Imagine those hearty combinations of two medium cooked eggs, crispy bacon strips, soft pork sausages links, hot and fluffy buttermilk pancakes, hash browns combined with hot coffee and a deliciously old-fashioned cholocate cake for desserts in a breakfasts at your favorite iHop restaurant? Hmmm...yummy!
iHop will soon serve breakfast menu at Walmart Stores.
Almost but not quite. Truth of the matter is, iHop for the first time, will enter the retail business by offering frozen breakfast items to 3,000 Walmart Stores nationwide which include French Toast Stuffed Pastries, Omelet Crispers, and Griddle 'n Sausage Wraps. For now, those items can only be purchased from Walmart Stores but DineEquity plans to expand its products to other retailers as well. Currently, the chain has more than 1,500 restaurants in all 50 states, Disrict of Columbia, Canada, Mexico, Guatemala, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands.
iHop's French Toast Stuffed Pastries will soon be sold at Walmart Stores
So, the next time you go shopping, try to see if these frozen products have been in your local Walmart Store.
Here's a good story why efficient inventory management system is critical to food storage management especially when the establishment is in the business of feeding thousands of school children everyday.
Let us not wait until something goes terribly wrong to the very products we sell and to the very customers we serve before we upgrade a dated inventory system and non-compliant inventory procedures.
Three FDA-approved Potassium Iodide brands: Iosat from Anbex, ThyroSafe from Recipharm AB,
and ThyroShield from Fleming & Co. Image brands courtesy of their respective manufacturers
In the wake of Japan's nuclear meltdown, and the imminent global fallout, fears of possible contamination overseas including the United States have escalated in the last seven days. The search for potassium iodide (KI) both in retail stores, online stores, and in Google has spiked dramatically in the last few days.
The hunt for the miracle pill has just started.
Here in the US, we read news about potassium iodide supplies have sold out in retail stores, clinics, vitamin shops and pharmacies. And because of high demand of these pills, website scammers, and online marketers alike have entered the scene and took advantage of the opportunity. And what is interesting about them is that they are selling nuclear survival kits, nuclear decontamination packs, potassium iodine supplements, nuclear and radiation wipes, etc. as if we are in the midst nuclear fallout or in a verge of nuclear war or something. And most of these sites are from the US.
But what exactly does potassium Iodide do?
When a nuclear meltdown happens, radioactive iodine may be released into the air and then be breathed into the lungs. Radioactive iodine may also contaminate the local food supply and get into the body through food or through drink. When radioactive materials get into the body through breathing, eating, or drinking, we say that “internal contamination” has occurred. In the case of internal contamination with radioactive iodine, the thyroid gland quickly absorbs this chemical.
Radioactive iodine absorbed by the thyroid can then injure the gland. Because non-radioactive KI acts to block radioactive iodine from being taken into the thyroid gland, it can help protect this gland from injury. Potassium iodide (KI) acts as a radiation protective (thyroid blocking) agent. It a prophylactic measure against accumulation of radioactive iodine in the thyroid gland. For a complete information on Potassium Iodide, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has a fact sheet on this topic.
Don't be fooled by fake Potassium Iodide FDA warns
The United States Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) said that if you live in the United States, there is nothing to worry about. Health experts say there's no need for US consumers to stock up on potassium iodide. The agency also warns that fake iodide products may hit the market.
Do not get scammed by hundreds of these online marketers selling fake pills or those that are not approved by FDA. There is nothing wrong in buying a bottle of iodide pills for your family. It is good that we make precautionary measures in any event like a nuclear disaster. But we should always look the situation in its proper perspective.
If you do buy iodide, check the packaging to make sure it's from one of these three FDA-approved brands and manufacturers:
In the midst of overwhelming recall notices both from food, and OTC drugs for the last quarter of this year, the USDA FSIS once again released another nationwide recall on the delicious and hunger-busting chicken salads from Bumble Bee. All BumblBee's"Lunch on the Run" Chicken Salad Complete Lunch AND Bumble Bee's "Chicken Salad with Crackers" with the "Best-By 07/11" and "Best-By 01/12" expiration labels respectively, have been recalled simultaneously.
The Suter Company, Inc. is voluntarily recalling more than 72,000 pounds of these canned salad products that have been distributed and being sold on retail and grocery stores across the 48 states. The recall was prompted after several complaints have been received by the department due to foreign materials found in the food particularly some hard plastics. The origin of these plastic residue has not been known.
The "Lunch on the Run" is among the bestselling food at Amazon.com In fact, the item now Ranks #72 under Bestsellers in Poultry. If you just ordered these items online, you may request for refunds or simply cancel your orders.
