On Thursday, I wrote about recent tests by Consumer Reports on high levels of lead and cadmium found in some milk chocolate products. Earlier tests last year by the advocacy organization found that a number of Hershey’s dark chocolate bars had some of the highest levels of lead or cadmium of all brands it tested.
Cocoa-containing foods – such as cocoa powder, chocolate chips, and milk chocolate bars – contain concerning levels of cadmium or lead in a third of the products tested, according to Consumer Reports. The organization is calling on the Hershey Co. to step up its efforts to reduce the levels of heavy metals from its chocolate products after its latest tests.
On Friday, I had a busy day and missed the announcement that it was One Health Day. It’s a global campaign that brings attention to the need for a coordinated approach to address shared health threats at the human-animal-environment interface. I’d never heard of One Health Day before, but it addresses health concerns I’ve written about over the years:
Most consumers don’t know what they’re getting into when they sign up for “buy now, pay later” arrangements. “BNPL lenders are making it easier for borrowers to use high-cost loans for everyday purchases,” said Peter Smith of the Center for Responsible Lending. “At the same time, they are trying mightily to hide the true costs and risks of these loans.”
Little did I know when I wrote about International Wombat Day a few days ago, that I’d be writing about World Lemur Day today. I wrote about wombats because I read about the special day on Facebook and thought, since I had a great photo of my niece and her son with a wombat in Western Australia, I’d write about International Wombat Day.
Lately, I’ve been busy, so when I saw an item on Facebook Sunday that it was International Wombat Day, it didn’t dawn on me until Monday to post a great photo of my niece and her son with a wombat. The photo was taken at the Caversham Wildlife Park in Western Australia. I lived in Sydney from 1965 to 1967 and wanted to visit the amazing county again.
After years of delays and despite intense lobbying by manufacturers, a federal safety agency finally adopted a window covering rule that eliminated the dangers from cords on custom window coverings in November 2022. However, almost immediately after the CPSC finalized the rule, manufacturers filed a lawsuit challenging the agency’s rule.
Permission Slip by CR, a free app from Consumer Reports, helps users regain control of their personal information and requests that companies delete or stop selling their data. The app is available on iOS and Android. Users can swipe through companies that may have their data, and with a tap, send a request for changes.
It’s important to be aware what’s in the food you eat for the best health. For years, I’ve been concerned about the food additive Red Dye No. 3. Banned in Europe and only banned in candied cherries in the United States, it’s finally getting some needed regulatory attention here. Red Dye No. 3 is one of four chemicals banned.
