Latest news with #JessicaDiNapoli
Yahoo
18-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Exclusive-US to drop guidance to limit alcohol to one or two drinks per day, sources say
By Emma Rumney and Jessica DiNapoli (Reuters) -U.S. Dietary Guidelines are expected to eliminate the long-standing recommendation that adults limit alcohol consumption to one or two drinks per day, according to three sources familiar with the matter, in what could be a major win for an industry threatened by heightened scrutiny of alcohol's health effects. The updated Dietary Guidelines for Americans, which could be released as early as this month, are expected to include a brief statement encouraging Americans to drink in moderation or limit alcohol intake due to associated health risks, the sources said. The guidelines are still under development and subject to change, two of the sources and a fourth individual familiar with the process said. Currently, the recommendations advise limiting drinking to one serving or less per day for women and two or less for men, widely seen as a moderate level. Similar guidelines exist in countries such as the United Kingdom, which advises limiting drinking to 14 units per week, while Canada, however, has adopted a more cautious stance, warning that health risks begin to increase after just two drinks per week. Even moderate drinking is linked to some health risks, such as higher risk of breast cancer, though some studies have also found an association with possible health benefits, such as a lower risk of stroke. The fourth source said that the scientific basis for recommending specific daily limits is limited, and the goal is to ensure the guidelines reflect only the most robust evidence. The new guidelines, developed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, are closely watched internationally and influence policies ranging from school lunch programs to medical advice. Neither department responded to requests for comment. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a known teetotaler, has remained largely silent on alcohol but has emphasised a focus on whole foods in the upcoming guidelines. Some alcohol executives had feared a move towards tighter recommendations on alcohol intake as authorities like the World Health Organization upped their warnings about alcohol's health risks. Former U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy said alcohol consumption increases the risk of at least seven types of cancer and called for warning labels on alcoholic drinks. Major industry players, including Diageo and Anheuser-Busch InBev, have lobbied lawmakers throughout the review process. Senate records show each company spent millions on lobbying efforts related to the guidelines and a range of other issues such as tax and trade in 2024 and 2025. Both companies declined to comment. The new guidelines are set to move away from suggesting consumers limit alcohol consumption to a specific number of daily servings, according to the three sources, who asked not to be named in order to speak freely. One person said the new alcohol-related recommendation will probably be limited to a sentence or two. Another said the existing numbers tied to moderate drinking could still appear in a longer appendix. While industry representatives have lobbied lawmakers on the guidelines or how they should be decided, some officials and researchers advocated for tighter restrictions. Reports intended to inform the guidelines have meanwhile drawn different conclusions about alcohol's health effects and the science around this. 'UNHELPFUL' The guidelines, which are reviewed every five years, have advised drinking in moderation and defined that as no more than one drink per day for women and no more than two for men since 1990. Eva Greenthal, a senior policy scientist at the Center for Science in the Public Interest, a non-profit focused on nutrition, health and food safety, said the more general language expected in the guidelines was "so vague as to be unhelpful". Under such a change, the message that even moderate drinking can increase risks, especially for breast cancer, would get lost, she continued. Two studies were produced to inform the development of the guidelines. The first found that moderate drinking was associated with increased risk of some cancers, but a decreased risk of dying from any cause and some cardiovascular problems like stroke. The evidence for some other health impacts was insufficient to draw conclusions, it found. The other report conversely found the risk of dying from alcohol use, including increased risk for seven cancers, begins at any or low levels of alcohol use and increases with higher consumption.
