make products in a rented kitchen and sell them under the Cottage Food Law?
No. The Cottage Food Law applies only to foods made in the kitchen of your primary residence. Even if the rented kitchen is a licensed facility, you would need a food establishment license to sell your products.
Is there a limit to how much I can sell as a Cottage Food producer?
Yes. You are limited in the amount of money you can make selling Cottage Foods.
The Cottage Food Law includes a limit to the amount of money you can make selling cottage foods. The limit is currently gross sales to $25,000 per year. You need to maintain sales records and provide them to a Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development (MDARD) food inspector, upon request (MDARD has regulatory responsibility for the Cottage Food Law).
What types of Cottage Foods can I produce in my home?
Select non-potentially hazardous foods that do not require time and/or temperature control for safety (i.e., can be safely kept at room temperature and do not require refrigeration) as identified by MDARD (contact the department at 800-292-3939 with additional questions). Some examples include: fruit jams/jellies, breads and similar baked goods, cookies and cakes, vinegars and other non-potentially hazardous foods. This does not include canned, acidified, Acid, Low Acid or pickled foods. Click here for a larger list of Cottage Foods.
What are Potentially Hazardous Foods/Temperature Controlled for Safety Foods?
Please refer to the 2009 Michigan Modified Food Code for pH and water activity tables.
Will I need to meet local zoning or other laws?
Yes. The Cottage Food exemption only exempts you from the requirements of licensing and routine inspection by the Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development. Contact your local unit of government to determine if there are local regulations that will affect your business. Cottage Food businesses also need to comply with the labeling, adulteration, and other provisions found in the Michigan Food Law.
Where can I get a copy of the Michigan Food Law?
Does my equipment, stove and/or refrigerator need to be NSF (a food equipment evaluation group) approved?
No. As a Cottage Food operator, you are not required to meet NSF standards for your equipment used to manufacture Cottage Food products.
Do I need to have a DBA for the Cottage Food law?
A DBA (Doing Business As) may be a requirement of your county or local municipality. Contact your county government office to determine if a DBA is appropriate for you. If you are considering registering as an LLC, that transaction is handled by the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA). You may want to consult with a business advisor on the specific steps.
Do I need to complete an application or any other paperwork with MDARD when I start my Cottage Food business?
No. If you qualify to operate under the Cottage Food law, you are exempt from obtaining a food establishment license under the Food Code. There are no application forms to complete, no registration process, and you do not need to obtain a food license or permit from MDARD.
Do I need to collect and report sales tax for my Cottage Food business?
Possibly. Cottage Food businesses, although exempt from food licensing requirements, must meet all other provisions of law regarding businesses, including tax law. MDARD recommends that you contact the Michigan Department of Treasury for further information on what food products are considered taxable. Any other taxes depend on how your business is organized. Questions about your options would best be handled by a tax accounting expert, such as a Certified Public Accountant. In general, sales tax is not charged on prepackaged foods that are not for immediate consumption.
The farmers market where I want to sell my products says I need a food license, even though I am a Cottage Food business. Can the market require a license?
Yes. Even though you meet the requirements of a Cottage Food Business, some farmers markets or other direct marketing venues may require vendors to have a food establishment license or to meet other requirements.
Are there any special requirements regarding my home on-site well?
A list of water testing laboratories and information about water well construction is available online. Local health departments can provide consultation on drinking water quality and well construction.
Are there any concerns related to my home on-site wastewater (septic) system?
Operating a home-based food business can put your septic system at risk of early failure. You should have your septic system evaluated by your local health department prior to starting operations. The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) provides the following guidelines on water testing.
Depending on the nature and volume of the food products which will be manufactured for sale, there can be adverse effects to the existing system serving the home. For instance, adding significant bakery wastewater can not only increase the total volume discharged but may also result in the increase in the organic strength of the wastewater discharged to the drain field, leading to the possibility of accelerated system failure. The adequacy of the home system to handle additional wastewater loading should be evaluated by the local health department prior to initiating manufacturing. The health department can advise you if modifications to the existing system may be necessary.
Why are some products not allowed to be made and sold under the Cottage Food Law?
The Cottage Food Law allows food entrepreneurs to operate small food businesses and produce a variety of food products that are low risk from a food safety standpoint, if prepared properly in an unlicensed and uninspected kitchen, while protecting public health to the greatest extent possible. The allowable products list is based on the food safety risk level associated with certain types of food. People who operate a licensed and inspected food processing business have to meet certain requirements for training, food safety, and handling. Since Cottage Food businesses are unlicensed and uninspected, it is necessary to limit food products allowed under the law to those that are considered low risk, or non-potentially hazardous.