The USDA classifies this recall as Class 2 with low health risk i.e. remote probability of adverse health consequences. To date there have been no reports of injury associated with this issue. The USDA also advises consumers to seek medical assistance in case of injury or any medical condition associated to consumption of these food products. Consumers and media with questions about the recall should contact Tim Suter at (815) 895-9186.
Do not be surprised when your favorite cigarette brand will looked similar to these when FDA implements a bolder regulations on September 22, 2012
Starting today, November 12 until January 9, 2011, The Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) is accepting comments from anyone about the proposed bolder warnings and images on cigarettes that depict diseased and deceased patients associated with smoking. These graphical warnings, when implemented, shall become the first of its kind in 25 years and it shall take effect no later than September 22, 2012.
I am not going to deal with statistics on tobacco* here. Because the issue, in my opinion is not whether we can stop FDA from implementing them because the agency will, or whether which pictures are appropriate for the campaign, but whether the proposed warnings can help improve the already stalled smoking rates in the US for the last 5 years.
Obviously, the government has NOT done a satisfactorily job in disseminating information on health risks associated with smoking and that is why FDA feels it needed a bolder approach. No, FDA is not imposing regulations NOT to smoke here, but simply promoting awareness why we should NOT smoke. But that choice depends entirely on you and me and the manner how we respond to health is all a matter of personal choice.
This image may be more appropriate for a contraceptive campaign, "Better blow than grow"
Now, if you disagree (or agree) with the FDA approach, you have the chance to officially comment on their proposals. These are the ways how to do it:
Visit www.regulations.gov and insert docket number FDA-2010-N-0568 into the “search” box and follow the prompts.
Send a fax, with your comments, to 301-827-6870.
Mail/Hand delivery/Courier (for paper, disk, or CD-ROM submissions) to:
Division of Dockets Management (HFA-305)
Food and Drug Administration
5630 Fishers Lane, Room 1061
Rockville, MD 20852
Note: All comments should be identified by Docket ID No. FDA-2010-N-0568. It is only necessary to send one set of comments.
*Tobacco use, according to the federal government, causes 443,000 deaths in the United States each year and remains the leading cause of premature and preventable death nationwide. An estimated 30 percent of all cancer deaths are related to tobacco use, health officials say. In the United States, smokers number 46 million -- including 20.6 percent of adults and 19.5 percent of high school students, according to the federal government. According to WorldBank, the number of smokers is expected to reach about 1.6 billion by 2025.
On September 19, The U.S Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is set to decide whether the first genetically-altered fish is safe to eat for public consumption. The altered fish, an Atlantic salmon developed by Aqua Bounty Technologies Inc., a Massachusetts-based biotechnology firm can help solve the decreasing population of Atlantic salmons due to a high demand of production in the US. The company has been seeking approval from the federal government since 2001.
The "new" salmons grow relatively bigger and grow faster to full size less than 250 days compared with about 450 days for traditional ones.
Both fish have the same age. But the one behind is genetically altered. Image from AquaBounty.
When the FDA issued a favorable report just before Labor Day on AquaBounty's transgenic salmon eggs, it was met with criticism mostly from consumer advocates and health experts. They argued that the government is not prepared to allow genetically altered fish for public consumption. They also raised concerns about its possible health risks and ethical implications.
Currently, side effects from eating such fish are unknown and there is no data to show it is safe. Margaret Mellon, director of the food and environment program at the Union of Concerned Scientists said that there is no opportunity for anyone from the outside to see the data or criticize it. The Food and Water Watch organization also pleaded President Obama not to approve AquaBounty's salmon for consumption.
Though Aqua Bounty has complied and submitted all data requirements to FDA, the study has done no animal or human clinical trials yet.
How did they actually do it?
It was a delicate process. First, scientists injected a Chinook salmon growth hormone gene into Atlantic salmon eggs. They needed this because Chinook salmons are the largest species in the salmon family, and they wanted to make the new Atlantic salmon grow of the same size. Scientists also needed a gene from an ocean pout (a large eelpout) and implanted them into the salmon eggs as well. Ocean pouts are well known in its tolerance for extremely cold waters, allowing the new salmon to grow year-round.
Salmons do not make growth hormone in cold weather. But the pout’s on-switch keeps production of the hormone going even in the coldest season which the traditional salmon does not have. The result: Salmons that can grow faster in 16 to 18 months instead of three years, and grow 2 to 3 times bigger than the typical ones.
