Latest news with #FCC
Gulf Insider
8 hours ago
- Health
- Gulf Insider
Overlooked Chemicals In Food May Threaten Your Health
Scientists are sounding the alarm on what they call an overlooked threat to public health: synthetic chemicals from packaging and processing equipment contaminating the food supply—particularly ultra-processed items—and potentially fueling a rise in chronic health conditions. A comprehensive review article recently published in Nature Medicine highlights some of the most prevalent types and sources of synthetic chemical contaminants in food: chemicals known as food contact chemicals (FCCs), which may contribute to chronic health conditions, including endocrine disruption, reproductive issues, and increased cancer risks. The widespread nature of FCC contamination may have escaped public attention because these chemicals migrate invisibly into food through routine processes we usually consider safe. Unlike visible food safety concerns such as bacterial contamination or spoilage, FCCs transfer silently from materials that come into contact with food through four key routes, as identified by the researchers: transportation, processing, packaging, and preparation. Transportation introduces FCCs through storage containers and tubing systems used to move food products. During this stage, chemicals from container coatings and transport equipment can leach into foods—especially when exposed to temperature changes or extended contact periods. Food processing—the industrial transformation of raw ingredients into finished products—exposes foods to machinery, conveyor systems, and processing equipment that contain various synthetic materials. The high temperatures and mechanical processes involved in manufacturing can accelerate chemical migration from these surfaces. Plastic food packaging represents a significant source of contamination, as it involves prolonged direct contact between synthetic materials and food products. Food preparation, which differs from processing because it involves the final steps before consumption, often includes heating. Higher temperatures lead to increased migration, the researchers noted. All FCCs that migrate into food or drinks are important because people will likely ingest them, the authors wrote. The study identified how specific harmful substances migrate through these pathways. Bisphenol A diglycidyl ether—a known endocrine disruptor and potential carcinogen—transfers from coatings of metal food storage containers during transportation and storage. Phthalates migrate from polyvinyl chloride tubing into milk during processing and transport. Even cleaning agents used to disinfect storage and transport containers can leave residues that end up in food. Fast food products face particularly high contamination levels because they encounter multiple packaging types throughout the production and service chain, including disposable containers, wrappers, and serving material, said Bryan Quoc Le, a food scientist and principal food consultant at Mendocino Food Consulting, in an interview with The Epoch Times. The health implications of FCC exposure extend far beyond minor concerns, with research linking these chemicals to severe chronic conditions that affect millions of people, according to the study. Phthalates in food packaging pose significant reproductive health risks, with certain types linked to preterm birth. This early delivery increases the risk of developing chronic conditions later in life, including kidney disease and diabetes. Di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP)—a man-made chemical used as a plasticizer—demonstrates particularly concerning effects in adults, with studies associating exposure with obesity and diabetes. Some evidence shows a 40 to 69 percent probability that DEHP exposure directly causes these conditions. Perfluorooctanoic acid—another common food contact chemical—carries even more severe risks. The International Agency for Research on Cancer has classified it as carcinogenic to humans, meaning it definitively causes cancer in people exposed to sufficient levels. Bisphenols, including the well-known bisphenol A (BPA), function as endocrine disruptors, interfering with the body's hormone systems. This disruption can affect reproductive health, metabolism, and development, particularly in children and pregnant women. Alternatives like bio-based coatings, perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)-free barriers, and safer plasticizers are currently available, but they come with trade-offs in cost, performance, and shelf life, said Vineet Dubey, a Los Angeles environmental attorney who focuses on consumer safety issues, in an interview with The Epoch Times. 