Iconic snack set for major change after pressure from RFK Jr
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Slim Jims — the iconic spicy, dried meat stick— are set for a major recipe overhaul. The company that makes them said it is removing all artificial dyes from its products by 2027 amid pressure from health secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr. Chicago-based Conagra Brands said Birds Eye frozen vegetables, Orville Redenbacher popcorn and Duncan Hines baking products will also be affected by the change.
The coloring agents will likely be replaced with natural ingredients such turmeric or beet juice, which could change the look, change and texture of many iconic foods. The announcement follows similar plans from brands like Nestle, Kraft Heinz and General Mills, many of whom have said they also won't launch any new products with artificial dyes. Health officials have long called for the removal of dyes like Red 40 and Yellow 5 over concerns of hyperactivity and conditions like ADHD in children.
Some studies have also linked them to cancer in animals and hormonal issues. Conagra said in its annoucement Wednesday it will remove all dyes from its frozen foods by the end of 2025 and stop selling products with artificial dyes in schools by the start of the 2026-2027 school year.
By the end of 2027, it will fully discontinue use of synthetic dyes from all of its products. RFK Jr has outlined plans to strip eight petrolium-based dyes from the US food supply during his tenure as the head of the Department of Health and Human Services.
Slim Jims don't specifically say on the packaging that they contain artificial dyes, though it's possible other additives like sodium nitrite could be removed. The push comes amid concerns in recent years over health effects of artificial dyes, including animal studies suggesting they can cause hyperactivity , cancer and other health problems.
With a recipe change could also come differences in color, texture and taste, though it's unclear how subtle the shifts will be. Conagra said many of its products already use natural alternatives like turmeric and annatto, especially in items like pickles, frozen vegetables and popcorn.
However, products like Duncan Hines frosting and Swiss Miss pudding still contain Red 40, Yellow 5 and Blue 1. Tom McCough, executive vice president and chief operating officer of Conagra Brands, said in a statement: 'Conagra Brands is known for innovating delicious, on-trend foods, and our transition away from FD&C colors is just one aspect of our broader strategy to modernize our portfolio to align with consumer preferences.
'Our leading portfolio of frozen brands, including Birds Eye, Healthy Choice, Marie Callender's and more, will be 100% free from FD&C colors by the end of 2025.' Health advocates have long called for the removal of artificial dyes from foods, citing studies indicating they can cause neurobehavioral problems, including hyperactivity and attention issues, in children.
The FDA has maintained that the approved dyes are safe and that 'the totality of scientific evidence shows that most children have no adverse effects when consuming foods containing color additives.' The agency currently allows 36 food color additives, including eight synthetic dyes.
However, it announced in January that Red 3 — used in candies, cakes and some medications — would be banned in food by 2027 because it caused cancer in laboratory rats. Several states, including California and West Virginia, have passed laws restricting the use of artificial colors in foods. FDA Commissioner Dr Marty Makary announced in April that the agency will phase out the use of eight artificial food dyes in America's food supply within the next two years.
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BBC News
35 minutes ago
- BBC News
Ten things to know about veganism in childhood
Here's what the experts say about the benefits and risks of veganism in childhood. Veganism is on the rise in certain parts of the world. Though global data is limited, around 3% of the world's population was estimated to be vegan in 2018. In the US, a 2023 Gallup poll found that 1% of the population said they followed a vegan diet. More recently, a survey by The Vegan Society found that around 3% of the UK population has a plant-based diet – equivalent to approximately two million people. There are many well-documented benefits to such a choice. For one, eating meat and dairy is notoriously bad for the planet, while plants offer a much more sustainable solution. Many people have ethical concerns about the welfare of animals bred for consumption, and there is evidence that balanced, varied vegan diets have some health advantages as well. Nevertheless, isolated cases of severe malnutrition in infants have led some to argue that a vegan diet is unsafe for children. However, expert opinion on whether children can stay healthy and follow a vegan diet varies around the world. While official dietary associations in both America and the UK argue that a vegan diet, when appropriately planned, is safe for infants and children, in Germany, France, Belgium and Poland, health authorities have some concerns. Unfortunately, historically there has been little research on the health impact of a plant-based diet for children, but that is finally starting to change, with a host of new studies offering up insights. But let's back up a little. Vegans do not eat any foods derived from animals. They eschew meat, fish, dairy and eggs, and instead eat a diet based on plants, as well as fungi, algae and bacteria. Think vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds, beans and legumes, but also bread, pasta and hummus – many foods are accidentally vegan. So, what does the science say about the effects of a vegan diet in childhood? 