Latest news with #Lemonheads
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Editorial: As sugar is attacked, Chicago candymaker Ferrara keeps the Nerds coming
These are nervous times in the food industry. Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy is centralizing control of health-related agencies under his authority. He's advancing his 'Make America Healthy Again' campaign by, paradoxically, slashing more than 80,000 from the federal health workforce. That sets the stage for what Chicago's Journal of the American Medical Association recently quoted in a headline as, 'guaranteed pandemonium.' Among his bold statements about the modern food supply, Kennedy has said Americans are being 'unknowingly poisoned' by canola and soybean oil, for instance, and described the sale of so-called 'ultra-processed' food like hot dogs and chips to Native Americans as a 'genocide.' He wants to ban long-approved dyes and preservatives. And he's angling to use government power to remake school lunches and prevent food-stamp recipients from shopping in some of the most popular sections of the grocery aisles. Many are applauding him. And as for the sweet stuff most Americans enjoy in moderation? 'Sugar is poison,' Kennedy said last month, and Americans need to know that it's poison. We share his goal of food policy that yields a healthy population. We also have an interest in Chicago-based businesses. The $2 billion Chicago company that makes Lemonheads, Jelly Bellies and Nerds unsurprisingly takes a different view from Kennedy. As Ferrara Candy Co.'s Katie Duffy says, 'Everything we produce is safe to eat.' This page recognizes that sugar has contributed to the obesity epidemic and we don't think that all of Kennedy's warnings are without foundation. But we've also long recoiled against Uncle Sam telling Americans what to eat. If a food product is safe from a scientific standpoint, the government has no business blocking it from the marketplace. Food producers should be honest about what's in their products so people can make informed decisions. Armed with that information, we believe people are smart enough to make their own decisions without Nanny State intervention. Candy is a good example: Do you know anybody who puts Laffy Taffy at the center of the plate for dinner or serves a steak with a side of Twizzlers? Just about everyone understands that too much sugar in the diet can be unhealthy. But people also realize they can safely enjoy a treat now and then without bringing on the deadly, chronic conditions that Kennedy invokes in scare tactics that we worry will backfire. For now, the food industry is proceeding with cautious optimism. At Ferrara, which has a long, proud history of making candy in Chicago, the business outlook is still positive, according to Greg Guidotti, chief marketing officer. Taking a break from handing out Freeze-Dried Sweet Tarts and Nerds Gummy Clusters at a recent trade show in Indianapolis, Guidotti reaffirmed that his fast-growing company sees its future in sugar-based candy (called just 'Sugar' in industry parlance, to distinguish it from 'Chocolate'). 'We have intentions to be the global leader in Sugar,' Guidotti said. 'We're definitely the U.S. leader.' The company's 'shining star,' as he puts it, is the Nerds business, which he said has grown from just $70 million in sales pre-pandemic to $900 million today. 'Nerds Clusters changed the game,' he explained, referencing a product that combines the traditionally crunchy Nerds with those with a gummy center. The National Confectioners Association, which runs the candy show, is focused on ensuring the FDA can do its traditional job. Indeed, the U.S. needs a central regulator to determine what's safe, and as we've written before, food producers should not knowingly add dangerous ingredients into our food supply. And while many are focused on distributing safe, delicious products, it's true that there are major food manufacturers that prioritize low-cost production over guaranteeing a safe, healthy food supply. The FDA must retain the capacity to evaluate food based on science and enact policy that follows science. Consumers are still making room in their budgets for sweets. Last year, retail sales of chocolate, candy, gum and mints topped $54 billion. With sales like this, it's hard not to acknowledge that Americans are consuming a lot of sweets. We're all for enjoying sugar — and Sugar — in moderation. But let's not lose our heads. Submit a letter, of no more than 400 words, to the editor here or email letters@
Chicago Tribune
27-05-2025
- Health
- Chicago Tribune
Editorial: As sugar is attacked, Chicago candymaker Ferrara keeps the Nerds coming
