Latest news with #CivicScience
Newsweek
4 days ago
- Business
- Newsweek
Beef Tallow Nationwide Recall as Warning Issued to Consumers
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A nationwide recall of beef tallow and pork lard products has been announced by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS). Sulu Organics LLC, a food distributor in Illinois, has recalled about 6,166 pounds of the products, which were distributed to locations across the country. Newsweek has contacted Sulu Organics for comment via email. Why It Matters This recall highlights ongoing risks in the U.S. food supply chain when federally mandated inspection protocols are bypassed. Products that lack the USDA inspection mark may expose consumers to unverified safety or labeling risks. Food recalls are also of great concern to many Americans. A December 2024 report by Civic Science found that 80 percent were worried about food recalls. Almost half of the Civic Science survey respondents said they did not trust grocery stores or food brands to ensure that their food was safe, with 3 in 10 reporting that they had personally been affected by recalled products. A stock image of a person cutting beef tallow. A stock image of a person cutting beef To Know The recall was initiated on June 3, and the products included in the recall were produced on various dates between December and March. Here is the full list of affected products: Sulu Nutrition 100 Percent Pure Beef Tallow Fully Rendered-Pasteurized All Purpose in 50-pound boxes, with the lot codes 07192023-4502, 010224-0944 and 080124-7895 and expiration dates of 07/2023-12-2023, 12/2025 and 08/2024-10/2024. Sulu Treat Your Soul Beef Tallow Rendered 100 Percent Pure Grass Feed Grass Finished in 7-pound plastic buckets, with the lot codes 042225-0128, 042423-4502, 010224-0944 and 080124-7895 and expiration dates of 09/2026, 12/2025, 12/2025 and 01/2025. Sulu Treat Your Soul Tallow Rendered 100 Percent Pure Grass Feed Grass Finished in 5-pound plastic buckets, with the lot codes 08012024-7895, 07192023-4502 and 080124-7895 and expiration dates of 07/2026, 12/2024 and 01/2026. Sulu Treat Your Soul Beef Tallow Rendered 100 Percent Pure Grass Feed Grass Finished in 1.5-pound glass jars, with the lot codes 021925-0044 and 012224-0960 and expiration dates of 09/2026 and 01/2026. Sulu Treat Your Soul Lard 100 Percent Pure Natural U.S. Product Rich in Monosaturated, Saturated and Polysaturated Fats in 4-pound plastic buckets, with the lot code 062824-0072 and expiration date of 01/2026. Sulu Treat Your Soul Lard 100 Percent Pure Natural U.S. Product Rich in Monosaturated, Saturated and Polysaturated Fats in 7-pound plastic buckets, with the lot code 011825-0072 and expiration date of 08/2026. The issue was discovered when FSIS received consumer complaints that the products did not bear the USDA inspection mark. FSIS personnel determined that the distributor purchased the products from a regulated facility and repackaged the product into smaller containers that were relabeled without FSIS inspections. As of Tuesday, there had been no confirmed reports of illness or adverse reactions following the consumption of the products. What People Are Saying Francisco Diez-Gonzalez, a professor and the director at the Center for Food Safety at the University of Georgia, told Newsweek: "The most important factor in this recall is that the U.S. law requires the approval of an USDA/FSIS inspector at the meat plant whenever production is taking place. In this case since the products lack the USDA mark of inspection, they are considered adulterated, unfit for human consumption, and their sale is illegal. Therefore, they should be recalled." He added: "Because we do not know under what conditions they were prepared, the product may pose different biological, physical and/or chemical risks to the consumer, but it is hard to tell what specific health consequences." What Happens Next The recall is ongoing. The FSIS has advised anyone concerned about a reaction to contact a health care provider. It also urged consumers not to eat the products and to throw them away or return them to their place of purchase.
