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Fox News
27-05-2025
- Health
- Fox News
Deli meat, cucumbers top list of 'really risky foods' you might have in the fridge
Print Close By Gretchen Eichenberg Published May 27, 2025 Cucumbers, deli meat and eggs are just a few of the everyday grocery items that made a list from Consumer Reports of "10 Really Risky Foods Right Now." It's based on the number of illnesses and deaths in 2024, how widespread the outbreaks were, the number of recalls and the amount of food recalled. There was a 41% jump in food recalls due to possible contamination with salmonella, E. coli and listeria in 2024 compared with the year before, according to the U.S. Public Interest Research Group Education Fund. FEWER FOOD RECALLS YET MORE AMERICANS SICKENED IN 2024 THAN PREVIOUS YEAR, SAYS NEW REPORT Each year, Consumer Reports ranks the 10 foods linked to the largest U.S. recalls and most serious illness outbreaks caused by bacterial contamination. The company uses data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Max Teplitski, chief science officer for the International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA), told Fox News Digital the conversation about outbreaks is complicated. Every year, new technology improves the ability to detect outbreaks and therefore issue recalls that reach the public, he said. "Now that we have molecular tools, we can connect two seemingly different cases," Teplitski said. "And once you have two cases, you have an outbreak." Every year, new technology improves the ability to detect outbreaks. That doesn't make one food on the list riskier going forward, he said. Consumer Reports measures what has happened in a particular year. PROTECT YOURSELF AGAINST E. COLI AND KNOW WHEN TO SEE A DOCTOR "The way these data and studies are generated is looking at the retroactive or prospective data analysis," he said. Below are the 10 risky foods on the list. 1. Deli meat A case of listeria in liverwurst at a Boar's Head plant contributed to the biggest outbreak of foodborne illness last year, causing the company to recall 7 million pounds of deli meats. Due to the handling of sliced meats at the processor and then the deli counter, there is a greater risk of bacterial infection. Deli meat is one of the items the USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) monitors to protect consumers. Certain people should be especially careful when it comes to eating cold cuts, according to Beverly Lopez, food safety specialist for the FSIS. "The group at greater risk for foodborne illness, particularly deli meats, includes infants, young children, pregnant women and their unborn babies, older adults and people with weakened immune systems," she told Fox News Digital. "These groups are more susceptible to severe illness or complications." 2. Cucumbers Both whole and sliced cucumbers sold in grocery stores were involved in outbreaks in 2024. But Teplitski said he doesn't think it's anything specific to cucumbers. Like other produce, cucumbers are grown in open fields and therefore subject to pathogens that are present in soil, he said. He recommends that shoppers avoid any produce that looks damaged or bruised, as they could more easily be infected if the skin is broken. CUCUMBER SHORTAGES IN ICELAND BLAMED ON TIKTOK CRAZE: 'FIRST TIME WE HAVE EXPERIENCED SOMETHING LIKE THIS' Thoroughly washing all produce is an important way people can protect themselves, he added. 3. Raw milk and cheese Pasteurization kills bacteria and viruses in dairy products by heating them to 161 degrees Farenheit. But raw milk and cheese, often consumed for the health benefits of being "unprocessed," can be left vulnerable to salmonella and E. coli. That's what happened in two separate outbreaks at raw farms last year. NATIONAL RAW MILK REGULATIONS LIKELY COMING WITH NEW ADMINISTRATION, SAYS RAW FARM BOSS Even though the FDA requires raw dairy products to be aged for 60 days to kill bacteria, there's still a chance someone could get sick consuming them. 4. Cotija and queso fresco cheese Soft cheese, which includes Brie, is a perfect breeding ground for listeria because of its high water content and low acidity, according to the CDC. Rio Lopéz Foods battled a years-long outbreak with its cotija and queso fresco cheese that affected 11 states, FOX Business previously reported. CHEESE DISCOVERED INSIDE COFFIN WITH ANCIENT MUMMIES DATES BACK THOUSANDS OF YEARS Hard cheese like cheddar and Parmesan are safer options. 