News, reviews, discount codes and comments on Technology, Fishkeeping, Motoring, Photography, the Web and more

The Government is considering forcing food manufacturers to add folic acid to bread to prevent babies being born with spina bifida.

At least 300 babies a year in the UK develop neural tube defects, with spina bifida being the most common, the highest rate in Europe.

The Sunday Times reported that Health Ministers are set to decide on the proposals when they see the latest results of the National Diet and Nutrition Survey, a rolling survey assessing the country’s dietary habits, which could end a 23-year-long debate on the subject.

Image: SliceOfChic on Flickr

Mandatory fortification is already used in more than 50 countries, including the USA and Canada, where research suggests it reduces the rate of neural tube defects by 25 to 50 per cent.

Following an article that appeared on the Telegraph website, on 16th February, the spina bifida charity Shine gave the following response:

“The groundbreaking MRC study in 1991 showed overwhelmingly that taking folic acid before pregnancy helped reduce the risk of neural tube defects such as spina bifida.

In the twenty years that have passed since, Shine has been campaigning for a decision to be made on whether the UK’s flour should have folic acid added, a move which fifty other nations have already taken, yet all we have experienced is repeated delays.

With the NDNS report about to be published, we believe that this decision, that is, whether to implement the advice of the government’s own scientific advisers and add folic acid to flour, will finally be made.

Around 900 families every year are told that their unborn baby has a serious, disabling yet potentially preventable condition. Shine has worked tirelessly to get women to take supplements containing folic acid at the right time and the correct dosage before becoming pregnant, but with so many pregnancies in the UK unplanned, fortification of flour would ensure that all babies could potentially benefit.”

Today saw the official opening by the Mayor of a new Home Bargains store at the site of the old Comet store off Holmer Road in Hereford.

TJ Morris Ltd., trading as Home Bargains, was established over 30 years ago by Tom Morris. Since the first store opened in Liverpool, the business has grown organically to become one of the biggest privately owned companies in the UK. The company boasts over 320 stores, employs more than 10,000 staff and has ambitious expansion plans. Over the next five years, TJ Morris plans to grow to 700 stores, employing over 20,000 staff. A purpose-built £35m warehouse and distribution centre was completed in 2010 at the company’s headquarters in Gillmoss, Liverpool, and currently services all of the Home Bargains stores across the UK.

I went to Maidenhead Aquatics this afternoon and bought some fish to swim around with the Gold Barbs & Penguin Tetras in my aquarium.

12 x Cardinal Tetra (Paracheirodon axelrodi) – From South America. Grow to 2.5cm. They have a bright neon blue line running from head to the tail, similar to the Neon Tetra. The main difference is that the bottom half of the body is completely red without the white front part. They are very peaceful fish and ideal for a community aquarium setup.

3 x Masked Fairy Cory (Corydoras atropersonatus) – From Ecuador and Peru. Grow to 4.5cm. A pretty little species. The aquarium will require frequent partial water changes, as these fish can be sensitive to elevated nitrate levels. Corydoras have the ability to breathe air intestinally, and therefore they come up to the surface and take air in several times per day.

Cardinal Tetra

Masked Fairy Cory

It’s ten years since I bought my LG MC-806BL combination microwave oven, and the other day the oven bulb blew. Rather than take it to a service agent, I decided to do the repair myself. I’ve documented the steps I took, in case they’re of interest to anyone.

The replacement 25W bulb and its T170 base is one assembly and I purchased mine as a genuine manufacturer’s spare part from www.4myLG.co.uk a website powered by www.4ourhouse.co.uk – Product code LGE6912W3B002D.

N.B. There are dangerously high voltages inside the microwave oven, even when it’s disconnected from the mains, and seals that prevent microwaves leaking from the oven cavity during use. If you wish to follow this guide, you do so entirely at your own risk.

a) Unplug the microwave from the mains socket

b) Remove the screw on the right side of the outer case (Fig 1)

c) Remove the four screws (Fig 2) on the rear of the outer case and pull the case rearwards to remove it

d) Behind the control panel you’ll see the white plastic bulb housing (Fig 3). Remove the two screws (red arrows) and unplug the electrical connector (blue arrow) from the bulb base

e) Gently ease the white bulb housing away from the oven cavity slightly, then unclip the bulb base (Fig 4) and lift the bulb assembly off the locating prongs

f) Put the replacement bulb assembly over the locating prongs and clip its base in place. Reconnect the electrical connector. Replace the two screws that secure the bulb housing to the oven cavity. Slide the outer cover back on, making sure that it fits correctly around all its edges. Replace the four screws on the rear of the outer case and the one on the side. Reconnect to the mains supply socket.

Fig 1 - click to enlarge

Fig 2 - click to enlarge

Fig 3 - click to enlarge

Fig 4 - click to enlarge