Latest news with #BPA-free
NZ Herald
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- NZ Herald
Sean ‘Diddy' Combs sex trafficking trial: Wild messages in music mogul's bathroom mirror
On Wednesday, US time, the jury was shown bizarre messages scrawled across a bathroom mirror in Combs' mansion in Miami Beach, which were found during a raid by federal agents. Authorities also found a wealth of drugs stashed around the home, firearm parts, high-heeled shoes, a box of nangs (nitrous oxide bulbs) and an erectile dysfunction product that US authorities have advised against. One closet contained more than 50 bottles of baby oil and lube. Staff sweep hotel rooms after freak-offs George Kaplan, Combs' executive assistant from 2013 to 2015, told the court that one of his roles was to set out hotel rooms to Combs' liking before the star arrived. He had a 'hotel bag' that included clothes for Combs, speakers, candles, baby oil and AstroGlide lubricant. Combs often used hotel rooms for his freak-off sex parties. Kaplan said Combs' hotel stays would last from 12 hours to two days. When Combs and any guests had finished in the rooms, Kaplan would then clean them up. That included tidying away 'empty bottles of Gatorade, liquor and baby oil'. He added that there was 'baby oil on the bed, tables, all around the room'. Asked why he didn't let hotel housekeepers clean the rooms, Kaplan said: 'I think it was implied my role in protecting Combs' public image was important.' Hotels would often sell images to try to 'embarrass celebrities'. Kaplan also said that Combs 'threatened my job on occasion,' clarifying that it happened 'monthly'. He stated that Combs said he 'only wanted to be surrounded by the best, and those around him were not performing to that level'. But Combs' demands could be almost impossible, Kaplan said. He once told him to go to US supermarket Whole Foods Market and buy a gallon-sized BPA-free plastic bottle. There weren't any, so Kaplan instead bought two BPA-free half-gallon bottles. Combs was furious that Kaplan had not fulfilled his order precisely. 'He was very angry, very close to my face.' Nangs and erectile dysfunction snake oil Special Agent Gerard Gannon testified about a March 2024 raid at Combs' mansion on Star Island, a Miami Beach enclave. As many as 90 agents searched the waterfront property when they knew Combs and his family were away. The government lawyers prosecuting Combs detailed the drugs found in the mansion, including one box that had the word 'Puffy' embossed on it. The drugs include ecstasy tablets with the Tesla and Supreme logos, other pills containing MDMA, tablets with a substance similar to Xanax, as well as ketamine and cocaine. The disassembled parts of various guns were also found, including magazines and bullets. Gannon said one closet contained 56 bottles of lubricant and baby oil. He was asked if they were the only bottles of lube and baby oil found in the building. 'No, they were not,' he said to laughs from the courtroom. The image presented as evidence of the baby oil also showed a nitrous oxide product called Eurogas. These appeared to be whipped cream chargers, sometimes known as nangs, the contents of which can be inhaled for a temporary high. In much of the US, nitrous oxide possession is legal for its proper purpose but can lead to a fine or jail if used for inhalation. There was no mention in court of Combs using the product. Dodgy erectile dysfunction product Another picture shown to the jury from the raid was of a product called Vital Honey. The honey-based supplement is claimed to help with erectile dysfunction and sexual enhancement. Combs' former girlfriend, Cassie Ventura, testified earlier that her ex's 'freak-off' sex parties could last for up to four days. In 2002, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued an alert that Vital Honey contained a 'hidden ingredient' not listed on the pack. This was tadalfil, the active ingredient in prescription drug Cialis, which is used to treat erectile dysfunction. The FDA said Cialis should be used only after seeing a doctor and could be 'dangerous' to some users. Bizarre scrawlings on mirror At one point, a picture was shown of a bathroom in the Combs mansion. The mirror was full of messages possibly scrawled in red lipstick and black marker. 'What do you want?' said one message. 'You a legend', said another. 'You're an icon Puff Daddy' was also seen. It's unclear who wrote the messages. On Wednesday, the court also heard from clinical and forensic psychologist Dawn Hughes, who appeared for Amber Heard in her defamation trial against Johnny Depp and is due to give testimony in the upcoming trial of Harvey Weinstein. Hughes said people often remained in abusive relationships because of 'trauma bonds'. Abusers could 'love bomb' partners after they victimised them. They could also control their victims' lives financially, making it harder for them to leave. Rapper and actor Kid Cudi is expected to testify today on his brief relationship with Ventura 14 years ago. Ventura testified last week that Combs was enraged when she left him in 2011 and began dating Cudi, whose legal name is Scott Mescudi. She said Combs kicked her as she left his Los Angeles home for the last time, leaving a large bruise on her back. Prosecutors have contended that Combs was so upset that he arranged to have Cudi's convertible firebombed.
