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USA Today
2 hours ago
- Health
- USA Today
Fire ants evolve into a fearsome hybrid: 'Anything can really happen'
Researchers thought colder temperatures and higher elevations could stop the march of invasive fire ants. Mother Nature had other ideas. Southern states familiar with an invasive, stinging ant are facing a new foe: A hybrid bug that combines the fierce red fire ant and the hardy black fire ant. Imported fire ants have spread from their native South America to the United States with help from accidental human transportation, a lack of predators and warming temperatures thanks to climate change – potentially bringing upper elevations in the Appalachians and colder Mid-Atlantic state areas into colonization danger. The invasive fire ants first hitched a boat ride to Alabama in 1918. Since then, they've marched into over a dozen states, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. Now, experts say two species of invasive fire ants found in the United States are crossbreeding, creating an even nastier and hardier bug. The USA TODAY Network investigated the emerging threat this spring. Here's what to know: What are imported fire ants? Fire ants are famous for forming into large balls of living matter during flooding events, allowing them to literally float down to new locations. After Tropical Storm Helene dropped record-levels of rain across much of western North Carolina last fall, that ability has officials especially worried about how the natural disaster might have helped the invasive species spread to new areas, said Joy Goforth, plant pest administrator with the state agriculture department. Their venom, similar to a bee's or wasp's, results in a painful, itchy pustule or blister on the skin. A very small portion of the population are hypersensitive to ant venom and can experience lethal allergic reactions, according to the Texas Imported Fire Ant Research and Management Project at Texas A&M. Even healthy individuals, however, may experience severe reactions such as anaphylactic shock if they suffer from a multiple stinging incident. Treatments for stings are limited, with Texas A&M recommending stings be treated as you would stings of other insects. Keep them clean and intact to avoid secondary infections. Considering a mature colony can include up to 400,000 worker ants, a queen can lay up to 1,000 eggs a day, and that there can be several colonies per acre of land, fire ants can sometimes seem like the perfect pest. "Right now, it just seems they are very adaptable, and that includes moving their nests further underground in the higher elevations where the temperatures are more constant year-round, to some degree outsmarting the environment," said Amy Michael, entomological programs manager with N.C. Agriculture. Where have fire ants spread? They've spread across every county of Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana and South Carolina. They've reached across most of North Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Arkansas, and have infiltrated parts of Virginia, Oklahoma and New Mexico, according to national data. "While eradicating them would be the goal in a perfect world, we really are at the point now where we are trying to manage their impacts and their spread," Michael said. Hybrid fire ants are bad news Mother Nature has thrown a new wrinkle into the mix − a new hybrid ant that's a merger of the two invasive fire ant species that have reached U.S. shores. Dr. Scotty Yang, assistant professor in the Virginia Tech Department of Entomology, said hybridized fire ants are the result of interbreeding between red and black fire ants. The outcome is a fire ant that has the strength and ornery disposition of the fiercer red fire ant with the better tolerance of colder temperatures found in black fire ants. Yang said the hybrid ants have become the explorers and front guard for the fire ant invasion into colder and more northerly areas, becoming the dominant fire ant species in the upper elevations of Tennessee, Georgia, North Carolina and Virginia. And they are proving to be very successful, with a dozen Virginia counties added to that's state fire ant quarantine map just last year. Yang said viruses that impact "normal" fire ants also have less of an impact on the hybrids, making them less likely to forage and thus less likely to carry poisoned bait back to their mounds. "In some respect, the viruses help them survive," he said. Researchers are still trying to determine why the ants decided to crossbreed. "But once you introduce a species to a new place, anything can really happen," Yang said. Living with fire ants After more than 60 years in North Carolina, officials in the state stress that it's no longer a question of eradicating the invaders. Michael said several fire ant control measures are available at garden and home improvement shops that target different stages of the ants' and colony's development. The best strategy involves treatments that allow bait to be brought back into the mound, Michael said. Treating mounds when they appear quickly, especially those near concrete and brick walls where heat radiating from those materials allows the ants to stay active longer, also is important for good control. Michael told USA TODAY that North Carolina's agriculture officials continue to conduct surveys in the counties outside the current quarantine area. "Yes, they are very adaptable, and yes, they can spread pretty quickly," Michael said. "But there are tools out there that are available to residents and businesses to help try and mitigate the impacts and their spread." As fire ants spread, watch out for stinging Asian needle ants, too Fire ants sound bad enough, but another invasive ant species with an ominous name are also spreading through the country: stinging Asian needle ants. "Asian needle ants" are small and difficult to spot, blending in until they make themselves known with a sharp sting that has led to life-threatening anaphylactic shock in some cases. They've been recorded in about 20 states and are widespread along the East Coast, experts say. "Imagine somebody inserting a needle directly into your flesh," said Benoit Guénard, a professor of ecology and entomology at the University of Hong Kong who studied the ants in North Carolina. "It's a very sharp, acute pain but it's quite local." Read more about Asian needle ants here. Reporter Gareth McGrath can be reached at GMcGrath@ or @GarethMcGrathSN on X/Twitter. This story was produced with financial support from the Green South Foundation and the Prentice Foundation. The USA TODAY Network maintains full editorial control of the work. Contributing: Jeanine Santucci and Elizabeth Weise, USA TODAY
USA Today
2 hours ago
- Health
- USA Today
Leftover corn on the cob from your summer cookout? Here's how to freeze it safely.
