Updates on sunscreens – still unfounded claims

Sunscreen safety hasn’t improved since the FDA set new rules on advertising in 2011. photo by Joe Shlabotnik, flickr

The past few years there have been studies on sunscreens and the news hasn’t been great. A myriad of false marketing claims have led consumers into a false sense of security about protection from harmful UV rays.

Concerns for toxic chemical use in the news

Consumers have reason to be concerned. The use of toxic chemicals is seriously on the rise. And their effects, although our federal “watchdog” agencies are officially touting them to be safe, look to be real cause for concern (to put it mildly).

Here are a few stories that hit the news today. Judge for yourselves, then you might want to make some changes.

Ben & Jerry’s stands up for non-GMO labeling

Jerry Greenfield, co-founder of Ben & Jerry’s, speaks out for mandatory GMO labeling

More than 200 Connecticut residents gathered today at the State Capital in Hartford to testify on behalf of HB 6519, a bill to require the labeling of genetically modified food sold in the Constitution state.  Among these outspoken gatherers were top international scientists, leading national grassroots activists and the co-founder of the famous Vermont ice cream company Ben & Jerry’s, who traveled to Hartford to testify in front of the Public Health Committee in favor of passing a bill to require the labeling of GMOs.

Antibiotic use in farm animals likely to create health crisis

According to a report released in February by the U.S. FDA’s National Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring System, eighty percent of a antibiotics are given to farm animals. The result is a growing antibiotic resistance when treating bacteria-related illnesses in humans.

Encouraging test process helps remove drug residue from wastewater

The proliferation of drug residue in our waterways has become an increasingly challenging health hazard, one that until now has seen no large scale solution, other than educating the public to dispose of unused medications properly.

GMO television ad airs in Australia

It’s the first of its kind in the world. A short but graphic TV ad is airing in western Australia. It exposes the  public to the 2012 Séralini research study, published in the US science journal Food and Chemical Toxicology,. This important study links consumption of Genetically Modified (GM) food to cancer, liver and kidney damage. This raises serious questions about the Barnett Government’s promotion of GM farming in Western Australia.

Compact fluorescents can cause cancer?

I’ve written a number of articles about the shortfalls and risks of compact fluorescent light bulbs. These include that CFL’s are expensive and, unless you’re willing to spend beaucoup bucks, they won’t deliver the kind of higher wattage we’ve come to expect from incandescents. Another concern is that CFL’s contain mercury, a highly toxic substance in itself, and if a bulb breaks, this poses a real hazard.

Genetically-engineered pork – coming to stores near you?

I find it horrifically fascinating that government agencies such as the USDA, tasked with protecting consumers from any serious health issues contained in our food supply should be in favor of genetically modified food sources. Yet evidence is growing that some of our organic foods contain GE ingredients (oddly allowed by the USDA) and now that august agency has taken a further step down this potentially hazardous path.

Colored plastic bags may contain lead

Colored plastic bags may have toxic chemicals in them

According to recent tests conducted by the Vermont-based nonprofit Toxics in Packaging Clearinghouse, bright solid-colored plastic bags may contain high concentrations of lead.  This industry/public interest advisory group – formed in an effort to reduce the amount of heavy metals in packaging and packaging components that are sold or distributed throughout the U.S. - screened 125 single-use shopping and mailing bags for the presence of the four regulated metals: lead, cadmium, mercury and hexavalent chromium in the inks used to print or color the bags.

Healthy snacking for the holidays and beyond

As we begin preparing for the holidays, it’s easy to reach for unhealthy snacks as quick pick-me-ups. This is the time of year for rampant impulse snacking – when the urge hits, we reach for whatever we can find to snack on.

NatureBox wants to change that by making healthy delicious snacking easier and more convenient.