Is it still safe to Drink BUBBLE MILK TEA?

Of late, I have been reading tweets from my friends about this craze on the bubble milk tea. This guy above... drinks a lot of that tea... here's the proof on Twitter!

Anyways, I read this news article... and I thought I need to share this...

Authorities are now monitoring some food products from Taiwan that may contain a Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), an ingredient that may have potential harmful effects on health. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) cited reports that DEHP was illegally added to some food products in Taiwan to improve its emulsification. "FDA is currently monitoring high-risk products from Taiwan (sports drinks, fruit juices and soft drinks) to ensure that they are safe for customers," FDA head Suzette Lazo said in Advisory 2011-006. Lazo said DEHP is used widely as a plasticizer in making articles such as medical devices, intravenous bags and tubing, blood bags and infusion tubings and nasogastric tubes.

She said that while low doses of DEHP are "generally safe," high doses or prolonged exposure can have "harmful effects," and exposure should thus be limited. "Children are especially prone to the harmful effects of high doses of DEHP or to repeated exposure, which can lead to testicular defects, fertility problems and toxicity to kidneys," she said. Lazo also said Taiwan has informed the Department of Health that the implicated material may have been imported to the Philippines by a company. "Efforts to trace the local counterpart of this company are currently in progress," she said.

Product recall

Taiwan-based news site Taipei Times reported some 167 food ingredient suppliers face recalls because of toxic contamination in connection with DEHP. A Taipei Times report quoted Hsu Ming-neng, deputy director-general of the department’s Food and Drug Administration (FDA), as saying DEHP has been detected in the products of 47 local manufacturers of food and drinks that unknowingly used the tainted ingredient, all of which have to be recalled.

Hsu urged other manufacturers to send their products for tests to prove that they are free of the harmful chemical. Taiwan health officials confirmed on Monday that DEHP had been found in an emulsifier that is commonly used in fruit jelly, yogurt mix powder, juices and other drinks. According to the Taipei Times report, investigations showed the tainted emulsifier products were either produced by Yu Sheng Chemical Co. or came from intermediaries supplied by the company.

Hsu said the FDA should be able to track most of the contaminated items within the next couple of days, when the department will again write to the International Food Safety Authorities Network (INFOSAN) under the WHO to report the details. Hsu said he told INFOSAN officials of the incident while attending the World Health Assembly in Geneva earlier this week. The department later also wrote to INFOSAN via e-mail to provide further information, but the group has not yet responded, he said.

Food ingredient exporter Poss-mei Corp. said it has notified its clients in more than 20 countries to stop selling its concentrated juice products and await test results. Possmei said it will further inform its clients if the products are safe as soon as the results are available. Some juice products produced by Possmei were on the DEHP -contamination-related recall list announced by the New Taipei City’s Health Bureau on Wednesday, the report said. The company also supplies bubble milk tea ingredients. Among its most well-known overseas clients is Bubbleology tea house in London, which has also expressed concern over the DEHP contamination in Taiwan.

Possmei, however, said that the emulsifier is usually not added when making tapioca balls — a main ingredient of bubble milk tea — making contamination unlikely.

Source

Errr.... these are the other bloggers who also love their bubble milk tea. =)

Is it still safe to Drink BUBBLE MILK TEA?

Of late, I have been reading tweets from my friends about this craze on the bubble milk tea. This guy above... drinks a lot of that tea... here's the proof on Twitter!

Anyways, I read this news article... and I thought I need to share this...

Authorities are now monitoring some food products from Taiwan that may contain a Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), an ingredient that may have potential harmful effects on health. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) cited reports that DEHP was illegally added to some food products in Taiwan to improve its emulsification. "FDA is currently monitoring high-risk products from Taiwan (sports drinks, fruit juices and soft drinks) to ensure that they are safe for customers," FDA head Suzette Lazo said in Advisory 2011-006. Lazo said DEHP is used widely as a plasticizer in making articles such as medical devices, intravenous bags and tubing, blood bags and infusion tubings and nasogastric tubes.