Korea Herald
15-05-2025
- Business
- Korea Herald
SK chemicals, LH Plus team up to expand sustainable kitchenware in Southeast Asia
Korean chemical manufacturer SK Chemicals said Thursday that it signed a memorandum of understanding with Malaysia's top kitchenware manufacturer, LH Plus, accelerating its expansion into the Southeast Asian market. Under the agreement, SK Chemicals will supply LH Plus with up to 2,000 metric tons of Ecozen, a biomass-based copolyester, and SkyPET CR, a circular recycled PET, by 2027. The materials are enough to produce approximately 100 million 1-liter water bottles and will be used to create new collaboration kitchenware products. Ecozen is known for its glass-like transparency and is BPA-free, making it ideal for food containers and cookware. SkyPET CR is produced through depolymerization technology, which allows waste plastics to be broken down at the molecular level and remade into high-quality PET, suitable for food-grade applications. Sk Chemical's partnership with LH Plus, which sells around 6 million plastic kitchenware products annually, marks a strategic move to address the growing demand for sustainable materials in kitchenware. 'SK Chemicals' wide range of sustainable materials strengthens our ability to meet growing demand for eco-friendly kitchenware,' said Callum Chen, CEO of LH Plus. Kim Eung-soo, head of Green Materials Business Division at SK chemicals, stated, 'As demand for eco-friendly plastics grows in Asia-Pacific, this partnership helps us deliver optimized solutions and expand our market reach.'
Time of India
09-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Look for these 4 ingredients while buying packaged food, as they can cause Cancer
Packaged food might be extremely convenient to consume, such as breads, ready to eat meals, namkeens etc, but most packaged food is high in salt, fat, and preservatives, thus making them terribly healthy, and catastrophic for our system. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now And it gets worse, unfortunately. Many packaged foods contain hidden ingredients that can cause cancer, if consumed long-term. So, what is the solution? Here are 4 ingredients you must look out for while buying packaged food... Nitrates and Nitrites in Processed Meats Processed meats like sausages, bacon, hot dogs, and deli meats often contain nitrates and nitrites. These chemicals are added to preserve the meat and enhance its color and flavor. However, in the body, they can form harmful compounds called nitrosamines, which are known carcinogens linked to colorectal and stomach cancers. The World Health Organization classifies processed meats as a Group 1 carcinogen, meaning there is strong evidence they cause cancer. To reduce risk, limit consumption of processed meats and opt for fresh, unprocessed options when possible. Bisphenol A (BPA) in Canned Foods Many canned foods have a lining that contains Bisphenol A (BPA), a chemical used to prevent corrosion. BPA is an endocrine disruptor, which means it can mimic hormones like estrogen in the body. This interference has been linked to breast and prostate cancers. Although many brands now offer BPA-free cans, it's wise to limit canned food intake or choose fresh or frozen alternatives to reduce exposure. Artificial Food Colorings Artificial colorings such as Yellow 5 and Yellow 6 are widely used in packaged snacks, cereals, chips, and drinks to make them look more appealing. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Studies on animals have shown these colorings may increase the risk of kidney and intestinal tumors. These additives are not essential and can be avoided by choosing natural or homemade foods. Reading ingredient lists carefully can help you spot and avoid these artificial dyes. Trans Fats and Hydrogenated Oils Many packaged snacks like cookies, crackers, and chips contain trans fats or hydrogenated oils. These unhealthy fats are added to increase shelf life and improve texture but have been linked to inflammation and an increased risk of cancer, as well as heart disease. Check for 'partially hydrogenated oils' or 'trans fats' and avoid products that contain them. Opt for foods with healthy fats like olive