Atlantic Salmon eggs
Image from AquaBounty
Critics have reasonable basis to express concerns about the risks, danger, or ethical implications associated with the production of the salmon for public consumption. I also think that federal agencies such as the Department of Agriculture (USDA) and FDA must exert extra care and thorough review in handling of cases like this prior to any decision. They must create a clear cut scientific and administrative guidelines as basis for further research and undertaking of similar cases.
Consumers like us have the right to know the kind of food we buy and how the government must protect the health and interest of its citizens.
There are numerous ways of collecting data in retail inventories. Each way has some degree of effectiveness and level of application. The oldest data collection system was the paper-pencil. It was not a very convenient medium to record data and information, but despite the advancement of technology in the 21st century, some businesses still very comfortable using the paper-based system.
The coming of computer age in the 1930's until to this very moment, made computers both as the front-end and back-end for data collection and processing possible. Using a wide variety data entry devices such as keyboards or keypads, pointing devices, touchscreen technology, etc. made inventory and data collection becomes more efficient.
A typical barcode
In 1960, the first prototype of LASER (Light Amplification by the Simulated Emission of Radiation) was invented. Today laser technology has become a medium for data collection by enabling to caputure barcoded information widely used by retailers and manufacturers in their supply chain. Because of its high demand and wide applications, barcode scanning and data-entry are the de facto standard in data collection among retailers in their inventory systems.
Although the earliest prototype of wireless application was invented by Alexander Graham Bell in 1908, wireless network becomes publicly possible only in 1994 when Carnegie Mellon University successfully configured the first wireless internet network available. Now, IEEE 802.11 becomes the standard of carrying out wireless data communications. The standard uses radio wave frequency as modes for data collection, processing, and communication. Among the chief benefits of wireless data collection is the emerging RFID technology.
But there is one more method of data collection that many of us have not known, but less advanced than RFID is Voice activated data collection.
What is voice recognition inventory and how it works
The first successful speech recognition method, which converts spoken words into text was the IBM Shoebox exhibited at the 1964 New York World's Fair. The application was originally used in the healthcare, then the military, air traffic controllers, and people with disabilities. Numerous improvements in language modelling and voice algorithms have been made. Now, there are plethora of commercially available
voice recognition software out in the market.
But, is there a software dedicated to that particular application? Yes, there is. In September 2005, inventors Vincent Perrin, Judi Perrin, Micahel Joost and Kevin Wood together with AccuTrak have come up with the retail industry's first voice-enabled data collection and inventory system called VoTrak. It was first introduced at a conference in Myrtle, South Carolina. Votrak a special collection of blue-tooth enabled wireless headsets, a laptop, and a custom voice recognition software working as a single unit.
How the system works
Example of a Bluetooth headset
It is simple. The inventory taker wears the wireless headset, then speaks into microphone using a predefined human commands that marks the beginning and end of each section or area which include item prices, number of items by the eaches or by the case. Then the voice information is transmitted over a wireless link to a laptop or portable computer with the software especially programmed to translate each entry.
Data being stored shall be processed into an inventory management database. The system also accepts multiple voice entries simultaneously. Should the inventory taker commits entry error, the software is equipped with error handling functionality to make corrections with entries. The software can also produce a complete audit trail for verification and reporting purposes. The final result is an accurate financial inventory report.
Benefits
Dragon voice recognition kit
Voice recognition software have been around for years. Its general application is diverse. But a specific application in relation to retail inventory have not been widely recognized or to some, it was something new. Let's take a look some of the benefits:
It is not machine dependent and therefore reduces repetitive motions and physical stress such as symptoms of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) and related health issues.
It eliminates keystroke errors that are prone to 10-key data collection.
It leaves both hands free to count and keeps auditors focused on counting.
Auditors don't have to look at a 10-key machine or be distracted by any other tool.
Excellent in financial inventory when the value of all merchandise is a priority in a business.
No additional expensive equipment such as handheld scanners, lasers, wands, etc.
The system is unique and proprietary. It uses an Adaptive Grammar technology that no software maker or inventory company can use the unique technology.
It uses latest technology: The microphones have significant noise-canceling capabilities and the speakers are high quality with remote volume controls. The data are transmitted by the microphones to the computing unit using Spread Spectrum Radio Communication or Bluetooth® technology.
It basically utilizes the current standard in communications technology. It also convenient because there is no need for 10-key data entry. But for the last 5 years of using the system, there are always issues associated with it.
Some issues being raised
It is not 100% accurate. The best voice recognition systems can only get as high as 95% accuracy for spoken words and has not been perfected even using the latest voice algorithms available. Which means that its results is not totally foolproof.
Speaking for the rest of the inventory can be tiresome. A six-hour inventory would mean 6 hours of speaking. The best speakers can only last several hours.