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Breakfast cereals have gone from fuel to fluff — how to select the healthiest ones
They're colorful, crunchy — and packed with junk. A new study suggests that many kid-friendly breakfast cereals are slipping in nutritional value, with more fat, sugar and sodium sneaking into every spoonful. Researchers say the shift may be feeding America's obesity crisis, which affects 1 in 5 children and adolescents nationwide. The Post spoke with two NYC-area nutrition experts to get the scoop on the healthiest cereal options and smarter breakfast swaps for the most important meal of the day. Cereal continues to dominate the breakfast table. Nearly three-quarters of US households reached for a cereal box in 2023, according to CivicScience polling. While just 12% ate it daily, 18% had it three or four times a week and 23% reached for a bowl once or twice a week. But habits are changing. The same survey found that nearly one in three Americans are now seeking healthier cereal options, such as those low in sugar and high in fiber. In the new study, researchers examined 1,200 new or revamped cereals that hit US grocery store shelves between 2010 and 2023. They focused on products specifically marketed to children 5 to 12, often boasting bright packaging, cartoon mascots and tempting prizes inside. The results suggest that breakfast is starting to look a lot more like dessert. Over the 13-year period, the average fat content per serving grew by nearly 34%, jumping from just 0.13 grams in 2010 to a whopping 1.51 grams in 2023. Sodium also surged, increasing 32% to more than 200 milligrams per serving on average. While total carbohydrates stayed mostly flat, average sugar content climbed by nearly 11%. In many cases, just one bowl exceeds 45% of the American Heart Association's daily recommended limit for children. 'With cereal, that's just them starting off the day,' Dr. Josephine Connolly-Schoonen, executive director of the nutrition division at Stony Brook Medicine, told The Post. 'You can quite easily see how they'll exceed the recommendation of 25 grams or less of sugar for kids in a day,' she added. Connolly-Schoonen said she wasn't surprised by the study's findings. 'For many, many years, the food industry has been creating products that are made to look like they're healthy by the packaging and marketing — but indeed are not because they add sugar and sodium to make them palatable,' she explained. Stephanie Schiff, a registered dietitian nutritionist at Northwell Health's Huntington Hospital, echoed that warning. 'Cereals can be full of sugar, which provides non-nutritive calories and can contribute to weight gain,' she said. 'Highly processed cereals with artificial colors can also contribute to inflammation in the body, which, with other processed foods in the diet, can increase the risk of chronic diseases,' she continued. The warnings come as President Trump's administration takes aim at ultra-processed foods. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced a plan last month to phase out eight artificial dyes from the American food supply, many of which are found in popular cereals, citing concerns over their impact on children's health. If the rising fat, sodium and sugar content wasn't bad enough, the essential nutrients kids need for healthy development are disappearing from the cereal box. Protein content dropped significantly over the study period, while dietary fiber fell by nearly a gram per serving between 2021 and 2023. 'Kids' cereals have barely any fiber — something that helps kids feel full and keeps their digestive track running smoothly,' Schiff said. The result? Mid-morning sugar crashes and growling stomachs. 'These trends suggest a potential prioritization of taste over nutritional quality in product development, contributing to childhood obesity and long-term cardiovascular health risks,' the study authors concluded this week in JAMA Network Open. Specific brands were not named in the research. It also only looked at newly released cereals, so it doesn't paint a full picture of the entire cereal market. And while the findings are concerning, researchers didn't measure how these changes affect children's overall nutrient intake. The good news: You don't have to ditch cereal completely, but it might be time to rethink your choices. 'When it comes to kids or adults, I like cereals that contain whole grains, minimal added sugar and have at least a few grams of fiber per serving,' Schiff said. Her go-to picks? Classic Cheerios, Wheaties, Kashi Honey Toasted Oat Cereal, Nature's Path Whole Wheat Raisin Bran and Heritage Flakes. 'If your kids are used to having a high-sugar cereal for breakfast, try mixing it with a low-sugar, high-fiber cereal,' Schiff suggested. 'There's a good chance they'll still like it.' She also recommended getting your kids involved by letting them pick healthy toppings like fruit, nuts or shredded coconut for a boost in nutrition. While cereal may be a quick fix on hectic mornings, Connolly-Schoonen said there are better ways to start the day. Her advice? Keep it simple and prep ahead — like whipping up overnight oats or a veggie-packed frittata at the start of the week. By the time Thursday or Friday rolls around and the fridge is looking bare, she recommends whole wheat toast with natural nut butter and some fruit, like sliced apples or raisins, for a balanced, no-fuss breakfast.
