All articles tagged with #consumer health
Consumer sleep trackers often misestimate sleep stages by over an hour compared to clinical tests, and the resulting anxiety can worsen sleep quality. Experts warn that obsessing over scores, known as orthosomnia, is counterproductive, while the sleep-tech market grows to $58 billion by 2030.
A federal lawsuit alleges that Starbucks mislabels its protein drinks as 'sugar-free' despite containing significant sugar. The company denies the claims, arguing the sugar is naturally occurring from milk, not added sweeteners.
The FDA has expanded a nationwide recall of Bettergoods frozen pasta sold at Walmart to include all lot codes after routine testing detected listeria. The manufacturer, Gias Foods, halted production on Sept. 15, and no illnesses have been reported yet. Consumers are advised to discard the product or return it for a refund.
A new investigation by the Clean Label Project found that nearly all tested cat foods contain toxic contaminants, including lead, mercury, arsenic, and the herbicide glyphosate. The study analyzed 100 top-selling products from 62 brands, revealing that lead was present in 99% of samples and cadmium in 96%. While the industry argues that rigorous safety protocols ensure product safety, experts warn that chronic exposure to these heavy metals and plastic chemicals like phthalates may accumulate in cats over time, potentially contributing to health issues such as kidney disease. The report highlights that premium or 'natural' labels do not guarantee purity, with fish-based foods showing significantly higher mercury levels than poultry-based options.
A new study shows heat is the main driver of microplastic release from takeaway cups: all-plastic cups shed more particles than plastic-lined paper cups, and hotter beverages increase particle release. The researchers found a 300 mL daily hot coffee in polyethylene could lead to about 363,000 microplastics ingested annually. While long‑term health effects remain uncertain, the findings suggest using reusable cups or cooler drinks to reduce exposure, and avoiding pouring boiling liquids into plastic-lined containers.
Kimberly-Clark plans to acquire Kenvue, the maker of Tylenol, for over $40 billion, creating one of the largest consumer health companies in the U.S., with the deal expected to close in late 2026 and offering significant cost savings despite recent legal and regulatory challenges faced by Kenvue.
Walmart announced it will remove synthetic dyes and 30 other food additives from its private-label products by 2027, responding to consumer demand for simpler ingredients and increased regulatory scrutiny, affecting around 1,000 products including snacks, baked goods, and dressings.
Walmart announced plans to remove synthetic food dyes and 30 other additives from its store brands in the U.S. by January 2027, responding to consumer demand and regulatory scrutiny, affecting about 1,000 products including snacks, baked goods, and beverages.
State legislatures across the U.S. are proposing and enacting laws to restrict or regulate food dyes and additives, driven by consumer demand and political movements like MAHA, amid debates over scientific evidence and industry impacts, with some states banning certain dyes in schools and others requiring warning labels, while a national standard from the FDA is anticipated.
J.M. Smucker Co. plans to remove FD&C artificial colors from all its consumer food products by 2027, focusing on sugar-free fruit spreads, ice cream toppings, and some Hostess products, with a goal to cease sales of such products to K-12 schools by 2026/2027, aligning with consumer demand for natural ingredients.
Kraft Heinz announced it will remove all artificial chemical dyes from its products, including brands like Kool-Aid and Jell-O, by the end of 2027, affecting about 10% of its portfolio, in response to health concerns and regulatory trends.
Kraft Heinz has announced it will remove all artificial dyes from its products sold in the US by 2027, responding to consumer concerns and regulatory scrutiny over the health risks of synthetic food coloring, and potentially setting a trend for other food companies to follow.
The fitness and wellness tracking industry is filled with wearables and trackers promising personal value through monitoring heart rate, activity, and sleep, with some even claiming to detect medical conditions. However, consumers should approach these products with a critical eye, as most data output hasn't been reviewed by regulators. It's important to focus on trends rather than individual data points, pay attention to usage instructions, and be wary of overhyped claims. While there's potential for preventative healthcare, consumers should be cautious of unproven assessments and misleading marketing tactics in the fitness and wellness tracking space.
Bayer is considering breaking apart from its consumer health or crop science divisions, as new CEO Bill Anderson aims to revive the company's share price. The company is exploring the possibility of separating either the non-prescription medicines business or the agriculture business from the rest of the group, with a sequential split into three companies also being considered. Anderson also confirmed plans to remove several layers of management, resulting in a significant reduction in the workforce. Bayer's shares were down 1% following the announcement.
Johnson & Johnson has launched an exchange offer for its stockholders to opt for shares of Kenvue, its newly listed consumer health unit. The offering will help J&J move closer to its plan of spinning off the unit and focusing on its larger medical devices and pharmaceuticals businesses. Shareholders can exchange their shares for Kenvue shares at a 7% discount. Kenvue, with a market capitalization of about $46 billion, recently forecasted strong profit for this year.