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Buzz Feed
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Buzz Feed
7 Tips For Being A Great Cookout Guest, From A Pro
Memorial Day is right around the corner, which means it's almost time for one of America's greatest seasonal traditions: a cookout that starts at 2 p.m. and somehow ends 10 hours later with someone falling asleep in a lawn chair holding half a warm White Claw. (To be clear: I live for it.) No matter how big, small, or chaotic your Memorial Day barbecue is, it's undoubtedly a sacred summer ritual, and one that can go south fast if guests don't know how to act. Whether you realize it or not, you've definitely committed a cookout "sin" or two. That elaborate rack of ribs you brought par-cooked for the host to finish on the grill? It threw off their entire grilling schedule, even if they ultimately stole the show; actually, that made the host even madder. When you showed up 15 minutes early to "help," you actually sent your sister-in-law into an anxiety spiral as she raced to set out the cocktail station. For all the Ina Garten and Martha Stewart books on hosting dinner parties like a pro, rulebooks on good "guesting" are harder to come by and mistakes are shockingly easy to make. To save us all from our worst selves, I called in Casey Elsass — the cookbook author, recipe developer, and certified bring-something-to-the-party expert. His new cookbook, What Can I Bring?, is full of dishes meant to travel and enhance any food gathering you're going to, from holiday cookouts to intimate dinner parties; think pickled potato salad, show-stopping Jell-O shots, and a seven-onion dip that'll have people fighting over the bowl of Ruffles. Here are seven easy ways to avoid the biggest Memorial Day cookout mistakes as a guest, according to someone who literally wrote the book on being a good one. Match the dish you bring to your your arrival time. You know who you are, even if you sometimes need a stark reminder. "Be honest about what kind of guest you are," Casey told Tasty. "If you're always on time, bring appetizers. If you're reliably late, bring a drink. If you're stopping by later, bring dessert. If you're bringing nothing else, bring a present." This is a judgment-free zone — no one is asking you to change who you are. Just be honest with yourself and plan accordingly. Why show up 30 minutes after dinner with a sad pasta salad when you could show up at the same time with an ooey-gooey cobbler (or Casey's Birthday Suit Cake) and steal the show? On the subject of arrival time, don't show up early, no matter how "polite" you think it may be. According to Casey, an early guest is just "someone you have to host before you're ready." Getting a party started never goes according to schedule when you're the host, and the last thing they want is to feel obligated to entertain when things are still mid-setup. "If you're truly trying to help," Casey says, "shoot them a text first." Ask the host if they even want (or need!) help in the first place. Some will emphatically say yes, some will politely pass, but it's not up to you to decide what your host does or doesn't need. Room temperature is almost always the way to go. Cookouts are hotbeds of chaos, and I'm talking literal heat, with cooler innards slowly turning into lukewarm puddles and complicated grilling Tetris to ensure everything's perfectly hot when it's time to serve. The last thing a host needs is you showing up with a lukewarm casserole and a dream. "The best guests show up with a dish that's ready to go without needing a shelf in the fridge or a rack in the oven," Casey says. "If your favorite recipe is an exception to this rule, just clear it with your host ahead of time so they're in on the plan." Sure, your piping-hot baked brie might be amazing as a party app. But if it throws off the entire flow and turns the host into a makeshift sous chef, it's not the move. Stick to room-temp, low-maintenance dishes that can hang on the table for hours and still taste great. (Casey's book has too many to count.) In the era of Google Docs, there's no excuse to show up with six bags of chips for one bowl of dip. In other words, check in with your host about the menu ahead of time. This note is valid for guests and hosts alike: be smart about planning! If you're the guest, don't make assumptions. Even a quick text check-in with the host can save the cookout from a cooler of only hard seltzers or a dessert-less end to the evening. If you're hosting, give your guests a sense of what else you need by sending out a spreadsheet or list with what's already covered and what else you'd love to have. "Make sure your guests know what to bring and check that any gaps in the menu are