Arizona schools are implementing the Healthy Schools Act, banning highly processed foods containing specific additives like potassium bromate and artificial dyes from student meals and celebrations. This marks the first year districts must comply, leading to recipe reformulations and changes in food offerings.
A study of over 112,000 participants found that high intake of non-antioxidant preservatives was linked to a 29% higher risk of hypertension and a 16% higher risk of cardiovascular disease. Eight specific preservatives were associated with increased hypertension risk.
Hotdogs are a beloved American culinary icon, but health experts warn they are ultra-processed, high in sodium and saturated fats, and linked to serious health issues like cancer and heart disease. While occasional consumption is deemed acceptable, regular intake is strongly discouraged.
US food and beverage giants face a new hurdle as 23 states now have waivers restricting SNAP benefits for certain processed and sugary products. This could reduce sales by $830 million this year, forcing companies to monitor shopper behavior and potentially reformulate product lines.
A new Harvard study reveals that consuming over two pounds of ultra-processed foods daily increases dementia risk by 58% and cognitive impairment by 46%. Even moderate consumption poses risks, with processed meats showing the highest association.
A new issue of the American Journal of Public Health reveals how tobacco companies like Philip Morris and RJ Reynolds used strategies developed for selling cigarettes to market ultra-processed foods (UPFs), including Lunchables, to children. These strategies focused on optimizing formulations for rapid reward and creating addictive products. UPFs are linked to increased risks of dementia, cognitive decline, cardiovascular diseases, and certain cancers.
Nutritionist Tseng Chien-ming explains the NOVA classification system for food processing, categorizing items from whole corn to colorful corn flakes. He advises prioritizing whole foods, using processed ingredients moderately, and treating ultra-processed foods as occasional indulgences, especially for those with chronic conditions.
Brazil is implementing a nationwide initiative to remove ultra-processed foods (UPFs) from hospital menus and school meals, promoting healthier, locally sourced alternatives. This ambitious project faces logistical and political challenges but is gaining momentum with potential federal legislation and successful pilot programs.
A new report highlights that increasing extraction of rainforest resources for minerals, biofuels, and pulp is pushing biomes like the Amazon towards a breaking point. Compounding pressures from cattle ranching, agriculture, and logging are exacerbated by mining's extensive environmental footprint, including pollution and infrastructure development. The analysis by Profundo, commissioned by Rainforest Foundation Norway, urges a reduction in consumption from forest regions.
Dates are trending as a natural sweet snack alternative, driven by social media recipes, fibre awareness, and demand for less processed foods, with significant sales and search increases noted in UK retailers.
‘Clinical consensus statement’ also urges heart doctors to advise patients to not eat late at night, and chew slowlyWant to reduce your intake of ultra-processed food? If so, cook at home more often, don’t eat late at night and chew your food more slowly.Those are among some of the tips doctors have offered to help people limit the amount of UPF they consume given the acute and growing danger it poses to human health worldwide. Continue reading...
Food adulteration in India poses a significant public health crisis, with contaminated milk, paneer, and processed foods causing severe health issues and even deaths. Recent incidents highlight widespread violations, including a deadly milk contamination in Andhra Pradesh and large seizures of adulterated paneer in Surat, underscoring the urgent need for stricter regulations and enforcement.