1. Research shows there are multiple health benefits to eating a plant-based diet "The biggest benefits we see relate to cardiovascular health, so the health of your heart and all of your vascular system," says Federica Amati, a nutritional scientist at Imperial College London and head nutritionist at ZOE, a company offering personalised nutrition advice. "People who follow vegan diets have decreased LDL cholesterol, less blockages in their arteries, and reduced risk of heart attack and strokes. They also tend to be leaner, lighter and have a lower risk of developing obesity," says Amati. A plant-based diet is also associated with a reduced risk of metabolic diseases like type 2 diabetes, as well as certain cancers such as colorectal cancer. One of the reasons that plants are so good for us is that they are rich in fibre – a nutrient 90% of us don't get enough of. They are also packed with molecules called polyphenols, which have antioxidant properties and are associated with all sorts of health benefits, such as decreased risk of heart attack, stroke and diabetes. Another reason some people might benefit from eating less meat and dairy is that animal-based foods tend to be high in saturated fats, which if eaten to excess can raise levels of 'bad' LDL blood cholesterol and increase the risk of heart disease. "When we think about foods, it's always helpful to think about what they're contributing and in what package," says Amati. "So, if you're eating a steak you're getting a lot of protein, iron, zinc and some micronutrients from that beef." However, Amati points out that along with those things, you're also getting saturated fat and certain chemicals like carnitine – a nutrient which plays a role in energy production – and which is thought to increase inflammation in the gut. "Whereas, if you look at, say, an edamame [a type of young, immature soybean] you're getting good amounts of protein, but you're also getting fibre, and bioactive compounds that are beneficial for health such as vitamins, minerals and polyphenols," says Amati. So far, so good for veganism – as long as you have a balanced diet. However, there are potential downsides to relying on plants too heavily for your nutritional needs. There are some essential vitamins and minerals which are only or predominantly found only in meat, fish, dairy and eggs. 2. Vegans can be at risk of B12 deficiency One challenge is getting enough vitamin B12, a micronutrient made by bacteria in the bodies of animals, and found in animal products such as fish and shellfish, meat, poultry, dairy and eggs. It can also be found in vegan foods such as nutritional yeast or yeast-based spreads (like Marmite), nori seaweed, fortified milks or breakfast cereals, or incorporated into a person's diet via supplements. However, many vegans who do not take supplements are deficient. Vitamin B12 is essential for nerve transmission in the brain, and you also need it to make healthy red blood cells. Because our bodies can store it, vitamin B12 deficiency can take a while to manifest in adults. But young children can develop it much sooner. For instance, there have been case reports of infants exclusively breast-fed by vegan mothers developing neurological issues due to vitamin B12 deficiency. "Children have the highest requirement nutritionally, simply because they're literally growing new tissue and building an adult body before our eyes," says Amati. "During the critical growth phase, if you miss out on certain nutrients, for example B12, then it does impact nerve function and red blood cell formation, so it can impact a child's ability to keep up with learning and for their brain to finish developing properly." 3. There are vegan sources of omega-3 Other nutrients vegan children might miss out on include the omega-3 fatty acids. These polyunsaturated fats form an important part of the bilipid membrane that encases every cell in the body. They're essential for brain function, amongst other things. However, the omega-3s responsible for these health benefits, EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid), are found only in fish and algae. Another type of omega-3, alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) is found in chia and flax seeds as well as leafy green vegetables. However ALA doesn't have the same health benefits as EPA or DHA. Other nutrients such as calcium, vitamin D and iodine are present in plants, but in small amounts. 4. Deficiencies can be severe in rare cases As a consequence, there have been isolated reports of vegan children suffering severe nutritional deficiencies. In 2016, a one-year-old vegan child in Milan, Italy was taken into care after blood tests revealed that he had dangerously low levels of calcium. In 2017, the parents of a seven-month-old baby boy in Belgium were convicted of causing his death, after feeding the infant an exclusive diet of vegetable milk made from oats, buckwheat, rice and quinoa. The good news for vegans is that many of these nutrients can be supplied via supplements, fortified breakfast cereals and fortified plant milks. "We can definitely completely get rid of vitamin B12 deficiency by supplementing," says Malgorzata Desmond, a clinical dietician and honorary research fellow at University College London, "That's the easiest thing you can do." More careful planning may be required to ensure you get enough of other nutrients like iron and zinc. These nutrients are present in leafy green vegetables but are less readily absorbed by the body in plant form compared to when eaten in the form of meat or dairy. However, whilst it may be possible to for vegan children to get all their nutrients from supplements and a carefully planned diet, one study suggests that this does not always happen in reality. 5. Careful dietary planning is important In 2021, Desmond and colleagues compared the health of 187 Polish children following either a vegan, vegetarian or omnivorous diet. Two-thirds of the vegan and vegetarian children in the study took vitamin B12 supplements, but overall vegan children had lower calcium levels and were at greater risk of iron, vitamin D and vitamin B12 deficiency. The study showed that vegan children's health differed in several ways from omnivorous kids who ate meat and dairy. The good news was that vegan children were leaner and had lower cholesterol levels, which could potentially lead to a lower risk of heart disease later in life. They also showed reduced signs of inflammation in their bodies. 