Latest news with #ConsumerProducts
Daily Record
09-07-2025
- Health
- Daily Record
Potatoes won't sprout and will 'last the longest' time if kept in one place
Storing potatoes here can significantly increase their shelf life, say experts The humble potato is a staple in households across the country thanks to their ability to be turned into a side dish in many different forms. Chip, boil, roast or mash them, they are a great, cheap and filling accompaniment to a meal. But how often have you reached into the cupboard to find they have sprouted, turned green or are soft and even wrinkly? Proper storage of the versatile tattie is essential if you want to extend their shelf life. Although sold in the non-refrigerated section in the supermarkets, spuds are generally kept in cool, dark drawers or cupboards but research has shown that they can actually be stored in the fridge. In fact, keeping them in the cold can make them edible for six months more. According to experts at Love Food Hate Waste, UK homes throw away nearly half a million tonnes of fresh vegetables and salads, as well as a quarter of a million tonnes of fresh fruit each year. This means a massive £2.1billion worth of produce thrown away simply because it isn't consumed in time. Historically, potatoes have been kept out of the fridge due to concerns about increased levels of acrylamide, a substance that forms in starchy foods and can potentially increase the risk of cancer, reports the Express. However, a comprehensive scientific study showed storing potatoes in the fridge "doesn't actually increase acrylamide potential" compared to the usual method of storing them at room temperature in a cupboard. This research on potato storage was overseen by the Committee on the Toxicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products, and the Environment (COT) and reviewed by the FSA, so you can trust its findings. As a way to combat food waste, savvy consumers have been told to pay close attention to the Best Before dates and labelling on their potato products. And the organisation WRAP, behind the Love Food Hate Waste initiative, has shared startling findings from an investigation into the reliability of best-before dates and their part in causing needless food waste. WRAP's study points to evidence suggesting best-before dates may not be the best way to assess edibility, with items lasting appreciably longer if stored correctly "when they last much longer". Take potatoes as an example - when kept unrefrigerated in a kitchen cupboard, they are purportedly at their peak for 10 days as per packet instructions. However, it was only after 14 days that signs of deterioration could truly be observed. Even more astonishing is the revelation that when potatoes were refrigerated at four degrees, despite packaging advice of a mere 10-day shelf life, they remained in prime condition for well over twenty days past the best-before mark. By bypassing the use of best-before dates, the trial displayed that potatoes could survive even longer periods at room temperature and when stored coolly. Experts recommend the refrigerator as the "right place" for potato storage to maximise longevity "they'll last the longest". Under optimal storage conditions like a cool, dark space, potatoes can stay good to eat for a number of months. If refrigerated, this timeline may stretch up to three times as long, potentially exceeding six months. If you're aiming to extend the life of your spuds, it's recommended to take them out of any plastic packaging and pop them into a fabric bag. This method blocks light and lets the tatties breathe. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.
Bloomberg
19-06-2025
- Business
- Bloomberg
European Stocks Slide for a Third Day on Geopolitical Worries
European stocks fell for a third straight session on concerns around escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East as well as worries about stickier US inflation. The Stoxx Europe 600 Index was down 0.8% by the close in London, with consumer products and travel and leisure shares leading the decline. Energy stocks outperformed.
Yahoo
18-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
GO or KMB: Which Is the Better Value Stock Right Now?
