Latest news with #BPAs
Scoop
09-07-2025
- General
- Scoop
Industry Lobby Group's ‘Fishy' Marine Protection Claims Under Fire
Environmental groups, marine scientists, and iwi representatives have today called out lobby group Seafood New Zealand for its egregious greenwashing of New Zealand's commercial fishing industry. In an open letter published today, the signatories accuse Seafood New Zealand of misleading the public with its repeated and unsubstantiated claims that Aotearoa New Zealand has already achieved the global target of protecting 30% of its ocean territory by 2030. 'Claiming New Zealand has already protected 30% of our ocean is utterly disingenuous and creates a dangerous illusion of progress – when in reality, less than 1% of our ocean is highly protected and our fragile marine species and habitats remain exposed to immense harm,' says Dr Kayla Kingdon-Bebb, Chief Executive of WWF-New Zealand. Seafood New Zealand continues to argue that New Zealand has already protected 30% of its ocean because it counts a type of protection known as 'Benthic Protection Areas' (BPAs). While these areas restrict bottom trawling and dredging on the seabed, they still allow midwater trawling, longlining, and other extractive industrial practices to continue unabated. They fall wildly short of 'highly protected' as defined by internationally recognised standards. Even the Department of Conservation acknowledges BPAs don't protect sufficient biodiversity to meet the standard of a Marine Protected Area. 'These areas were chosen – by industry – because they had little impact on commercial fishing operations, not because they protect biodiversity. Most of these zones were never bottom trawled in the first place - because they're simply too deep for it - and in many of them, harmful industrial fishing practices are still rampant. That's not protection – it's pulling the wool over Kiwis' eyes,' says Dr Kingdon-Bebb. 'Calling BPAs 'protected areas' is a dangerous distortion that risks delaying the urgent action needed to safeguard ocean health. It gives the public and policymakers a false sense of progress while deep-sea corals, seamounts, and vital habitats for our declining native species and key fish stocks remain under immense threat.' Dr Kingdon-Bebb says Seafood New Zealand's continued peddling of misinformation does a disservice to many of New Zealand's commercial fishing companies. Fishing company Sealord, for example, has publicly backed the 30% ocean protection target – and acknowledged the significant effort still needed to reach this goal. 'There are commercial fishing companies genuinely trying to do better, but they're being undermined by an industry lobby group more interested in greenwashing and spin. That needs to change,' says Kingdon-Bebb. Since 1970, the health of some of Aotearoa New Zealand's commercial fish stocks have plummeted. In the Hauraki Gulf/Tīkapa Moana, scallop and crayfish fisheries have nearly collapsed. Our country's waters are home to half the world's whale and dolphin species, but 22% of marine mammals are now on the brink of extinction. More species of seabird breed in Aotearoa than anywhere else on earth – but a staggering 90% are now threatened or at risk. 'With our marine life on the brink and New Zealand lagging behind the rest of the world in ocean conservation, we urge Seafood New Zealand to stop overstating the nation's marine protection efforts and instead back meaningful, inclusive, science-led conservation that upholds Māori rights and interests. Our fragile marine environment deserves more than paper parks and poorly executed PR spin. It needs real protection,' says Kingdon-Bebb. The full list of signatories to the open letter include: Dr Kayla Kingdon-Bebb, WWF-New Zealand Dr Russel Norman, Greenpeace Aotearoa Nicola Toki, Forest & Bird Professor Conrad Pilditch, Marine Scientist, University of Auckland Professor Simon Thrush, Marine Scientist, University of Auckland Professor Daniel Hikuroa, Earth Systems Scientist, University of Auckland Vince Kerr, Marine Ecologist, Kerr and Associates Nicola Rata-MacDonald, Ngāti Manuhiri Settlement Trust Duncan Currie, Deep Sea Conservation Coalition Natalie Jessup, Endangered Species Foundation Daren Grover, Project Jonah Anna Campbell, Yellow-Eyed Penguin Trust Karen Saunders, Native Bird Rescue James Gibson, BLAKE Tom Karstensen, New Zealand Underwater Association Jenny Craig, Dive Pacific
Yahoo
16-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
You Might Not Want to Touch Receipts After Seeing This Horrifying Research
Think twice before saying yes to that receipt. According to new research from the Center for Environmental Health, the tiny paper documents used by major US retailers contain alarmingly high levels of Bisphenol S (BPS), an industrial chemical used in plastics manufacturing — high enough to be dangerous even in the brief period it takes you to stuff one into your pocket. "The concentrations were so high that touching only one receipt with BPS for 10 seconds resulted in exposure above the safe harbor level which requires a clear and reasonable warning to consumers," Mihir Vohra, science lead at CEH, said in a statement about the findings. Citing tests conducted by an independent lab and the latest literature on the subject, the CEH has taken legal action by sending violation notices to around 50 companies found to have BPS-laden receipts with concentrations violating California's Proposition 65 limits, The Guardian reports. Some of the most notable brands include Burger King, Walmart, Dollar General and AMC Theaters. "[The findings were] really eye-opening for us," Vohra told the Guardian. "They really speak to just how high the concentrations of BPS are in these receipts." Bisphenols are a group of chemicals used to manufacture commonplace consumer goods, ranging from food packaging to clothing to electronics. In recent decades, however, some research has suggested that exposure to a variant known as Bisphenol A (BPA) is linked to a number of troubling health outcomes, including breast and prostate cancer, heart disease, and even premature