'As always, change will take time and requires the buy-in of food companies, which have already invested in technology, factories, and industrial farm-to-table systems that package food the 'old' way,' he noted. Ultra-processed foods face the greatest contamination risk due to their complex manufacturing processes and extensive packaging requirements, according to the recent study. These products include breakfast cereals and bars, ready-made frozen meals, processed meats like chicken nuggets, energy drinks with significant added sugar, packaged bread, sodas, snacks like cookies and chips, candy, and condiments like ketchup and mayonnaise, Dr. Mia Kazanjian, the co-director of Stamford Health's Breast Center, who was not involved in the study, told The Epoch Times. 'These are the foods that are exposed to these chemicals most during the packaging, processing, and storage,' she said. Despite the widespread nature of FCC contamination, people can take practical steps to reduce their exposure and protect their health. Health experts recommend reducing the consumption of ultra-processed foods when possible. Instead, prioritize fresh, whole foods that require minimal processing and packaging. When purchasing packaged foods, choose products with minimal packaging or packaging made from safer materials. Glass and stainless steel containers pose significantly lower risks than plastic alternatives because they are less likely to leach harmful chemicals into food. Replace plastic food storage containers with glass or stainless steel alternatives. These materials resist chemical migration better. Avoid heating food in plastic containers, as elevated temperatures accelerate chemical migration from plastic into food. Transfer food to glass or ceramic containers before microwaving or heating. Use wooden, glass, or stainless steel utensils and cutting boards instead of plastic alternatives when possible. Plastic cutting boards can contain hundreds of chemicals. Choose fresh ingredients over packaged alternatives when possible, and prepare meals at home rather than relying on heavily packaged convenience foods. Kazanjian expressed hope that in the foreseeable future, our food system can be redesigned to minimize the use of potentially hazardous synthetic chemicals. 'It starts with more widespread awareness,' she said, adding that the more people know about this, the more advocacy there will be, and the more movement we will have toward a safer food supply—but it will take time. 'But certain things can be done in short order,' Kazanjian added. 'For example, we need more advanced testing to pick up on all the chemicals in these products. Then we need food companies to avoid using them and invest in safer alternatives.' Lead study author Jane Muncke emphasizes the need for a 'holistic' approach to policymaking that integrates considerations of planetary and human health, including FCCs and their effects. Recent regulatory action provides some hope. In 2022, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration revoked authorizations for 23 phthalates in food contact use and limited use to nine compounds. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency now requires manufacturers and processors of Di-n-pentyl phthalate, a specific phthalate, to notify the agency before starting or resuming new uses. According to Muncke, all food packaging, processing equipment, and other food contact materials require adequate safety testing regarding migrating food contact chemicals and microplastics using modern testing methods. Quoc Le said, 'The more we learn about this topic, the clearer it becomes that there is a real problem, which may explain many health problems that exist today—especially those that are severe and undiagnosed in some individuals.'
Yahoo
12 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
‘60 Minutes' Staff Almost Quit ‘En Masse' Over Trump Suit
