Latest news with #PaulSavage
Fox News
5 days ago
- Health
- Fox News
Plastic water bottle left in a hot car? Think twice before sipping from it
It's the height of summer, and for many Americans, that means scorching cars and forgotten plastic water bottles rolling around under the seats. But before you take a sip out of one of those, you might want to think twice, experts say. High temperatures and prolonged sun exposure can create conditions that lead to both chemical leaching from plastic bottles and bacterial growth, especially if the bottle has already been opened. Experts warn this dual threat could pose a risk to your health. "The combination of microbial growth and chemical leaching from the plastic makes it a double-edged sword," said Dr. Paul Savage, a toxin expert and chief medical officer at MDLifespan in Chicago. Many single-use plastic water bottles are made from a type of plastic called polyethylene terephthalate (PET). When PET-containing bottles sit in the heat, the polymer chains in the plastic can start to break down and cause the release of various chemicals, including trace amounts of phenol, like bisphenol A (BPA) and phthalates, into the water. "Phenols and phthalates are endocrine disruptors, meaning they interfere with the natural hormones in our body," said Nicole Deziel, an environmental epidemiologist at the Yale School of Public Health. Although the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has stated that the current levels of BPA and phthalates used in food packaging are safe, many of these substances have already been banned or voluntarily phased out. "While many of these bacteria are harmless in small amounts, heat can amplify their growth, potentially leading to harmful levels …" Plastics can start leaching chemicals when temperatures reach 85 degrees. And the process accelerates significantly at higher temperatures, especially above 100 degrees, Savage said. Even BPA-free bottles may not be a safer alternative. Many of these products use chemical substitutes that, according to Savage, are structurally similar to BPA and may have similar endocrine-disrupting effects. These alternatives haven't been studied extensively, leaving scientists cautious. Another growing concern is the presence of microplastics – tiny plastic particles that can shed from the bottle over time, especially under heat. Studies in animals have linked microplastic exposure to inflammation, cellular stress and hormonal disruption, though the full impact on human health remains unclear. Plastic bottles reused after opening – especially those left in warm environments – can also become a breeding ground for bacteria, including E. coli and Staphylococcus aureus (staph infection), introduced from the mouth, hands or air. "While many of these bacteria are harmless in small amounts, heat can amplify their growth, potentially leading to harmful levels that cause gastrointestinal issues or infections," Savage told Fox News Digital. Bacteria can thrive in microscopic grooves and scratches in plastic bottles, Savage said. Studies have found that bacteria can grow in open bottles within 48 hours, even at room temperature. Some concerns about heated plastic bottles have been exaggerated or misunderstood. For example, claims that dioxins – known carcinogens – are released when plastic bottles are left in hot cars have been debunked by scientists. These rumors trace back in part to a viral 2006 email attributed to musician Sheryl Crow, a breast cancer survivor, who warned about cancer-causing chemicals from heated bottles. However, experts affirm that PET does not contain or produce dioxins. To reduce exposure to potentially harmful chemicals and microbes, experts recommend avoiding the reuse of single-use plastic water bottles – especially in hot environments. "Glass and stainless steel can withstand repeated heat and sun exposure," said Bryan Quoc Le, a California food scientist and author of the book "150 Food Science Questions Answered." While bacteria can also grow in reusable containers, glass and stainless steel bottles are easier to clean thoroughly and can withstand high-temperature washing — "which can reduce microbial growth," Le added.
