It’s a little hard to fathom but actions speak louder than words: For political partisans, what seems to be scarier than a novel coronavirus that has infected more than 1 million Americans and claimed more lives in a few weeks than years of U.S. involvement in Vietnam? Trial lawyers. Like me. Really? Politico, the news….
Continue ReadingFood Safety
Pandemic and joblessness expose big problems in one health basic: food supplies
The Covid-19 pandemic has exposed millions of Americans to huge problems in one of the most basic elements of their health and well-being — their food supply. It’s past time for all of us to demand changes, and we may want to ask why, in the midst of a global economic calamity, that politicians persist….
Continue ReadingSafety roundup: New cautions on headlights, off-road vehicles, and groceries and food recalls
Consumers need to stay informed and to protect their own interests, especially because big businesses — whether they’re car makers, grocers, or manufacturers of off-road vehicles — may put their own interests ahead of public safety. With car makers, a leading highway safety group has spotlighted how only a select few of these global enterprises….
Continue ReadingOn the road, in the kitchen, at the table — have a safe, healthy holiday!
With the launch of a season of eating, drinking, getting together with friends and family, and celebrating, it may be worth a moment to ponder how to keep those you care most about as healthy and safe as possible, but with a good dollop of fun too. Herewith some suggestions: Food safety When it comes….
Continue ReadingToo many spoons full of sugar going down in kids’ drinks
Grownups shouldn’t be surprised that child obesity is a major and rising concern for 1 in 5 of the nation’s young, putting their short- and long-term health at serious peril: That’s because Big Sugar and major food makers persist in a costly, relentless barrage on kids and adults for unhealthful products, notably sweet drinks that….
Continue ReadingVulnerable nursing home residents face yet another hazard: sickening food
To the myriad struggles that residents of nursing homes endure, from poor health to inattentive staff, add this new one: “crappy conditions” in kitchens and other areas where their food gets prepared and served. Marjie Lundstrom, a Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter, conducted a five-month, nationwide investigation for the consumer web site Fair Warning, with the results….
Continue ReadingWhere’s the beef? Experts chew on meat-eating: Bad for you, unknown, or what?
The elite of public health organizations are up in arms about a new report from a group of international researchers who looked at red meat and its health benefits and harms, and more or less shrugged. The new take goes like this, reported the New York Times: “If there are health benefits from eating less….
Continue ReadingA toast to clear and simple advice: Parents, it’s just milk and water for the kids
Milk and water — it’s that simple. That’s the latest and official recommendation for what children 5 and younger mostly should drink. For parents, if any doubt persists, that advice comes from leading health authorities, including Healthy Eating Research, a nutrition advocacy group funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The group developed the kids’….
Continue ReadingIn season of higher risk for kids, cautions about mowers and pool chemicals
As the nation slips into summer and the statistical 100 deadliest days for kids, there are some timely reminders about keeping youngsters safer around swimming pools and the chemicals used with them and protecting them from the harms of riding mowers when the devices are run in reverse. The Red Cross, of course, reminds that….
Continue ReadingA lesson on vaping from sugary drinks of yore: Crack down on Big Tobacco
Those who are senior enough to remember the allures of sweet drinks like Tang, Hawaiian Punch, and Kool-Aid also may need to be sage enough to share a deep, evidence-based distrust and disapproval for the nefarious actions of Big Sugar and Big Tobacco. Those suspicions may need to be renewed in regulators’ crackdowns on vaping, its….
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