She said that while low doses of DEHP are "generally safe," high doses or prolonged exposure can have "harmful effects," and exposure should thus be limited. "Children are especially prone to the harmful effects of high doses of DEHP or to repeated exposure, which can lead to testicular defects, fertility problems and toxicity to kidneys," she said. Lazo also said Taiwan has informed the Department of Health that the implicated material may have been imported to the Philippines by a company. "Efforts to trace the local counterpart of this company are currently in progress," she said.

Product recall

Taiwan-based news site Taipei Times reported some 167 food ingredient suppliers face recalls because of toxic contamination in connection with DEHP. A Taipei Times report quoted Hsu Ming-neng, deputy director-general of the department’s Food and Drug Administration (FDA), as saying DEHP has been detected in the products of 47 local manufacturers of food and drinks that unknowingly used the tainted ingredient, all of which have to be recalled.

Hsu urged other manufacturers to send their products for tests to prove that they are free of the harmful chemical. Taiwan health officials confirmed on Monday that DEHP had been found in an emulsifier that is commonly used in fruit jelly, yogurt mix powder, juices and other drinks. According to the Taipei Times report, investigations showed the tainted emulsifier products were either produced by Yu Sheng Chemical Co. or came from intermediaries supplied by the company.

Hsu said the FDA should be able to track most of the contaminated items within the next couple of days, when the department will again write to the International Food Safety Authorities Network (INFOSAN) under the WHO to report the details. Hsu said he told INFOSAN officials of the incident while attending the World Health Assembly in Geneva earlier this week. The department later also wrote to INFOSAN via e-mail to provide further information, but the group has not yet responded, he said.

Food ingredient exporter Poss-mei Corp. said it has notified its clients in more than 20 countries to stop selling its concentrated juice products and await test results. Possmei said it will further inform its clients if the products are safe as soon as the results are available. Some juice products produced by Possmei were on the DEHP -contamination-related recall list announced by the New Taipei City’s Health Bureau on Wednesday, the report said. The company also supplies bubble milk tea ingredients. Among its most well-known overseas clients is Bubbleology tea house in London, which has also expressed concern over the DEHP contamination in Taiwan.

Possmei, however, said that the emulsifier is usually not added when making tapioca balls — a main ingredient of bubble milk tea — making contamination unlikely.

Source

Errr.... these are the other bloggers who also love their bubble milk tea. =)

Basketball Wives Season 3 Premieres Tonight!

Errr.... Basketball Wives is a reality television series that premiered on the VH1 cable television network on April 11, 2010. Created by Shaunie O’Neal, the ex-wife of NBA center Shaquille O’Neal, the series follows the lives of a group of women who have all been somehow romantically linked to professional basketball players. The show is filmed in Miami, Florida.

....and the Basketball Wives returns tonight for a third season, and they say that it is with a big bang. We've seen how shocking the ending of the second season was with all those that were revealed. Now followers of this series are eager to see how the wives are after the tension and anger that became flames at the end of season 2.

Season 3 brings in the drama queen Shaunie O’Neal, who wants to avoid all the drama. Really? She wants to avoid the drama and the best place to be in that is away from all the drama is Miami. But I guess we will be in for more drama this time. These women live on drama and they just could not help but be in the middle of it all. We will be seeing in season 3 how Ms. O'Neal tries to juggle love life, family outings, and here shoe line. What would be the effect if she mismanages the juggling? That will make Season 3 very exciting.

Basketball Wives Season 3 Premieres Tonight!

Errr.... Basketball Wives is a reality television series that premiered on the VH1 cable television network on April 11, 2010. Created by Shaunie O’Neal, the ex-wife of NBA center Shaquille O’Neal, the series follows the lives of a group of women who have all been somehow romantically linked to professional basketball players. The show is filmed in Miami, Florida.

