Showing posts with label Corporations. Show all posts

Saturday, April 27, 2024

Toxic Pesticide Found in Cheerios and Quaker Oats: What You Need to Know

A recent study by the Environmental Working Group (EWG) suggests that Cheerios and Quaker Oats may contain chlormequat, a pesticide associated with infertility in animals.

Despite not being approved for use in food grown within the United States, researchers discovered chlormequat in 77 out of 96 urine samples collected between 2017 and 2023, with a notable increase in concentration observed in 2023. Additionally, EWG's findings from last year indicated the presence of chlormequat in 92% of oat-based foods tested, including popular brands like Cheerios and Quaker Oats.

While chlormequat is not directly applied to crops in the U.S., its presence in wheat products and egg powder can result from high temperatures during food processing. Since 2018, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has permitted the importation of oats, wheat, barley, and certain animal products treated with chlormequat, even raising the allowable limit of the pesticide in oats in 2020.

General Mills, the manufacturer of Cheerios, asserts that its products comply with all regulatory requirements, according to a spokesperson's statement to Verywell. Alexis Temkin, PhD, a senior toxicologist at EWG and lead author of the study, stresses the need for continued monitoring of chlormequat in food and its potential impact on human health, citing concerns raised by animal studies.

While studies on humans are lacking, research on animals has shown adverse effects of chlormequat on reproductive health and hormone levels. Although the EPA considers current levels of chlormequat safe based on animal studies, concerns persist regarding its potential impact on human health.

Toxic Chemical Chlormequat Found In Cheerios and Quaker Oats

To minimize exposure to chlormequat, consumers can opt for USDA Certified Organic products, as organic oats are cultivated without the use of most synthetic pesticides or fertilizers. However, the EWG study indicates that even some organic oat-based foods may contain traces of chlormequat, underlining the need for continued vigilance in food choices.

Toxic Pesticide Found in Cheerios and Quaker Oats: What You Need to Know

"Undercover Pursuit: Unmasking the Glue and 'Tap' Thief Scam Targeting a Victim at Chase Bank ATM"

A novel ATM scam has emerged, targeting Chase Bank customers in San Francisco. In this deceptive ploy, criminals applied glue to the card reader, compelling victims to use the tap feature and subsequently draining their accounts. Despite falling prey to this scheme, customers faced denial from the bank when filing claims.

EXCLUSIVE: Chase Bank ATM victim goes undercover to prove he was scammed by glue and 'tap' thief

Joey Mularky, a victim of this scam, decided to take matters into his own hands after the bank rejected his claim. Recounting the incident, Mularky described how he encountered a glued card slot at a Chase Bank ATM. A helpful stranger advised him to tap his card, purportedly due to a malfunction. Unbeknownst to Mularky, this set the stage for the scammers.

Upon returning to the same ATM, Mularky withdrew $60, only to notice the same individual present again. Sensing something amiss, he proceeded with another withdrawal, and the suspicious man approached closely. The aftermath revealed multiple unauthorized withdrawals totaling $1,640 from Mularky's account.

Several other victims shared similar experiences, recounting encounters with the glued card reader and subsequent unauthorized transactions. Despite the victims' pleas, Chase Bank dismissed their claims, asserting that there was no evidence of a scam. The bank contended that customers had authorized the withdrawals.

Frustrated by the lack of assistance, Mularky undertook his investigation. He observed the same suspect lingering near the ATM and covertly recorded a video of the individual engaging in the scam with someone else. However, even armed with this evidence, Chase Bank initially refused to acknowledge it as proof of Mularky's victimization.

Upon media intervention, Chase Bank reviewed Mularky's case and issued a refund. The bank extended similar restitution to other scam victims but remained silent on its investigative processes. Chase Bank vaguely mentioned implementing changes to its ATMs for customer protection without specifying the nature of these modifications.

Victims speculated that scammers might have observed their PIN entries by exploiting the close proximity during transactions or employing hidden cameras. While relieved to have his money returned, Mularky stressed the importance of thorough investigations and adherence to legal requirements.