5. Eggs Salmonella wreaked havoc in 12 states during an outbreak at Milo's Poultry Farms last year, while Handsome Brooks Farms eggs, sold at Costco, were recalled with no illnesses reported. Salmonella can be present inside the egg and on the shell, according to — so don't use eggs with broken shells and be sure to wash your hands thoroughly after handling raw eggs. LIQUID EGG FOOD PRODUCTS ARE RECALLED, MAY HAVE BEEN DISTRIBUTED NATIONWIDE Cook eggs until they are firm, not runny, to kill any bacteria that may be present. 6. Onions Some people who ate McDonald's Quarter Pounders, with their signature raw slivered onions, became sick due to an E. coli outbreak last year. (The FDA investigated whether Taylor Farms , which supplied the onions to McDonald's in the areas where the E. coli outbreak occurred, was the source of the contamination. McDonald's removed beef and onions from its supply chain after the CDC informed them of the outbreak, and Taylor Farms issued a recall of yellow onions in Oct. 2024, FOX Business reported last year. Beef was ruled out as the source.) Again, produce items are subject to contamination through soil and water. ARE ONIONS SAFE TO EAT AFTER THE E. COLI OUTBREAK? WHAT YOU MUST KNOW In addition to careful washing, Teplitski recommends keeping produce separate, starting at the grocery store, to prevent cross contamination from one item to another. 7. Leafy greens Fresh spinach and a romaine-iceberg lettuce mix caused two E. coli outbreaks after they were shipped to restaurants and schools last year, according to Consumer Reports. Some types of fruits and vegetables are consumed more than others in a typical diet, Teplitski said, such as cucumbers, onions and leafy greens. Teplitski said it's "just a numbers game sometimes." IS A SALAD ALWAYS A BETTER CHOICE THAN A SANDWICH? THINK TWICE ABOUT THAT "Some vegetables and fruits are consumed much more rarely, so they're less likely to appear on those tables," he said. "But if we look at the totality of the millions of pounds of cucumbers and leafy greens and onions that are consumed daily by Americans, the risk of illness is trending close to zero." 8. Organic carrots Organically grown produce is not immune to bacteria from the soil and water. Bagged carrots – a household staple for many – from Grimmway Farms were the subject of a recall last November. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER Washing and peeling raw vegetables can reduce the potential for bacteria on the surface, but cooking is a safer bet. 9. Organic basil This savory herb, packaged by Infinite Herbs, was contaminated with salmonella and sickened people in 14 states. Teplitski said the produce industry has invested nearly $50 million into understanding the causes of outbreaks, how human pathogens persist in the environment and how wild and domestic animals can contribute to negative food safety outcomes. For more Lifestyle articles, visit "What I can say is that today, the fresh produce is the safest it's ever been in human history," he said. "We continue to learn and invest in the tools to make food safer from the field all the way to the plate." 10. Cooked poultry and meat Though cooking is a way to reduce the presence of viruses and bacteria, cooked items that are handled and processed can pick up pathogens. "Perishable food such as meat, poultry and egg products must be handled safely from purchase through consumption to prevent foodborne illness," Lopez said. Two leading causes of foodborne illness are eating raw or undercooked foods — and allowing food to remain at an unsafe temperature too long, Lopez said. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP "For example, leaving cooked foods out to cool after cooking or leaving perishable foods out of the refrigerator for more than two hours," she said. "Everyone should be mindful of safe food handling." Print Close URL
Business Wire
20-05-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
BHMI Enhances the Concourse Financial Software Suite® to Support the Illinois Interchange Fee Prohibition Act (IFPA)
OMAHA, Neb.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- BHMI, a leading provider of back-office payment solutions, today announced that its Concourse Financial Software Suite has been updated to support compliance with the Illinois Interchange Fee Prohibition Act (IFPA). The IFPA, enacted in June 2024 and set to take effect on July 1, 2025, prohibits payment card networks, issuers, acquirer banks, and processors from assessing or receiving interchange fees on portions of electronic payment transactions that represent state or local taxes and gratuities. Under the new law, merchants must communicate tax and gratuity amounts either at the time of authorization or settlement, or through a post-transaction rebate process, which allows up to 180 days for submission of the relevant data. In support of the IFPA, Concourse's configurable rules engine identifies the applicable portions of a transaction so that Concourse clients can configure their fee and settlement rules to incorporate the new law's requirements to exclude the application of interchange fees when not allowed. 