....and the Basketball Wives returns tonight for a third season, and they say that it is with a big bang. We've seen how shocking the ending of the second season was with all those that were revealed. Now followers of this series are eager to see how the wives are after the tension and anger that became flames at the end of season 2.

Season 3 brings in the drama queen Shaunie O’Neal, who wants to avoid all the drama. Really? She wants to avoid the drama and the best place to be in that is away from all the drama is Miami. But I guess we will be in for more drama this time. These women live on drama and they just could not help but be in the middle of it all. We will be seeing in season 3 how Ms. O'Neal tries to juggle love life, family outings, and here shoe line. What would be the effect if she mismanages the juggling? That will make Season 3 very exciting.

Gangster Fighting at Giant Hypermarket?

Someone posted up this video and claimed that it is a gang fight at the Bukit Jalil Giant Hypermarket. Err... I am not sure where this is, but it certainly dont look like a gang fight to me - looks more like a group chasing/beating up one person.

Gangster Fighting at Giant Hypermarket?

Someone posted up this video and claimed that it is a gang fight at the Bukit Jalil Giant Hypermarket. Err... I am not sure where this is, but it certainly dont look like a gang fight to me - looks more like a group chasing/beating up one person.

Justin Bieber Launches the "Someday" Fragrance for Women.

Talking about his new Someday Fragrance, 17-year-old Justin said, “Let’s be real, the way a girl smells is very important to a guy! I have such a deep connection with my fans, so creating a fragrance that I personally love is another way I can bring them closer to my world.” Justin Bieber’s Someday Fragrance is bottled in clear glass bottle, designed by Lance McGregor and features a heart-shaped flower on top and removable silver charms hanging at the neck.

Created by Honorine Blanc of Firmenich, Someday is billed as a “fruity gourmand’ formula that is sure to appeal Bieber’s fan base. Justin was involved in development, designing as well as the packaging of the perfume.

Justin Bieber Launches the "Someday" Fragrance for Women.

Talking about his new Someday Fragrance, 17-year-old Justin said, “Let’s be real, the way a girl smells is very important to a guy! I have such a deep connection with my fans, so creating a fragrance that I personally love is another way I can bring them closer to my world.” Justin Bieber’s Someday Fragrance is bottled in clear glass bottle, designed by Lance McGregor and features a heart-shaped flower on top and removable silver charms hanging at the neck.

Created by Honorine Blanc of Firmenich, Someday is billed as a “fruity gourmand’ formula that is sure to appeal Bieber’s fan base. Justin was involved in development, designing as well as the packaging of the perfume.

Lynn Xiong's mum wants higher dowry from Aaron Kwok!

THE mother of Chinese model-cum-actress Lynn Xiong was unhappy with the HK$800,000 (RM314,356) dowry offered by artiste Aaron Kwok to marry her daughter, China Press reported. It was speculated that Kwok, 45, and 30-year-old Xiong had planned to tie the knot this year.

Earlier this month, Xiong and her mother were spotted meeting Kwok in Hong Kong supposedly to discuss wedding plans.

An insider said her mother wanted a higher dowry and demanded that a wedding banquet also be held in her Nanjing hometown in China. Kwok, however, stood by his decision to give only HK$800,000. The mother was seen leaving unhappily.

When approached, both the mother and Xiong refused to talk to reporters.

Among female celebrities in Hong Kong, Michelle Reis was paid the highest dowry when she married Julian Hui in 2008. Her parents received HK$3.8mil (RM1.5mil). Actor-cum-singer Ronald Cheng gave HK$1.9mil (RM746,600) to Charlene Choi's mother when the couple got married in 2006. They, however, divorced last year. Cantopop singer Miriam Yeung's parents received HK$990,000 (RM389,016) from her husband Real Ting.

Lynn Xiong's mum wants higher dowry from Aaron Kwok!