These are nervous times in the food industry. Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy is centralizing control of health-related agencies under his authority. He's advancing his 'Make America Healthy Again' campaign by, paradoxically, slashing more than 80,000 from the federal health workforce. That sets the stage for what Chicago's Journal of the American Medical Association recently quoted in a headline as, 'guaranteed pandemonium.' Among his bold statements about the modern food supply, Kennedy has said Americans are being 'unknowingly poisoned' by canola and soybean oil, for instance, and described the sale of so-called 'ultra-processed' food like hot dogs and chips to Native Americans as a 'genocide.' He wants to ban long-approved dyes and preservatives. And he's angling to use government power to remake school lunches and prevent food-stamp recipients from shopping in some of the most popular sections of the grocery aisles. Many are applauding him. And as for the sweet stuff most Americans enjoy in moderation? 'Sugar is poison,' Kennedy said last month, and Americans need to know that it's poison. We share his goal of food policy that yields a healthy population. We also have an interest in Chicago-based businesses. The $2 billion Chicago company that makes Lemonheads, Jelly Bellies and Nerds unsurprisingly takes a different view from Kennedy. As Ferrara Candy Co.'s Katie Duffy says, 'Everything we produce is safe to eat.' This page recognizes that sugar has contributed to the obesity epidemic and we don't think that all of Kennedy's warnings are without foundation. But we've also long recoiled against Uncle Sam telling Americans what to eat. If a food product is safe from a scientific standpoint, the government has no business blocking it from the marketplace. Food producers should be honest about what's in their products so people can make informed decisions. Armed with that information, we believe people are smart enough to make their own decisions without Nanny State intervention. Candy is a good example: Do you know anybody who puts Laffy Taffy at the center of the plate for dinner or serves a steak with a side of Twizzlers? Just about everyone understands that too much sugar in the diet can be unhealthy. But people also realize they can safely enjoy a treat now and then without bringing on the deadly, chronic conditions that Kennedy invokes in scare tactics that we worry will backfire. For now, the food industry is proceeding with cautious optimism. At Ferrara, which has a long, proud history of making candy in Chicago, the business outlook is still positive, according to Greg Guidotti, chief marketing officer. Taking a break from handing out Freeze-Dried Sweet Tarts and Nerds Gummy Clusters at a recent trade show in Indianapolis, Guidotti reaffirmed that his fast-growing company sees its future in sugar-based candy (called just 'Sugar' in industry parlance, to distinguish it from 'Chocolate'). 'We have intentions to be the global leader in Sugar,' Guidotti said. 'We're definitely the U.S. leader.' The company's 'shining star,' as he puts it, is the Nerds business, which he said has grown from just $70 million in sales pre-pandemic to $900 million today. 'Nerds Clusters changed the game,' he explained, referencing a product that combines the traditionally crunchy Nerds with those with a gummy center. The National Confectioners Association, which runs the candy show, is focused on ensuring the FDA can do its traditional job. Indeed, the U.S. needs a central regulator to determine what's , and as we've written before, food producers should not knowingly add dangerous ingredients into our food supply. And while many are focused on distributing safe, delicious products, it's true that there are major food manufacturers that prioritize low-cost production over guaranteeing a safe, healthy food supply. The FDA must retain the capacity to evaluate food based on science and enact policy that follows science. Consumers are still making room in their budgets for sweets. Last year, retail sales of chocolate, candy, gum and mints topped $54 billion. With sales like this, it's hard not to acknowledge that Americans are consuming a lot of sweets. We're all for enjoying sugar — and Sugar — in moderation. But let's not lose our heads.
Scoop
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scoop
Long Lost PASH Song Found
A recording thought gone forever in a studio fire has been discovered in a basement. Listen to/download the long-lost track here. Rocking 90s Auckland band Pash recorded the song 'All the Way' at Slab Studios the night it was infamously gutted by a fire. A smoldering cigarette is believed to have been the cause of the blaze which ignited after the band left the studio. The recorded track was thought to be completely lost in the fire, the loss of which started a downward spiral for the group. Much finger pointing and acrimony over who was at fault followed, and Pash disbanded just weeks later. A mislabeled DAT tape of the song, thought lost in the fire, has been discovered in mysterious circumstances, bringing joy to the surviving members, which is all of them. The good news has proved a catalyst to mend frayed relations between the members. They have come together and want to make the band's material available to the public for the first time in nearly 3 decades, starting with 'All the Way'. The song features Pash in full flight, with high powered rock'n'roll jets firing and an epic trumpet solo played by NZ music legend Greg Johnson. The band believe their music has stood the test of time and can help bring people some happiness. 'The world needs Pash right now' one friend said. A reunited Pash will play support for the Lemonheads May 28 at Double Whammy. 90's band Pash Pash were a fixture of the 1990s NZ music scene, with a string of songs on bFM and Channel Z, videos on Max TV and tons of shows across Auckland and countrywide. The band played Big Day Out, Summer Series, bFM Private Function, toured with Exponents and supported internationals such as Garbage, Ash and Veruca Salt. 'All The Way' releases this Friday May 23 on all streaming services.