Are jams and jellies made from vegetables (e.g., hot pepper jelly), allowed to be made and sold as Cottage Foods?
No. Vegetable jellies, such as hot pepper jelly, are not allowed due to increased risk of botulism.
Can I make and sell gluten-free baked goods as cottage foods?
Although there is nothing specific under the Cottage Food amendment to the Michigan Food Law to prohibit you from labeling and selling baked goods as gluten-free, there is a relatively new federal rule that would increase your liability if someone who has Celiac disease gets sick from your product, and puts the burden on you to prove your product meets the standards outlined in the federal rule, including labeling and sanitation requirements. Because this is a human health concern, many licensed food processors use entirely separate facilities to process their gluten-free products, to reduce their liability and assure the products are gluten-free. Your kitchen would need to be proven to be free of gluten prior to and after each use.
In August 2014, a new U.S. Food and Drug Administration rule took effect regarding uniform standards for labeling foods as gluten-free. Here is a link to the Federal Rule.
Please read and consider the information in this guidance document before deciding whether or not to produce, label and sell gluten-free baked goods.
Are pet treats included under the Cottage Food Law?
No. The Cottage Food Law applies to human grade food only. For more information about pet treat licensing, please visit www.michigan.gov/mda-feed.
Can I produce and sell pickled or acidified foods?
No. Pickled and acidified foods pose a risk of botulism if pH and other critical factors are not carefully controlled during processing as shown in the reference to 21 CFR part 114 below.
"Acidified foods" are low-acid foods to which acid(s) or acid food(s) are added; they have a water activity greater than 0.85 and have a finished equilibrium pH of 4.6 or below (21 CFR 114.3(b)). The definition of acidified foods provides that carbonated beverages and foods that are stored, distributed, and retailed under refrigeration are excluded from the coverage of 21 CFR part 114 (21 CFR 114.3(b)).
In the final rule establishing 21 CFR part 114 (44 FR 16230 at 16232), we specifically excluded jams, jellies and preserves from the general definition of acidified foods because experience and review of the evidence show that bacteria of public health significance cannot and do not grow in these foods. Thus, under 21 CFR 114.3(b), jams, jellies, and preserves are excluded from the coverage of 21 CFR part 114. We consider jams, jellies, and preserves that meet an applicable standard of identity under 21 CFR part 150 to be excluded from the coverage of 21 CFR part 114. We determine whether nonstandardized jellies (including non-fruit jellies), nonstandardized jams, and nonstandardized preserves are covered by 21 CFR part 114 based on the pH of the fruit, the pH of the final product, and the water activity level of the final product.
A food containing both acid food(s) and low-acid food(s) may or may not be covered by 21 CFR part 114 as an acidified food. Under 21 CFR 114.3(b), acid foods that contain small amounts of low-acid food(s) and have a resultant finished equilibrium pH that does not significantly differ from that of the predominant acid or acid food are excluded from the coverage of part 114 (21 CFR 114.3(b)). The regulation in 21 CFR 114.3(b) establishes two criteria that must be satisfied to qualify for this exclusion: (1) the amount of low-acid food(s) in the product must be a "small amount," and (2) the finished equilibrium pH must not differ significantly from that of the predominant acid or acid food. See Section III.H of this guidance for recommendations on how to determine whether a food containing both acid food(s) and low-acid food(s) is covered under 21 CFR part 114.
We recommend that you consider any finished food product containing an acidified food as an ingredient to be an acidified food covered by 21 CFR part 114. As discussed above (see section II.A of this document), an acidified food (including an acidified food used as an ingredient) can pose a risk of botulism if pH and other critical factors are not carefully controlled during processing to prevent the germination and growth of viable spores of C. botulinum.
Cold-pack pickles that are subjected to the action of acid-producing microorganisms but require the addition of acid or an acid food to achieve a pH of 4.6 or below.
Can I produce and sell cooked vegetable products, like salsas, tomato sauces, spaghetti sauces, or focaccia bread with roasted vegetables?
No. Food products made with cooked vegetable products do not qualify under the Cottage Food Law. Manufacturers of cooked vegetable products like salsas and tomato sauces, must meet significant federal and state training and licensing requirements. Cooked vegetables, whether fresh or canned, usually are made from a combination of low acid and acidified foods, and are considered a Potentially Hazardous Food/Temperature Controlled for Safety (PHF/TCS) food. Under the Michigan Food Code, cooked vegetables must be held either hot (above 135°F) or cold (below 41°F). They can't be stored at room temperature, which makes them ineligible for production in an unlicensed kitchen under the Cottage Food Law.