covered," Casey recommends. Don't expect the host to supply everything you need to succeed. "Besides having your food ready to go, make sure you pack everything you need," Casey says. "Their home is not your Williams Sonoma. Serving utensils, a big bowl, or special cups are your responsibility.' If you're bringing a salad, bring tongs. If you made a cake, bring a knife — or, "just ask ahead of time so you know you're covered," he added. Don't expect your host to MacGyver a solution when you roll in with a plate of food and some vibes. Don't like to cook? Bring a disposable camera. According to Casey, it's a hit every time. "Every birthday, backyard, cocktail, surprise, holiday, pool, and housewarming party absolutely needs an analog presence," he says. "Make it known that there's a camera up for grabs and let everyone go nuts." Guests love it, and nothing says "core memory" like a blurry film photo of someone mid-cornhole toss. Casey's pro tip: "Develop the pictures digitally and send a download link to the other guests so you can all relive the night a week later." In that instance, you're not just a good guest — you're the fun guest. The importance of a "thank you" cannot be overstated. This one's deceptively simple, but it matters more than you think. "I once had a friend over for a dinner party and two business days later, there was a card sitting in my mailbox simply saying thank you," says Casey. "It's a small but impactful gesture." For new (or new-ish) friends or an important event, thank-you cards are always appreciated. For close friends, you can be more casual. "Don't be awkward and send your besties an earnest card (mail them the most inappropriate Hallmark card you can find)," Casey said. Instead, just a simple, sincere text speaks volumes. Now that you've mastered all these rules, there's one last job that's critical to keep in mind, and it might be more important than any piece of cookout etiquette to begin with: Really enjoy being with people. Casey's idea for What Can I Bring? was born out of the pandemic: "I spent years taking for granted how easily we could get together, then suddenly it wasn't an option anymore," he told me. "I said the title as a joke in a group chat, and then was like, Hold on, that's a great idea." As chaotic as they can be, get-togethers like Memorial Day cookouts can be the perfect opportunity for you, as a guest, to really show up for people and soak in some genuine connection. After all, the one golden "guesting" rule, above all else, is that thoughtfulness is everything, whether you're showing it through the food you bring or the vibes you contribute. Casey puts it best: "The moments you look forward to all week, and then remember for a long time after, always have food at the center." Hungry for more? Download the free Tasty app for iOS and Android to explore our library of 7,500+ recipes (including hundreds fit for a cookout). No subscription required!
Independent Singapore
09-05-2025
- Business
- Independent Singapore
Singaporeans weigh in on the non-essentials they still buy even when they've gotten pricier
SINGAPORE: Life has become more expensive in the past few years, not just in the Little Red Dot but everywhere else around the world. The powerful double whammy of the COVID-19 pandemic, rising geopolitical tensions, and climate change has affected our wallets, if not our bank accounts. Despite all this, we probably all have things that we consider non-negotiables, and we're willing to pay higher prices for them, even if they're not, strictly speaking, essentials. Over on Reddit on Thursday (May 8), one user wanted to know what items or experiences Singaporeans still spend their money on, despite increased price tags. 'What are some non-essential things that you keep buying even though they have gotten expensive?' asked u/pistachio_life on r/in a post on r/askSingapore, adding, 'Sometimes, we can't resist buying things even if the price went up significantly because we like its quality or taste, or we think it is value for money.' Far and away, the highest number of respondents wrote that what they are willing to pay for, despite higher prices, are certain food items that aren't among the staples needed for survival. Maybe these can be considered as non-essential essentials? One listed fruit, Ruffles' sour cream or Lay's cheese chips, Tay's Seaweed Chicken, salmon sashimi, and cheese, which, as they lamented, can be very expensive in Singapore. Another said they still buy antibiotic-free chicken and added that they now buy Bluebird brand potato chips instead of Ruffles, which is more expensive. 'Min Jiang Kueh,' a commenter wrote, adding that the thick pancake is actually an essential for them. For another, it's bubble tea. They recalled wistfully that it used to cost just S$1 a serving, and now people pay S$6 per order. 