6. Vegan children might be slightly less tall The less good news was that vegan children were between 3-4cm (1.2-1.6in) shorter on average than omnivorous kids, although they were still a normal height for their age. "They have a tendency to be slightly smaller and lighter, but we don't know if those vegan children are going to catch up when they're teenagers," says Desmond. The most concerning finding, however, was that vegan children had a 6% lower bone mineral density than omnivores. This could put them at risk of osteoporosis and bone fractures in later life. "We only have a short window where we build our bones, which is up until the age of around 25 to 30," says Desmond. "From then on, our bone mineral content goes downwards. So, if you do not build as much as possible until the age 25, you're going down the hill from a much smaller amount of mineral in your bones." Research on adult vegans and vegetarians also suggests that they have lower bone mineral density than omnivores, putting them at higher risk of bone fractures. However, the reason for the mineral deficit isn't fully understood. Both vitamin D and calcium are essential for building and maintaining healthy bones, however Desmond points out that although the vegan children in her 2021 study had lower calcium intakes than vegetarian and omnivore children, it was only slightly lower. "I think it's a combination of factors," says Desmond. "I don't think it's as easily solved as taking a calcium pill, because it could be due to the quality of plant protein, which is less growth promoting than animal protein." More like this:• The hidden biases that drive anti-vegan hatred• The climate benefits of veganism and vegetarianism• Is a vegan diet healthy for children? Eating more animal protein is thought to stimulate the release of certain growth factors. These molecules – usually proteins – can send signals to the body to encourage it to grow faster. Growth factors play a crucial role in making bones stronger and are involved in both bone growth and repair. However, Amati points out that these results are just from one study, and therefore the link between a vegan diet in childhood and bone density is yet to be definitively proven. "I think it's an important study, but it's one study on a small amount of children. So, what this study says to me is that we need to actually do more research to really understand what factors in their diet are putting children at higher risk," she says. 7. A carefully planned vegan diet is probably safe for children Desmond agrees that more research is needed to understand what, if any risk, vegan children face. "I'd say based on what we know now, we can say a vegan diet [in childhood] is safe, but needs to be done responsibly," she says. This view is shared by Tom Sanders, emeritus professor of nutrition and dietetics at King's College London, who has researched vegan diets since the 1970s. "We showed years ago that kids could be brought up in on vegan diet, providing you avoided the known pitfalls," he says. So, what are the best foods to eat to make sure you are maximising your intake of nutrients normally found in meat and dairy? 8. Some foods are fortified with important nutrients, such as B12, calcium and vitamin D When it comes to B12, studies have shown that the best thing is to take supplements, however fortified cereals and plant milks also have B12 added to them so theoretically you could meet your requirements this way. Plant milks and yoghurts also contain added calcium and vitamin D. Amati also points out that it's important to make sure that children go outside and experience sunlight on their skin during sun-safe hours, when UV levels are at their lowest, as this will encourage vitamin D production. Good plant sources of iron, meanwhile, include legumes, lentils, beans and chickpeas. "Absorption [of iron] can be a bit less efficient, but that can be overcome if you pair it with vitamin C-rich foods like peppers, tomatoes and citrus fruits," says Amati. For the omega-3 fatty acids, flax seeds, chia seeds and walnuts are good sources of ALA, while vegans can take omega-3 supplements made from seaweed and algae to maximise their intake of EPA and DHA – the omega-3 oils found in fish. 9. It's best to avoid ultra-processed vegan food where possible It's also best to choose a wide range of plant-based foods rather than pre-packaged, ultra-processed foods marketed specifically as being vegan, explains Amati. "We do sometimes see people who have vegan diets, but they're just buying vegan cheese, and vegan chicken nuggets, so the quality of their diet is still poor," she says. "If you have an unhealthy vegan diet where you're not thinking about the variety of nutrients, and you're just taking supplements, then you won't have good health outcomes," says Amati. 10. Doing your research is important Finally, all the experts emphasised the need for parents to educate themselves about nutrients such as B12, vitamin D, calcium and iron so that they could carefully plan their children's diets. "it's a really good idea to consult healthcare professionals, and specifically a paediatric dietitian or registered nutritionist to plan the diet for your child," says Amati. "It's also important to make sure you regularly monitor children's growth so we can quickly spot if there's any growth or developmental delays." --
The Independent
an hour ago