New York Post
22-05-2025
- Health
- New York Post
Breakfast cereals have gone from fuel to fluff — how to select the healthiest ones
They're colorful, crunchy — and packed with junk. A new study suggests that many kid-friendly breakfast cereals are slipping in nutritional value, with more fat, sugar and sodium sneaking into every spoonful. Researchers say the shift may be feeding America's obesity crisis, which now affects 1 in 5 children and adolescents nationwide. 5 Studies have shown that cereal consumption decreases with age among US adults. soupstock – The Post spoke with two NYC-area nutrition experts to get the scoop on the healthiest cereal options and smarter breakfast swaps for the most important meal of the day. Eat up, America Cereal continues to dominate at the breakfast table. Nearly three-quarters of US households reached for a cereal box in 2023, according to CivicScience polling. While just 12% ate it daily, 18% had it three or four times a week and 23% reached for a bowl once or twice a week. But habits are changing. The same survey found that nearly one in three Americans are now seeking healthier cereal options, such as those low in sugar and high in fiber. A bowl full of trouble In the new study, researchers examined 1,200 new or revamped cereals that hit US grocery store shelves between 2010 and 2023. They focused on products specifically marketed to children 5 to 12, often boasting bright packaging, cartoon mascots and tempting prizes inside. 5 Children are often more drawn to cereals with vibrant packaging. JHVEPhoto – The results suggest that breakfast is starting to look a lot more like dessert. Over the 13-year period, the average fat content per serving grew by nearly 34%, jumping from just 0.13 grams in 2010 to a whopping 1.51 grams in 2023. Sodium also surged, increasing 32% to more than 200 milligrams per serving on average. While total carbohydrates stayed mostly flat, average sugar content climbed by nearly 11%. In many cases, just one bowl exceeds 45% of the American Heart Association's daily recommended limit for children. 5 Excessive sugar consumption can lead to weight gain and increase the risk of obesity. zakiroff – 'With cereal, that's just them starting off the day,' Dr. Josephine Connolly-Schoonen, executive director of the nutrition division at Stony Brook Medicine, told The Post. 'You can quite easily see how they'll exceed the recommendation of 25 grams or less of sugar for kids in a day,' she added. Connolly-Schoonen said she wasn't surprised by the study's findings. 'For many, many years, the food industry has been creating products that are made to look like they're healthy by the packaging and marketing — but indeed are not because they add sugar and sodium to make them palatable,' she explained. Stephanie Schiff, a registered dietitian nutritionist at Northwell Health's Huntington Hospital, echoed that warning. 'Cereals can be full of sugar, which provides non-nutritive calories and can contribute to weight gain,' she said. 'Highly processed cereals with artificial colors can also contribute to inflammation in the body, which, with other processed foods in the diet, can increase the risk of chronic diseases,' she added. 5 Health secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has long targeted artificial dyes found in candy, cereals, sports drinks and processed snacks. REUTERS The warnings come as President Trump's administration takes aim at ultra-processed foods. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced a plan last month to phase out eight artificial dyes from the American food supply, many of which are found in popular cereals, citing concerns over their impact on children's health. If the rising fat, sodium and sugar content wasn't bad enough, the essential nutrients kids need for healthy development are disappearing from the cereal box. Protein content dropped significantly over the study period, while dietary fiber fell by nearly a gram per serving between 2021 and 2023. 'Kids' cereals have barely any fiber — something that helps kids feel full and keeps their digestive track running smoothly,' Schiff said. 5 Healthy cereal typically features whole grains, low sugar content, high fiber and hearty protein levels. Christopher Sadowski The result? Mid-morning sugar crashes and growling stomachs. 'These trends suggest a potential prioritization of taste over nutritional quality in product development, contributing to childhood obesity and long-term cardiovascular health risks,' the study authors concluded this week in JAMA Network Open. Specific brands were not named in the research. It also only looked at newly released cereals, so it doesn't paint a full picture of the entire cereal market. And while the findings are concerning, researchers didn't measure how these changes affect children's overall nutrient intake. Simple swaps for a superior start The good news: You don't have to ditch cereal completely, but it might be time to rethink your choices. 'When it comes to kids or adults, I like cereals that contain whole grains, minimal added sugar and have at least a few grams of fiber per serving,' Schiff said. Her go-to picks? Classic Cheerios, Wheaties, Kashi Honey Toasted Oat Cereal, Nature's Path Whole Wheat Raisin Bran and Heritage Flakes. 'If your kids are used to having a high sugar cereal for breakfast, try mixing it with a low sugar, high fiber cereal,' Schiff suggested. 'There's a good chance they'll still like it.' She also recommended getting your kids involved by letting them pick healthy toppings like fruit, nuts or shredded coconut for a boost in nutrition. While cereal may be a quick fix on hectic mornings, Connolly-Schoonen said there are better ways to start the day. Her advice? Keep it simple and prep ahead — like whipping up overnight oats or a veggie-packed frittata at the start of the week. By the time Thursday or Friday rolls around and the fridge is looking bare, she recommends whole wheat toast with natural nut butter and some fruit, like sliced apples or raisins, for a balanced, no-fuss breakfast.