'I really like Queic's cheese tarts,' a commenter weighed in, although they admitted, 'It's S$16.40 per tart. Totally over my budget for sweets.' When a Reddit user wrote that it's meals at Ya Kun Kaya Toast for them, another quipped, 'Ya Kun is my exclusive 'I managed to wake up and work out in the morning, so I deserve it' breakfast.' As for non-food non-essentials that people still spend on, other commenters named several items ranging from running shoes, grocery delivery services, YouTube Premium, massages, facials, Grab delivery, and Netflix subscriptions. /TISG Read also: '$5 for wanton mee and $18 for pasta? How do you deal with food inflation?' Online user asks
News18
25-04-2025
- Entertainment
- News18
Summer Wardrobe Essentials: Style Meets Sunshine
Last Updated: Refresh your closet with breezy fashion, vibrant accessories, and timeless staples perfect for sunny days. As the temperatures rise, it's time to refresh your wardrobe with breezy, stylish pieces that blend comfort with seasonal flair. Summer wardrobe essentials go beyond just lightweight fabrics—they're about effortless silhouettes, versatile accessories, and vibrant accents that channel the carefree spirit of the season. From relaxed denim and fluid dresses to colourful jewellery and timeless watches, every element plays a role in creating a look that's equal parts relaxed and refined. Whether you're lounging by the beach, heading to brunch, or attending a garden soirée, these curated must-haves will keep you cool, confident, and chic all summer long. Embrace effortless elegance and bold femininity with Ruffles by Mac Duggal. Inspired by spring's awakening, this collection weaves a harmonious blend of soft neutrals and vibrant florals, with cascading layers that move like poetry in motion. Key Highlights: Bright, bold hues capturing summer's vivacity Multicolor Ruffle Scoop Neck Floral Dress – INR 44,700 Made from 100% cotton, this dress exudes breezy charm with slim straps, a scoop neckline, and an A-line silhouette. The White Multi print and frill detailing make it ideal for sunlit gatherings. High-Summer Accessories at The Collective Curated selects from Marc Jacobs, Versace, Ted Baker, and Vivienne Westwood: Marc Jacobs Silver Metallic Shoulder Bag – INR 33,500 Versace Blue Stainless Steel Watch – INR 88,300 Ted Baker Black Floral Ruffle Top – INR 16,500 Vivienne Westwood Silver Orb Earrings – INR 12,500 Two-in-one wardrobe wonders: AIRism Bra Sleeveless Top – INR 1,990 Halter Neck Bra Sleeveless Top – INR 1,990 AIRism Cotton Low Back Bra T-shirt – INR 1,990 The Gucci Horsebit Soft Bag The classic Horsebit gets a contemporary update with soft contours and luxurious tactility. A fresh narrative of structure meeting fluidity, perfect for modern lifestyles. Rimple & Harpreet's Light Luxuries A capsule collection of heritage-inspired silhouettes in light silks and delicate textiles. Ideal for summer soirées with an artisanal yet airy charm. PLATINUM GUILD INTERNATIONAL Men of Platinum: MS Dhoni Signature Edition Jewellery crafted in rare platinum, echoing Dhoni's legendary values of resilience and leadership through bold, sculptural design. Hello péro SS25 Cottagecore meets Kawaii with playful, pastel-hued silhouettes. The Hello Kitty-inspired line blends softness, color, and emotional storytelling. Giorgio Armani Eyewear SS25 Luxury meets craftsmanship in these runway-approved frames: AR8241U Women's Sunglasses – INR 38,090 AR8239 Women's Aviator – INR 38,990 AR8236U Men's Round Frame – INR 32,890 AR727OT Men's Panto Frame – INR 59,590 Available at leading sunglass outlets and Sunglass Hut. GUESS Watches SS25Women Mod Heavy Metal – INR 13,995Men: D1 Chronograph – INR 16,995 Vogue Eyewear x Taapsee Pannu Drop 2Bold silhouettes in a Bordeaux hue. Butterfly, cat-eye, and retro frames with Taapsee's signature touch. Starting at INR 5,890. Designer Eyewear Roundup Versace VE4482 & VE2257 – Rectangular forms, 3D logos Burberry BE4358 – Classic square shape Dolce & Gabbana DG6186 – Elastic logo band temples FILA Retro Jo Frannie Shoes Platform joggers in premium suede for nostalgic flair with everyday wearability. Crocs InMotion Collection For all-day comfort in motion. Featuring Free Feel, LiteRide footbed, and Croslite outsole. Available in multiple shades at INR 7,495. DaMENSCH Summer Essentials Neo-Skin Bamboo Vest – INR 499: Sustainable, thermoregulating, and ultra-soft BREEEZE Ultra-Light Inner – INR 359: Airy and featherlight, with playful colors ARKS SS25 Everyday Essentials: Premium cotton and linen basics for men and women. Timeless silhouettes in versatile colors. Daniel Wellington Daniel Wellington sets