Can I produce and sell fermented foods, such as kombucha tea?
No. Under the Michigan Food Law, you must be licensed to sell fermented foods and beverages, the production of which is considered a specialized process.
Can I produce and sell wild or cultivated mushrooms?
Wild and cultivated mushrooms do not qualify as Cottage Food, but cultivated mushrooms can be sold as a raw agricultural commodity without a license. Additional requirements for selling wild foraged mushrooms can be found here.
Can I roast coffee beans in my home kitchen and sell them under the Cottage Food Law?
Yes. You can roast and sell whole bean coffee or ground coffee, as long as you meet all of the provisions of the Cottage Food amendments (labeling, storage, etc.); however, since beverages are not allowed under the Cottage Food amendments to the Michigan Food Law, you may not sell ready-made coffee.
Can I bake bread in a wood fired oven under the Cottage Food Law?
Yes, as long as that oven is in your home kitchen.
Can I make and sell apple butter, pumpkin butter, or other fruit butters?
No. Fruit butters have significantly less sugar than a traditional jam or jelly. It is the combination of acid, sugar, pectin, and heat that assures the safety of jams/jellies. In fruit butters, the combination of sugar and pectin is not large enough to assure that the butter is safe. Additionally, with lower sugar and pectin levels, spoilage organisms are more likely to survive the cooking process, which would allow for a micro-environment to develop and allow for the growth of Clostridium botulinum.
Can I press and sell cider under the Cottage Food Law?
No. Cider is a beverage and therefore not allowed to be produced under the Cottage Food Law.
Are honey and maple syrup covered under the Cottage Food Law?
No. Honey and maple syrup are not considered cottage foods, because the regulatory requirements and exemptions have some significant differences. They do, however, have their own set of licensing exemptions under the law. Please see the Michigan Maple Syrup and Honey Licensing Exemptions for more information.
Can I produce and sell dehydrated vegetables or vegetable "chips" fruits or herbs under the Cottage Food Law?
Yes. The dehydrated vegetables, fruits or herbs must be shelf stable and must be packaged and labeled for sale according to the Cottage Food Law requirements.
Can I make and sell prepackaged dip mixes, using purchased dried spices, or dried soup mixes, under the Cottage Food Law?
Yes. Dried dip mixes, dried soup mixes and spice blends can be made and sold under the Cottage Food amendments. However, you cannot mix the dried soup or dip mixes with water or sour cream or another Potentially Hazardous Food/Temperature Controlled for Safety (PHF/TCS) food and sell the mixture or serve samples. All products must be labeled correctly and completely, and the label must include any allergens the product may contain.
Can I make and sell dehydrated meats under the Cottage Food Law?
No. Meats are a Potentially Hazardous Food/Temperature Controlled for Safety (PHF/TCS) food and are not allowed under the Cottage Food Law exemptions.
I lease space in a retail building where I operate a small antique shop. As a Cottage Food baker, can I sell my own baked goods from my shop under the current Cottage Food Law?
Yes, as long as they are labeled correctly and completely, and the label includes any allergens the product may contain. However, you cannot sell other people's cottage food products (e.g., consignment) or have other people, including your employees, sell your products (e.g., wholesalers).
Can I make and sell hard candies or lollipops under the Cottage Food Law?
Yes. Hard candies, lollipops, and peppermint candies are allowed under the Cottage Food Law, as long as they are labeled correctly and completely, the label includes any allergens the product may contain, and all other provisions of the law are met.
Can I make and sell candies that contain alcohol, like truffles or liqueur flavored, cream-filled chocolates, under the Cottage Food Law?
No. Under the Food Law, confections that contain alcohol are considered "adulterated" and cannot be sold in Michigan. You can make and sell confections that use flavoring, flavoring extract (e.g., rum flavoring or lemon flavoring), but not actual alcoholic beverages (e.g., rum extract, rum, sparkling wine/Champagne, Grand Marnier, Chambord, etc.). See Michigan Food Law - 289.1105 for more information.
Can homegrown produce be canned and used for making baked goods, like sweet breads, at a later date?
No, but you can use commercially canned products for baked goods, such as canned pumpkin, cherry pie filling, etc. Home-canned products are not approved for production under the Cottage Food Law, with the exception of fruit-based jams and jellies defined as standard in 21 CFR part 150.