Yahoo
18-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Exclusive-US to drop guidance to limit alcohol to one or two drinks per day, sources say
By Emma Rumney and Jessica DiNapoli (Reuters) -U.S. Dietary Guidelines are expected to eliminate the long-standing recommendation that adults limit alcohol consumption to one or two drinks per day, according to three sources familiar with the matter, in what could be a major win for an industry threatened by heightened scrutiny of alcohol's health effects. The updated Dietary Guidelines for Americans, which could be released as early as this month, are expected to include a brief statement encouraging Americans to drink in moderation or limit alcohol intake due to associated health risks, the sources said. The guidelines are still under development and subject to change, two of the sources and a fourth individual familiar with the process said. Currently, the recommendations advise limiting drinking to one serving or less per day for women and two or less for men, widely seen as a moderate level. Similar guidelines exist in countries such as the United Kingdom, which advises limiting drinking to 14 units per week, while Canada, however, has adopted a more cautious stance, warning that health risks begin to increase after just two drinks per week. Even moderate drinking is linked to some health risks, such as higher risk of breast cancer, though some studies have also found an association with possible health benefits, such as a lower risk of stroke. The fourth source said that the scientific basis for recommending specific daily limits is limited, and the goal is to ensure the guidelines reflect only the most robust evidence. The new guidelines, developed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, are closely watched internationally and influence policies ranging from school lunch programs to medical advice. Neither department responded to requests for comment. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a known teetotaler, has remained largely silent on alcohol but has emphasised a focus on whole foods in the upcoming guidelines. Some alcohol executives had feared a move towards tighter recommendations on alcohol intake as authorities like the World Health Organization upped their warnings about alcohol's health risks. Former U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy said alcohol consumption increases the risk of at least seven types of cancer and called for warning labels on alcoholic drinks. Major industry players, including Diageo and Anheuser-Busch InBev, have lobbied lawmakers throughout the review process. Senate records show each company spent millions on lobbying efforts related to the guidelines and a range of other issues such as tax and trade in 2024 and 2025. Both companies declined to comment. The new guidelines are set to move away from suggesting consumers limit alcohol consumption to a specific number of daily servings, according to the three sources, who asked not to be named in order to speak freely. One person said the new alcohol-related recommendation will probably be limited to a sentence or two. Another said the existing numbers tied to moderate drinking could still appear in a longer appendix. While industry representatives have lobbied lawmakers on the guidelines or how they should be decided, some officials and researchers advocated for tighter restrictions. Reports intended to inform the guidelines have meanwhile drawn different conclusions about alcohol's health effects and the science around this. 'UNHELPFUL' The guidelines, which are reviewed every five years, have advised drinking in moderation and defined that as no more than one drink per day for women and no more than two for men since 1990. Eva Greenthal, a senior policy scientist at the Center for Science in the Public Interest, a non-profit focused on nutrition, health and food safety, said the more general language expected in the guidelines was "so vague as to be unhelpful". Under such a change, the message that even moderate drinking can increase risks, especially for breast cancer, would get lost, she continued. Two studies were produced to inform the development of the guidelines. The first found that moderate drinking was associated with increased risk of some cancers, but a decreased risk of dying from any cause and some cardiovascular problems like stroke. The evidence for some other health impacts was insufficient to draw conclusions, it found. The other report conversely found the risk of dying from alcohol use, including increased risk for seven cancers, begins at any or low levels of alcohol use and increases with higher consumption.
Yahoo
17-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Exclusive-Unilever proposes Peter ter Kulve as CEO of ice cream spin-off
By Jessica DiNapoli and Richa Naidu NEW YORK/LONDON (Reuters) -Unilever has named its preferred candidate to lead the group's soon-to-be listed ice cream division, proposing Peter ter Kulve, who has previously faced criticism from the board of its Ben & Jerry's business. Ter Kulve, a longstanding Unilever executive who is president of The Magnum Ice Cream Company (TMICC), is expected to receive TMICC board approval next month for his appointment as CEO, said a spokesperson for parent Unilever, ahead of a planned Amsterdam listing this year. TMICC is home to six of the world's top 10 ice cream brands, including Ben & Jerry's, which has been publicly at odds with ter Kulve and its parent company in recent years. Representatives for Ben & Jerry's and its independent board did not respond immediately to requests for comment. Unilever declined to comment on the implications of ter Kulve's proposed appointment. Ben & Jerry's was acquired by Unilever in 2000 for $326 million in a deal that included a unique clause allowing the brand to maintain its own independent board of directors with authority over its social mission while Unilever controlled operational and financial decisions. The acrimonious relationship between the Ben & Jerry's board and ter Kulve, who has headed Unilever's ice cream business since 2024, included a November lawsuit against Unilever that accused the company of silencing attempts by Ben & Jerry's to express support for Palestinian refugees and end military aid to Israel. TMICC generated turnover of 8.3 billion euros ($9.6 billion) in 2024. It controls 20% of the global ice cream market, according to Barclays, which estimates that Ben & Jerry's is the world's third-largest ice cream brand by sales, behind Magnum and General Mills' Haagen-Dazs. About 60% of Ben & Jerry's sales come from the United States, Barclays said. "Ben & Jerry's and Magnum are the two key premium brands for the Magnum Ice Cream Company," said Barclays analyst Warren Ackerman. "Investors will want reassurance that there will not be any further fallout ... but with the legal dispute still ongoing, there is still some tail risk in our view." ($1 = 0.8655 euros) Error while retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
US dietary guidelines expected as soon as this month, sources say