THE mother of Chinese model-cum-actress Lynn Xiong was unhappy with the HK$800,000 (RM314,356) dowry offered by artiste Aaron Kwok to marry her daughter, China Press reported. It was speculated that Kwok, 45, and 30-year-old Xiong had planned to tie the knot this year.

Earlier this month, Xiong and her mother were spotted meeting Kwok in Hong Kong supposedly to discuss wedding plans.

An insider said her mother wanted a higher dowry and demanded that a wedding banquet also be held in her Nanjing hometown in China. Kwok, however, stood by his decision to give only HK$800,000. The mother was seen leaving unhappily.

When approached, both the mother and Xiong refused to talk to reporters.

Among female celebrities in Hong Kong, Michelle Reis was paid the highest dowry when she married Julian Hui in 2008. Her parents received HK$3.8mil (RM1.5mil). Actor-cum-singer Ronald Cheng gave HK$1.9mil (RM746,600) to Charlene Choi's mother when the couple got married in 2006. They, however, divorced last year. Cantopop singer Miriam Yeung's parents received HK$990,000 (RM389,016) from her husband Real Ting.

The Serial Acid Splasher - The Photofit.

Police have released a photofit of the corrosive liquid splasher.

The photofit was produced based on information from a witness of a possible attempt by the splasher in Jalan Desa Pandan yesterday and other victims. The witness told police about seeing a man on a black Honda EX5 motorcycle about to uncap a plastic bottle. The witness said the man fled after realising that he had been spotted.

The suspect wore a full-faced black helmet. City CID chief Senior Asst Comm Datuk Ku Chin Wah urged the public to help police catch the splasher. “He is believed to be in his 30s and was on the motorcycle that had a false registration number,” said SAC Ku. Those with information on the splasher can call the police at the Rakan Cop hotline (03-2115 9999) or SMS POLISKL at 32728.

Meanwhile, Friday the 13th proved unlucky for a woman in Wangsa Maju, when she became the latest victim of the splasher. This brings the number of victims to 21. City police chief Deputy Comm Datuk Zulkifli Abdullah said the woman, in her 30s, was splashed while she was in her car. “The incident occurred at 8.45am near Section 10 in Wangsa Maju,” he said.

“She was driving with the driver's side window down when the splasher came up to her side,” DCP Zulkifli told newsmen after a shooting competition between City police and the Media at the Malaysian Police Training Academy yesterday. DCP Zulkifli said that the woman did not suffer serious injuries.

The Serial Acid Splasher - The Photofit.

Police have released a photofit of the corrosive liquid splasher.

The photofit was produced based on information from a witness of a possible attempt by the splasher in Jalan Desa Pandan yesterday and other victims. The witness told police about seeing a man on a black Honda EX5 motorcycle about to uncap a plastic bottle. The witness said the man fled after realising that he had been spotted.

The suspect wore a full-faced black helmet. City CID chief Senior Asst Comm Datuk Ku Chin Wah urged the public to help police catch the splasher. “He is believed to be in his 30s and was on the motorcycle that had a false registration number,” said SAC Ku. Those with information on the splasher can call the police at the Rakan Cop hotline (03-2115 9999) or SMS POLISKL at 32728.

Meanwhile, Friday the 13th proved unlucky for a woman in Wangsa Maju, when she became the latest victim of the splasher. This brings the number of victims to 21. City police chief Deputy Comm Datuk Zulkifli Abdullah said the woman, in her 30s, was splashed while she was in her car. “The incident occurred at 8.45am near Section 10 in Wangsa Maju,” he said.

“She was driving with the driver's side window down when the splasher came up to her side,” DCP Zulkifli told newsmen after a shooting competition between City police and the Media at the Malaysian Police Training Academy yesterday. DCP Zulkifli said that the woman did not suffer serious injuries.

NSFW! Topless Pics of Pippa Middleton!!!

As Prince William and Kate Middleton honeymoon in a secluded spot, the spotlight is now on her sister, Pippa. There's a brewing legal battle over publication of 5-year-old photographs of the bridesmaid sunbathing topless.