Lesley Stahl revealed that she and her fellow 60 Minutes correspondents came close to quitting 'en masse' after their boss left the show with a dire warning about Donald Trump. The 33-year 60 Minutes veteran admitted she was 'angry' with Paramount head Shari Redstone on the Friday episode of The New Yorker Radio Hour. 'It is a frivolous lawsuit,' Stahl said of Trump's $20 billion legal action against CBS News. When host and New Yorker editor David Reminick asked Stahl whether she was 'angry' with Redstone, Stahl admitted, 'Yes, I think I am. I think I am.' Stahl also offered a theory for why Trump pursued the lawsuit against CBS News, in which he is accusing 60 Minutes of 'deceptively editing' Harris' interview to make her look better, in the first place. 'What is really behind it, in a nutshell, is to chill us,' Stahl said. 'There aren't any damages. He accused us of editing Kamala Harris in a way to help her win the election. But he won the election.' Settling the lawsuit would pave the way for Paramount's planned merger with Skydance Media, which would reportedly result in a $530 million personal payout for Redstone—and has to be approved by Trump's FCC officials. Paramount offered Trump $15 million to settle the lawsuit this week, but the president turned it down, citing 'mental anguish' over the Harris interview. He now wants $25 million and an apology to put his complaint to rest. The attempt to settle with Trump over the interview, which staffers have insisted was edited according to its usual standards and was not politically motivated, has caused internal tension at the network, culminating in the shock exits of 60 Minutes executive producer Bill Owens and CBS News President Wendy McMahon. Stahl said Owens' resignation 'was one of those punches where you almost can't breathe,' calling Owens and McMahon 'barriers' between 'us and the corporation.' Those barriers were tested even before Trump's lawsuit, Stahl recalled Friday. As for what 60 Minutes will be like once out of Redstone's hands at Paramount, Stahl said she's 'Pollyannaish' that Skydance will 'hold the freedom of the press up as a beacon, that they understand the importance of allowing us to be independent and do our jobs.' 'I'm expecting that. I'm hoping that, I want that, I'm praying for that,' Stahl said. 'And I have no reason to think that won't happen.' Reminick asked Stahl to consider what happens if it doesn't, and what it would take for her to follow Owens and McMahon out of the CBS News door. 'It depends,' she said. 'You ask me where my line is. I'm not sure. I don't think I can express what it is, but there is a line. Of course there is a line.' Stahl said that Owens resigning was one of those 'lines' and she and her fellow correspondents actually considering quitting 'en masse.' But their outgoing boss talked them out of it. 'It is hard' to 'have a news organization told by a corporation, 'Do this, do that with your story, change this, change that. Don't run that piece,'' Stahl explained, recounting what it was like to 'quietly resist' Redstone's complaints about 60 Minutes' Gaza coverage. 'The message came down through the line, through Wendy McMahon to Bill,' Stahl said, which she found 'very disconcerting.' 'It steps on the First Amendment. It steps on the freedom of the press. It makes me question whether any corporation should own a news operation,' she continued.
Business Insider
14 hours ago
- Business
- Business Insider
EchoStar Stock (SATS) Dives 20% on Missed Payment
EchoStar (SATS) stock dove on Friday after the satellite communication company announced it won't make a $326 million cash interest payment due today. This payment is tied to its 10.75% senior spectrum secured notes due 2029. The company notes this decision is a default on its payment, and it has a 30-day grace period to make the payment. Confident Investing Starts Here: Easily unpack a company's performance with TipRanks' new KPI Data for smart investment decisions Receive undervalued, market resilient stocks right to your inbox with TipRanks' Smart Value Newsletter EchoStar decided not to make the payment due to Federal Communications Commission (FCC) review of its 5G service offerings and September 2024 buildout plan. This could result in the reversal of FCC grants offered to EchoStar. The company said this 'has effectively frozen our ability to make decisions regarding our Boost business.' It expects an FCC decision within the 30-day grace period, which could result in it making that payment in time. SATS stock was down 20.92% on Friday following the missed payment news. The company's shares have also dropped 11.92% year-to-date as of Thursday's close. Is SATS Stock a Buy, Sell, or Hold? Turning to Wall Street, the analysts' consensus rating for EchoStar is Hold, based on one Buy and three Hold ratings over the past three months. With that comes an average SATS stock price target of $26.67, representing a potential 32.23% upside for the shares.
