Organic carrots from California company linked to deadly E. coli outbreak
A deadly outbreak of E. coli in the United States has been linked to organic carrots. The Food and Drug Administration is now warning consumers not to eat or serve multiple brands of bagged organic whole and baby carrots, supplied by Grimmway Farms from California.
It is now recalling various brands after one person has died and more than a dozen others became sick, with 15 being hospitalized.
Washington state had the most people sickened with eight, followed by New York and Minnesota with five. Oregon and California had three while a dozen other states had at least one person get sick with E. coli. Symptoms of the illness include severe stomach cramps, diarrhea, fever and vomiting.
The organic carrots were sold in some big name stores from Aug. 14 to Oct. 23. They include Wegmans, Trader Joes, Simple Truth and Full Circle, among others.
The whole carrots do not have a best-if-used-by date printed on the bag. However, the baby carrots have a best-if-used-by date ranging from Sept. 11 through Nov. 12.
People who have the recalled carrots should either return them to the store or throw them out. In addition, wash any surfaces that came in contact with the carrots.
Lawsuits accuse Kraft Heinz and Lindt Chocolate of lying about ingredients
A federal judge refused a motion by Kraft Heinz to dismiss a class-action lawsuit against it, which accuses the food giant of lying about its Mac & Cheese claims of no artificial preservatives in its ingredients label. U.S. District Judge Mary Rowland ruled on Wednesday, Nov. 13, that the plaintiffs made a reasonable allegation that Kraft Mac & Cheese contains a synthetic form of citric acid and also has sodium phosphates.
Rowland noted that synthetic citric acid is different from the natural variety.
The lawsuit specifically alleged the ingredients were used as preservatives, which makes Kraft Heinz’s claim of “no artificial flavors, preservatives, or dyes” on its label false.
The plaintiffs reportedly used scholarly studies and U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) guidance to back up their claims.
However, Kraft Heinz contends that the allegations are untrue, and its ingredients do not artificial preservatives. In a statement to Fox Business the company said the lawsuit has “no merit” and that it stood by its ingredients listed on the label.
The plaintiffs in the class-action lawsuit are seeking damages for fraud, violations of consumer protection laws, and unjust enrichment. It’s one of many legal challenges alleging deceptive food labels.
Swiss-based chocolate company Lindt is also facing a class-action lawsuit. The lawsuit alleged that Lindt’s dark chocolate bars of the 70% and 85% cocoa varieties contain “significant amounts” of lead and cadmium.
The plaintiffs cite a 2022 Consumer Reports study that shows higher levels of heavy metals in 23 out of 28 chocolate bars it tested compared to various brands of candy, including Lindt.
The plaintiffs argued that the claims by the chocolatier of its “expertly crafted” chocolate made with the “finest ingredients” caused them to believe that the products were free of such metals.
Lindt acknowledged that the phrases are not meant to be guarantees. The company said the phrases are promotional in nature and the presence of such metals is “unavoidable” in the chocolate-making process.
In September 2024, Lindt attempted to have the class-action lawsuit dismissed. However, a judge ruled against it, allowing the lawsuit to proceed in the courts.
RFK Jr. pick: Democratic governor ‘excited,’ conservative outlet opposed
President-elect Donald Trump’s cabinet picks are dominating the news cycle this week. One of the most anticipated announcements came Thursday, Nov. 14, with Trump nominating Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for secretary of Health and Human Services.
The reaction is mixed and crosses party lines. For instance, a right-leaning news outlet has come out against Trump’s pick, while a Democratic governor has expressed support.
Gov. Jared Polis, D-Colo., posted a message on X, saying he was “excited” that Trump would appoint Kennedy.
“Before you mock him or disagree, I want to share with you some quotes that, if he follows through, show why I’m excited,” Polis wrote.
