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Botulism or Just a Red Herring?; Japan’s Booming Artisanal Cheese Industry

• Rhode Island officials are cautioning residents against eating herring from Canadian Fish Exporters Inc., because it might be contaminated with the spore that causes botulism. Tasty! [Globe]

• Who knew? Japan has a booming artisanal-cheese industry. [Japan RealTime/WSJ]

• This chart tracks the fascinating afterlife of bourbon barrels from four distilleries; Alinea uses them for cocktails, then for herb planters. [Tasting Table]

• According to philanthropist Howard Buffett, Western countries are going about African food aid all wrong. [Forbes]

• Things are not looking good for casual dining chains through 2012, according to research. [NRN]

• Curious about a week in the life of a culinary student? Here you go. [HuffPo]

Botulism or Just a Red Herring?; Japan’s Booming Artisanal Cheese Industry