Fox News
14-07-2025
- Business
- Fox News
Price of this summer grilling staple remains at record high as beef lovers adapt
Beef prices in the U.S. continue to hit record highs, yet demand for the popular summer grilling staple remains strong — prompting shoppers, farmers and restaurants to adapt. A pound of ground beef cost $6.67 just before the Fourth of July weekend, according to the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF), marking the highest price for beef ever recorded by the group. It was up nearly 70 cents from May, when the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported it skyrocketed 16% from a year earlier and nearly 50% from five years ago. "The main factors for our higher beef prices this year are driven by supply, demand and financial elements like higher interest rates," said Paul Savage, director of commodities forecasting at Chicago-based ArrowStream, which provides supply chain technology to restaurants. A key driver behind the rising prices is the shrinking cattle population. The national herd has declined to 86.7 million head, the lowest since 1951, according to the AFBF. Prolonged droughts in cattle-producing states like Texas, Kansas and Nebraska have devastated grazing pastures, forcing many farmers to cull their herds. At the same time, rising tariffs and ongoing trade disruptions have made cattle production more costly. Additionally, cases of the New World Screwworm – a parasitic fly whose maggots burrow into and feed on the flesh of cattle – halted imports from Mexico to the U.S., though the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) said some ports could reopen soon. The U.S. gets most of its cattle imports from Mexico and Canada. "The rising cost of ground beef is a perfect example of how global trade dynamics and domestic supply constraints collide," Robert Khachatryan, founder and CEO of California-based Freight Right Global Logistics, told Fox News Digital. "Transporting cattle, which often involves multiple cross-country moves between birth, feedlots and processing, has become more costly due to fuel volatility and ongoing driver shortages in the freight sector," Khachatryan said. "From ranch to processor to store shelf, every leg of the journey is costlier, and that cumulative pressure is showing up right on the price tag." The USDA predicts that cattle prices will remain elevated into 2026, meaning retail beef prices likely won't drop for several years. Nonetheless, it remains Americans' second-favorite choice of meat, according to the USDA, with nearly 57 pounds of it being consumed per person annually. While factors such as population growth, recently expanded food assistance benefits and the popularity of high-protein diets are contributing to slightly higher demand, overall consumption has not dramatically spiked. "We're producing roughly the same amount of beef that we did in 2015 but, given a higher population, supply is tight," Savage said. The U.S. population reached 340.1 million in July 2024, up from 336.8 million from the year before, marking the highest year-over-year increase since 2001, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Last year, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits were increased for many recipients, but President Donald Trump's "big, beautiful bill" includes cuts to the program. "Potentially, lower interest rates [for farmers] would help and the recently announced changes to the SNAP program may also help lower prices," he said. "But it won't happen overnight." In the meantime, the U.S. is importing more beef from Australia, New Zealand and Brazil, Savage said, and limiting beef exports to other countries to help stabilize supply. Farmers are also growing bigger animals to offset the lower cattle harvest. For more Lifestyle articles, visit "Cattle weights are actually at an all-time high this year," he said. As for the 130,000 restaurants that ArrowSteam services, many are swapping out expensive steaks for value-friendly options and changing menu recipes to include less expensive proteins, he said. Shoppers are seeking out more affordable cuts such as chuck, round and top sirloin, Savage said, though it has driven up their prices more than premium options like strip steaks. Some grocery store chains are leaning into beef and pork blends, chicken-focused products and seasonal promotions to steer shoppers toward more affordable proteins, according to Khachatryan. The cost of other meat options, including chicken, has been more stable. The price of pork chops has seen the lowest drop, with an average price of $14.13 for three pounds – almost 9% lower than in 2024, according to the AFBF.
Yahoo
10-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Social Media class with Paul Savage
BOSSIER CITY, La. (KTAL/KMSS) – Social media connects us all, it helps small businesses grow and build brand awareness. However, it's not as easy as you think, and a local class is available. Social media requires creativity, understanding of your target audience, knowledge of search engine optimization, and an executed plan to drive traffic to your profile or business. The Bossier Arts Council is hosting a 'One Stop Session – Social Media: Making the Most of What's Left' to help creatives and entrepreneurs navigate the ever-changing digital landscape on Thursday, February 25th. Shreveport restaurant's, bars with Valentines Day specials The social media class will be hosted and taught by Paul Savage of Savage Creative Solutions and is $5 for BAC members and $10 for non-members. According to Savage's social media, he studied communications at LSU and is a 'Millenial Marketer,' executive editor of Shreveport's Secrets, and an author of 'Diary of A Testicular Cancer Survivor' & 'Chemo Containment.' The description of the class: 'With the landscape of Social Media shifting with current events, where do we fall in as a creatives or entrepreneurs? ' Bossier Arts Council notes light refreshments will be served, and the class is at 630 Barksdale Boulevard, Bossier. BAC members will be verified and tickets are non-refundable. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