Consumer advocates emphasized the significance of banks incorporating surveillance video evidence in their investigations, as mandated by law. The incident sheds light on the vulnerabilities of current ATM systems and underscores the need for robust security measures to protect customers from evolving scams.

In Other SMH America News

Over the phone, Jarret told FOX 11 News he was a victim of entrapment. When asked why he sent sexual messages to a 14-year-old girl, Jarret said she was the one sending the explicit messages. He added that he planned to meet the girl in person to tell her to stop texting and "let her off easy."

"Undercover Pursuit: Unmasking the Glue and 'Tap' Thief Scam Targeting a Victim at Chase Bank ATM"

Payless Successfully Markets Discount Shoes at Luxury Prices

Payless ShoeSource executed a clever marketing stunt by creating a fake luxury brand called Palessi, enticing fashion influencers to pay exorbitant markups of up to 1,800 percent for the retailer's shoes. The bargain store set up a temporary, high-end store in Los Angeles, featuring gold mannequins and a statue, and invited 60 influencers to its launch party. These fashion insiders, recruited from the street and social media, unknowingly paid prices ranging from $200 to $645 for shoes typically sold by Payless for $19.99 to $39.99.

Payless sold discount shoes at luxury prices — and it worked

The influencers praised the supposed luxury brand's design and quality, unaware that the shoes were from Payless. The elaborate prank aimed to challenge perceptions and remind consumers of Payless's combination of stylish relevance and affordability. The participants were later informed of the stunt, and while they received refunds, they were allowed to keep the shoes.

DCX Growth Accelerator, the advertising agency behind the campaign, strategically chose the name Palessi, playing on the cachet of Italian design. The campaign's goal was to bring Payless back to its roots of appealing to pragmatic American consumers, highlighting the contrast with elite fashion brand prices. The stunt underscores the power of branding in shaping perceived value and resonating with cultural codes, according to Doug Cameron, DCX Chief Creative Officer. The campaign, featuring stunned influencers, is set to air on cable networks throughout the holiday season.

In Other SMH America News

A man has been arrested and a woman remains hospitalized after deputies say the couple was involved in a vehicle crash as they tried to flee from authorities in a Polk County subdivision following reports of car burglaries.

Payless Successfully Markets Discount Shoes at Luxury Prices

Despite Amazon's assurances that its Echo devices only record conversations when triggered by the wake word "Alexa," a Portland resident, Danielle, discovered otherwise. She requested an investigation after an Alexa device recorded a private conversation between her and her husband, sending it to a random contact in their address book without permission. Danielle received a call from her husband's colleague, warning them that they were being hacked and to unplug their Alexa devices immediately.

Amazon's Alexa recorded private conversations and sent them to random contact

Initially skeptical, Danielle realized the severity of the situation when the colleague mentioned details from their conversation about hardwood floors. Feeling invaded and questioning her trust in the device, Danielle decided never to use it again. Amazon confirmed the incident, apologized and termed it an "extremely rare occurrence."

In an updated statement, Amazon explained that the Echo device mistakenly woke up due to a word resembling "Alexa" in the background conversation. The subsequent conversation was misconstrued as a "send message" request, leading Alexa to ask aloud, "To whom?" The background conversation was then interpreted as a name in the user's contact list, and Alexa asked, "[contact name], right?" Amazon acknowledged the improbability of this sequence of events and stated they were exploring options to minimize such incidents.

Despite Amazon's insistence that this was a malfunction rather than evidence of constant listening, the company has filed patent applications for features involving continuous listening, such as an algorithm to analyze when users say they "love" or "bought" something. The patent included a scenario where individuals having a phone conversation received separate targeted advertisements afterward.

In Other SMH America News

Gabriel Luviano-Renteria faces charges of impersonation and obstruction. DESOTO COUNTY, Fla. – A Florida driver was taken into custody after deputies found him driving around in a truck labeled “Booty Patrol,” according to the DeSoto County Sheriff's Office.