the tone for Spring/Summer 2025 with the launch of two striking timepieces in India — the Jolie Chain Watch and the Marlon Watch. The Jolie Chain Watch blends the Quadro mini watch head with a chunky chain bracelet, creating a stylish fusion of jewellery and timekeeping. With adjustable links and a foldover clasp, it offers a customizable fit and is available in Gold, Silver, and Rose Gold at ₹16,995. Meanwhile, the Marlon Watch pays homage to vintage design with a cushion-shaped case and linen-embossed dial. This elegant model is available in three strap variants: Leather (₹13,495), Mesh (₹13,995), and Wire (₹16,995), perfect for those who appreciate timeless sophistication with a modern edge. Kriti Sanon Fronts Zouk's 'A Bagful of You": A Style Movement Rooted in Identity The campaign celebrates self-expression, cultural pride, and the bold spirit of the modern Indian woman. Zouk, a proudly Indian and 100% vegan lifestyle brand, today unveiled its newest campaign, 'A Bagful of You", as a powerful, long-term narrative celebrating the power of individuality and cultural pride. The campaign champions the modern Indian woman, her identity, her story, and her roots. It is a reminder that a bag reflects who she is and what she stands for, unapologetically. Isharya Adding a burst of colour and playfulness to the season, the LOLLY Collection by I for Isharya introduces statement jewellery inspired by the carefree spirit of summer. Crafted in brass with 18k gold plating and adorned with crystal zirconia, lapis lazuli, and pearls, the collection includes standout pieces such as the Palm Beach Earrings (₹4,499), Summer Eyes Danglers (₹4,999), Summer Eyes Choker Necklace (₹4,799), and the Summer Sweetheart Ring (₹2,999). Lightweight and vibrant, each piece complements sunny-day ensembles from breezy sundresses to chic linen separates. Levi's top videos View all Levi's unveils its SS25 campaign 'Easy in Levi's®', featuring global brand ambassador and music icon Diljit Dosanjh. The campaign celebrates relaxed silhouettes with a focus on Levi's® Loose Fits — the 555™ Relaxed Straight, 568™ Loose Straight, and 578™ Baggy — each designed for freedom of movement and personal expression. Captured in a series of dynamic montage films, the campaign spotlights Diljit in his element, redefining everyday fashion with comfort, charisma, and cultural edge. News18 Lifestyle section covers health, fashion, travel, food, and wellness tips, celebrity style, travel spots, and recipes. Also Download the News18 App to stay updated! tags : fashion lifestyle Summer Fashion summers Location : New Delhi, India, India First Published: April 25, 2025, 21:24 IST News lifestyle Summer Wardrobe Essentials: Style Meets Sunshine
Yahoo
18-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Frito-Lay Recalls That Affected Millions
If you hear the name "Frito-Lay" and only think of Lay's potato chips, you're thoroughly underestimating just how mammoth this company is. Frito-Lay refers to a big umbrella beneath which sits a bevy of your favorite snack food brands, including, yes, Lay's, but also Doritos, Cheetos, Stacy's, Smartfood, Fritos, SunChips, Cracker Jack, Tostitos, Ruffles, and more. With so many brands on its roster, it tracks that Frito-Lay would run into the odd recall over the years. Food recalls are on the rise nowadays, but if you're not familiar with the exact term, it's when a brand or manufacturer removes its products from circulation due to a possible risk to public health. In some serious cases, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or the Department of Agriculture (USDA) may also order a recall. There have been a number of these recalls throughout Frito-Lay's history, some of which have been deemed potentially life-threatening to select customers. These are the ones you need to know about. Read more: Discontinued Costco Grocery Products We Probably Won't Get Back In March 2025, Frito-Lay recalled bags of Tostitos Cantina Traditional Yellow Corn Tortilla Chips. While the company recalled a relatively small number of bags of chips -- just 1,300 bags -- the problem is that those bags were spread out over a large portion of the U.S. and a wide variety of stores and websites, meaning that finding the impacted bags was a bit like finding a needle in a haystack. Frito-Lay said the bags could show up across 13 different states: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia. The problem that launched the recall? The bags were discovered to potentially include some nacho cheese tortilla chips. Since the bags don't specify that the chips could contain dairy, this could easily spell trouble for someone with a dairy or milk allergy or sensitivity. While the brand's press release on the matter