I’m excited by the news that the President-Elect will appoint @RobertKennedyJr to @HHSGov. He helped us defeat vaccine mandates in Colorado in 2019 and will help make America healthy again by shaking up HHS and FDA. I hope he leans into personal choice on vaccines rather than… pic.twitter.com/cILtTYplcn
Polis highlighted Kennedy’s plans to reduce drug prices, overhaul the FDA’s nutrition department and shift away from pesticide-intensive agriculture.
“He will face strong special interest opposition on these, but I look forward to partnering with him to truly make America healthy again,” Polis wrote.
Some Republican lawmakers, including Wisconsin Sen. Ron Johnson, have praised Kennedy’s potential appointment, calling him “brilliant.”
However, some Democratic lawmakers, including Massachusetts Sen. Ed Markey, have criticized the nomination, calling it “dangerous.”
Some of the media, both left-leaning and right-leaning, have expressed concerns over Kennedy’s nomination, with coverage centering on his controversial remarks about vaccines.
The Associated Press labeled Kennedy as “an anti-vaccine activist,” while PBS described him as someone who “has promoted vaccine misinformation.”
The AP’s article highlights a podcast interview in July, when Kennedy said, “There’s no vaccine that is safe and effective.” The AP added Kennedy “still believes in the long-ago debunked idea that vaccines can cause autism.”
The New York Post’s editorial board also came out against the nomination, saying, “Putting Robert F. Kennedy Jr. in charge of health breaks the first rule of medicine.”
The Post’s editorial reads, “The overriding rule of medicine is: First, do no harm. We’re certain installing Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to head Health and Human Services breaks this rule.”
In his endorsement of Kennedy, Gov. Polis cautioned Kennedy not to ban vaccines but to “lean into personal choice on vaccines.” In a later interview with MSNBC, Kennedy said, “I’ve never been anti-vaccine” and wouldn’t take vaccines away.
He reiterated in a 2016 interview with NBC that vaccinations should be a matter of personal choice.
The nomination has also affected the stock market. Following the announcement, shares of vaccine makers dropped sharply. Moderna fell 6%, Pfizer dropped more than 4% and Novavax declined by over 2%.
Trump calls RFK Jr. a ‘great mind’ after health secretary nomination
President-elect Trump has named RFK Jr. as his Health and Human Services Secretary. And fight fans are ready for a streaming spectacle: former champ Mike Tyson will return to the ring to take on social media star Jake Paul. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Friday, Nov. 15, 2024.
Trump calls RFK Jr. a ‘great mind’ after health secretary nomination
“[Kennedy is] another one, who’s a great guy and great mind and so popular, and I think he’s right, he wants to make people healthy,” Trump said. “It’s driven him pretty wild over the last number of years, and the Democrats didn’t treat him well. He was doing fantastically well.”
“Today I nominated him for, I guess if you like health and you like people that live a long time, it’s the most important position RFK Jr.,” Trump said.
Kennedy responded to the nomination earlier in the day, posting on X in part, “We have a generational opportunity to bring together the greatest minds in science, medicine, industry, and government to put an end to the chronic disease epidemic.”
The 70-year-old Kennedy is a former Democrat, who endorsed Trump after dropping out of the race. He would oversee a group of health agencies including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Food and Drug Administration and the National Institutes of Health.
Wisconsin Sen. Ron Johnson (R) called Kennedy “a brilliant, courageous truth-teller whose unwavering commitment to transparency will make America a healthier nation.”
Meanwhile, critics of Kennedy pointed to his previous comments questioning vaccinations. Oregon Sen. Ron Wyden (D) said in a statement, “Mr. Kennedy’s outlandish views on basic scientific facts are disturbing and should worry all parents who expect schools and other public spaces to be safe for their children.”
Massachusetts Sen. Ed Markey (D) just posted three words: “Dangerous. Unqualified. Unserious.”
Kennedy is also the founder of the Children’s Health Defense, which is described by media outlets as the leading anti-vaccine group in the nation.
When pressed on the subject of vaccinations by both NBC News and NPR in interviews earlier this month, Kennedy said if put into this type of role he is “not going to take away anybody’s vaccinations.”