The publication of the Pippa pictures - showing the 27-year-old on a powerboat with older sister Kate (in a revealing bikini) and William (in a red and white bathing suit) - prompted the Middleton family to file a formal petition to Britain's independent Press Complaints Commission. That complaint is seen as the first salvo in what is expected to be a conflict between the monarchy and the press as both sides try to establish boundaries in a new royal era defined by William and Kate, now the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, and their determination to live a normal life.

The prince and his bride jetted off this week to a secret honeymoon spot that royal watchers believe was chosen specifically to keep them out of the lenses of the paparazzi. "That and security would have been of primary importance," said Joe Little, managing editor of Majesty magazine. We've known for a long time William would not stand for any nonsense regarding his wife and her family."

Many Britons - mindful of how Princess Diana was tracked by the paparazzi in the moments leading to her fatal car crash - want the new royal couple, and the rest of the Middleton clan, to be able to move about without facing a constant barrage of flashing cameras.

NSFW! Topless Pics of Pippa Middleton!!!

As Prince William and Kate Middleton honeymoon in a secluded spot, the spotlight is now on her sister, Pippa. There's a brewing legal battle over publication of 5-year-old photographs of the bridesmaid sunbathing topless.

The publication of the Pippa pictures - showing the 27-year-old on a powerboat with older sister Kate (in a revealing bikini) and William (in a red and white bathing suit) - prompted the Middleton family to file a formal petition to Britain's independent Press Complaints Commission. That complaint is seen as the first salvo in what is expected to be a conflict between the monarchy and the press as both sides try to establish boundaries in a new royal era defined by William and Kate, now the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, and their determination to live a normal life.

The prince and his bride jetted off this week to a secret honeymoon spot that royal watchers believe was chosen specifically to keep them out of the lenses of the paparazzi. "That and security would have been of primary importance," said Joe Little, managing editor of Majesty magazine. We've known for a long time William would not stand for any nonsense regarding his wife and her family."

Many Britons - mindful of how Princess Diana was tracked by the paparazzi in the moments leading to her fatal car crash - want the new royal couple, and the rest of the Middleton clan, to be able to move about without facing a constant barrage of flashing cameras.

The Cicadas are BACK after 13 years!!!

Cicadas return after 13 years.

If you live in the South of the USA, you already know the cicadas are back. The red-eyed, noisy insects found in southern states emerge only once every 13 years, and the last time they caused their ruckus was in 1998. That means it's time for the 120-decibel chirping again.

But don't worry, aside from the annoying noise, cicadas are harmless to humans. They don't sting or bite, although if one sits on you for long enough it might think you're a tree and stick you with a feeding probe. (Therefore, if a cicada lands on you, don't let it get too comfortable.)

Cicadas, often mistakenly called locusts, can be found on every continent except Antarctica. There are many species of the insect, the most famous of which in North America is the periodical cicada. In the Southern part of the USA, they emerge only once every 13 years. In the Northern part, the cicadas stay dormant underground for 17 years.

The Cicadas are BACK after 13 years!!!

Cicadas return after 13 years.

If you live in the South of the USA, you already know the cicadas are back. The red-eyed, noisy insects found in southern states emerge only once every 13 years, and the last time they caused their ruckus was in 1998. That means it's time for the 120-decibel chirping again.

But don't worry, aside from the annoying noise, cicadas are harmless to humans. They don't sting or bite, although if one sits on you for long enough it might think you're a tree and stick you with a feeding probe. (Therefore, if a cicada lands on you, don't let it get too comfortable.)

Cicadas, often mistakenly called locusts, can be found on every continent except Antarctica. There are many species of the insect, the most famous of which in North America is the periodical cicada. In the Southern part of the USA, they emerge only once every 13 years. In the Northern part, the cicadas stay dormant underground for 17 years.

