A consumer thread

The state of Texas has sued Allstate and a subsidiary, Arity, accusing the insurance giant of illegally tracking drivers through cell phone apps without their consent and then using the data to charge more for car insurance.
According to Texas AG Ken Paxton, Allstate created the "world's largest driving behavior database," which collected information on more than 45 million Americans after paying mobile app developers millions of dollars to secretly incorporate tracking software. The software was designed beginning in 2015 by Allstate's data analytics unit, Arity, and integrated into several apps such as Fuel Rewards, GasBuddy, Life360 and Allstate-owned Routely.

In a Monday complaint filed in a Texas state court near Houston, Texas says Allstate also profited by selling the data to other insurers.

According to a press release from Paxton, These actions violated the Texas Data Privacy and Security Act (“TDPSA”), which created heightened protections for Texans’ sensitive data, including but not limited to precise geolocation information...

Texas Sues Allstate For Secretly Tracking Drivers Through Apps, Using Data To Raise Rates
 
@everyone

Food and beverage recalls are a natural byproduct of a large and vibrant food system here in the United States. Despite a majority of the foods we eat being mass-produced for our convenience, the FDA does an incredible job at providing a system of checks and balances to ensure the health and safety of consumers. Whenever a recall is initiated, it’s the FDA who tends to jump at the opportunity to quickly eradicate any risk of contaminants or disease.



While 2024 seemed to be chock full of one recall after the next, the new year is now following suit. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Walmart is at the head of yet another recall. And this one is pertaining to more than 2,000 cases of chicken broth sold at the popular retail supercenter. The cases in question each contain six units of 48-ounce chicken broth cartons, equating to 12,138 cartons of recalled broth in total.

The recall, which was first initiated on December 11, 2024, states the potential for “packaging failures that could compromise the sterility of the product, resulting in spoilage.” Cases named in the recall included those with a “Best If Used By” date of March 24, 2026 and Lot Code: 98F09234c. Additionally, the identified cases should list a Retail Unit UPC of 007874206684d and a Case UPC of 078742066844.



According to the official FDA announcement, the recalled product has been sold at Walmart locations in both Alabama and Arkansas, with no further states being named as of yet. A representative at Walmart stated that more than 242 stores in the U.S. have reportedly sold the chicken broth, meaning the actual number of affected locations may still be up in the air.

As of now, no illnesses or medical emergencies have been reported in conjunction with the recall, however, consumers who have the identified cartons of chicken broth in their possession are encouraged to return it to Walmart for a full refund. The recalling firm is Tree House Foods Inc, of which customers with further questions or concerns can reach out via email at info@treehousefoods.com, or by phone at 708-483-1300.
 
With so many frigging regulations that we have over our food industry it's amazing that these recalls just seem to be getting worse.I wonder why?
 
The FDA today has issued an order today that will ban Red No. 3 from food products and ingested drugs.

The dye, which was approved for use in 1907, has been banned in cosmetics and topical drugs since 1990 over evidence that it can cause cancer. Its use in food is already banned or restricted in Australia, Japan, and countries in the EU.

Red No. 3. is commonly found in candy, gum and cookies, including Brach’s candy corn, Betty Crocker sprinkles and strawberry Ensure.
Food manufacturers will have until Jan. 15, 2027, to remove it from all products, while makers of ingested drugs will have until Jan. 18, 2028....

US bans popular red dye from foods — 35 years after it was banned in cosmetics
 
California has decided to abandon its groundbreaking regulations phasing out diesel trucks and requiring cleaner locomotives because the incoming Trump administration is unlikely to allow the state to implement them.

State officials have long considered the rules regulating diesel vehicles essential to cleaning up California’s severe air pollution and combating climate change.

The withdrawal comes after the Biden administration recently approved the California Air Resources Board’s mandate phasing out new gas-powered cars by 2035, but had not yet approved other waivers for four diesel vehicle standards that the state has adopted...

California abandons diesel truck ban and 3 other clean-air rules before Trump is sworn in
 
The Food and Drug Administration sent shockwaves through the food industry this week when the agency announced it is revoking its authorization of red dye No. 3. The dye, which is used in some foods and medications, has been controversial for years and faced a growing number of accusations that the additive may cause negative health effects, including behavioral issues in children.

The FDA cited in its announcement two studies that linked high levels of red dye No. 3 to cancer in male rats, but stressed that studies in other animals and humans did not show the same effect.

The FDA’s move comes more than a year after California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed the California Food Safety Act, which bans red dye No. 3 and other substances from being sold in the state.

Many companies have stopped using red dye No. 3 in recent years. One is Just Born, the company that makes Peeps; it switched to using red dye No. 40, one of many synthetic dyes still on the market. The California School Food Safety Act, which is a follow-up to the California Food Safety Act and focuses on foods served in schools, will ban red dye No. 40, yellow dyes Nos. 5 and 6, blue dyes Nos. 1 and 2 and green dye No. 3 from being sold in California schools effective Dec. 31, 2027.

Given that red dye No. 3 is a synthetic dye, it’s natural to wonder how safe these other artificial dyes — which appear in many food products — are. Here’s what experts want you to know.

What is red dye No. 40?

Red dye No..40, aka Allura Red, is one of the most commonly used synthetic food dyes in the U.S. and Canada, Dr. Kelly Johnson-Arbor, a toxicologist at MedStar Health, tells Yahoo Life. “The FDA approved red dye No. 40 for use in food in 1971, and it is currently used to enhance the appearance of various sodas, cereals, baked goods and other foods,” she says.