Can I freeze homegrown produce and use it for making baked goods, like sweet breads, at a later date?
Yes, as long as the frozen fruits or vegetables are incorporated into the batter and properly baked, labeled, and packaged. The baked goods may not be decorated or garnished with fresh or frozen fruits or vegetables.
Can I make and sell dry bread or 'instant' bread mixes under the Cottage Food Law?
Yes. Dry bread mixes are an acceptable product to produce and sell under the Cottage Food Law, as long as you meet all requirements of the law.
Does my chocolate fountain business qualify as a Cottage Food business? I deliver and set up the fountain, and provide chocolate dipping sauce and items to dip (cut up fruit, pretzels, etc.) that I have prepared in my home kitchen.
The type of business you have described is a catering service or food service business and is not eligible to operate under the Cottage Food Law. Cottage Food products must be prepackaged and properly labeled prior to sale.
Can I make peanut butter, almond butter, or other nut butters in my home kitchen and sell them as a Cottage Food business?
Peanut butter made from ground peanuts or other similar nut butters are allowable under the Cottage Food Law.
Do I have to put a label on my Cottage Foods?
Yes, you are required to individually label your Cottage Foods prior to sale.
Name and physical address of the Cottage Food operation (You must use the physical address of your home kitchen; Post Office Box addresses are not adequate).
Name of the Cottage Food product (All capital letters or upper/lower case are both acceptable).
The ingredients of the Cottage Food product, in descending order of predominance by weight. If you use a prepared item in your recipe, you must list the sub ingredients as well. For example: soy sauce is not acceptable, soy sauce (wheat, soybeans, salt) would be acceptable, please see the label below for further examples.
The net weight or net volume of the Cottage Food product (must also include the metric equivalent - conversion charts are available online).
Allergen labeling as specified in federal labeling requirements.
The following statement: "Made in a home kitchen that has not been inspected by the Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development" in at least the equivalent of 11-point font (about 1/8" tall) and in a color that provides a clear contrast to the background (All capital letters or upper/lower case are both acceptable).
Hand-printed labels are acceptable if they are clearly legible, written with durable, permanent ink, and printed large enough to equal the font size requirements listed above.
What does allergen labeling, as specified in federal labeling requirements, mean?
It means you must identify if any of your ingredients are made from one of the following food groups: milk, eggs, wheat, peanuts, soybeans, fish (including shellfish, crab, lobster, or shrimp), and tree nuts (such as almonds, pecans, or walnuts).
Include the allergen in the ingredient list. For example, a white bread with the following ingredient listing: whole wheat flour, water, salt, and yeast. In this example, the statement 'whole wheat flour', meets the requirements of federal law.
Include an allergen statement ("Contains:") after the ingredient list. For example, a white bread, with the following ingredients: whole wheat flour, water, sodium caseinate, salt, and yeast. Contains wheat and milk.
The "Contains" statement must reflect all the allergens found in the product. In this example, the sodium caseinate comes from milk.
Are there any special requirements for tree nuts labeling for allergens?
Yes, if your Cottage Food has tree nuts as an ingredient you must identify which tree nut you are using.
Ingredients: wheat flour, water, almonds, salt, yeast.
Ingredients: flour, water, nuts, salt, yeast.
I am concerned that some of my product ingredients that are not allergens are "trade secrets" and listing all my ingredients would lead to unfair competition. Do I have to list all of my ingredients or can I protect my trade secrets?
You are required to list all of your ingredients. Refer to your area inspector on ingredient labeling guidelines.
Am I required to send my products to a laboratory to obtain an official ingredient list, or is it something I can put together on my own?
You are not required to have your product analyzed by a laboratory to obtain an official ingredient list. You must, however, list all ingredients, in descending order of predominance by weight. If you use a prepared item in your recipe, you must list sub-ingredients as well. For example, if you use soy sauce as an ingredient, listing soy sauce is not acceptable; soy sauce (wheat, soybeans, salt) is acceptable. Allergen labeling, as specified in federal labeling requirements, must also be included.
Do I have to include my home address on my product labeling or is a post office box sufficient?
You must use the physical address of your home kitchen on your product label, not a post office box. The purpose of including an address on product labels is to be able to locate the business in case of a recall or traceback associated with a foodborne illness complaint or outbreak. The Cottage Food Law specifies that the name and address of the business of the Cottage Food Operation must be included on the label.
I make and sell wedding cakes under the Cottage Food Law. How can I meet the labeling requirements, when I can't stick a label on the cake?
