Latest news with #JamesRogers
Daily Mail
12-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
Popular health food eaten by millions found to be riddled with toxic metals linked to autism, cancer
Gluten-free may not be risk-free. An investigation has found that dozens of gluten-free products are riddled with toxic heavy metals linked to cancer and autism. The gluten-free market has boomed in the past decade, amid a wider shift toward 'clean eating', endorsements from celebrities like Victoria Beckham, and the perception that the foods under this label are 'healthier'. Cassava is a large root vegetable, popular among people on the diet because it doesn't contain gluten and is versatile; it can be ground into a flour to create gluten-free versions of snacks like cookies. The watchdog Consumer Reports tested 27 Cassava-based chips, cookies and crackers, among other products — and found some of them contained more lead than they had ever seen in more than a decade of product tests. Overall, two-thirds of the products contained more lead in a single serving than the organization's maximum level recommended — up to 2,000 percent above safe levels. Experts suggest Cassava may absorb lead from the ground, with the toxic metal either naturally occurring or left there by contaminated sewage sludge or fertilizers. Lead is dangerous because it can damage brain cells, with studies suggesting the toxic metal can leave people with learning difficulties and possibly even autism. James Rogers, the director of food and safety research at the organization, said: 'Some of these cassava products had the highest level of lead that we've ever tested, and I've been with Consumer Reports for eight and a half years. 'We never want consumers to panic, but we do want them to be aware so they can take proper measures to reduce their lead intake, since long-term lead exposure can lead to adverse health outcomes.' Eight products — mostly Cassava flour — contained such high levels of the toxic metal that the organization said people should avoid them entirely. Lead is a toxic heavy metal that is absorbed into the blood from contaminated foods and then travels to the brain, damaging cells. Studies have already linked lead exposure to a higher risk of learning difficulties and communication problems, with some even suggesting exposure in early life or in the womb may raise the risk of developing autism. The FDA says there is no safe level of lead exposure, while California says people should not be exposed to more than 0.5 micrograms of lead per day. Cassava is particularly popular among the more than 3 million gluten-free people in the US because it can be used to replicate much-loved snacks without exposing them to gluten. Among paleo-diet followers, it is a popular source of carbohydrates when many others — like bread and pasta — are off the menu. Between one and three million people in the US follow this diet, estimates claim. For the report, Consumer Reports tested one serving of Cassava-based products including chips, flour, crackers, bread, cookies, cereal, pasta, puff snacks, bars, and soda. Of the eight flours tested, four had lead levels that were so high consumers were told not to eat them. Three others had lead levels per serving between 200 and 600 percent the recommended level. Of the eight Cassava chips tested, two had levels that were so high that Consumer Reports said they should be avoided. In total, lead levels in the chips ranged from 600 to 1,700 percent. Overall, Bob's Red Mill Cassava Flour — sold in Walmart, health foods grocer Sprouts and others — was found to have the highest lead levels, at 2,343 percent higher than the recommended level. Also in the top ten were Whole Foods-own brand Sea Salt Cassava Tostones Cassava Chips, with lead levels 1,723 percent above the recommended level. Processing the vegetable into flour concentrates it, which experts say makes lead levels higher. The report tested the Cassava products for four heavy metals, with the other three being mercury, arsenic and cadmium. Mercury was found in none of the products, while there was a measurable amount of arsenic — commonly linked to pesticides, and can cause brain damage and cancer — in half. Cadmium, a toxic heavy metal that damages organs, was also detected in almost all of the products. Consumer Reports uses a much lower recommended lead level exposure of 0.5 micrograms per day, which it bases on California's safe limit. For comparison, the FDA says that exposure for adults should not exceed 8.8 micrograms per day. For children, it said this shouldn't exceed 2.2 micrograms. The difference is because California's limit is based on health concerns, while the FDA's indicates where damage has previously been observed. Rogers added: 'The negative effects of lead happen over time when there's chronic exposure, so you won't get lead poisoning if you eat one serving of these products. 'However, I would strongly urge consumers to reconsider using the seven products we listed to avoid.' Consumer Reports contacted 18 of the companies mentioned before publishing its findings, and also sent them their test results. Nine of them responded, with many saying that lead was a naturally occuring element that could not be completely avoided. Some also said that they test their ingredients or finished products for heavy metals. Several companies said that the products tested for the report have since been discontinued, with some acknowledging that concerns about lead in cassava played a role in the decision. Eight of the companies products carry warning labels on the back over higher lead levels. This is in line with California's Proposition 65, which requires any products with lead levels above 0.5 micrograms per serving to carry the warning.