The Real Shaolin Soccer. =P

Yes, I am talking about the Shaolin Soccer - made popular by Stephen Chow. =)

Apparently, there's this kungfu school which teaches football....

See the pictures below...

So... the next time you see someone do this, you know that it is possible!!!

The Real Shaolin Soccer. =P

Yes, I am talking about the Shaolin Soccer - made popular by Stephen Chow. =)

Apparently, there's this kungfu school which teaches football....

See the pictures below...

So... the next time you see someone do this, you know that it is possible!!!

Man suicides off world's tallest building, Burj Khalifa.

A man committed suicide on Tuesday in a plunge of 39 floors from a segment of the world's tallest skyscraper in Dubai, according to the its owner and reports in the local media. Emaar Properties, the owner of the towering Burj Khalifa said in a brief statement "an incident involving a male" was reported at the tower's site at 9:00 a.m. Tuesday.

"The concerned authorities have confirmed that it was a suicide, and we are awaiting the final report," Emaar's statement also said. It did not elaborate further. The media reports quoted security officials as saying the man fell from the 147th floor of the 2,717 foot-tall (828-meter) Burj Khalifa and landed on a deck on the 108th floor. It is the first known suicide from the landmark tower, which opened in January 2010. Reports on the websites of the Gulf News and 7 Days newspapers say the man jumped Tuesday after a dispute with his company.

Police did not immediately reply to calls by The Associated Press for further details. According to Emaar, the skyscraper has 160 habitable stories. An observation deck is located on the 124th floor and a restaurant — billed as the highest in the world — is located just two floors bellow.

The tower was designed by Chicago-based Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, which has a long track record engineering some of the world's tallest buildings, including Chicago's Willis Tower, the tallest in the U.S. formerly known as the Sears Tower. Burj Khalifa ranks not only as the highest building but also as the tallest freestanding structure in the world, according to its developer.

In March, a French skyscraper climber successfully climbed the tapering metal and glass tower in downtown Dubai in six hours. The 48-year-old climber, Alain Robert, used a rope and harness to comply with organizers' requirements in the Gulf sheikdom. Late last year, actor Tom Cruise was seen dangling from the Burj during stunt filming for the latest installment of the "Mission: Impossible" series.

Man suicides off world's tallest building, Burj Khalifa.

A man committed suicide on Tuesday in a plunge of 39 floors from a segment of the world's tallest skyscraper in Dubai, according to the its owner and reports in the local media. Emaar Properties, the owner of the towering Burj Khalifa said in a brief statement "an incident involving a male" was reported at the tower's site at 9:00 a.m. Tuesday.

"The concerned authorities have confirmed that it was a suicide, and we are awaiting the final report," Emaar's statement also said. It did not elaborate further. The media reports quoted security officials as saying the man fell from the 147th floor of the 2,717 foot-tall (828-meter) Burj Khalifa and landed on a deck on the 108th floor. It is the first known suicide from the landmark tower, which opened in January 2010. Reports on the websites of the Gulf News and 7 Days newspapers say the man jumped Tuesday after a dispute with his company.

Police did not immediately reply to calls by The Associated Press for further details. According to Emaar, the skyscraper has 160 habitable stories. An observation deck is located on the 124th floor and a restaurant — billed as the highest in the world — is located just two floors bellow.

The tower was designed by Chicago-based Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, which has a long track record engineering some of the world's tallest buildings, including Chicago's Willis Tower, the tallest in the U.S. formerly known as the Sears Tower. Burj Khalifa ranks not only as the highest building but also as the tallest freestanding structure in the world, according to its developer.

In March, a French skyscraper climber successfully climbed the tapering metal and glass tower in downtown Dubai in six hours. The 48-year-old climber, Alain Robert, used a rope and harness to comply with organizers' requirements in the Gulf sheikdom. Late last year, actor Tom Cruise was seen dangling from the Burj during stunt filming for the latest installment of the "Mission: Impossible" series.