clarified that no one should have any issues eating the chips as long as they don't have a dairy allergy or sensitivity to milk -- and no illnesses were reported at the time of the recall -- the Food and Drug Administration still noted that, for some individuals, eating the chips could result in a life-threatening reaction. A similar milk-related issue to the Tostitos tortilla chips recall occurred less than a year earlier when Frito-Lay had to recall bags of Lay's Classic Potato Chips in December 2024. The recall covered bags of chips throughout Oregon and Washington that may have contained undeclared milk byproducts. Frito-Lay only knew about the issue after the company was alerted by a consumer. Again, the Food and Drug Administration claimed that the issue potentially posed a life-threatening risk to those with a milk allergy. While you might think of milk allergies as relatively rare -- especially compared to lactose intolerance, which impacts over 30% of the nation's population -- milk allergies are actually one of the most common food allergies among children. Severe allergic reactions can cause symptoms such as hives, vomiting, coughing, and wheezing, as well as potentially fatal anaphylaxis. In 2024, Frito-Lay recalled a selection of snacks, including SunChips Multigrains Harvest Cheddar Snacks and Original Munchies Snack Mix, because they were potentially contaminated with salmonella. Frito-Lay claimed that the contamination wasn't due to any mistake on its end. Instead, a third party supplied a seasoning manufacturer with an ingredient possibly contaminated with salmonella. In turn, that seasoning manufacturer then potentially passed on its own contaminated products to Frito-Lay. Unfortunately, no one who purchased a bag of chips included in the recall would know that the snack contained salmonella unless the worst happened: foodborne illness. Salmonella doesn't make food look or smell any certain way. Instead, you only discover that you're impacted when the salmonellosis symptoms hit, including gastrointestinal distress and fever. Symptoms can appear as late as a week after eating the snacks. At that point, it can be pretty difficult to identify what you may have eaten that could have made you ill. Luckily for Frito-Lay, no salmonella was actually found in the seasoning used in its products. However, it still pushed ahead with the recall out of an abundance of caution. Another case of Frito-Lay running into issues with dairy potentially contaminating its products occurred in 2023. Frito-Lay recalled more than 16,000 bags of its Off the Eaten Path Chickpea Veggie Crisps that were distributed across 26 different states: Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. That's quite the number of potential people impacted. So, how does milk end up in an otherwise benign bag of chickpea crisps? After a customer complaint, Frito-Lay discovered that similar products containing a caramel flavoring -- which itself contains milk -- had ended up in the mix. Unfortunately, since the bags didn't declare these additions on the packaging, an unsuspecting shopper with a milk allergy would be none the wiser when they sat down to have a tasty snack, hence the recall. As anyone with a gluten sensitivity will tell you, shopping for gluten-free junk food can be frustrating. What's even more frustrating, though, is chowing down on a bag of what you think are tasty gluten-free chips and realizing all too late that your snack contains the very thing that's going to make you ill. Hypothetical situations like this are what prompted Frito-Lay to recall nearly 7,000 bags of Doritos in the summer of 2023. All of the bags had been distributed solely in Pennsylvania, including in vending machines and food service locations. The company discovered that not only did some of its Doritos Nacho Cheese Flavored Tortilla Chips potentially contain undeclared wheat, but they also featured undeclared soy found in Doritos Spicy Sweet Chili Flavored Tortilla Chips. At the time of the recall, the Food and Drug Administration reported that no allergic reactions had been attributed to either the wheat or soy unexpectedly found in the chips. It's not just your tortilla chips that are at risk of recall. In June 2023, Frito-Lay recalled some jars of its Tostitos Avocado Salsa due to mislabeling. Unlike many mislabeling incidents, it wasn't that the label was correct and the food that ended up in the packaging was wrong. Instead, the product was right, but Frito-Lay had just slapped the wrong label on each jar. The jars still said Tostitos Avocado Salsa on the front, but the nutrition information on the back was that of another product, meaning that the salsa's milk content (which comes in the form of a whey