Investors looking for stocks in the Consumer Products - Staples sector might want to consider either Grocery Outlet Holding Corp. (GO) or Kimberly-Clark (KMB). But which of these two stocks is more attractive to value investors? We'll need to take a closer look to find out. The best way to find great value stocks is to pair a strong Zacks Rank with an impressive grade in the Value category of our Style Scores system. The Zacks Rank favors stocks with strong earnings estimate revision trends, and our Style Scores highlight companies with specific traits. Grocery Outlet Holding Corp. has a Zacks Rank of #2 (Buy), while Kimberly-Clark has a Zacks Rank of #4 (Sell) right now. The Zacks Rank favors stocks that have recently seen positive revisions to their earnings estimates, so investors should rest assured that GO has an improving earnings outlook. But this is just one piece of the puzzle for value investors. Value investors also try to analyze a wide range of traditional figures and metrics to help determine whether a company is undervalued at its current share price levels. The Style Score Value grade factors in a variety of key fundamental metrics, including the popular P/E ratio, P/S ratio, earnings yield, cash flow per share, and a number of other key stats that are commonly used by value investors. GO currently has a forward P/E ratio of 17.47, while KMB has a forward P/E of 18.20. We also note that GO has a PEG ratio of 3.53. This popular metric is similar to the widely-known P/E ratio, with the difference being that the PEG ratio also takes into account the company's expected earnings growth rate. KMB currently has a PEG ratio of 4.37. Another notable valuation metric for GO is its P/B ratio of 1.07. The P/B is a method of comparing a stock's market value to its book value, which is defined as total assets minus total liabilities. By comparison, KMB has a P/B of 34.95. Based on these metrics and many more, GO holds a Value grade of B, while KMB has a Value grade of C. GO stands above KMB thanks to its solid earnings outlook, and based on these valuation figures, we also feel that GO is the superior value option right now. Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Grocery Outlet Holding Corp. (GO) : Free Stock Analysis Report Walmart Inc. (WMT) : Free Stock Analysis Report Kimberly-Clark Corporation (KMB) : Free Stock Analysis Report Kellanova (K) : Free Stock Analysis Report Stevanato Group S.p.A. (STVN) : Free Stock Analysis Report This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research ( Zacks Investment Research
Associated Press
16-06-2025
- Health
- Associated Press
‘Gas station heroin' is technically illegal and widely available. Here are the facts
WASHINGTON (AP) — Health officials want you to think twice before buying one of those brightly colored little bottles often sold at gas stations, convenience stores and smoke shops. Sometimes called 'gas station heroin,' the products are usually marketed as energy shots or cognitive supplements but actually contain tianeptine, an unapproved drug that can be addictive and carries risks of serious side effects. U.S. poison control centers have reported a steady rise in calls linked to the drug for more than a decade. And last month the Food and Drug Administration sent a warning to health professionals about 'the magnitude of the underlying danger or these products.' Here's what to know about gas station heroin. How are these products sold in the U.S.? Tianeptine is approved in a number foreign countries as an antidepressant, usually as a low-dose pill taken three times a day. But it has never been approved by the FDA for any medical condition in the U.S. Additionally, the drug cannot legally be added to foods and beverages or sold as a dietary supplement — something the FDA has repeatedly warned U.S. companies about. Still, under-the-radar firms sell tianeptine in various formulas, often with brand names like Zaza, Tianaa, Pegasus and TD Red. Although that is technically illegal, the FDA does not preapprove ingredients added to supplements and beverages. 'It's kind of this grey area of consumer products, or supplements, where the contents are not regulated or tested the way they would be with a medication,' said Dr. Diane Calello of the New Jersey Poison Information and Education System. Last year, Calello and her colleagues published a study documenting a cluster of emergency calls in New Jersey tied to a flavored elixir called Neptune's Fix. People experienced distress, rapid heartbeat, low blood pressure and seizures after drinking it. More than a dozen of the 20 patients had to be admitted for intensive care. Why use these products? Many tianeptine products claim— without evidence or FDA approval— to help users treat medical conditions, including addiction, pain and depression. In 2018, the FDA issued a warning letter to the maker of a product called Tianna, which claimed to provide 'an unparalleled solution to cravings for opiates.' While tianeptine is not an opioid, the drug binds to some of the same receptors in the brain, which can temporarily produce effects akin to oxycodone and other opioids. Tianeptine also carries some of the same physiological risks of opioids, including the potential to dangerously depress breathing. 'That's what tends to get people into trouble,' said Dr. Hannah Hays of Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus, Ohio. 'They use it for opioid-like effects or to self-treat opioid withdrawal and that can lead to slow breathing and problems like that.' People dealing with opioid addiction, pain, depression, anxiety and other conditions should see a health professional to get a prescription for FDA-approved treatments, Hays said. Is tianeptine use going up? Experts aren't sure but national figures show a big rise in emergency calls involving the drug. Calls to poison control centers increased 525% between 2018 and 2023, according to a data analysis published earlier this year. In about 40% of cases, the person had to seek medical care, with more than half of them needing critical care. One explanation for the rise in calls is simply that more Americans are using the products. But experts also say that the products are triggering more emergencies as they become more potent and dangerous. And the researchers in New Jersey who analyzed Neptune's Fix found that the liquid also contained synthetic cannabis and other drugs. 