death. And virtually everyone may be exposed to a significant degree: a National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey conducted between 2013 and 2014 found detectable levels of BPAs in 95.7 percent of urine samples. While the US Food and Drug and Administration still considers BPAs to be safe, European Union regulators have recently banned using BPA in products that come into contact with food. In response to the uncertainty around the safety of BPA, which many manufacturers are phasing out, BPS has been touted as its safer replacement — but that may not be the case. Emerging literature has linked BPS to similar toxic effects: it may increase the risk of breast cancer, ovarian cancer, and cause damage to the reproductive system. In December 2023, California listed BPS as a substance that causes reproductive issues. Under Proposition 65, also known the Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986, the move forces businesses to either drop the chemical from their products or to provide a warning to customers about the presence of BPS within one year. That year has elapsed. By calling out the BPS levels in the receipts — where it's used as a coating for the thermal paper the documents are printed on — the CEH is pressuring businesses to comply with the demands within 60 days. If they don't play ball, the nonprofit can sue. In the meantime, the CEH advises customers to decline printed receipts. But the biggest danger, it notes, is for the cashiers that handle them daily. "Store workers who must handle receipts should wear gloves if possible or avoid using alcohol-based hand cleaners before handling a receipt because it can significantly increase the absorption of BPS," said Shakoora Azimi-Gaylon, senior director of the CEH's Toxic Exposures and Pollution Prevent Program, said in the statement. More on plastics: Doctors Say They've Found a Way to Clean the Microplastics Out of Your Body
Associated Press
01-04-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Black Box Intelligence Announces 2025 Best Practices Awards Nominees to Recognize Industry Leaders
/ -- Black Box Intelligence, the leader in data solutions for the restaurant industry, is proud to announce the nominees for its 2025 Best Practices Awards (BPAs). Now in their 21st year, the BPAs honor restaurant brands that excel in two critical areas proven to drive superior financial performance: workforce management and guest experience. Each year, Black Box Intelligence evaluates performance across hundreds of thousands of restaurant units, leveraging the industry's most comprehensive and best sourced data set. Brands are recognized in two categories—Employer of Choice and Voice of the Customer—across major industry segments from Quick Service to Fine Dining. Victor Fernandez, Chief Insights Officer at Black Box Intelligence. 'What makes these awards so meaningful is that the results are completely determined by what our data has consistently determined to be tenants of exceptional restaurant brands. These nominees represent the best of the best when it comes to creating strong workplace cultures and delivering experiences that resonate with guests. 'Our team analyzed extensive workforce and guest sentiment data to identify the brands truly leading the industry in these critical areas. We are delighted to recognize these top brands for their outstanding performance.' Winners will be announced in mid-April. Employer of Choice Recognizing brands that demonstrate excellence in workforce management based on turnover metrics and other key indicators tied to financial success. Quick Service: Pizza Hut Culver's Bagel Brands Fast Casual: Panda Express Torchy's Tacos City BBQ Family Dining: Eat n Park First Watch Silver Diner Casual Dining: LongHorn Steakhouse Olive Garden Lou Malnati's Pizza Upscale Casual: Seasons 52 The Cheesecake Factory Bahama Breeze Fine Dining: The Capital Grille Eddie V's Fleming's Voice of the Customer Honoring brands with the highest guest sentiment scores based on comprehensive online review data collected throughout 2024. Limited Service: In-N-Out Urbane Cafe Torchy's Tacos Velvet Taco Cava Full Service: Twin Peaks The Capital Grille Eddie V's Seasons 52 Willie's Grill & Icehouse International: Coco Bambu The Seafood Bar Urban Pubs and Bars Noble Restaurant Group Cannibale Royale Award Methodology Employer of Choice nominees are selected based on management, non-management, and general manager turnover rates—key metrics statistically linked to stronger financial performance. Voice of the Customer nominees achieve top guest sentiment scores, measured by average star ratings across major online review platforms. Visit the Black Box Intelligence website for more information on the BPAs and a list of previous winners. About Black Box Intelligence Black Box Intelligence is a data and technology company serving multi-unit restaurant businesses. With a history built on drawing on financial performance and workforce intelligence from a network of 120,000+ restaurant units, it now combines the best benchmarking in the industry with experience management and guest sentiment measurement technology to provide a clear and quantifiable roadmap for operational success. Andy Smith Black Box Intelligence +1 312-802-9846 Legal Disclaimer:
Associated Press
12-03-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Pierre Fabre Laboratories and RedRidge Bio Announce a Drug Discovery and Co-development Partnership