protein concentrate) was not properly declared. While no allergic reactions had been reported at the time of recall, the Food and Drug Administration still deemed the risk to be serious or life-threatening if anyone with a severe sensitivity or allergy were to inadvertently eat the salsa, thinking it was milk-free. No, you're not imagining it. A good portion of Frito-Lay's recalls are related to milk sneaking its way into products that very much should not contain dairy. Take another dairy-related recall for Lay's Classic Potato Chips, this time in the first half of 2023. The problem this time? The Classic Potato Chips were possibly contaminated by milk ingredients found in Lay's Sour Cream & Onion Flavored Potato Chips. Once again, while the number of affected bags was few at just 146 in total, they were spread out over a huge area, having been distributed to grocery and convenience stores throughout four states: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire. This made the likelihood of pinpointing which households out of millions took home the affected chips near impossible. While no allergic reactions had been reported at the time of the recall, the Food and Drug Administration warned that eating the chips could prove dangerous or deadly for some individuals. Sometimes, a manufacturer accidentally fills a product's packaging with an entirely different product. This was the case when Frito-Lay recalled Ruffles All Dressed Potato Chips in May 2021, with the bags going out to stores containing a different kind of potato chip than what was advertised. What was even worse was the fact that the other chips contained milk products, making this a dangerous -- or, worst case scenario, deadly -- mistake if the wrong person were to eat the incorrectly packaged chips. The bags ended up solely at Sam's Club locations all across the Southeast, including Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia. This wasn't the first Ruffles recall of its kind in 2021. Frito-Lay also recalled party-size bags of Ruffles Original Potato Chips that had been distributed throughout Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and Arkansas in January. The reason was the same. Each bag was inadvertently filled with the wrong chips, and those wrong chips contained undeclared milk. In the late 2010s and early 2020s, opening a bag of potato chips and blindly grabbing a fistful seemingly came with a surprising amount of risk. You never knew when you'd come away with a snack that was very much not what you expected. In June 2019, Frito-Lay issued yet another recall due to bags of chips being filled with a flavor different from what was advertised on the packaging. In this instance, bags of Lay's Lightly Salted Barbecue were filled with an undisclosed flavor of chips that contained milk ingredients. The chips had been distributed through a good swath of the country, including in Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, Montana, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Mexico, Nevada, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming before the problem was caught. Fortunately, the Food and Drug Administration said that no adverse reactions had been reported at the time of the recall. Salmonella makes another appearance in the Frito-Lay timeline of potentially hazardous food recalls. In 2017, Frito-Lay recalled bags of Lay's Kettle Cooked Jalapeño Flavored Potato Chips and Miss Vickie's Jalapeño Flavored Kettle Cooked Potato Chips due to the potential presence of salmonella in the chips' jalapeño seasoning. As was the case in the more recent Frito-Lay salmonella recall in 2024, this 2017 recall was the result of a supplier issue. A company that supplied Frito-Lay with the jalapeño seasoning was actually the one to experience salmonella contamination. In fact, no actual salmonella had been found directly on any Frito-Lay products. However, just to be safe, a recall was issued. At the time of recall, no illnesses had been reported. Frito-Lay wasn't the only company impacted by the tainted jalapeño powder. Texas-based Phoenix Food, which produced a dip mix containing the powder, was also forced to issue a recall. Peanuts are up there with shellfish and tree nuts for one of the most deadly food allergens. It's estimated that as much as 2% of the U.S. population -- roughly 6 million people -- has a peanut allergy. With that in mind, peanut contamination is a serious matter. When Frito-Lay found out that there was potentially peanut residue on some of its Rold Gold pretzel products in 2016, it rushed to recall a handful of varieties, including Pretzel Sticks, Pretzel Thins, and Pretzel Braided Honey Wheat. This recall is more than just a case of mislabeled allergens. Hostess