Woman says she should have been warned: General Mills has been hit with a class action lawsuit that alleges the company should have warned consumers that Cheerios contain tiny amounts of glyphosate, a widely used herbicide that may be a potential human carcinogen. The amount in Cheerios is far below what is considered safe under EPA guidelines. Honey manufacturers are already facing lawsuits related to the detection of glyphosate in products they label “pure” and “natural,” although last year a federal judge dismissed similar class actions brought against Quaker Oats. READ MORE
FOOD SAFETY
Tuna fish seized: Spanish authorities have seized 45 tons of “illegally treated” tuna fish as part of a crackdown on fraudulent food coordinated by Europol and Interpol. Frozen food only suitable for canning had been illegally treated with substances to enhance the color and was being sold as fresh fish. Authorities said disguising the color was a food safety risk because it could mask spoilage, allowing the development of histamine, causing so-called scombroid syndrome in humans. READ MORE
Lawsuits commence over tainted romaine: At least 11 companies so far face lawsuits in relation to this spring’s deadly E. coli outbreak linked to romaine lettuce. Three companies whose corporate leadership decided to break the supply chain of silence and reveal the suppliers of their chopped romaine are off the defendant lists for civil complaints filed by one law firm. Five people died in the 36-state E. coli outbreak, and a total of 210 people were confirmed infected, according to the CDC. READ MORE
Company to halt distribution of adulterated seafood products: The United States filed a civil complaint against Long Island City, NY-based Foo Yuan Food Products Co. Inc. and top officials to stop them from preparing and distributing adulterated seafood products in violation of federal law. According to the complaint, the company prepares, packs, holds, and distributes refrigerated and frozen ready-to-eat fish balls, fried fish cakes and fried fish balls. READ MORE
Another Salmonella outbreak: Missouri authorities are investigating a potential connection between an ongoing Salmonella outbreak and a church picnic. More than 50 people have reported being taken ill, with some of the cases possibly secondary, according to the Perry County Health Department, which is working with the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services to survey those who attended the St. Vincent de Paul Seminary picnic earlier this month. READ MORE
CYBER SECURITY
Hackers steal more than $1 million a day: Hackers are able to steal more than $1 million from the global economy through cyber crime in a single minute, according to a new report released Tuesday. Approximately 1,861 people fall victim to cyberattacks in a span of 60 seconds, while some $1.14 million is stolen, cybersecurity firm RiskIQ found. READ MORE
PUBLIC HEALTH
Smoke poses health threat: Smoke from wildfires clogged the sky across the U.S. West, blotting out mountains and city skylines from Oregon to Colorado, delaying flights and forcing authorities to tell even healthy adults in the Seattle area to stay indoors. As large cities dealt with unhealthy air for a second summer in a row, experts warned that it could become more common as the American West faces larger and more destructive wildfires because of heat and drought blamed on climate change. Officials also must prioritize resources during the longer firefighting season, so some blazes may be allowed to burn in unpopulated areas. READ MORE
Drones drop randy mosquitoes: On an early spring morning, a humming drone hovered over a small town in Bahia, Brazil. Some 300 feet above ground, a small canister clicked open, ejecting its contents. A swarm of mosquitoes stretched their wings and took flight. Each specimen was male, single and ready to mingle—and if all went as planned, they would steadily infiltrate the local mosquito population, coupling up with thousands of lucky ladies in the days to come. READ MORE
We’re all sleepy: Inadequate sleep causes more than $400 billion in economic losses annually in the United States and results in 1.23 million lost days of work each year, researchers have found. The effect of chronic sleeplessness in the United States far exceeds the costs in other industrialized countries. READ MORE
Measles record in Europe: Cases of measles in Europe have hit a record high, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). More than 41,000 people have been infected in the first six months of 2018, leading to 37 deaths. Last year there were 23,927 cases and the year before 5,273. Experts blame this surge in infections on a drop in the number of people being vaccinated. READ MORE
EMPLOYEE SAFETY
HUMANITARIAN CRISES
South African farmers trying to sell land: White farmers in South Africa are trying to flog their land as fears grow that the government is about to start a widespread campaign of seizures. Union bosses say a record number of properties are for sale but nobody is buying, making the properties effectively worthless. Agri SA union, which represents mainly white commercial farmers, has warned that such seizures will deter investment, cause job losses, and may rob South Africa of the ability to feed itself. READ MORE
JUST INTERESTING
Betting on cannabis: American spirits company Constellation Brands has immensely increased its investment in a Canadian cannabis company, betting that recreational cannabis will be a huge market when it becomes fully legal in Canada in two months. Constellation, the $8 billion company behind Corona and Modelo beers and Svedka vodka, will spend US $3.88 billion to increase its ownership of Canopy Growth Corp. to 38 percent and will nominate four directors to Canopy’s seven-member board. READ MORE
PETA complains about animal crackers: After more than a century behind bars, the beasts on boxes of animal crackers are roaming free. Mondelez International, the parent company of Nabisco, has redesigned the packaging of its Barnum’s Animals crackers in response to pressure from People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals. READ MORE