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
The Lemonheads Preview First Original Album in 19 Years With New Single, ‘Deep End'
Fresh from teasing the release of new album Love Chant last month, The Lemonheads have previewed the upcoming LP with latest single 'Deep End.' Co-written by Evan Dando alongside longtime collaborator Tom Morgan (of Australian outfit Smudge), 'Deep End' features Juliana Hatfield on backing vocals with additional guitar from Dinosaur Jr.'s J Mascis. Both Hatfield and Mascis make brief cameos in the accompanying video, which was filmed in by São Paulo, Brazil by Surreal Hotel Arts. More from Billboard Andy Bell Confirms His Place in Reunited Oasis Lineup Snoop Dogg Drops 'Iz It a Crime' Album Featuring Sexyy Red, Wiz Khalifa & Pharrell: Stream It Now 'Pink Floyd at Pompeii: MCMLXXII' Live Album Makes Top 10 Debut On Multiple Billboard Charts The black-and-white clip sees Dando walking down an endless sidewalk as he's passed by a series of objects, people, and landscapes, with his bandmates occasionally joining. 'It's never been so painless making a video,' Dando said of the clip. 'Everyone working was really great. The endless sidewalk goes really well with the song.' 'Deep End' is also backed by a cover of Townes Van Zandt's 'Sad Cinderella,' which features backing vocals from Nashville artist Erin Rae. Both tracks will appear on a limited edition 12″ vinyl single that arrives on June 13 via Fire Records. The A-side is set to appear on Love Chant, which will arrive as the band's first album of new material since 2006. The record will reportedly release in fall, though specific details are expected to arrive in the coming months. The Lemonheads first formed in Boston in 1986, with a series of independent albums arriving via Taang! before the group signed to Atlantic for 1990's Lovey. Working with Morgan while in Australia, The Lemonheads found their commercial breakthrough with 1992's It's a Shame About Ray, which reached No. 68 on the Billboard 200. Its success was bolstered by a cover of Simon & Garfunkel's 'Mrs. Robinson,' and helped the group achieve their commercial peak with 1993's Come on Feel the Lemonheads, which peaked at No. 56. The Lemonheads initially dissolved in 1997, though Dando reactivated the group in 2005, with a self-titled record arriving the following year. Since then, two cover albums have been released, with Varshons and Varshons 2 being issued in 2009 and 2019, respectively. Best of Billboard Chart Rewind: In 1989, New Kids on the Block Were 'Hangin' Tough' at No. 1 Janet Jackson's Biggest Billboard Hot 100 Hits H.E.R. & Chris Brown 'Come Through' to No. 1 on Adult R&B Airplay Chart
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
The Lemonheads Return With New Song ‘Deep End,' From First Album of Original Music in 20 Years
The Lemonheads have announced their first album of original material in nearly 20 years, with Evan Dando and Co. sharing first single 'Deep End' from their upcoming LP, Love Chant. The Nineties alt-rockers paired the track with a video directed by Carlão Busato and Luigi Parisi and filmed in Sao Paulo, where Dando recorded Love Chant with a roster that includes longtime collaborators Tom Morgan and Juliana Hatfield, as well as Dinosaur Jr.'s J Mascis, who contributes a signature guitar solo to 'Deep End.' More from Rolling Stone Grupo Firme Level Up With Anticipated Album 'Evolucion' Fuerza Regida Want to Become the Beatles of Corridos. They Might Already Be Fitz and the Tantrums Preview New Album 'Man on the Moon' With Funky Title Track 'It's never been so painless making a video,' Dando said in a statement. 'Everyone working was really great. The endless sidewalk goes really well with the song.' In addition to 'Deep End,' the Lemonheads also shared the single's B side, a cover of Townes Van Zandt's 'Sad Cinderella.' Both tracks will feature on a limited-edition 12-inch vinyl disc out on June 13, with Love Chant to follow this fall. Love Chant marks the Lemonheads' first album of original music since the band's 2006 self-titled LP. In the decades since, Dando has released a pair of covers albums — 2009's Varshons and 2019's Varshons 2 — under the Lemonheads moniker. In recent years, Dando has hinted at new Lemonheads music with non-LP singles 'Fear of Living' and 'Seven Out'; it's unclear if either track will ultimately appear on Love Chant. The Lemonheads will hit the road this week with a tour of Australia and New Zealand, followed by a European trek later in the summer. A North American tour is also promised, with those dates being announced soon, along with further Love Chant details. Until then, here's Dando reporting news of his imminent return in the most Dando way possible: Best of Rolling Stone The 50 Greatest Eminem Songs All 274 of Taylor Swift's Songs, Ranked The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time