Yahoo
18 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Why EchoStar Plunged Today
EchoStar missed an interest payment on a loan tied to some wireless spectrum it owns. That spectrum license was called into question earlier this month by the SEC. EchoStar's Charlie Ergen is battling Elon Musk's SpaceX over the use of this spectrum, which can be used for satellite communications. 10 stocks we like better than EchoStar › Shares of EchoStar (NASDAQ: SATS) plunged 12.1% on Friday, after the company failed to make an interest payment on one of its senior notes secured by its wireless spectrum. The company is justifying missing the payment due to lingering uncertainty resulting from its current fight with the Federal Communications Commission over EchoStar's use -- or lack thereof -- of this key spectrum license. Investors never like to see a missed interest payment, as it brings up the specter of potential bankruptcy, but the situation isn't quite as dire as that -- yet. EchoStar is entrepreneur Charlie Ergen's company and houses the Dish TV, Sling TV, and Boost Mobile wireless services, along with the associated satellite services that serves those businesses, and some valuable wireless spectrum. That spectrum has become controversial of late. Per a 2019 deal, EchoStar was supposed to use that spectrum to launch a 5G network that would be able to rival the other big three telecom carriers. However, due to EchoStar's declining business, that buildout has been slow-going. On May 9, the FCC commissioner wrote a letter to the company, saying last year's extension for its spectrum licenses is under a new review in the new administration. Of note, Elon Musk's SpaceX would also like to use that spectrum, and has accused EchoStar of hoarding it without putting it to use in the agreed-upon time frame. While that letter was sent on May 9, today, EchoStar reportedly missed a $326 million interest payment on its 10.75% senior spectrum secured notes due in 2029, which was due to be paid today. The thinking, perhaps, is that since those notes were secured by the spectrum, and the status of that spectrum is now in flux due to the FCC review, EchoStar might as well not pay the interest unless it has to. Of note, the notes give EchoStar a 30-day grace period before it is technically in default. EchoStar has been desperately trying to transform itself, as its largest business is the declining pay-TV business. Going forward, the company is hoping to build up Boost Mobile both as a new 5G service as well as a satellite-enabled wireless service, utilizing EchoStar's existing satellites. While the missed interest payment is sort of voluntary and not necessarily a sign of an impending company default, the lingering spectrum controversy with the FCC isn't a great development. This is a story to steer clear of in the near term, until the turnaround story gets more clarity. Before you buy stock in EchoStar, consider this: The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the for investors to buy now… and EchoStar wasn't one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years. Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $638,985!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $853,108!* Now, it's worth noting Stock Advisor's total average return is 978% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 171% for the S&P 500. Don't miss out on the latest top 10 list, available when you join . See the 10 stocks » *Stock Advisor returns as of May 19, 2025 Billy Duberstein and/or his clients have no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. Why EchoStar Plunged Today was originally published by The Motley Fool 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
CNET
20 hours ago
- Health
- CNET
Your Phone Is Covered in Germs. Here's How to Disinfect It the Right Way
We bring our phones with us everywhere, from sitting in your pocket when you leave for work in the morning, to being a distraction while you eat lunch at the office. Along with traveling with you everywhere, that phone is picking up a ton of germs and bacteria from our hands, and surfaces alike. If you haven't been regularly cleaning your phone, it could actually be dirtier than a toilet seat. The Federal Communications Commission suggests disinfecting your phone daily, but not all cleaning methods are safe. Harsh chemicals and abrasive materials can damage protective coatings and potentially harm your screen. To keep your phone both clean and intact, it's crucial to use the right cleaning techniques. However, there are safe and effective ways to sanitize your phone without causing any damage. We'll guide you through the best methods and products for keeping your device germ-free, no matter if you have an iPhone or a Samsung or whatever its level of water resistance. For more cleaning tips, here's how to clean wireless earbuds and AirPods. What are the best products for daily cleaning? After touching surfaces that see a lot of action from the public -- such as door handles, seats on public transportation, grocery carts and gas pumps -- you might think you need a heavy-duty cleaning agent to use on your phone. However, you should avoid rubbing alcohol