For wedding cakes, birthday cakes, and other specialty cakes that are not easily packaged, you must include all labeling requirements on the invoice and deliver the invoice with the cake. Smaller cakes must be boxed and the label must be included on the box.
Can I offer returnable glassware or serving dishes with my wedding cakes, birthday cakes, or other specialty cakes?
Yes. You are required to follow the same cleaning procedures as with all of your food use equipment.
How do I sell my Cottage Foods?
Cottage foods may only be sold by the producer directly to the consumer at farmers' markets, farm stands, roadside stands, and similar venues. You cannot sell your Cottage Foods to a retailer for them to resell or to a restaurant for use or sale in the restaurant. You cannot sell your Cottage Foods over the Internet, by mail order, or to wholesalers, brokers, or other food distributors who will resell the Cottage Foods. Additionally, the law requires that the sales transaction and delivery of product be face to face in order to assure that the consumer can discuss any questions or concerns that they may have with the Cottage Food operator about the food that they are purchasing. You may take orders over the phone or Internet, as long as the sales transaction and delivery of the product is face to face. You may NOT receive payment over the Internet. Shipping of your products or having someone else deliver your products is also NOT allowed.
Why can't I sell my Cottage Foods to my favorite restaurant or grocery store?
The Cottage Food Law does not allow this. Because your home kitchen is unlicensed and not inspected, the safe food handling practices are not evaluated by any food safety official. Since the safe food handling practices are not being evaluated, the food is not considered an approved source for use in a restaurant or grocery store. Also, it is not possible for the final consumer to discuss your food safety practices with you, since you are not selling or serving the product to the consumer.
What oversight does the Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development (MDARD) have over my Cottage Food operation?
Cottage Food operations are considered to be food establishments, but will not have to meet the licensing and inspection requirements outlined in the Michigan Food Law. Food offered to the public in Michigan must be safe and unadulterated, regardless of where it is produced. As a Cottage Food Operator, it is your responsibility to assure the food you make is safe. In the event a complaint is filed or a foodborne illness is linked to your food, MDARD will investigate your operation as part of our responsibility under the Michigan Food Law. As part of that investigation, it may be necessary for MDARD to enter and inspect your Cottage Food production and storage areas, view and copy records, and take photos during the course of a complaint investigation. MDARD also has the right to: seize product suspected of being adulterated; order corrections of label violations; and require you to discontinue making unapproved products.
Are there any other limits I need to know about Cottage Foods?
Yes. You are limited in the amount of money you can make selling Cottage Foods, which is $25,000 in gross sales annually per household. You need to maintain sales records and provide them to a Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development (MDARD) food inspector, upon request (MDARD has regulatory responsibility for the Cottage Food Law). You must also meet all other requirements of the law, including labeling and packaging.
Where can I store ingredients and finished products for my Cottage Food business?
Ingredients and finished Cottage Food products shall be stored in your single family domestic residence where the Cottage Food products are made. This includes your kitchen, a spare room or a basement that is free of dampness/water, pests, or other insanitary conditions. You may not use a garage, shed, barn, or other outbuilding as a storage facility for your Cottage Food business.
Can nonprofit organizations produce and sell Cottage Foods?
No. Nonprofits do not have a single family domestic residence, and therefore do not qualify as a Cottage Food business.
Can I donate my Cottage Food products to a public auction or other give-away venue (e.g., for silent auction baskets, such as a fundraiser or to a soup kitchen)?
No. You would be allowed to personally give away your product from your sales booth, but you cannot donate it for someone else to give it away or use it as an item in a fundraiser auction.
Can I sell my Michigan Cottage Food product in another state?
You will need to check with the other state to determine its regulatory requirements.
Can producers from other states sell products in Michigan under the Cottage Food Law?
No. The Cottage Food Law applies only to businesses where the home kitchen (primary domestic residence) is physically located in Michigan.
Are bake sales or potlucks covered under the Cottage Food Law?
No. Bake sales are not covered under the Cottage Food Law, because they typically involve foods prepared in home kitchens from several sources and sold by people other than those who baked them. However, bake sales or potlucks run by charitable, religious, fraternal, or other non-profit organizations and serving only home-prepared foods are exempted from licensing under Michigan's Food Law. This exempts an eligible organization from licensing requirements only. All food sales are subject to all other regulatory requirements. MDARD will investigate any complaint allegations it receives that may be generated by the sale (e.g., foodborne illness, allergic reactions, etc.). As a good practice, those who host bake sales and potlucks should remind food preparers of basic safe food handling practices and ask their bakers to provide ingredient labels and include the name of the food preparer on each item.