Red dye No. 40 has been deemed safe for consumption by the FDA, European Food Safety Authority and other regulatory bodies, as long as the intake stays below the established acceptable daily intake (ADI), Scott Keatley, a registered dietitian and co-owner of Keatley Medical Nutrition Therapy, tells Yahoo Life.

“Both major organizations have listed this product at 7 mg/kg/day as acceptable intake,” Keatley says. “This means that an individual weighing 70 kg (154 lbs.) could theoretically consume up to 490 milligrams of red dye No. 40 daily without expected adverse effects, according to these guidelines.” Keatley also points out that ADIs “are set with a significant safety margin and are intended for lifetime exposure.” In other words, several major organizations have deemed red dye No. 40 as safe for consumption.

What’s the deal with these other dyes?

All of the dyes listed above — yellow dyes Nos. 5 and 6, blue dyes Nos. 1 and 2 and green dye No. 3 — are synthetic additives, Jamie Alan, an associate professor of pharmacology and toxicology at Michigan State University, tells Yahoo Life. The dyes are widely used, likely because they’re inexpensive, Alan says.

But some companies have completely shifted away from synthetic dyes and instead focused on natural food coloring, like curcumin, carotenes, paprika and anthocyanins, Johnson-Arbor says. Unfortunately, these have their own challenges.

“Although these food-coloring agents are derived from natural sources, they do have some disadvantages when compared to synthetic dyes,” she says. “Natural food colors may be less colorful in appearance, more costly to produce and less shelf-stable than their synthetic counterparts and foods colored with some natural colors may be less desirable to consumers because of these factors.”

Where are these dyes commonly found?

The dyes can be found all over. “Synthetic food dyes are used in various types of foods that we consume every day, including baked goods, dairy products and certain fruit products,” Johnson-Arbor says. “Synthetic food dyes are also used to give pharmaceutical products and dietary supplements, including cough syrups, liquid pain relievers, allergy medications and gummy vitamins a desirable appearance.” Synthetic food colors are “frequently” added to children’s medications, she adds.

Some big-name products where synthetic dyes can be found include:

How can these dyes impact health?

Research into all of these dyes is ongoing, but there is some data to suggest they’re not great for your health. The biggest link is between the dyes and behavioral issues in children.

A report published by the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment in 2021 analyzed data from human and animal studies and concluded that synthetic food dyes are linked with hyperactivity and neurobehavioral problems in children. Those studies included observational studies (where researchers tried to link health outcomes with the dyes) along with “challenge studies,” where kids were asked to avoid dyes for a few weeks and then given products with dyes added to them.

The researchers discovered that, while not all kids were impacted by the synthetic dyes, some were more likely than others to act out after having them. The researchers ultimately found that 16 out of 25 studies analyzed found a link between kids who had the dyes and poor behavior. That link was also considered statistically significant in more than half of the studies.

“I expect that this decision will open up the conversation around other dyes,” Alan says. “Red dye No. 40 can still cause behavioral disruptions, especially in children. Currently, it is not listed as a carcinogen, but it does contain benzene, which has been correlated with cancer.”

But Keatley says that synthetic dyes don’t necessarily need to be demonized. Instead, he recommends that people consider the context for their use. Natural dyes, he notes, "can be less stable and more expensive to produce," which makes synthetic options preferable in some cases.

Synthetic dyes like blue No. 1 or yellow No. 5, “are generally safe within regulatory limits but may sometimes cause allergic reactions or behavioral issues in susceptible individuals,” Keatley adds. “While ‘natural is better’ is a useful generalization, it’s critical to balance this with practicality, stability and individual tolerance,” he says.

But synthetic dyes may eventually be phased out of the food supply, says Alan. “There is no benefit to synthetic dyes — other than profit — and there is no acceptable use for these,” she says.
 
Let's hope this catches on. It would be a boon to the consumers is a bunch of ways, including the overall price of beef. I just wish there were some around here, so I could support the cause, as it were:


Steak n Shake announced that it is moving forward with the use of 100% all-natural beef tallow in all its restaurants. Steak n Shake has long been famous for its shoestring fries – and it will now fry them in the best way possible.

When fries were created centuries ago, they were made with tallow. “Our fries will now be cooked in an authentic way, 100% beef tallow, in order to achieve the highest quality and best taste,” said Chris Ward, chief supply chain officer for Steak n Shake
Chief global development officer for Steak n Shake, Kristen Briede, stated: “The consumer wants the best and deserves the best. By adopting 100% beef tallow, Steak n Shake is delivering the best fries possible.”

By the end of February 2025, all locations will use 100% all-natural beef tallow...

Steak n Shake Moving to 100 Percent Beef Tallow in Restaurants
 
Best fries I can ever recall (other than cooked at home) .... The fry trailer at a real country fair. Lard, baby! Amazing fries.


McDonald's fries used to be fried in tallow, and they were much better then. Tallow (or lard, depending upon what's being fried) is the way to go, both for flavor and (probably) for health.
 
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McDonald's fries used to be fried in tallow, and they were much better than. Tallow (or lard, depending upon what's being fried) is the way to go, both for flavor and (probably) for health.
Also, IT IS NOT A DAILY DIET ITEM!

Shipley's Donuts (A Texas staple since 1936) went franchise a long while back. However, their very first store stayed under the control of the family. To this day they still use lard to fry donuts (and hand cut them all). Huge difference between that store and a franchise just a few miles way.
 
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