Brett Wattles
The Latest
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Salmonella Outbreak Linked to Cucumbers Expands to 18 States, 45 Sickened and 16 Hospitalized
A multistate salmonella outbreak linked to cucumbers grown by Florida-based Bedner Growers has now sickened at least 45 people across 18 states and hospitalized 16, according to the latest update from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The illnesses, spanning from April to May, have prompted widespread recalls by major retailers including Target, Walmart, Kroger, and Harris Teeter. 
A multistate salmonella outbreak linked to cucumbers grown by Florida-based Bedner Growers has now sickened at least 45 people across 18 states and hospitalized 16, according to the latest update from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The illnesses, spanning from April to May, have prompted widespread recalls by major retailers including Target, Walmart, Kroger, and Harris Teeter. -
Global Heat Record Likely by 2029, UN Warns, as 2°C Threshold Looms
Global temperatures are poised to break at least one annual heat record within the next five years, according to a sobering joint forecast from the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the UK Met Office. The five-year outlook warns of an 80% chance of another record-breaking year before 2029 and a growing risk that the planet will breach the 1.5 degrees Celsius warming limit set by the 2015 Paris climate accord. 
Global temperatures are poised to break at least one annual heat record within the next five years, according to a sobering joint forecast from the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the UK Met Office. The five-year outlook warns of an 80% chance of another record-breaking year before 2029 and a growing risk that the planet will breach the 1.5 degrees Celsius warming limit set by the 2015 Paris climate accord. -
Packaging Says ‘Healthy,’ But Nutrition Says Otherwise: Sugar and Fat Surge in U.S. Cereals
Children's breakfast cereals in the United States have become significantly less nutritious over the past decade, according to a new study published Wednesday in JAMA Network Open. Researchers found that newly launched or reformulated cereals from 2010 to 2023 contain higher levels of sugar, fat, and sodium-despite being marketed as healthier options. 
Children's breakfast cereals in the United States have become significantly less nutritious over the past decade, according to a new study published Wednesday in JAMA Network Open. Researchers found that newly launched or reformulated cereals from 2010 to 2023 contain higher levels of sugar, fat, and sodium-despite being marketed as healthier options. -
NB.1.8.1 COVID Variant Linked to China Spike Surfaces in Multiple U.S. States and Airports
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has confirmed multiple cases of the new COVID-19 variant NB.1.8.1 in the United States, a strain linked to a sharp surge in infections across China and parts of Asia. The variant, a descendant of the JN.1 lineage, has become dominant in China and is now appearing among international travelers entering the U.S., according to data published by the CDC's testing partner, Ginkgo Bioworks. 
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has confirmed multiple cases of the new COVID-19 variant NB.1.8.1 in the United States, a strain linked to a sharp surge in infections across China and parts of Asia. The variant, a descendant of the JN.1 lineage, has become dominant in China and is now appearing among international travelers entering the U.S., according to data published by the CDC's testing partner, Ginkgo Bioworks. -
FDA Moves to Restrict COVID Vaccine Access for Healthy Adults and Children, Requiring New Clinical Trials
The Food and Drug Administration announced sweeping changes to its COVID-19 vaccine policy Tuesday, signaling a major departure from universal booster recommendations and shifting toward targeted protection for high-risk populations. Under the revised approach, healthy children and adults will no longer be automatically eligible for updated vaccines each year, with new doses requiring large-scale, placebo-controlled trials before being approved for use in lower-risk groups. 
The Food and Drug Administration announced sweeping changes to its COVID-19 vaccine policy Tuesday, signaling a major departure from universal booster recommendations and shifting toward targeted protection for high-risk populations. Under the revised approach, healthy children and adults will no longer be automatically eligible for updated vaccines each year, with new doses requiring large-scale, placebo-controlled trials before being approved for use in lower-risk groups. -
FDA Grants Novavax COVID-19 Vaccine Limited Approval for High-Risk Groups Only
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has granted full approval to Novavax's COVID-19 vaccine, but only for a narrow population: adults aged 65 and older, or those ages 12 to 64 with at least one underlying health condition that puts them at elevated risk for severe illness. The decision marks a departure from expectations that the protein-based vaccine would be broadly approved for use in people 12 and up. 
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has granted full approval to Novavax's COVID-19 vaccine, but only for a narrow population: adults aged 65 and older, or those ages 12 to 64 with at least one underlying health condition that puts them at elevated risk for severe illness. The decision marks a departure from expectations that the protein-based vaccine would be broadly approved for use in people 12 and up. -
Florida Bans Fluoride in Public Water, Becoming Second State to End Decades-Long Public Health Practice
Florida has become the second U.S. state to ban fluoride in public water systems, joining Utah in a move that has sparked controversy among medical experts, local officials, and political allies. Governor Ron DeSantis signed the legislation Thursday as part of the broader "Florida Farm Bill," which includes a provision barring the use of unspecified additives in water systems-effectively halting the decades-long practice of municipal water fluoridation in the state. 
Florida has become the second U.S. state to ban fluoride in public water systems, joining Utah in a move that has sparked controversy among medical experts, local officials, and political allies. Governor Ron DeSantis signed the legislation Thursday as part of the broader "Florida Farm Bill," which includes a provision barring the use of unspecified additives in water systems-effectively halting the decades-long practice of municipal water fluoridation in the state. -
Nearly 18,000 Ice Cream Tubs Recalled Nationwide Over Plastic Shard Contamination Risk
Wells Enterprises has issued a nationwide recall of nearly 18,000 tubs of bulk ice cream and frozen yogurt after reports that some containers may contain shards of plastic, posing a potential choking hazard. The Iowa-based manufacturer, known for brands such as Blue Bunny and Halo Top, initiated the recall after internal investigations found foreign material contamination in a number of large-format products sold to food service distributors. 
Wells Enterprises has issued a nationwide recall of nearly 18,000 tubs of bulk ice cream and frozen yogurt after reports that some containers may contain shards of plastic, posing a potential choking hazard. The Iowa-based manufacturer, known for brands such as Blue Bunny and Halo Top, initiated the recall after internal investigations found foreign material contamination in a number of large-format products sold to food service distributors. -
U.S. Measles Deaths Hit 30-Year High; RFK Jr. Draws Fire for Misinformation
More than 1,000 measles cases have been reported in the United States so far this year, marking only the second time in three decades that infections have reached this level. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed 1,001 cases as of May 8, with 14 active outbreaks across 30 states. Texas alone accounts for 709 confirmed infections, the largest share by far. 
More than 1,000 measles cases have been reported in the United States so far this year, marking only the second time in three decades that infections have reached this level. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed 1,001 cases as of May 8, with 14 active outbreaks across 30 states. Texas alone accounts for 709 confirmed infections, the largest share by far. -
CDC Warns Travelers Over 60 to Avoid Chikungunya Vaccine Amid Neurological Risk Review
Federal health officials are advising Americans aged 60 and older to avoid the chikungunya vaccine Ixchiq amid an investigation into potential side effects, including neurological and cardiac symptoms, in older recipients. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued separate advisories last week following reports of adverse reactions in older adults who had recently received the vaccine. 
Federal health officials are advising Americans aged 60 and older to avoid the chikungunya vaccine Ixchiq amid an investigation into potential side effects, including neurological and cardiac symptoms, in older recipients. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued separate advisories last week following reports of adverse reactions in older adults who had recently received the vaccine.