'You never quite know what's in that bottle,' Calello said. 'It's important for people to know that even if they have used a product before, they could get a bottle that contains something very different from what they're looking for.' Are there policies that could reduce tianeptine use? Tianeptine is not included in the federal Controlled Substances Act, which bans or restricts drugs that have no medical use or have a high potential for abuse, such as heroin, LSD and PCP. But about a dozen states have passed laws prohibiting or restricting tianeptine, including Alabama, Georgia, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio and Tennessee. In some cases, those laws have led to more cases of withdrawal among users of tianeptine, which can be chemically addictive. But state data also shows some success in reducing harm tied to the drug. Until recently, Alabama had the highest rate of tianeptine-related calls in the southern U.S., which increased more than 1,400% between 2018 to 2021. But after the state restricted tianeptine in 2021 calls began modestly decreasing while calls across other southern states continued to climb. ___
Associated Press
14-06-2025
- Health
- Associated Press
'Gas station heroin' is technically illegal and widely available. Here are the facts
WASHINGTON (AP) — Health officials want you to think twice before buying one of those brightly colored little bottles often sold at gas stations, convenience stores and smoke shops. Sometimes called 'gas station heroin,' the products are usually marketed as energy shots or cognitive supplements but actually contain tianeptine, an unapproved drug that can be addictive and carries risks of serious side effects. U.S. poison control centers have reported a steady rise in calls linked to the drug for more than a decade. And last month the Food and Drug Administration sent a warning to health professionals about 'the magnitude of the underlying danger or these products.' Here's what to know about gas station heroin. How are these products sold in the U.S.? Tianeptine is approved in a number foreign countries as an antidepressant, usually as a low-dose pill taken three times a day. But it has never been approved by the FDA for any medical condition in the U.S. Additionally, the drug cannot legally be added to foods and beverages or sold as a dietary supplement — something the FDA has repeatedly warned U.S. companies about. Still, under-the-radar firms sell tianeptine in various formulas, often with brand names like Zaza, Tianaa, Pegasus and TD Red. Although that is technically illegal, the FDA does not preapprove ingredients added to supplements and beverages. 'It's kind of this grey area of consumer products, or supplements, where the contents are not regulated or tested the way they would be with a medication,' said Dr. Diane Calello of the New Jersey Poison Information and Education System. Last year, Calello and her colleagues published a study documenting a cluster of emergency calls in New Jersey tied to a flavored elixir called Neptune's Fix. People experienced distress, rapid heartbeat, low blood pressure and seizures after drinking it. More than a dozen of the 20 patients had to be admitted for intensive care. Why use these products? Many tianeptine products claim— without evidence or FDA approval— to help users treat medical conditions, including addiction, pain and depression. In 2018, the FDA issued a warning letter to the maker of a product called Tianna, which claimed to provide 'an unparalleled solution to cravings for opiates.' While tianeptine is not an opioid, the drug binds to some of the same receptors in the brain, which can temporarily produce effects akin to oxycodone and other opioids. Tianeptine also carries some of the same physiological risks of opioids, including the potential to dangerously depress breathing. 'That's what tends to get people into trouble,' said Dr. Hannah Hays of Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus, Ohio. 'They use it for opioid-like effects or to self-treat opioid withdrawal and that can lead to slow breathing and problems like that.' People dealing with opioid addiction, pain, depression, anxiety and other conditions should see a health professional to get a prescription for FDA-approved treatments, Hays said. Is tianeptine use going up? Experts aren't sure but national figures show a big rise in emergency calls involving the drug. Calls to poison control centers increased 525% between 2018 and 2023, according to a data analysis published earlier this year. In about 40% of cases, the person had to seek medical care, with more than half of them needing critical care. One explanation for the rise in calls is simply that more Americans are using the products. But experts also say that the products are triggering more emergencies as they become more potent and dangerous. And the researchers in New Jersey who analyzed Neptune's Fix found that the liquid also contained synthetic cannabis and other drugs. 'You never quite know what's in that bottle,' Calello said. 'It's important for people to know that even if they have used a product before, they could get a bottle that contains something very different from what they're looking for.' Are there policies that could reduce tianeptine use? Tianeptine is not included in the federal Controlled Substances Act, which bans or restricts drugs that have no medical use or have a high potential for abuse, such as heroin, LSD and PCP. But about a dozen states have passed laws prohibiting or restricting tianeptine, including Alabama, Georgia, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio and Tennessee. In some cases, those laws have led to more cases of withdrawal among users of tianeptine, which can be chemically addictive. But state data also shows some success in reducing harm tied to the drug. Until recently, Alabama had the highest rate of tianeptine-related calls in the southern U.S., which increased more than 1,400% between 2018 to 2021. But after the state restricted tianeptine in 2021 calls began modestly decreasing while calls across other southern states continued to climb. ___ The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute's Science and Educational Media Group and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