'This is a great example of why Concourse is recognized as one of the most flexible back-office payment solutions on the market,' said Lynne Baldwin, President of BHMI. 'Thanks to our powerful, configurable rules engine, Concourse is purpose-built to adapt quickly to new regulatory mandates and evolving industry requirements.' About BHMI BHMI is a respected provider of software solutions for managing the back-office processing of electronic payment transactions. The company's flagship product, the Concourse Financial Software Suite, offers a dynamic and flexible solution for processing a wide range of payment types, including debit cards, credit cards, mobile payments, P2P, real-time payments, ATMs, and POS. Concourse provides essential back-office functions such as automated reconciliation, fee assessment, settlement and dispute management. Its continuous processing architecture and powerful rules engine make it an ideal solution for organizations looking to modernize and optimize back-office payment operations.
Zawya
08-04-2025
- Business
- Zawya
IFPA reacts to 30% tariff on South Africa fresh produce, warns of global impact
The International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA) has voiced strong concerns following the announcement by US President Donald Trump on 2 April that a 30% tariff will be imposed on South African fresh produce, effective 9 April. This move is part of a broader tariff strategy, which includes a 10% tariff on imports from all countries worldwide, starting 5 April, and additional tariffs targeting approximately 60 countries. South Africa's Presidency has responded, highlighting the need for urgent trade negotiations with the US to reach a new bilateral trade agreement that would be mutually beneficial. A commitment to fair trade IFPA's chief global policy officer, Alexis Taylor, comments: 'IFPA firmly supports fair and thriving international trade. Fair trade expands markets, drives prosperity, and ensures access to fresh, nutritious foods worldwide. "The global trade of fresh produce is essential to the health and well-being of people in every nation, and we are concerned about the broad application of tariffs on global trading partners and the resulting disruptions to supply chains, market stability, and food prices worldwide. "Additionally, the risk of retaliatory tariffs from other countries further exacerbates these issues, creating a cycle of trade barriers that harm consumers and producers alike. While targeted use of tariffs can be a tool for addressing inequities between trading partners, the broad application of this blunt tool often disrupts markets, raises consumer costs, and places unnecessary strain on growers and producers across the supply chain.' Taylor adds: "Fresh produce trade is uniquely complex, shaped by seasonal and regional factors that require a well-functioning market for year-round availability. Once businesses lose market share, reclaiming it is difficult—if not impossible—dealing a lasting blow to an industry vital to food security and economic stability.' Challenges for SA producers Jane Strijdom, IFPA Southern Africa country manager, remarks: "The imposition of these tariffs will be a major setback for the fresh produce industry. South African producers are already navigating numerous economic and logistical challenges. "Adding a 30% tariff on top of these existing pressures will hamper their ability to compete fairly in the global market. We support the South African and United States governments to negotiate urgently on a workable solution for fresh produce's global supply chains." IFPA has encouraged businesses to stay informed about the evolving situation and access resources on their website regarding the impact of tariffs. All rights reserved. © 2022. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Yahoo
13-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
IFPA Forum Americas 2025: "Towards More Equitable, Person-Centered Care for All People Living with Psoriatic Disease in the Americas"
