Alice Cheong

In view of the FDA alert in USA on the outbreak of Salmonella Saintpaul, that was associated to the consumption of three varieties of tomatoes – the raw red plum tomatoes, the red Roma tomatoes and round red tomatoes, our Singapore AVA has reacted and issued instructions to importers, to stop importing and recall these affected varieties of tomatoes.

So, what is the best thing to do? Don’t take such US tomatoes that are lying in your home. Get rid of them to prevent any of your family member from eating them accidentally. Don’t purchase any of these three varieties of US tomatoes, that might be available, as the news might not have reached some shops owner.

Recall of three varieties of tomatoes from USA

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued an alert to inform consumers in the USA that an outbreak of Salmonella Saintpaul, has been linked to the consumption of raw red plum tomatoes, red Roma tomatoes and round red tomatoes.

As a precautionary measure, AVA has instructed importers to stop importing these three varieties of tomatoes from USA and initiated a recall of the tomatoes from the retailers with immediate effect.

AVA advises consumers who have purchased such US tomatoes not to consume them and to discard them.

Click here for more information.

Article obtained from AVA website on 13 Jun 2008

According to the Straits Times report, “Budget no more“, there is an attached pdf that does the comparison.

I extracted just the comparison on Perth. Is anything missing?

Looking at the comparison performed by ST, it seems that Tiger Airways is giving a bad deal. No promotion price is mentioned. So, I did a search on Tiger Airways website. The cheapest return fair that I found is $440.98 (Airfare: $89.98 Tax: $351). Even when we add the luggage charges of $40 for 30kg check-in and S$4 per passenger per sector for Convenience Fee, it adds up to $488.98 / person. Now, perhaps, I know the reason behind the ranking of Straits Times.

(Update: The price given by ST in the above image is for two to go, and is the total price for two. The Tiger Airways normal price is based on $159.99 per sector per person. It is not the cheapest fare available from Tiger Airways.)

Update: And Tiger Airways is running this promotion to Darwin, $169 one way, inclusive of tax. That means, $386 total ($169 * 2 return fare inclusive of tax + $40 30kg check-in luggage + $8 convenience fee). So, it really depends on (1) when one is traveling, (2) where one is traveling and (3) whether traveling alone or in 2.

Quoting About.com on Acquiring and Defending Patents: Part2 – Fighting Patent Infringement,

I believe it is best to hold patents in your own name rather then assigning them to your company. You should form a corporation whose purpose is to market the inventions. Have a contract that licenses the right to market the patents and any products created on a non-exclusive basis to your marketing corporation. This contract needs to specifically state that it is not transferable to new ownership of the corporation and that it is renewable at six month or one year intervals at the licenser’s sole discretion. The purpose of the contract is to create a situation where a judgment against your marketing corporation is worthless because the right to market the invention is not transferable. This approach reserves the right for you to license the patent to others if your first corporation comes under attack by an infringer or for any other situation such as product liability.

Update: Reading the above, I guess everyone can guess why there is a difference for the current patent matter that is blowing all over Singapore Internet. In addition, I think it will bring some clarification that since the IPOS mentioned that they are different, it just point to something else, rather than being S**M which everyone is thinking.

The recent raising food price have pushed more people in Singapore to search for free meals.

More people join the queue for free meals
April 13, 2008
By Jamie Ee Wen Wei & Aw Cheng Wei

Rising food prices have prompted more people to turn up at places serving free meals.

The organisers – religious and welfare groups – say they can cope with the demand for now, though some have noted a worrying drop in donations from sponsors.

A Sunday Times check with about 20 welfare and religious groups reveals that almost half have the same story to tell.

At the Singapore Buddhist Lodge in River Valley, about 1,800 people turn up daily for vegetarian breakfast, lunch and dinner…

Article extracted from Strait Times

Now, take a look at our rich USA. The richest nation on earth, is also facing the same problem. More people are lining up for free food too. They are also struggling to make ends meet. Looks like the world is heading towards big trouble.

Downturn forces more in US to rely on free food
June 6, 2008

MONROE (Georgia)/DOUGLAS (Arizona) – IN the richest nation on earth, a rising number of people line up for free food because they are struggling to put meals on the table at home.

Demand at food banks in the United States is up 15 per cent to 20 per cent over last year and many food banks are having difficulty coping, according to America’s Second Harvest, the largest United States food bank provider with 200 in its network.

Food bank networks procure nonperishable and fresh produce from suppliers, then stock it in warehouses before distributing it via a chain of community food banks across the country.

The total number of people who use them is not known but the upward trend is one sign of a US economic downturn in which soaring fuel costs and the rising price of other basic goods have pushed many people on low incomes or without jobs into hardship…

Article extracted from Straits Times

Sigh. Yes, I am sighing. With all the things getting on around me, I tend to sigh a lot more these days. Anyway, back to the topic. According to ST, Tiger Airways, yes, the one that flies out of Singapore budget terminal. Tiger has decided to implement a new baggage ruling since 29th May 2008. The default baggage allowance now stands at just 7kg hand luggage, with no check-in luggage allowance. Those who wants check-in luggage allowances will have to pay between $5 – $40 for (15 – 30kg allowance) if it is 72 hours before take-off, or $20 – $200 for (15 – 30kg allowance) if it is anytime within 72 hours to take-off. Did your eyes just popped out? Yes, it is $200 for 30kg luggage allowance.

Click here for Tiger’s website on excess luggage.