"Consumers are more concerned about the safety of food served in restaurants than food available from supermarkets, about a 15 percentage point difference. However, feelings about food safety in restaurants have remained relatively unchanged whereas the number of consumers who feel confident in the safety of foods in supermarkets is declining." (Harry Balzer, vice president of the NPD Group, which surveyed Americans on the issue of food safety. Just under 50 percent of those surveyed consider f
Dr. John CarloDr. John Carlo has better things to do this morning than talk to Unfair Park: As medical director of Dallas County Health and Human Services, Carlo has spent the last several days tracking the "three probable cases" of swine flu in Dallas County while also "gathering more information and being on the lookout for any other additional cases that may pop up," he tells Unfair Park. His office is acting as "communications central," getting out updates and further warnings as necessary,
"It's killing our markets. Where they got the name, I just don't know." (Iowa hog farmer Francis Gilmore on the effect of swine flu on the value of his product. Since the outbreak and spread of this virus, hog prices have dropped from a $62 per 100 pounds average to $59 per 100 pounds, on average. In a typical spring, prices climb toward $70, according to the USDA. Maybe they should change it to Brussels Sprout Flu. As quoted by the Associated Press.)
An out-of-state colleague wondered late yesterday, "Is it true that the state of Texas has canceled all sports events till May 11? Does that include Astros and Rangers?" Um ... no. Alas, such was his reading of a breathless, since-vanished New York Times story concerning the University Interscholastic League's decision to postpone all events till May 11 due to the swine flu. Another Friend of Unfair Park sent an e-mail pointing out the irony of the UIL's decision:Three weeks ago, the Texas Educa
"[Sales] may have been negatively impacted by media surrounding swine flu." (Chuck E. Cheese executive Michael Magusiak on the effect of the "pandemic" on the family friendly pizza chain's fortunes, The restaurants suffered a 20 percent drop in same-store sales during the first three days last week...although first-quarter earnings were strong overall, leading to an 11.9 increase in stock values on Wall Street. The company responded by increasing sanitation of games, rides and such. Anyway, it's