President-elect Trump adds more names to his cabinet
Also on Thursday, Trump nominated Doug Collins as Veterans Affairs secretary. The former Republican congressman from Georgia and Iraq war veteran was a supporter of Trump during his first impeachment trial in 2019.
Trump also named three of his lawyers to positions in the Justice Department.
Finally, John Sauer, who won the presidential immunity case at the U.S. Supreme Court, is Trump’s pick for solicitor general.
House Ethics Committee cancels meeting on Matt Gaetz investigation
The Republican-led House Ethics Committee canceled its meeting over the investigation into former Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida, according to multiple outlets citing sources. Gaetz resigned from Congress earlier this week after President-elect Trump announced he’s nominating Gaetz for attorney general.
The meeting, which was scheduled for Friday morning, Nov. 15, before Gaetz resigned, was supposed to focus on the investigation into multiple allegations against Gaetz, including sexual misconduct, illicit drug use, accepting improper gifts, and obstruction.
Tropical Storm Sara brings dangerous torrential rain to Honduras
Tropical Storm Sara made landfall late Thursday in northern Honduras, bringing torrential rain as it skirts the country’s coast. Authorities there have warned of the potential for dangerous flash flooding and landslides, with the country’s president saying it could “become a catastrophic event.”
Honduran officials have issued the highest-level warning along the country’s northern coast and activated the national police and military for rescue and relief efforts. Sara is expected to move inland, making landfall over Belize on Sunday, Nov. 17, before dissipating over the Yucatán Peninsula, according to the National Hurricane Center.
This marks the 18th named storm of the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season, which ends Nov. 30.
Annual UFO report finds 21 cases that can’t be explained
Pentagon officials maintain they’ve found no evidence of alien activity, but the government’s All-Domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) said it takes every report seriously and investigates each one.
If none of this UAP stuff exists, if it’s all false, why at every turn are people trying to stop transparency? You can’t talk about fight club if there’s no fight club. pic.twitter.com/otPGNbwu71
Of the new reports the AARO has received, nearly 50 have already been closed as everyday items, such as balloons, birds or drones. The government agency expects to resolve another 243 cases by identifying them as one of those objects.
More than 400 of the new reports were put into an active archive because there was not enough data or evidence to keep investigating.
Tyson vs. Paul in Netflix’s first live streaming boxing event
The two faced off during a final weigh-in on Thursday, with Tyson slapping Paul. The eight-round match at AT&T Stadium in Texas was postponed from July after Tyson suffered an inflamed ulcer weeks before the bout.
Reports indicate both competitors are expected to have a big payday. Tyson, who has a record of 50-6, will reportedly make $20 million and the 27-year-old Paul, who has a record of 10-1, will make $40 million.
Paul’s startup, Most Valuable Promotions, teamed up with Netflix to bring the fight together.
Netflix currently has more than 282 million paid subscribers worldwide and Paul predicts at least 25 million of them will tune in. If that comes to pass, it’ll make this the most watched boxing match of all time.
The school-specific meals made their debut last school year. Kraft Heinz said they were protein-enriched and had reduced levels of saturated fat and sodium to meet the requirements of the national free and reduced-price school lunch program.
However, the meals got pushback from nutrition experts, who were concerned the school versions of Lunchables would confuse parents into thinking store-bought versions were healthier than they are. Then in April, Consumer Reports said it found the school-approved Lunachables actually contained more sodium than their store-bought counterparts.
In a statement, Kraft Heinz said its decision to pull school Lunchables was due to lack of demand.
Failures and delays mark Biden’s $325M effort to disrupt meatpacking industry
Three years after the Biden administration launched a program to inject competition into the $200 billion U.S. meatpacking industry, the results are far from promising. One of the program’s recipients, Pure Prairie Poultry, declared bankruptcy and culled 1.3 million chickens in northern Iowa after the company couldn’t afford to feed them, despite receiving nearly $46 million in grants and loans from the USDA.