Can I sell my Cottage Foods over the Internet?
No. While you can advertise your product on the Internet, you cannot take orders over the Internet, and then ship directly to consumers. Sales and product delivery must be directly from the producer to the consumer, in a person-to-person transaction, and not delivered by mail.
Can I sell my Cottage Foods to a wholesaler, broker, or distributor?
No. Under the Cottage Food Law, it is not legal for a producer to sell to a wholesaler, broker, or distributor who would then resell the product.
Can I advertise my Cottage Food products on my website?
Yes. You can use your website to advertise your products or market your business, but cannot sell products via your website.
Can I take orders for my Cottage Food products over the phone?
Yes. You can take orders for your Cottage Food products over the phone; however, the actual money transactions and delivery of your products must be made face to face, in a person-to-person transaction.
Can I advertise my Cottage Food business in the newspaper or at trade shows?
Yes. Advertising is allowed; however, the actual sale must be made person-to-person between the producer and the consumer.
Is it possible to place my Cottage Food products in a store or restaurant on consignment?
No. Cottage Food products cannot be sold on consignment. The sale must be person-to-person, from the producer to the actual consumer. Another person cannot sell your products for you.
Can I serve free samples of my Cottage Food Products?
Yes. As long as your product meets the requirements of the Cottage Food Law and is a non-potentially hazardous food, sampling is allowed. Your product cannot be cooked or prepared in a way that makes it a potentially hazardous food/temperature control for safety food (for example: you can't add sour cream to a dried dip mix or serve anything that can't be kept safely at room temperature - these examples would require a food license). You must also follow the same food safety handling and preparation requirements of licensed vendors who sell at farmers markets, as outlined in the "Guidelines for Providing Safe Food Samples at Farmers Markets".
If I do not qualify under the Michigan Cottage Food Law and want to become a licensed food processor, how do I go about getting a license?
If you are interested in becoming a licensed food processor, you may find the resources below helpful.
Information on Michigan's food regulations, including the Cottage Food amendments.
Information on federal food regulations.
List of local township governments for information on zoning and other local regulations.
List of county governments for information on zoning and other local regulations.
Information on forming a Limited License Corporation (LLC).
Business and sales tax information.
The rules under Michigan's Food Law were developed to protect the health and safety of Michigan citizens and to reduce the risk of foodborne illness. Foods allowed for sale under the Cottage Food Law are allowed based on their relatively low risk for foodborne illness. Cottage food producers can help reduce the risk of foodborne illness even further by following safe food handling and storage practices and maintaining good hygiene in their home kitchens. Proper labeling is also important, especially for people who may be allergic to certain ingredients.
The following lists show examples of foods that meet the requirements for Cottage Foods and those that do not.
What Food Products Meet the Requirements for Cottage Foods?
Non-potentially hazardous dry bulk mixes sold wholesale can be repackaged into a Cottage Food product. Similar items already packaged and labeled for retail sale cannot be repackaged and/or relabeled.
What Food Products Are NOT ALLOWED to Be Produced in My Home?
If you have questions about a specific product not listed here or in the "Cottage Foods: Frequently Asked Questions, Section 2 - Product/Production Related Questions", please contact the Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development at 800-292-3939 or MDA-Info@michigan.gov. Please include your zip code and a telephone number with your request for information.
Name and physical address of the Cottage Food operation. (You must use the physical address of your home kitchen; Post Office Box addresses are not adequate).
Under the Michigan Food Law, honey or maple syrup retail outlets and processing facilities operated by the producer are exempt from licensure, if gross sales are $15,001 or less.
Honey and maple syrup producers who meet licensing exemptions must follow the same labeling requirements for their honey and maple syrup as those outlined for cottage food products (Note: because honey and maple syrup typically cannot be processed in a home kitchen, the labeling requirement should read, "Processed in a facility not inspected by the Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development").
Honey and maple syrup producers who meet the licensing exemptions still must meet all requirements of the Michigan Food Law, including sanitation, building construct and design, employee hygiene, etc.
Honey and maple syrup must be produced in a facility that meets basic processing requirements, as outlined in the Michigan Food Law.
Honey and maple syrup producers can wholesale their products, including to grocery stores and other retailers who will then resell them, as long as they are labeled correctly. Honey and maple syrup producers are not limited to direct sales as cottage food products are.