Voice and noise interference. A noisy inventory environment could be an issue. Working near warehouse equipment or with other inventory auditors in close proximity would be an issue.
Language and accent issues. Does the system can adopt to a variety of auditors with different accents. This is probably one of the problems voice recognition software maker is facing.
Only AccuTrak is using a voice-recognition software for inventory. It's been five years now and it seems no serious inventory services has adopted the system.
You cannot use the system to an SKU-dependent inventory, or auto-scan inventory. The Votrak inventory auditor must revert back to barcode scanning system which means using different set of barcode scanning machines.
Because the technology is proprietary, the system is locked and limited only to its patent user. Therefore it prohibits other software maker to adopt the system for wider or other application.
There are no research or statistics being made which suggests that voice-activated inventory is more efficient or at least comparable in terms of accuracy, length of inventory, system efficiency, customer preferences, and over-all impact of the system among inventory service providers compared to the de facto standard barcode scanning and 10-key data entry. Unless AccuTrak can dispute it otherwise.
Analysis
I think that Votrak or similar voice recognition data collection systems are unique in the inventory business. Voice recognition as model has its own strengths and weaknesses just like 10-key data entry. I would love the idea of a hands-free inventory. It is not only convenient but also eliminate physical stresses and health issues such as Carparl Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) which most inventory takers are experiencing. However, the benefits relatively weigh equally with the issues associated with it. Voice recognition has a specific use in the inventory niche and it may not be widely accepted standard for retail inventory for now, lets put it that way.
I think that it is a good addition or option to the traditional 10-key inventory system but it shall not replace the latter. Right now, barcode scanning and 10-key remain the de facto standard of inventory taking in the next 10 years until the emerging RFID technology will ultimately replace as model of inventory data collection possibly in the next 15 years.
If there is a growing demand among inventory providers about the benefits and usage of the voice recognition system, then that will give me a good reason to believe that it is a strong contender for data collection in the retail business. For now, let's keep our fingers crossed until the next 5 to 10 years and we go from there.
Have you been experiencing some sort of burning, swelling, tingling, numbness, loss of dexterity and weakness from both or either of your hands as a result of prolonged, repetitious data entry, 10-key, repetitive barcode scanning, especially while doing retail inventories? Guess what? You are one of the millions who are suffering from Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS).
Some Numbers
In 2008, more than 67 million in the US alone suffer from CTS. Out of 67 million, around 27 million people have visited or have seeked medical help. The remaining 40 million have experienced symptoms such as the ones I have mentioned above, but DIDN'T seek medical help.
CTS operation is the second most common work related surgical procedure in the United States alone. OSHA shows that CTS has the highest median days away from work, even greater than fractures or even amputations. In fact, if you happened to subscribe to CTCNews magazine, a survey tells that CTS is the costliest Cumulative Trauma Disorder, with back injuries second.
If we translate that cost into monetary values, the overall cost could reach an astronomical USD60,000+ per incident.
What is CTS, What are common causes, and who are at risk?
The most common groups that have the highest risk of this syndrome are the following: computer users, inventory takers, stock clerks, warehouse workers, transcriptionists, writers, bank tellers, data entry clerks, construction workers, CAD and graphic designers, programmers, assembly-line workers, etc. But the culprit could also be detected or diagnosed from any individual whose job requires manual heavy lifting as well.
image courtesy from thehelpinghand.com
The Carpal Tunnel (pink area) is made up of several bones (white) connected by ligaments. The largest of which is the Transverse Carpal Ligament (blue). These structures form the perimeter of a passage through it's center called the carpal tunnel (also called the carpal canal). These soft tissues swell, especially the tendons (red) and the protective sheaths that cover them when they are overused (RSI) due to repetitive tasks, friction, and forceful movements.
When these happen, the usual symptoms are: fatigue, pain, weakness, woss of dexterity, stiffness, cramping, and numbness with cold, burning or tingling sensations associated with it. For a more complete definition of the term and general causes, please visit WebMd.
How to avoid, prevent, or cure CTS?
Since inventory taking is the job of an Inventory Taker, we don't have that much options. In fact it is something that everybody in this industry can expect it to happen at some point at a certain degree. If you are an inventory taker, and have a case of CTS, the only thing I could think right now is for you visit your doctor if you haven't done so, and seek medical advice. And you go from there. Or if you feel it is really bothering your health, and other chores, apply for a different position from your company that does not require you to perform data entry, barcode scanning, or any other repetitive tasks. Or, if your company is in Inventory industry, you might consider searching for jobs that are non-related.