Japan Today
05-05-2025
- Automotive
- Japan Today
The Showa Era Lifestyle Museum: Travel back in time
By James Rogers The Showa Era Lifestyle Museum opened in 1990 in Kita Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture. It features a large collection (over 160,000 items) of Showa era (1926-1989) items, from cars to televisions to full storefront replicas. The focus of the museum is to show what life was like during this period for a typical Japanese person. Despite the Showa era spanning a considerable amount of time, the era is mostly associated with the mid-20th century and thus most of the items in the museum are from this period. The museum has over 40,000 visitors per year. The museum has multiple floors, and its basement is full of many valuable classic cars and motorcycles. On its main floor, there are multiple full-room replicas, including living rooms, kitchens, a bicycle repair storefront, a candy store and many others. Nearly all of the items in the museum are donations. Occasionally, the museum also has special exhibitions. One previous exhibition that was quite unique featured Showa era items, such as radios, clocks, etc., opened up to reveal their inner workings. Until May 31, the museum's special exhibition will focus on items from the 1980s. The museum's creator, Yoshinori Ichihashi, showed great insight in establishing it in 1990. He realized early on that people who grew up or raised children during the Showa era would eventually feel nostalgic about the period. He has even published a book about the era. Click here to read more. External Link © GaijinPot
Fox News
15-04-2025
- Politics
- Fox News
Arizona to verify up to 50K people from voter rolls who failed to prove citizenship
EXCLUSIVE: All 15 Arizona counties have now begun the process of verifying and removing voters from their voter rolls, including nearly 50,000 registrants who did not provide proof of U.S. citizenship. "This settlement is a great result for all Arizonans," America First Legal (AFL) senior counsel James Rogers told Fox News Digital after his organization's successful lawsuit spearheaded the process in Arizona. AFL filed the lawsuit against the 15 Arizona counties last year on behalf of and Yvonne Cahill, a registered voter and naturalized citizen, arguing that the counties had not been following a state law that requires proof of citizenship to vote in local and state elections and for the state to do monthly checks of the rolls for registrants who did not check the box confirming citizenship. As a result of the lawsuit, the 15 counties have now begun working with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to verify the citizenship status of all registered voters in the state who failed to provide proof of citizenship. While a 2013 Supreme Court ruling prohibits states from imposing voter registration requirements beyond the federal requirement that registrants must check a box affirming their U.S. citizenship, Arizona residents are still required to provide proof of citizenship to vote in state and local elections. The Arizona law also requires that county recorders perform a monthly list maintenance to confirm the U.S. citizenship of so-called "federal-only voters," a list of nearly 50,000 individuals who failed to provide proof of U.S. citizenship and were not allowed to vote in state or local elections. Registrants confirmed to be citizens are then moved to the regular list while those found to be noncitizens are required to have their registration canceled. But AFL argued in the lawsuit that county recorders had not been utilizing the resources available to them to help verify citizenship status, something the Arizona law requires them to do. As a result, all 15 counties have now sent requests to DHS in order to assist their efforts to clear the voter rolls of noncitizens. "This will help County Recorders find and remove any aliens on their voter rolls," Rogers said. "It will also potentially enfranchise federal-only voters whose citizenship is confirmed, which would allow them to vote in state and local elections. AFL congratulates each of Arizona's 15 county recorders for taking this bold and important step for election integrity in the state." Editor's note: This story has been updated to reflect that the AZ voters on the rolls under examination did not prove their citizenship at the time of registration.