Although the Cottage Food Law is a great opportunity for food entrepreneurs in Michigan to "test the waters" as a food business, there are some limitations to what can and can't be done under the law.
Many food entrepreneurs have products or plans for their food businesses that require them to become a licensed food processor. For instance, if you decide you would like to wholesale your products, which is not allowed under the Cottage Food Law, you are ready to move to the next step and become a licensed food processor.
Others may reach the $25,000 threshold for gross annual sales allowed under the Cottage Food Law and need to become licensed to allow for continued growth and success.
If you are ready to become a licensed food processor, congratulations!
The Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development has resources and tools to help food entrepreneurs establish and grow their businesses in Michigan. Click here to get started on your way to becoming a licensed food processor.


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WW2 Role
The Today
The Fate Of Ship
From A Battleship To A Museum
Hard Hat Tours
The Battleship Texas Foundation
The Tampico Incident
Battleship Texas Sailors Honored At 100th Memorial Of Ship
"The Texas BB-35 is 104 years now."
The Texas BB-35 is 104 years now but the stories of how she aided the U.S. troops in two major wars are still fresh. However, the ship did not do it alone but the stories of the men who steered the ship to glory are sometimes not told with as much enthusiasm.
To mark the 100th anniversary of the great battleship, the Texas Park and Wildlife Department in association with the Battleship Texas Foundation hosted a ceremony to celebrate the event as well as honor the sailors who served aboard the vessel.
It would likely be the first time that the tale of the greatness of the Battleship Texas on the D-Day will be told alongside the crew.
Moments Of Emotions For The Old Sailors
"Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst"
Staring at the old ship which had new paint coat on its deck, the old warriors could not hide their emotions. For some of the veterans who served from one to five years on the ship, it was definitely a final reunion with the ship.
On this premise, the USS Texas Veterans Association chair, Johnita Smith admitted that it was a huge event.
The event also commemorated the 100th anniversary of the commissioning of the ship. It can be recalled that Battleship Texas was the most lethal war machine at that time, having 14-inch guns mounted on it as well as being the first launch aircraft and have anti-aircraft guns mounted on it.
Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst who was the keynote speaker of the event told the veterans that it was their courage in the World Wars that "made the greatest generation the greatest generation".
Presentation Of Awards
" Cathleen Sain Turick who held to her breast the picture of her father, Clyde Sain, a WWII veteran."
On the list of attendees of the epoch-making event were thirty-two ex-sailors that served aboard the Texas BB-35 during World War II.
The oldest of the sailors was said to be 101 years. The former sailors were decorated with "Patriot Medals" which was commissioned for the event by the Battleship Texas Foundation.
The total number of sailors that served on the Texas BB-35 is uncertain but it is believed that there were at least 1,800 men on board at any given time. Although only thirty-two veterans made it to the event, the executive director of the Texas Department of Parks and Wildlife, Carter Smith estimated that at least ninety survivors are still alive.
Some of the veterans who have passed away were represented by their family members. The family members carried their framed photographs along. Spotted was Cathleen Sain Turick who held to her breast the picture of her father, Clyde Sain, a WWII veteran. The ceremony started on a Saturday morning on the bow of the ship and continued the following day with a concert featuring fireworks and military flyovers.
The event also featured video addresses from former President George W. Bush and the commander of the United States Special Operations Command, Adm. William McRaven.
I am originally from New York, but my parents moved to Texas when I was young. Growing up in the state of Texas one of the things that have fascinated me was the Texas BB-35. I must confess that the first time I toured the great battleship with my dad I was immediately fascinated by the interior and the military installations.
USS Texas BB-35 Closed Because Of Leaks
Why Texas Battleship Will Never Make A Comeback
USS Texas BB35: The Best Way To Preserve An Invaluable Part Of History
USS Texas BB 35 Video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UcBHkm8A7b0
Copyright © 2018 by USS Texas BB 35 . All rights reserved.


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HighQualityGifs
The Princess Bride /r/all
Battle of Wits 2021(i.imgur.com)
46.3k points46.3k points46.3k points submitted 3 months ago by TheGhostofLizShue 3 7 2 2 2 56 9 47 24 41 3 3 & 197 more
lil_literalist 27 points28 points29 points 3 months ago
The Bechdel test is a way of determining whether a work of fiction represents people other than men as fully fleshed-out characters, or if they're just window dressing.
If people use it as a test for this, then it's certainly far from perfect. A commonly cited example of this is Gravity, which features a strong female lead, but fails because there just isn't a big cast list.