By Jessica DiNapoli and Emma Rumney NEW YORK (Reuters) -The U.S. Dietary Guidelines for Americans, which influence school lunches, medical advice and nutrition standards, are expected to be released as soon as June, two sources familiar with the matter said. The Trump administration is accelerating the timeline to impact meals served in the upcoming school year, starting later this summer, one of the sources said. However, it is already late for many school districts to adjust items they purchase, said Diane Pratt-Heavner, the director of media relations for the School Nutrition Association. The upcoming dietary guidelines are still being developed and nothing has been decided, a third source familiar with the matter said, adding they were expected to address saturated fat, found mainly in meat and certain oils, and ultra-processed food. Recommendations on drinking alcohol are not slated to dramatically change, the source said. The guidelines will likely modify suggestions related to dairy consumption, according to an industry source. Currently, the dietary guidelines recommend low and non-fat dairy, but the new ones may include whole fat dairy, the source said. The sources requested anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to the media. Health and Human Services and the U.S. Department of Agriculture publish the guidelines jointly every five years. Former President Joe Biden's administration began the process of drafting the guidelines. The agencies did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The guidelines are the basis for school nutrition standards, which are set by the USDA. Asked during a Tuesday press conference if the revised guidelines would include any changes to limits on saturated fats, Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins declined to provide details. "We're looking at everything right now. I don't want to make news today, but you'll be hearing a lot more on this in the coming weeks," she said, adding that her goal was to have the full guidelines out in the next month or two. U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said last month that the guidelines would be four pages long, published by August and emphasize eating "whole food." A report commissioned by Kennedy last month said the guidelines were compromised by corporate interests, such as the meat and sugar industries. The report, named after the Make America Healthy Again social movement linked with Kennedy, also said that the current guidelines' recommendation to reduce saturated fat and sodium was problematic, and should instead focus on minimally processed food. The current dietary guidelines recommend limiting saturated fat to less than 10% of total calories consumed daily, and do not address ultra-processed food. The definition of ultra-processed food is hotly debated by the food industry while the report describes it as industrially manufactured products. The guidelines recommend limiting consumption of alcoholic beverages to one a day for women and two for men, or not drinking. The U.S. Department of Agriculture is required to set standards for school meals that align with the dietary guidelines. The guidelines also impact Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), an anti-hunger program. Doctors, nutritionists and dieticians also rely on them when advising patients. School districts may struggle to meet the recommendations of the new dietary guidelines by the time school starts. Most school districts placed orders for fall 2025 menus at the beginning of the year, Pratt-Heavner said. "Meeting mandatory changes to the nutrition standards or meal pattern would be extremely difficult given these procurement issues, but the administration could offer flexibility," such as allowing schools to offer whole milk, Pratt-Heavner said. Schools may now only offer fat-free and low-fat milk.
USA Today
06-06-2025
- Business
- USA Today
Procter & Gamble to cut 7,000 jobs as tariffs and consumer uncertainty loom
Aishwarya Venugopal and Jessica DiNapoli Reuters Procter & Gamble PG.N will cut 7,000 jobs over the next two years, as the Tide detergent maker contends with an uncertain spending environment, fueled in part by U.S. tariffs that have roiled numerous consumer companies. The world's largest consumer goods company also plans to exit some product categories and brands in certain markets, including some potential divestitures, as part of the broader two-year restructuring plan. "This is not a new approach, rather an intentional acceleration of the current strategy ... to win in the increasingly challenging environment in which we compete," executives said at a Deutsche Bank Consumer Conference in Paris on Thursday. The job cuts amount to about 6% of its workforce, which P&G characterized as part of its ongoing strategy. Notably, CFO Andre Schulten and operations head Shailesh Jejurikar said at the conference that the geopolitical environment was "unpredictable" and that consumers were facing "greater uncertainty." Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle. In case you missed it: Procter & Gamble sees lower sales, higher prices amid Trump trade wars President Donald Trump's sweeping levies on trading partners have shaken global markets and sparked concerns of a recession in the United States. P&G on Thursday estimated about a $600 million before-tax hit in its fiscal year 2026, based on current tariff rates. The rates have frequently changed over the past few months. Overall, the trade war has cost companies at least $34 billion in lost sales and higher costs, a Reuters analysis showed. In April, P&G said it would raise prices on some products, and Schulten said it was prepared to "pull every lever" in its arsenal to mitigate the impact of tariffs - primarily through higher prices and cost-cutting. "The two-year window ... gives them some flexibility in terms of timing and depth of cuts, as the tariff situation is very fluid," said Christian Greiner, senior portfolio manager at F/m Investments that owns shares in P&G. The restructuring will help simplify the organizational structure by "making roles broader" and "teams smaller," P&G said. "Spring cleaning at scale, shedding low-growth, low-moat units frees up cash to turbo-charge Tide, Pampers and Old Spice — the core brands," said Michael Ashley Schulman, chief investment officer at Running Point Capital. In the past few years, P&G has exited the Argentina market and restructured its operations in Nigeria. It also divested the Vidal Sassoon hair care brand in China and a few other local brands in Latin America and Europe. The company imports raw ingredients, packaging materials and some finished products into the U.S. from China. About 90% of what it sells is produced domestically, P&G has said. The company had about 108,000 employees as of June 2024. The job cuts would account for roughly 15% of its non-manufacturing workforce. P&G expects to record charges of $1 billion to $1.6 billion before-tax over the two-year period, with a quarter of the charges expected to be non-cash. Shares of the company were down about 1% in early trading. The stock has been largely flat over the past 12 months. Reporting by Rishabh Jaiswal, Juveria Tabassum, Aishwarya Venugopal in Bengaluru and Jessica DiNapoli in New York; Editing by Janane Venkatraman, Rashmi Aich and Sriraj Kalluvila