CASTRES, France, CAMBRIDGE, Massachusetts and BASEL, Switzerland, March 12, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Pierre Fabre Laboratories and RedRidge Bio ('RedRidge') today announced an exclusive R&D collaboration and license agreement to identify and develop biparatopic antibody (BPA) drug candidates against multiple targets. In line with Pierre Fabre Laboratories' innovation strategy, the partnership's therapeutic focus will be on precision oncology as well as dermatology and rare diseases. Under the terms of the agreement, RedRidge will provide its capabilities to engineer, screen and characterize BPAs against an undisclosed portfolio of jointly nominated targets, while Pierre Fabre Laboratories will provide their drug development expertise to help drive two co-development programs through clinical development. RedRidge will hold exclusive commercial rights in the United States, Canada, and Japan for both programs, while Pierre Fabre Laboratories will hold exclusive rest-of-world rights. In addition, Pierre Fabre Laboratories will hold exclusive worldwide rights for a third program after a hand-off by RedRidge at a preclinical stage. Financial terms of the agreement are not disclosed but include investment participation by Pierre Fabre Laboratories in RedRidge's Series A financing that will be announced separately, as well as upfront, milestone and future sales royalty payments in addition to funded research payments for Pierre Fabre Laboratories' worldwide program. RedRidge and Pierre Fabre Laboratories will share R&D costs for the co-development programs. 'This strategic alliance attests to the RedRidge team's expertise in innovation and drug discovery for a wide variety of therapeutic targets. We are thrilled to join forces with Pierre Fabre Laboratories as a highly experienced development partner and look forward to building a long-term partnership that synergistically leverages the capabilities of each company,' said Alex Mayweg, PhD, chairperson of RedRidge's board and a managing director at Versant Ventures. 'Pierre Fabre Laboratories are excited to enter into this agreement with RedRidge, which confirms our commitment to collaborate with innovative biotechnology companies. This partnership will allow us to capitalize on RedRidge's cutting-edge expertise in biparatopic antibody drug discovery to deliver high quality clinical candidates on multiple targets addressing oncology, dermatology and rare diseases. It represents a significant milestone in the implementation of our strategy to enrich further our R&D pipeline,' stated Francesco Hofmann, PhD, Head of Research and Development for Medical Care at Pierre Fabre Laboratories.'
Yahoo
03-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
DOGE's bogus 'wall of receipts' reveal Elon Musk's real agenda
Mega-billionaire Elon Musk has posted a 'wall of receipts' online that he claims shows how much money he has saved taxpayers with his cost-slashing 'Department of Government Efficiency' operation. But it turns out that ledger is riddled with massive amounts of misinformation and inaccuracies that dramatically exaggerate — or, to put it less charitably, deceive — the public about how much money Musk's 'efficiency' initiative is saving. Musk said on his wall of receipts that DOGE saved $8 billion from a single canceled contract at the Department of Homeland Security. It turned out that contract was for just $8 million. A listed $1.9 billion cut at the Treasury Department actually took place under President Joe Biden. An Associated Press analysis found that 40% of contracts cut by DOGE aren't expected to save the government any money, according to the administration's own data. Musk is also quietly scrapping some of the false information that he posts, but without any kind of acknowledgment of inaccuracy. The New York Times points out that the original top five items listed on the 'wall of receipts' have been deleted after scrutiny from reporters revealed they were incorrect. Among other things, those items included three $655 million cuts at the U.S. Agency for International Development that was actually a single cut that was counted three times, and a $232 million cut at the Social Security Administration that turned out to actually be a much smaller $560,000 project. While these items have been removed from the list, the total listed savings have only grown — but without any clear explanation of how. Musk's wall of receipts also showcases yet another example of how farcical it is to say DOGE is about making the government run 'efficiently.' As NBC News reports, the wall of receipts lists dozens of blanket purchase agreements, or BPAs, on its list of canceled spending. But BPAs aren't actual orders; they're 'more like a catalog of things the government might buy,' as NBC News explains. Listing BPAs exaggerates canceled spending, because the money allocated for them wasn't necessarily going to be spent. And, just as important, listing BPAs obscures the fact that they exist for the precise purpose of keeping costs down. They involve negotiated rates from vetted vendors for likely purchases — they're arrangements for saving money and moving procurement more quickly. NBC News found that Musk listed at least $1 billion value in canceled contracts from BPAs. The BPA cancellations are a perverse two-for-one deal: they allow Musk to exaggerate savings and demonize the kinds of deals that would allow the government to save money. Some of this might seem somewhat counterintuitive. Every day there's news about how DOGE is wreaking havoc on the federal workforce and its ability to administer services through cutbacks and mass firings. On some level DOGE is having an extraordinary effect on the government. That's all true. At the same time, it's also true that Musk regularly peddles misinformation about what he's doing and how much money he's saving. In fact, even Musk's non-credible topline claim of having saved $65 billion so far through DOGE cuts amounts to only about 0.9% of the 2024 federal budget. In a way, Musk is being efficient, if one takes the view that he is more interested in destroying things than building things in the government. In a very short period of time with a very small team, he has done an extraordinary job of demoralizing and intimidating millions of federal workers and disabling the federal government's ability to administer social services — particularly those seen as liberal. He's also very quickly shrouded some of the most basic elements of governance in a cloud of unreliable information, making it harder to hold him accountable. But as far as making the government efficient or saving lots of money for taxpayers, this has the makings of a scam. This article was originally published on