It's one indicator, but should be used alongside other standards as well.
MoCapBartender 8 points9 points10 points 3 months ago
The Bechdel Test was a joke by a comic strip artist to illustrate how absolutely subservient women are to male story lines (or whatever). It's meant to be a hilariously low bar that most movies and TV couldn't clear at the time.
I don't think I''ve seen it stated in this thread.... from memory: Are there two female characters with names that have at least one conversation about something that isn't a man?
Supercoolguy7 0 points1 point2 points 3 months ago
I think it's important to remember that the comic artist was a lesbian because I think that's also part of the joke, because heterosexual women are at least represented romantically in movies
Iridescent_Meatloaf 12 points13 points14 points 3 months ago
Baby Got Back passes the Bechdel test.
dinklezoidberd 2 points3 points4 points 3 months ago
So does lesbian porn
https://www.dumbingofage.com/2011/comic/book-1/04-the-bechdel-test/indicator/
benfranklinthedevil 1 point2 points3 points 3 months ago
Brilliant! Haha!
This can be used to invalidate the outcome of the test because, (this isn't my belief) "girls will only talk about other girls to talk shit about other girls" I'm sure it's been used misogynistically, oh Becky!
DarrenGrey 9 points10 points11 points 3 months ago
The point is not to use it to judge individual movies, but to look at movies systemically. If 80% of movies are failing this basic test that's a general problem with the industry, even if there are exceptions within that which aren't really problems.
SecretPorifera -1 points0 points1 point 3 months ago
Is it really?
HertzDonut1001 7 points8 points9 points 3 months ago
The movie Moon also fails the test lol, I still like it as a rule of thumb.
If anyone's never seen it it's literally about a guy alone on a moonbase and the only woman, or even other human, in it, is video recordings his wife sends him. Good flick.
Yeah, it definitely shouldn't be used as a standard of a good movie.
The Room passes the Bechdel test, but I don't think anyone would argue that it's unironically good. Or respectful to women.
rattacat 8 points9 points10 points 3 months ago
When a movie passes Bechdel in letter but not in theory:
"I got the results of the test back. I definitely have breast cancer."


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Arsene Wenger drops selection hint for Arsenal trip to BATE Borisov and gives Santi Cazorla update
The French boss addressed the media following a 2-0 victory over West Brom.
Gunners travel to Belarus on Thursday before hosting Brighton in the Premier League on Sunday.
By Eduardo Fernandez-Abascal
Updated September 26, 2017 15:50 BST
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger laments 'cruel' fixture pile-up	Hayters
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has admitted he will need to rest some players for the Europa League clash with BATE Borisov on Thursday night (28 September) due to the Gunners' "cruel" fixture schedule.
The French boss was speaking on Monday night (25 September) after his side beat West Bromwich Albion 2-0 thanks to two goals from Alexandre Lacazette.
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Wenger was delighted with the victory but the manager hit back at the schedule as Arsenal have to travel to Belarus on Thursday (28 September) before hosting Brighton in the Premier League on Sunday.
"I have a decision to make and at the moment I would say that the schedule for us is a bit cruel. We played tonight, we play in BATE Borisov on Thursday night and play Sunday at 12 o'clock here.
"When you look at the schedule over the weekend, I think there was some room for us to be scheduled differently, but we have to accept it and we want to go to Borisov with a good team. I will go with a team of senior players and certainly with a young bench," Wenger said following Arsenal's 2-0 win over West Brom.
"There is no need to talk to the Premier League about that because it's the television that decides, but, for example, yesterday Brighton v Newcastle could have been played on television, tonight or they could have played yesterday.
"So for us the time is very short, but television decides and I don't complain about that. But what I want to say about my team selection is that it has an impact for me for the Thursday and for the Sunday game, because we have another home game and it's very important we have a strong record at home."
Wenger had no fresh injury concerns from the victory over West Brom but the Arsenal boss provided an update on Santi Cazorla's long-term recovery.
The Spanish maestro is yet to play a game since the Champions League's 6-0 win over Ludogorets on 19 October 2016, having being forced to undergo several operations due to an Achilles injury. Cazorla has been running since earlier this month but the Arsenal manager reiterated that the midfielder won't be back anytime soon.
"It won't be before Christmas," Wenger said. "The first signs are positive, but still he has not played for one and a half years. He is not in full training yet, he needs a few games with the reserve team, so I think if all goes well, it will be after Christmas."
Wenger will take a weakened squad for their Europa League game Getty Images
Related topics : Arsenal FC Premier League