"Amazon's Alexa Records and Sends Private Conversation to Random Contact"

Massive Fish Mortality: Tens of Thousands Found Stranded on Texas Beach Amid Low Oxygen Levels

Over the weekend, tens of thousands of deceased fish washed ashore along the Texas Gulf Coast, creating a shoreline littered with decaying carcasses and prompting local authorities to advise against visitation.

Tens of Thousands of Dead Fish wash up on a Texas Beach due to Low Oxygen Levels

On Friday, waves from the Gulf of Mexico carried in vast numbers of dead fish, creating a grim spectacle in Brazoria County, located over 40 miles south of Houston, according to officials at Quintana Beach County Park.

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department attributed the mass fish mortality to low levels of dissolved oxygen in the water, a condition making it challenging for the fish to breathe. Termed a "fish kill," such incidents are common during the summer when temperatures rise, the state department noted.

Although no direct link to climate change has been established in this particular occurrence, researchers caution that fish kills may become more frequent with rising temperatures and decreasing oxygen levels in lakes across the United States and Europe.

Dissolved oxygen levels in water typically rise through photosynthesis, a process where plants convert sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide into oxygen. When there is less sunlight, as occurs at night, photosynthesis slows or halts, while the consumption of oxygen by aquatic plants and animals continues unabated, leading to a reduction in oxygen concentration, as explained by Texas Park and Wildlife officials.

The Gulf menhaden, commonly used as bait by fishermen, was the species most severely impacted by this fish kill, according to Texas Parks and Wildlife.

By Sunday evening, efforts had largely cleared Quintana Beach of the deceased fish, with only some remaining that machinery couldn't remove, according to county officials.

In Other SMH America News

A jury on Thursday found 31-year-old Alan Colie not guilty of aggravated malicious wounding in the shooting of 21-year-old Tanner Cook, who runs the “Classified Goons” YouTube channel. The jury was split on two lesser firearms counts and decided to convict him on one and acquit him on the other.

Massive Fish Mortality: Tens of Thousands Found Stranded on Texas Beach Amid Low Oxygen Levels

Tragedy Strikes Carrot Field: Workers Allege Being Instructed to Continue Picking Despite Nearby Fatality

A tragedy unfolded in a carrot field in New Cuyama as Miriam del Carmen Ramirez lost her mother, Rosa Miriam Sanchez, in a harrowing accident. The 58-year-old Sanchez was struck by a truck driving in reverse while Ramirez and a crew of approximately 60 workers were returning to pick carrots.

Ramirez, who witnessed the incident, rushed to her mother's side as she succumbed to her injuries, making a desperate 911 call. Shockingly, amidst the unfolding tragedy, workers at Grimmway Farms, where the incident occurred, claim they were instructed to resume picking carrots while Sanchez's lifeless body lay nearby under a blanket. This callous directive has sparked outrage among the laborers.

The incident on September 20 in Santa Barbara County has prompted investigations by Grimmway Farms and Cal/OSHA, the state agency overseeing workplace safety. While the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office deemed the crash an accident, farmworkers are demanding an investigation into the handling of the incident and expressing safety concerns about the involved truck and driver.

Ernesto Perez, a witness and farmworker, criticized the decision to continue working, stating, "Even a worker losing their life wasn’t going to stop them from finishing the work. We’re just a piece of trash for them."

In response, Grimmway Farms issued a statement expressing condolences for Sanchez's death and asserting an ongoing internal investigation. The company denies issuing the directive to continue work but acknowledges that operations should have ceased immediately.

Ramirez and fellow farmworkers are seeking an inquiry into the handling of the incident, emphasizing concerns about the truck and driver's safety. Cal/OSHA is conducting an investigation into the matter, scrutinizing the contractors involved, including Esparza Enterprises Inc. (which hired the workers) and M & M Labor Inc. (which employed the driver).