Pure Prairie, which had ambitions to market premium air-chilled chicken to supermarkets, was part of a broader government effort to reduce the power of industry giants like Tyson Foods, JBS and Cargill, which control 85% of U.S. beef processing.
The initiative was launched after the COVID-19 pandemic exposed vulnerabilities in the supply chain, prompting some farmers to euthanize livestock when meatpacking plants shut down.
Getty Images
Despite the infusion of funds, including a $6.9 million grant and a $38.7 million loan guarantee for Pure Prairie, the company’s financial struggles led to bankruptcy. The failure has raised serious concerns about the government’s oversight of taxpayer dollars and the viability of small meatpacking ventures.
Smaller meatpacking projects have faced significant challenges, including securing supply agreements, attracting customers and competing with established industry players. Industry analysts noted that the market conditions have been difficult, with rising costs and declining cattle herds complicating the viability of new packing plants.
While some projects are still underway, including a beef plant in Amarillo, Texas, delays are common, with timelines extending to 2027.
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack defended the program, saying that it is still too early to assess its success.
However, the situation at Pure Prairie serves as a stark reminder of the risks involved in trying to disrupt an industry dominated by a few large companies.
With many projects still in the early stages, it remains unclear whether the administration’s plan will ultimately succeed in creating meaningful competition in the meatpacking industry.
DOJ indicts 48 suspected members of Sinaloa cartel after series of drugs raids
Federal authorities have seized tens of millions of dollars worth of methamphetamine in raids across California, Arizona and Nevada. The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) announced on Wednesday, Nov. 7, that it has charged 48 suspected members of the Sinaloa cartel with distributing meth, fentanyl, heroin and cocaine.
Authorities say that they found more than 8,000 pounds of methamphetamine with a street value reportedly around $72 million, in addition to firearms.
The DOJ says nearly 150 federal, state and local law enforcement officials arrested 25 suspects and performed 15 search warrants in Imperial County, California, Yuma, Arizona, and Las Vegas, Nevada. Law enforcement officials say that 23 of the suspects connected to the crimes are still on the loose.
Charges in the DOJ indictments include drug trafficking, conspiracy and bulk cash smuggling. If convicted, the charges carry a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison and a maximum penalty of life behind bars, in addition to a $10 million fine.
U.S. Attorney Tara McGrath said in a statement that the arrests and seizure of drugs is an extreme blow to a major drug-trafficking network.
The Sinaloa cartel is one of Mexico’s most powerful criminal organizations and has long-controlled drug routes into the United States.
The branch of the Sinaloa cartel charged in the indictment is linked to a drug lord known as “El Mayo,” who is currently being held in New York, which operates out of Imperial Valley and Mexicali, Mexico.
Popular cold, flu medicine could be pulled from market for ineffectiveness
Cold and flu season is here and many may be reaching for medicine for relief but a popular remedy may soon no longer be available. The Food and Drug Administration said it’s planning to pull a widely used ingredient from shelves.
It’s called oral phenylephrine and is used in cough and cold medicines from household names like Advil, NyQuil, Sudafed, Robitussin, Tylenol and Theraflu.
More than a year ago, the FDA’s advisers voted against continuing to use the ingredient over concerns about the data used to support its approval and new data that shows it might not be effective. After that vote, CVS said it would pull any products on its shelves that only contained the product.
A 2022 study from the University of Florida found phenylephrine basically only had a placebo effect when swallowed. The latest FDA data, published this week, shows less than 1% of phenylephrine is absorbed into the body when taken orally through a pill or cough syrup.
The public gets to weigh-in on the decision until May 7, then the FDA will decide whether to revoke its status as “generally recognized as safe and effective.”
FDA approves new drug for schizophrenia, promises few side effects
The FDA has approved a new kind of drug to treat schizophrenia that touts fewer side effects than current options, after seeing encouraging results from trials by the drug’s maker. The FDA approved Bristol Myers Squibb’s new treatment, Cobenfy, in September, after getting positive results from two of the company’s five-week trials of the drug.