Brands had to issue a similar recall for peanut contamination around the same time as the Frito-Lay recall. Both companies had sourced flour from Grain Craft, which had issued its own peanut-related recall in April when peanut residue was detected in some of its wheat flour. The wheat was supposedly grown and processed in close proximity to peanuts. When you think about a food recall sparked by contamination, the first things that come to mind are often the likes of salmonella or an unexpected allergen. In February 2013, however, Frito-Lay found itself dealing with an even more surprising kind of contamination in SunChips: metal fragments. The brand was forced to recall both its Creamy Roasted Garlic and Parmesan & Herb SunChips. Again, this was a recall that went much further than just Frito-Lay, with the issue traced back to a flour supplier. In this instance, the supplier was Dakota Speciality Milling, which also supplied flour to Mondelez, the producer of BelVita breakfast biscuits. The supplier said that a defective screen may have produced small fragments of metal wire that subsequently ended up in its grain blends. If those metal fragments wound up in the flour that went to Frito-Lay and Mondelez, the SunChips and breakfast biscuits could've very well contained metal as well. It goes without saying that accidentally consuming sharp metal could pose a safety risk, hence the urgent recall. Beyond the realm of savory snacks, Frito-Lay also owns some sweet treat brands. Its lineup includes Grandma's, maker of various oversized and sandwich cookies that bear a certain nostalgic feel. But in 2012, there was nothing warm and fuzzy about an error that saw Grandma's incorrectly label packs of its Peanut Butter Sandwich Creme cookies. While these cookies definitely made it clear that they contained wheat, peanut, and soy ingredients, the original packaging left out warnings for two other key allergens: milk and egg, both found within an artificial butter ingredient. While we've already discussed milk allergies at length, egg allergies are no less serious, causing a range of symptoms after exposure that include rashes, hives, nasal congestion, and gastrointestinal distress. Rarely, an egg allergy can lead to anaphylaxis, which may be fatal. With roughly 2% of all children experiencing an egg allergy, it's better to be safe than sorry. Frito-Lay has produced a range of pistachio products, both branded as Frito-Lay and underneath its Nut Harvest brand. In 2009, Frito-Lay was forced to recall its own-brand salted pistachios due to salmonella. In this case, salmonella was detected at a Setton Pistachio processing plant in California that then went on to distribute the potentially contaminated pistachios to a variety of brands, not just Frito-Lay. Kraft was also impacted and had to recall nearly 30 Planters products and eight Back to Nature products. Overall, Setton Pistachio recalled 1 million pounds of products, all from the 2008 crop year. You may associate foodborne illnesses and bacteria like salmonella with undercooked meats or foods that have sat out too long. However, salmonella can also grow on produce in certain environments or temperatures. For example, salmonella can multiply on pistachios if they're not handled quickly enough, such as if there's a delay between harvesting and hulling or between hulling and drying. This recall occurred more than 30 years ago, but it's still possibly one of the most alarming on this list. While you expect Cheetos to be crunchy, you don't expect your Cheetos to be crunchy because they're filled with broken glass. In the winter of 1992, however, it was this fear that triggered a mass recall. Frito-Lay recalled bags of its crunchy Cheetos distributed across Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, Illinois, Michigan, Indiana, North Dakota, and South Dakota. The company cited glass particles discovered in one of its manufacturing plants. However, it did say that glass particles weren't actually found on any of the Cheetos or in any actual Cheetos bags and stressed that the recall was a precautionary measure. Unfortunately, food recalls due to glass contamination aren't terribly rare. In 2024, a recall of canned jalapeños occurred in over 25 states due to glass contamination. In 2023, a high-end British chocolate brand, Hotel Chocolat, also recalled select sweet treats after shards of glass were found in some packages. For more food and drink goodness, join The Takeout's newsletter. Get taste tests, food & drink news, deals from your favorite chains, recipes, cooking tips, and more! Read the original article on The Takeout.
Yahoo
25-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Is PepsiCo a Buy, Sell, or Hold in 2025?