Fox News
15-04-2025
- Politics
- Fox News
Arizona to verify up to 50K people from voter roles who failed to prove citizenship
EXCLUSIVE: All 15 Arizona counties have now begun the process of verifying and removing voters from their voter rolls, including nearly 50,000 registrants who did not provide proof of U.S. citizenship. "This settlement is a great result for all Arizonans," America First Legal (AFL) senior counsel James Rogers told Fox News Digital after his organization's successful lawsuit spearheaded the process in Arizona. AFL filed the lawsuit against the 15 Arizona counties last year on behalf of and Yvonne Cahill, a registered voter and naturalized citizen, arguing that the counties had not been following a state law that requires proof of citizenship to vote in local and state elections and for the state to do monthly checks of the rolls for registrants who did not check the box confirming citizenship. As a result of the lawsuit, the 15 counties have now begun working with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to verify the citizenship status of all registered voters in the state who failed to provide proof of citizenship. While a 2013 Supreme Court ruling prohibits states from imposing voter registration requirements beyond the federal requirement that registrants must check a box affirming their U.S. citizenship, Arizona residents are still required to provide proof of citizenship to vote in state and local elections. The Arizona law also requires that county recorders perform a monthly list maintenance to confirm the U.S. citizenship of so-called "federal-only voters," a list of nearly 50,000 individuals who failed to provide proof of U.S. citizenship and were not allowed to vote in state or local elections. Registrants confirmed to be citizens are then moved to the regular list while those found to be noncitizens are required to have their registration canceled. But AFL argued in the lawsuit that county recorders had not been utilizing the resources available to them to help verify citizenship status, something the Arizona law requires them to do. As a result, all 15 counties have now sent requests to DHS in order to assist their efforts to clear the voter rolls of noncitizens. "This will help County Recorders find and remove any aliens on their voter rolls," Rogers said. "It will also potentially enfranchise federal-only voters whose citizenship is confirmed, which would allow them to vote in state and local elections. AFL congratulates each of Arizona's 15 county recorders for taking this bold and important step for election integrity in the state." Editor's note: This story has been updated to reflect that the AZ voters on the rolls under examination did not prove their citizenship at the time of registration.
Fox News
13-04-2025
- Politics
- Fox News
SCOOP: Arizona to begin removing as many as 50K noncitizens from voter rolls following lawsuit
EXCLUSIVE: All 15 Arizona counties have now begun the process of verifying and removing noncitizens from their voter rolls, including nearly 50,000 registrants who did not provide proof of U.S. citizenship. "This settlement is a great result for all Arizonans," America First Legal (AFL) senior counsel James Rogers told Fox News Digital after his organization's successful lawsuit spearheaded the process in Arizona. AFL filed the lawsuit against the 15 Arizona counties last year on behalf of and Yvonne Cahill, a registered voter and naturalized citizen, arguing that the counties had not been following a state law that requires proof of citizenship to vote in local and state elections and for the state to do monthly checks of the rolls for noncitizens. As a result of the lawsuit, the 15 counties have now begun working with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to verify the citizenship status of all registered voters in the state who failed to provide proof of citizenship. While a 2013 Supreme Court ruling prohibits states from imposing voter registration requirements beyond the federal requirement that registrants must check a box affirming their U.S. citizenship, Arizona residents are still required to provide proof of citizenship to vote in state and local elections. The Arizona law also requires that county recorders perform a monthly list maintenance to confirm the U.S. citizenship of so-called "federal-only voters," a list of nearly 50,000 individuals who failed to provide proof of U.S. citizenship and were not allowed to vote in state or local elections. Registrants confirmed to be citizens are then moved to the regular list while those found to be noncitizens are required to have their registration canceled. But AFL argued in the lawsuit that county recorders had not been utilizing the resources available to them to help verify citizenship status, something the Arizona law requires them to do. As a result, all 15 counties have now sent requests to DHS in order to assist their efforts to clear the voter rolls of noncitizens. "This will help County Recorders find and remove any aliens on their voter rolls," Rogers said. "It will also potentially enfranchise federal-only voters whose citizenship is confirmed, which would allow them to vote in state and local elections. AFL congratulates each of Arizona's 15 county recorders for taking this bold and important step for election integrity in the state."