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From understanding the brain's chemical cocktail for focus and creativity to using practical triggers like challenge-skill balance and distraction-free environments, this guide will equip you with actionable strategies to make flow a repeatable experience. Whether you're chasing professional success, personal growth, or simply a deeper sense of fulfillment, the insights shared by Big Think and Steven Kotler will help you unlock a state where effort feels effortless. What if the key to your best performance was already within you—just waiting to be activated? Mastering the Flow State Neurobiology of Flow Flow is driven by specific neurobiological processes that optimize your brain's performance. During this state, your brain releases a powerful mix of neurochemicals that enhance focus, creativity, and motivation. These include: Dopamine: Improves pattern recognition and problem-solving, making tasks feel more engaging. Improves pattern recognition and problem-solving, making tasks feel more engaging. Norepinephrine: Heightens focus and attention, allowing you to stay locked into the moment. Heightens focus and attention, allowing you to stay locked into the moment. Endorphins: Reduce pain and create a sense of euphoria, making effort feel effortless. Reduce pain and create a sense of euphoria, making effort feel effortless. Anandamide: Enhances lateral thinking, allowing innovative and creative solutions. Enhances lateral thinking, allowing innovative and creative solutions. Serotonin: Promotes feelings of calm and well-being, helping to sustain the flow state. This chemical cocktail not only boosts performance but also reduces stress and anxiety, creating a state of heightened awareness and seamless action. Understanding these neurobiological mechanisms can help you intentionally create the conditions for flow. 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The Science Behind Flow: Unlock Creativity and Productivity Effortlessly Watch this video on YouTube. Check out more relevant guides from our extensive collection on entering a flow state that you might find useful. Triggers for Flow Flow doesn't occur randomly—it can be intentionally cultivated by using specific triggers that prime your brain for this state. These triggers include: Challenge-Skills Balance: Engage in tasks that are slightly beyond your current skill level to maintain focus and avoid boredom or anxiety. Engage in tasks that are slightly beyond your current skill level to maintain focus and avoid boredom or anxiety. Novelty and Complexity: New and unpredictable experiences stimulate dopamine production, increasing engagement and curiosity. New and unpredictable experiences stimulate dopamine production, increasing engagement and curiosity. Clear Goals: Having a clear objective helps direct your focus and energy toward the task. 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By enhancing neuroplasticity, flow accelerates skill acquisition and fosters innovative thinking. Team Collaboration: Group flow improves communication, empathy, and collective problem-solving, making it a valuable tool for organizations and teams. These applications demonstrate flow's potential to transform not only individual lives but also communities and industries, offering a pathway to greater innovation and well-being. Barriers to Flow Despite its benefits, achieving flow can be challenging due to common barriers such as: Distractions: Interruptions disrupt the deep focus required for flow. Interruptions disrupt the deep focus required for flow. Excessive Anxiety: High stress levels can activate the prefrontal cortex, pulling you out of the 'deep now.' High stress levels can activate the prefrontal cortex, pulling you out of the 'deep now.' Self-Consciousness: Overthinking and fear of failure hinder the immersive experience of flow. To overcome these obstacles, practice stress management techniques such as mindfulness, gratitude exercises, and regular physical activity. These practices can help you maintain the mental clarity and focus needed to enter flow. Building a Flow-Friendly Lifestyle To make flow a consistent part of your life, focus on creating habits that support mental clarity and energy. Key practices include: Sleep: Aim for 7-8 hours of quality sleep each night to support cognitive function and focus. Aim for 7-8 hours of quality sleep each night to support cognitive function and focus. Nutrition and Hydration: Maintain a balanced diet and stay hydrated to optimize brain performance. Maintain a balanced diet and stay hydrated to optimize brain performance. Mindfulness: Dedicate 11 minutes daily to meditation or other mindfulness practices to reduce stress and enhance focus. Dedicate 11 minutes daily to meditation or other mindfulness practices to reduce stress and enhance focus. Physical Activity: Engage in 20-40 minutes of moderate exercise to boost mood and energy levels. Engage in 20-40 minutes of moderate exercise to boost mood and energy levels. Intrinsic Motivation: Align your goals with your passions and sense of purpose to sustain long-term engagement. These lifestyle adjustments create a foundation for flow, allowing you to achieve your goals with greater ease and enjoyment. The Bannister Effect and Future Implications The Bannister Effect, inspired by Roger Bannister's historic sub-four-minute mile, illustrates the power of belief in breaking perceived limits. Flow plays a critical role in this process by helping you push past mental and physical barriers. As research into flow deepens, its applications are expected to expand further. For instance, action sports could be prescribed as therapeutic interventions for mental health conditions, using flow's neurochemical benefits. In education and professional development, flow science could transform how we approach motivation, learning, and performance enhancement. By embracing flow, you can challenge what you believe is possible and unlock new levels of potential. Media Credit: Big Think Filed Under: Guides Latest Geeky Gadgets Deals Disclosure: Some of our articles include affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, Geeky Gadgets may earn an affiliate commission. Learn about our Disclosure Policy.