PepsiCo (NASDAQ: PEP) has been a productive investment for generations. The company makes enough money to share profits with investors via dividends and has raised the amount it pays for 52 consecutive years. You could call it a perk of selling beloved food and beverage products to a global customer base of roughly 8.2 billion people (and growing). There's just a seemingly endless runway for growth. However, shares are in a slump. PepsiCo has declined 25% since its all-time high in 2023. It's a rare drop for such a respected company, its farthest fall since the financial crisis in 2007-2009. Should investors buy PepsiCo in 2025, or has the company peaked? PepsiCo has grown for decades by selling more products, launching and acquiring new brands, and raising its prices. However, growth has increasingly depended on pricing since the COVID-19 pandemic. At face value, the chart below shows that business has been great, with impressive revenue growth over the past five years. Yet it's not the whole story. According to data from the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, the price of 16 ounces of potato chips in the United States has increased by 44% since January 2020. A typical two-liter bottle of soda costs 33% more today than back then. This data isn't brand-specific, but PepsiCo is the largest snack food and second-largest non-alcoholic beverage company in the U.S. You can reasonably connect the dots here. It's not that PepsiCo has padded its pockets; its gross margin is roughly the same today as five years ago. Instead, it reflects growth through inflation rather than consumers buying more. The problem is that consumers will only tolerate higher prices for so long. PepsiCo notched 2% organic revenue growth in 2024, but its volumes slipped by 1%, so it was all price-driven. Frito-Lay volumes dipped 2.5% in North America, and beverages fell 3%. Consumers seem to be fed up with higher prices. At least in the short term, further price hikes may cost it volume, offsetting the benefit of raising prices. I'm not saying PepsiCo won't grow, but the company could struggle to move the needle following these past five years. Don't worry. PepsiCo isn't facing a collapse. This is still as dependable a business as investors could hope for. Most people buy PepsiCo stock for the dividend. The company is a Dividend King, and that's unlikely to change anytime soon. The dividend payout ratio is approximately 65% of 2025 earnings estimates. PepsiCo's fortress-like balance sheet is a nice safety net, with $9.2 billion in cash and a credit rating comfortably in investment-grade territory. PepsiCo's prices may turn some shoppers away, but it's hard to imagine a major decline. The company's brands are household favorites and include products like Pepsi, Mountain Dew, Gatorade, Doritos, Lay's, Cheetos, Ruffles, Crush, and Quaker, among many more. PepsiCo's trailing-12-month sales haven't declined more than 7.6% in 15 years. Again, growth may slow, but investors can probably still expect modest growth and incremental dividend raises. As great as PepsiCo is, investors must be extra vigilant about valuation. Overpaying for a slow-growing stock can be disastrous for total investment returns. PepsiCo stock is mainly sliding because the market is adjusting to lower growth expectations. Both PepsiCo's price-to-earnings ratio and long-term growth estimates have fallen to multiyear lows: The good news is that the dividend yield has risen to 3.7%, its highest ever. High dividend yields are often a red flag, but not in this case. Investors are getting more immediate dividend income for their money because the market anticipates lower growth (share price appreciation). So, is PepsiCo a buy? From a pure growth standpoint, nearly 21 times earnings is a pricey valuation for 4% to 5% annualized growth. However, investors frequently pay more for blue chip companies like PepsiCo because they are dependable. You can reasonably assume PepsiCo will still be here decades from now. It's hard to call PepsiCo a strong buy without more growth potential. Dividend investors could argue for the high and dependable yield, but otherwise, I think the stock would be more appealing at a P/E closer to 15 to 17. Ever feel like you missed the boat in buying the most successful stocks? Then you'll want to hear this. On rare occasions, our expert team of analysts issues a 'Double Down' stock recommendation for companies that they think are about to pop. If you're worried you've already missed your chance to invest, now is the best time to buy before it's too late. And the numbers speak for themselves: Nvidia: if you invested $1,000 when we doubled down in 2009, you'd have $305,226!* Apple: if you invested $1,000 when we doubled down in 2008, you'd have $41,382!* Netflix: if you invested $1,000 when we doubled down in 2004, you'd have $517,876!* Right now, we're issuing 'Double Down' alerts for three incredible companies, and there may not be another chance like this anytime soon.*Stock Advisor returns as of March 24, 2025 Justin Pope has 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. Is PepsiCo a Buy, Sell, or Hold in 2025? was originally published by The Motley Fool Sign in to access your portfolio