Now, the results of two yearlong studies have been released as well. While most of the participants who signed up for the trials dropped out because of side effects — which doctors say is common for schizophrenia drug trials — those who stayed in showed significant improvement.
One study focused on severely ill patients while the other looked at people who were considered more stable over the course of a year.
Among the severely ill patients, 78% dropped out of the study, leaving only 35 participants.
Just over half of participants (51%) in the more stable group study didn’t finish the trial, leaving 283 people who did take the drug for a full year.
Of those in the severely ill group who did finish the trial, 69% showed meaningful improvement in their symptoms after a year. Nearly a third (30%) of those in the more stable group improved as well.
This drug could represent a breakthrough in treating schizophrenia, which has been notoriously hard to consistently treat because many people feel the side effects outweigh the benefits.
The new drug works differently from traditional antipsychotics. Instead of blocking dopamine receptors, Cobenfy’s main ingredient targets a different receptor that indirectly blocks dopamine release.
One of its other main ingredients blocks some of the common side effects that come with schizophrenia meds, like nausea, vomiting and indigestion, and has been associated with slight weight loss instead of weight gain.
Still, it’s not clear what side effects led participants to drop out of the trial. One doctor who was not part of the study told The Associated Press that we’ll understand more as doctors start prescribing the drug.
Another concern is cost. Cobenfy goes for about $22,500 a year, compared to $540 for a generic antipsychotic. Some doctors are concerned insurance companies will require schizophrenia patients to try other, less expensive drugs before they can move on to Cobenfy.
Currently, there is one cheaper generic that is widely considered one of the best treatments for schizophrenia, clozapine. However, it’s not used as often because it requires blood testing to watch for the risk of severe neutropenia, a condition that causes the body to have a low number of white blood cells which are essential for fighting infections.
Patients have reported relapses in symptoms when that medication was delayed over testing requirements.
Apple AirPods Pro 2 new update can offer users hearing aid capabilities
Starting on Monday, Oct. 28, some Apple AirPods wireless headphones can function as a hearing aid with the download of a new update. The new AirPods update is available with the AirPods Pro 2 model only, and individuals will need an iPhone or iPad to set up the new function, which begins with built-in tests.
Ruth Reisman-Aguilar, an audiologist, said, “So, it allows you to actually go through the steps of checking or screening your hearing.”
If the device finds the person has hearing loss, they’ll be prompted to set personalized amplification settings.
Around 30 million Americans report having hearing loss in both ears, but data reveals millions of these people have never tried hearing aids or said they have tried them but cannot afford them or do not like the way they fit or look. However, some believe the software update from Apple could be a game changer for Americans with mild to moderate hearing loss.
The Executive Director of the Hearing Loss Association for America Barbara Kelley says, “You know, we’re all wearing these types of earbuds anyway, so now, the FDA has authorized them to have the software to become an over-the-counter hearing aid. So, it’s just mainstream, and anybody who is concerned about a little stigma and they just want to look like everybody else, you will, because we all have a set of these in our pockets.”
Audiologists also say that it alleviates some of the concern regarding cost, while a decent pair of over-the-counter hearing aids will run a person anywhere from $400 to $500, a pair of Apple headphones costs just $249.
However, audiologists do note that there are some drawbacks to using AirPods as a hearing aid. For instance, unlike hearing aids designed to last the whole day, AirPods are not capable of doing that because of a limited battery life.
Doctors also say that severe hearing loss is likely to require more than an over-the-counter device.
Reisman-Aguilar said, “Over-the-counter hearing aids will only meet the needs of those with mild to moderate hearing loss. So, with those complex hearing losses, severe hearing losses, hearing losses that have some form of medical concerns attached to it, prescription hearing aids is really the way to go.”
The new technology comes two years after the federal government allowed hearing aids to be sold over-the-counter.