or products made of straight alcohol, since they can damage the protective coatings that prevent oil and water from harming your screen. Some suggest making your own alcohol-water mix, but getting the concentration wrong can damage your phone. The safest option is using disinfectant wipes with 70% isopropyl alcohol. For daily cleaning, consider a UV light product like PhoneSoap, which kills 99.99% of germs and bacteria. We can also turn to phone manufacturers and cell service companies for guidance, too. Apple now approves using Clorox Wipes and similar disinfectants, which was not recommended before the pandemic since they were thought to be too abrasive on the screen's coating. AT&T advises spraying a 70% isopropyl alcohol solution on a soft, lint-free cloth and wiping your device down. Samsung also recommends using a 70% alcohol solution with a microfiber cloth. Always make sure your phone is powered off before cleaning it. What are the best methods for removing fingerprints, sand and makeup? Sometimes your phone needs a more specific treatment when washing up. The recommended process for daily cleaning may not be enough to remove pesky grains of sand after a beach vacation or tough foundation stains. Get rid of fingerprints Fingerprint smudges are inevitable since your skin produces oils. Every time you pick up your phone, your screen will get fingerprints. The safest way to make your screen print-free is with a microfiber cloth. For a deeper clean, dampen the cloth with distilled water (never apply water directly to the screen) and wipe down the surface. This works for the back and sides of your phone as well. Alternatively, try a microfiber screen cleaner sticker that sticks to the back of your phone for easy wiping. Remove sand and small particles Grains of sand and lint can easily get stuck in your phone's ports and crevices. To remove it, we recommend you use Scotch tape. Press it along the creases and speaker, then roll it up and gently insert it into the ports. The tape will pull out any debris. You can then just simply throw away the tape for easy cleanup. For smaller speaker holes, use a toothpick gently or a small vacuum crevice tool to suck out the debris. These tools work well for other small appliances or hard-to-reach areas in your car too. Sand and small particles can be tricky to remove. A piece of tape should do the trick. MartenBG/Getty Images Cleanse makeup off your phone screen When you wear makeup and skin care products, such as foundation and moisturizers, you'll leave residue on your phone screen. While makeup remover works for your face, it's not safe for screens due to potentially harmful chemicals. Instead, try a screen-safe makeup remover like Whoosh, which is alcohol-free and gentle on all screens. Alternatively, use a damp microfiber cloth to clean your phone, then wash the cloth afterward. Make sure your cloth is only slightly wet to avoid soaking your phone in water. What if my phone is waterproof? For waterproof phones (IP67 and above), it's best to clean the device with a damp cloth instead of submerging or running it under water -- even if the phone advertises that it can withstand submersion for a certain amount of time. Afterward, dry your phone with a soft cloth, ensuring all ports and speakers are patted dry. While your phone can withstand water, submerging it can lead to water in the ports, delaying charging. Remember, water resistance is meant for accidents, not swimming or regular cleaning. Fingerprint smudges on your phone are inevitable since your skin produces oils that rub off on the to avoid when cleaning your phone We've already covered why you should avoid makeup remover and rubbing alcohol, but those aren't a comprehensive list of harmful cleaning agents. Here are a few other items and products you should never use to clean your phone: Hand sanitizer: Fragrances and ethyl alcohol found in many sanitizers can harm your phone. Fragrances and ethyl alcohol found in many sanitizers can harm your phone. Window or kitchen cleaners: Harsh cleaners can strip the protective coating on your phone and leave it more vulnerable to scratches. Harsh cleaners can strip the protective coating on your phone and leave it more vulnerable to scratches. Paper towels: Paper can shred, making the debris on your phone much worse, and the rough texture can leave scratches on your screen. Paper can shred, making the debris on your phone much worse, and the rough texture can leave scratches on your screen. Dish and hand soap: Most soaps require you to combine them with water, and since you should keep water away from your phone, it's best to stick to a damp cloth. Most soaps require you to combine them with water, and since you should keep water away from your phone, it's best to stick to a damp cloth. Vinegar: Like cleaners and alcohols, vinegar will strip your phone screen's coating. Like cleaners and alcohols, vinegar will strip your phone screen's coating. Compressed air: Blowing intense and direct air into your phone's portals can cause damage, especially to your mic. Apple specifically warns iPhone owners not to use compressed air. For more cleaning tips, explore how to clean your Apple Watch.