On April 4, 2025, IFPA will host the IFPA Forum 2025 for the Americas in Bogotá, Colombia. This marks the third regional forum of its kind, following successful gatherings in Europe (2022) and Asia (2023). STOCKHOLM , March 13, 2025 /CNW/ -- The IFPA Forum 2025 will unite stakeholders from across the Americas to address the urgent challenges faced by individuals living with psoriatic disease, focusing on reducing inequities in access to care and improving the quality of life for millions living with this disease. The Forum will also explore psoriatic disease within the broader framework of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), emphasizing its profound impact on individuals and society. Highlighting the Challenges of Psoriatic Disease Psoriatic disease is a chronic, immune-mediated inflammatory condition that imposes significant physical, emotional, and financial burdens on millions worldwide. According to the Global Psoriasis Atlas, its prevalence in the Americas ranges from 0.1% to 1.7%, with higher rates in North America while Central America and the Caribbean lack comprehensive data. Access to effective treatments remains inequitable across the region. Ethnic minorities in North America face persistent barriers to care, while Latin America grapples with social inequities in healthcare access. These disparities underscore the need for targeted, region-specific interventions to improve healthcare equity and ensure timely diagnosis and treatment, especially for people living with chronic NCDs like psoriatic disease. To optimize treatment, it is vital to address regional differences in disease burden, quality of life, and comorbidities. Expanding access to timely diagnosis and effective management is crucial for enhancing health outcomes and quality of life for those affected. Driving Advocacy and Solutions for Psoriatic Disease For over two decades, IFPA, the international federation of psoriatic disease associations have worked to elevate psoriatic disease as a serious non-communicable disease, culminating in the 2014 World Health Assembly Resolution and the 2016 WHO Global Report on Psoriasis. IFPA members in the Americas have, since the beginning, been at the forefront of leading global advocacy efforts. With this commitment, IFPA is proud to host its third regional Forum in the Americas. Join the Movement For more information on the IFPA Forum 2025, visit About IFPA Founded in 1971, IFPA is the international federation of psoriatic disease associations. We are the psoriatic disease community. Our members represent over 60 million people living with psoriatic disease. Together, we advocate for progress. Photo: View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE IFPA View original content to download multimedia: Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
06-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
2025 North American Pinball National Championship in full swing in East Rochester
EAST ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) – Folks from across the nation are flipping out over the 2025 North American Pinball Championship, which is being held right here in the Rochester area! The International Flipper Pinball Association (IFPA) puts together the event annually, with The Pinball Collective in East Rochester's Piano Works Plaza chosen as the host for this year. It unifies the highest-ranking pinball players in the continent, from those on the west coast all the way to our very own Rochesterians. One competitor is Bowen Kerins, who currently ranks 24th in the IFPA and is one of the best in Massachusetts. Even with his decades of experience, he says tournaments like this one serve as opportunities for him to learn more about the game. 'There are so many skill moves in pinball that I don't know them all, and I've been playing in tournaments for 30 years,' Kerins said. 'Everyone is learning from each other at such an increased pace now that tournaments are online, from gameplay videos and from each other.' Around 58 people in total are competing in this year's championship, all with a common passion for pinball. It's the first time the tournament has come to New York State. Kerins says it provides a great opportunity each year to introduce new folks to competitive pinball while also building their community. 'At least two dozen players this year have never been at a tournament of this caliber, alongside players who are here every year because they're extremely good,' Kerins said. 'You get a whole new group of people who are learning while also trying to win.' Also attending the championship is Project Pinball, which raises money to bring pinball machines to children's hospitals and Ronald McDonald houses across the nation. Kerins explains how the game has brought about many lifelong friendships for him and many others. 'I'm really proud that we've created a culture and a community that supports the growth of each other, aiming to create better and better players over time.' The 2025 North American Pinball National Champion will be unveiled Thursday night and will receive a $7,000 prize along with a trophy showcasing their feat. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