oil, nuts, and seeds instead. What to Look for When Buying Packaged Food Making safer choices at the grocery store can help reduce your cancer risk. Here are some tips to keep in mind: Read the Ingredient List: Ingredients are listed in order of quantity. If you see sugar, nitrates, artificial colors, or hydrogenated oils near the top, it's best to avoid that product. Check Nutrition Labels: Look for high levels of sugar, saturated fat, and salt. Many packages use a traffic light system-red means high and should be eaten rarely, amber means moderate, and green means low and safer to consume regularly. Avoid Artificial Additives: Stay away from foods with artificial sweeteners like sucralose, flavor enhancers like MSG, and synthetic dyes. Choose Fresh or Minimally Processed Foods: Whenever possible, pick fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and fresh meats over packaged or processed options.
Yahoo
15-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
High levels of toxic chemicals found in paper receipts
(NewsNation) — New research has found that paper receipts from major retailers in the United States have a high level of bisphenol S, which has been linked to cancer and reproductive problems. Some receipts reportedly have such a high level of bisphenol S that holding one for 10 seconds can cause the skin to absorb the toxic chemical and violate California's safety threshold. The new findings are being used in legal action aimed at forcing retailers to stop using receipt paper with bisphenol S, or BPS. The Center for Environmental Health nonprofit has sent violation notices to 50 retailers — including AMC Theaters, Dollar General and Burger King — that have reportedly exceeded California's Proposition 65 limits. What does RFK Jr.'s 'Make America Healthy Again' movement aim to do? Bisphenol is a class of chemicals used in a variety of consumer products, such as food packaging, fabrics, toys and cookware. The use of bisphenol A, which has also been branded as toxic, is no longer widely used, and food companies now advertise when packaging is BPA-free. BPS is added as a coating to thermal paper to develop ink on receipts. The Center for Environmental Health urges companies to use a safer alternative to BPS, such as vitamin C thermal paper. The violation notices give companies 60 days to respond by switching to paper that does not use BPS — or include a warning that alerts consumers to its toxicity. If there is no response, the nonprofit can sue the companies in a California state court under Proposition 65 and ask a judge to order the changes. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
The Hill
15-04-2025
- Health
- The Hill
High levels of toxic chemicals found in paper receipts
New research has found that paper receipts from major retailers in the United States have a high level of bisphenol S, which has been linked to cancer and reproductive problems. Some receipts reportedly have such a high level of bisphenol S that holding one for 10 seconds can cause the skin to absorb the toxic chemical and violate California's safety threshold. The new findings are being used in legal action aimed at forcing retailers to stop using receipt paper with bisphenol S, or BPS. The Center for Environmental Health nonprofit has sent violation notices to 50 retailers — including AMC Theaters, Dollar General and Burger King — that have reportedly exceeded California's Proposition 65 limits. Bisphenol is a class of chemicals used in a variety of consumer products, such as food packaging, fabrics, toys and cookware. The use of bisphenol A, which has also been branded as toxic, is no longer widely used, and food companies now advertise when packaging is BPA-free. BPS is added as a coating to thermal paper to develop ink on receipts. The Center for Environmental Health urges companies to use a safer alternative to BPS, such as vitamin C thermal paper. The violation notices give companies 60 days to respond by switching to paper that does not use BPS — or include a warning that alerts consumers to its toxicity. If there is no response, the nonprofit can sue the companies in a California state court under Proposition 65 and ask a judge to order the changes.