The farmworkers, often supervised by contractors, are concerned about the industry's disregard for their well-being, emphasizing that monetary interests seem to override their safety. Some workers have chosen to leave their jobs due to the traumatic incident, highlighting the need for systemic changes to prioritize the safety and dignity of agricultural laborers.

Grimmway Farms is collaborating with contractors to enhance vehicle safety measures, installing cameras and alarms. Witnesses claim they had previously raised concerns about the truck and driver, including issues with reversing alerts and high-speed driving, but Grimmway Farms maintains it was unaware of these concerns.

The tragedy has left the affected workers traumatized, prompting some to seek alternative employment. Ernesto Perez, profoundly affected by the loss of Sanchez, voiced his conviction, saying, "After seeing that, I can’t go back to that." Miriam del Carmen Ramirez and her younger brother are planning to relocate, hoping to find a sense of normalcy after the devastating incident.

In Other SMH America News

In New Mexico, a 23-year-old gunman wearing a red MAGA hat opened fire last week on Jacob Johns and other Indigenous activists opposing plans to reinstall a statue honoring the 16th century conquistador Juan de Oñate, New Mexico’s first colonial governor. Johns, the prominent climate activist, was airlifted from Española to an Albuquerque hospital and required emergency surgery. We speak with Malaya Peixinho, who participated in Thursday’s gathering, about how the statue of the colonial leader has divided the local community. “It is a really controversial thing to talk about Oñate,” says Peixinho, who believes funds for the statue could go to social programs instead. “That feels more important than funding a statue being resurrected.” The shooter, Ryan Martinez, was arrested and charged with attempted murder and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon for shooting Johns and aiming the gun at Peixinho, who calls the charges “fair” and blames police for not intervening. “They didn’t show up for us,” says Peixinho.

Tragedy Strikes Carrot Field: Workers Allege Being Instructed to Continue Picking Despite Nearby Fatality

Brian Flores' lawsuit reflects widespread discontent among Black coaches over NFL hiring practices

Saturday, April 27, 2024

Toxic Pesticide Found in Cheerios and Quaker Oats: What You Need to Know

Toxic Chemical Chlormequat Found In Cheerios and Quaker Oats

Saturday, December 16, 2023

"Undercover Pursuit: Unmasking the Glue and 'Tap' Thief Scam Targeting a Victim at Chase Bank ATM"

EXCLUSIVE: Chase Bank ATM victim goes undercover to prove he was scammed by glue and 'tap' thief

In Other SMH America News

Friday, December 15, 2023

Payless Successfully Markets Discount Shoes at Luxury Prices

Payless sold discount shoes at luxury prices — and it worked (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});

In Other SMH America News

"Amazon's Alexa Records and Sends Private Conversation to Random Contact"

Amazon's Alexa recorded private conversations and sent them to random contact

In Other SMH America News

Monday, December 11, 2023

Massive Fish Mortality: Tens of Thousands Found Stranded on Texas Beach Amid Low Oxygen Levels

Tens of Thousands of Dead Fish wash up on a Texas Beach due to Low Oxygen Levels (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});

In Other SMH America News

Saturday, December 2, 2023

Tragedy Strikes Carrot Field: Workers Allege Being Instructed to Continue Picking Despite Nearby Fatality

In Other SMH America News

Friday, February 25, 2022

Brian Flores' lawsuit reflects widespread discontent among Black coaches over NFL hiring practices

How We Treat an Overstock of Food in America

Warehouses: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (HBO)

The Power Grid: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (HBO)

Opioids: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (HBO)

Facebook: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (HBO)

Thursday, February 24, 2022

PFAS: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (HBO)

Union Busting: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (HBO)

Emergency Medical Services: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (HBO)

Wednesday, February 23, 2022

Housing Discrimination: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (HBO)

Puerto Rico: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (HBO)

Critical Race Theory: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (HBO)

SMH America Presents: OMO Music Radio

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Payless sold discount shoes at luxury prices — and it worked

Tens of Thousands of Dead Fish wash up on a Texas Beach due to Low Oxygen Levels