But, the question remains, what if you don't have that much choice and you need to stick to your job for a while? I can understand especially when 10-key or data entry is the main ingredient in your resume. Well, in that case, doctors tell us that we can reduce the instance or the frequency of occurence of CTS. The length and complexity of treatment or therapy depends totally on the gravity and frequency of your activity. So, the logical questions would be: How can we reduce the instance of CTS and if I have serious CTS, how can I deal about it?
"The length and complexity of treatment depends entirely on the gravity and frequency of your activity. "
Prevention is always far better than remedy. However, there are common treatments to lessen the gravity of the symptoms of CTS.
When you go to bed, make sure to sleep with the affected wrists straight and free from body weight.
When you are working, make every effort to minimize any repetitive motions or chores and rest the affected wrist(s) at a predefined interval. You don't have to wait until you feel a pain in order to rest your wrists.
As much as possible, avoid flexing the affected wrist(s) repeatedly.
Before you begin to work, make a habit to warm up or condition your hands and wrists.
A correct position of the hands and wrists can help reduce the frequency of the pain.
When you are doing data entry, use an ergonomically designed keyboard and chair. A good sitting position can help reduce symptoms.
More advanced treatments
More conventional treatments that I didn't mention from the above list include: Use a splint to immobilize any wrist movements. This is to minimize or prevent pressures on the wrist nerves that were affected. Also, wear a doctor recommended brace when at work. Also, you can either wear splints or braces at night. It helps support the wrists in a comfortable position and can relieve painful or tingling sensations. In fact it is the best time to use splint since the wrists are in complete rest.
"Wearing splints at night help accelerate relief because wrists are in complete rest."
When you visit your doctor, you may be given short courses of anti-inflammatory drugs or injections of steroids in your affected wrists to reduce swelling. Injections provide temporary relief and are best reserved for people who have carpal tunnel syndrome as a result of an acute (severe) flare-up of tenosynovitis. If you happened to be pregnant, CTS often resolves within a few months after delivery.
Severe Treatments
If CTS does not respond to conservative treatment, then surgery is the next logical option. It is always best to consult your doctor prior to any surgery. In most cases, your doctor will determine whether or not a surgical operation will be needed. In some case, it also necessary to seek a second expert opinion. During the surgical operation, surgeons will open the carpal tunnel (refer diagram above) and cut the ligament at the bottom of the wrist, relieving the pressure. A surgery is quite effective when the condition involves only nerve constriction. Relief of painful symptoms is excellent and nerve degeneration is almost always reversible.
As part of post-surgical therapy, doctors will determine how long the recovery process end and the number of visits your doctors will require you. The purpose of the whole process is for you to get back to work as close as your original condition prior you had those symptoms, and be efficient as you always wanted to be.
. If you just ordered these items online, you may request for refunds or simply cancel your orders.
. The later versions of Windows OS were equipped with voice recognition software such as the ones pre-installed with 
, 
. In fact, you can download similar software for free at 
![Plantronics Voyager 510 Bluetooth Headset [Retail Packaging]](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_sYJ3oX_Lug5EbYcVhJAS2MjHtmO114d_R3r0nlgtKD_qQIqwHrLdF4VSAzfe6qncvD6XEDrBJ-GHwlc8oiehYPgZQ4bquCfsI7oHAnZy_kNn8YEHk0-RauPH6D-QJ1pQEM2goggmI_7yq-c3xbkMDipZwP1FFOQyAHFgYz3D0L6PQlO45M3NVGaac4ouc-4p4VS-Sp8iyymYYf4Vc9-nZQJwWgzd7jc7FU6A=s0-d)
It is simple. The inventory taker wears the wireless headset, then speaks into microphone using a predefined human commands that marks the beginning and end of each section or area which include item prices, number of items by the eaches or by the case. Then the voice information is transmitted over a wireless link to a laptop or portable computer with the software especially programmed to translate each entry.
Voice recognition software have been around for years. Its general application is diverse. But a specific application in relation to retail inventory have not been widely recognized or to some, it was something new. Let's take a look some of the benefits:
![Plantronics Discovery 655 DSP Ultimate Bluetooth Headset with DSP [Retail Packaging]](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_t1QJAHEvW3SFeFBud4xjB5RimBvwYO1H7WFve7lhPaDYcxZe5tXuMuPwS_yzqigxUUFsEoTGPwGKPqjCziAdIiWlKF3gFQtK2ybIsYfv1EgxQugBmMi8XnCMKl_sB7G_fpgNK7_-tTRHMUM7IvUXJ4w4gWLVpi87Bm_kxGbaBFAuf63sdowNxaTo9Zjxj9zdq5EWi-GojaLqpuw51ty9vACXRwkI4F-NuuxQ=s0-d)