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Google is bringing ads to AI Mode
Google on Wednesday detailed its plans to bring ads to AI Mode, the company's AI-powered experience in Google Search. Ads may appear "where relevant" below and "integrated into" AI Mode responses as part of a test, Google says. AI Mode lets Google Search users ask a question and get an AI-generated response, with the ability to go deeper through follow-up questions and links to websites. "In some cases, a website builder might be a good next step [in an AI Mode query], so we may show a helpful ad that can help [users] get started," explains Google in a blog post provided to TechCrunch. "From there, [the user] can ask questions to explore possible business ideas, what type of content they should develop, and even learn about their target audience." Ads being Google's primary cash cow — the company notched $66.89 billion in ad revenue in Q1 2025 alone — it was inevitable that they'd eventually make their way into what many see as the future of Google Search. But that doesn't mean users will be pleased. According to a recent poll by CivicScience, a consumer analytics platform, 36% of U.S. adults are wary of AI as it relates to advertising, saying they'd be less likely to purchase from a brand that uses AI in ads. Google says that advertisers already using its Performance Max, Shopping, and Search campaigns with "broad match" will be eligible to have their ads shown in AI Mode. Users in the U.S. will see ads, specifically Search and Shopping ads for now, in AI Mode across desktop and mobile. Several of Google's rivals have experimented — or are considering experimenting — with ads in their AI products. AI-powered search engine Perplexity launched ads last November and hasn't ruled out collecting data outside its platform to sell more targeted advertising. Microsoft briefly piloted ads in its Copilot chatbot several years ago. OpenAI, too, has said that it may one day adopt an ad-supported model to supplement subscriptions. In related news Wednesday, Google said that it will expand ads in AI Overviews, its Google Search feature that automatically synthesizes and summarizes answers to queries. Search and Shopping ads will soon appear on desktop in the U.S. ahead of an expansion to "select countries" on mobile and desktop in English. In AI Overviews, ads are inserted in AI-generated summaries "when relevant to both the query and the response provided," Google says. They're labeled as "Sponsored." Google first brought ads to AI Overviews in the U.S. on mobile last October. Some publishers have argued that Google's moves threaten their own ad revenue. Google has said that it takes publishers' concerns into account in workshopping its AI search experiences and advertising products for those experiences. This article originally appeared on TechCrunch at Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
TechCrunch
21-05-2025
- Business
- TechCrunch
Google is bringing ads to AI Mode
Google on Wednesday detailed its plans to bring ads to AI Mode, the company's AI-powered experience in Google Search. Ads may appear 'where relevant' below and 'integrated into' AI Mode responses as part of a test, Google says. AI Mode lets Google Search users ask a question and get an AI-generated response, with the ability to go deeper through follow-up questions and links to websites. '[For example,] in some cases, a website builder might be a good next step [in an AI Mode query], so we may show a helpful ad that can help [users] get started,' explains Google in a blog post provided to TechCrunch. 'From there, [the user] can ask questions to explore possible business ideas, what type of content they should develop, and even learn about their target audience.' Ads being Google's primary cash cow — the company notched $66.89 billion in ad revenue in Q1 2025 alone — it was inevitable that they'd eventually make their way into what many see as the future of Google Search. But that doesn't mean users will be pleased. According to a recent poll by CivicScience, a consumer analytics platform, 36% of U.S. adults said they'd be less likely to purchase from a brand that uses AI in ads. Google says that advertisers already using its Performance Max, Shopping, and Search campaigns with 'broad match' will be eligible to have their ads shown in AI Mode. Users in the U.S. will see ads, specifically Search and Shopping ads for now, in AI Mode across desktop and mobile. Several of Google's rivals have experimented — or are considering experimenting — with ads in their AI products. AI-powered search engine Perplexity launched ads last November, and hasn't ruled out collecting data outside its platform to sell more targeted advertising. Microsoft briefly piloted ads in its Copilot chatbot several years ago. OpenAI, too, has said that it may one day adopt an ad-supported model to supplement subscriptions. In related news Wednesday, Google said that it will expand ads in AI Overviews, its Google Search feature that automatically synthesizes and summarizes answers to queries. Search and Shopping ads will soon appear on desktop in the U.S. ahead of an expansion to 'select countries' on mobile and desktop in English. Techcrunch event Join us at TechCrunch Sessions: AI Secure your spot for our leading AI industry event with speakers from OpenAI, Anthropic, and Cohere. For a limited time, tickets are just $292 for an entire day of expert talks, workshops, and potent networking. Exhibit at TechCrunch Sessions: AI Secure your spot at TC Sessions: AI and show 1,200+ decision-makers what you've built — without the big spend. Available through May 9 or while tables last. Berkeley, CA | REGISTER NOW In AI Overviews, ads are inserted in AI-generated summaries 'when relevant to both the query and the response provided,' Google says. They're labeled as 'Sponsored.' Google first brought ads to AI Overviews in the U.S. on mobile last October. Some publishers have argued that Google's moves threaten their own ad revenue. According to an expert cited by The New York Post, AI-generated overviews could lead to more than $2 billion in publisher losses thanks to the resultant decline in ad views. Google has said that it takes publishers' concerns into account in workshopping its AI search experiences and advertising products for those experiences.