Prepped too much corn on the cob for your Fourth of July picnic? No fear – your freezer is coming to the rescue. But first, it's important to know how to freeze food properly. Foodborne illnesses can spike in the summer months, especially given the higher temperatures and rise in outdoor dining like picnics and cookouts. So experts say this time of year is one that requires paying extra attention to storing food. "The warmer weather makes bacteria that cause foodborne illness multiply faster, and if these bacteria have time to multiply, they can reach dangerous levels and produce heat-resistant toxins that then won't be killed by cooking," says Meredith Carothers, MPH, a public affairs specialist on the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) food safety education team. "Therefore, it's very important to handle food safely in warmer weather." Here's how to make sure you're storing and freezing corn on the cob safely. Aha: How to safely freeze milk, according to health experts How to freeze corn on the cob Safely freezing corn on the cob begins with safely storing it to begin with. In other words, if you're transporting leftover potluck food from one location to another, it's important to keep it at a safe temperature. Keeping food at room or outdoor temperature for two hours is fine (or bring that down to one hour if temperatures are above 90 degrees), Carothers says. But if you want to keep the party going longer, you're going to need to maintain the food temperature: either heated above 140 degrees Fahrenheit in a chafing dish or a preheated grill, or chilled below 40 degrees on a bowl of ice or in a cooler. "The bacteria that can cause foodborne illness grow between 40 (degrees) and 140 (degrees) – also known as the danger zone," Carothers says. When you're bringing the food home, don't forget to "transport perishable foods in a cooler or insulated bag with plenty of cold sources." Corn can either be frozen on or off the cob. Either way, it's important to keep the produce in a "container or wrapping that won't easily let air in" in order to help "maintain quality and prevent freezer burn." (Freezer burn doesn't make food unsafe per se, but it does cause dry spots and should be cut off before consuming, according to the USDA.) And make sure the freezer temperature remains at 0 degrees or lower to "retain vitamin content, color, flavor and texture," Carothers adds. Can you freeze deli meat? Here's how to safely extend the shelf life of this lunch staple. How long does corn last in the freezer? The good news: Eating corn (as well as all other foods) that's been in the freezer technically is safe forever. The bad news: It might not be the best quality if you're trying to reheat a cob from last summer's Fourth of July celebration. "Freezing keeps foods safe indefinitely, because bacteria that cause foodborne illness do not multiply in freezer temperatures," Carothers explains. But after 8 months, the freshness begins to decrease, so anything eaten after that amount of time "just might not be the best quality." The timing of when you freeze produce can have an impact as well. "In general, freshness and quality at the time of freezing affect the condition of frozen foods," Carothers says. "If frozen at peak quality, thawed foods emerge tasting better than foods frozen near the end of their useful life. So freeze items you won't use quickly sooner rather than later."
Newsweek
9 hours ago
- Health
- Newsweek
Bologna Products Recall Sparks Nationwide Warning to Customers
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Gaiser's European Style Provisions Inc. is recalling over 143,000 pounds of ready-to-eat bologna products due to "misbranding," according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) on Friday. Newsweek reached out to the company via email for comment. Why It Matters Numerous recalls have been initiated in 2025 due to the potential of damaged products, foodborne illness, contamination and undeclared food allergens. Millions of Americans experience food sensitivities or allergies every year. According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the nine "major" food allergens in the U.S. are eggs, milk, fish, wheat, soybeans, Crustacean shellfish, sesame, tree nuts and peanuts. What To Know In the alert, the FSIS warns that the recalled bologna products contain "meat or poultry source materials" not noted on the product's labels. The goods were produced from March 20, 2025, to June 20, 2025. The alert has photos of the various products' labels and below is a list of the impacted products, according to the FSIS: Vacuum-packed packages of "FAMILY TREE BOLOGNA VEAL" containing undeclared pork. Plastic-wrapped packages of "BABUSHKA'S RECIPE CHICKEN BOLOGNA" containing undeclared pork. Plastic-wrapped packages of "FANCY BOLOGNA" labeled with pork as an ingredient but containing undeclared beef and chicken. Vacuum-packed packages of "GAISER'S RUSSIAN BRAND DOKTORSKAYA BOLOGNA" containing undeclared beef. Plastic-wrapped packages of "GAISER'S BOLOGNA VEAL" containing undeclared chicken and pork. Plastic-wrapped packages of "GAISER'S TURKEY BOLOGNA" containing undeclared chicken and pork. Plastic-wrapped packages of "CHICKEN BOLOGNA KYPOYKA PABA" containing undeclared pork. The FSIS warns that these products were distributed to retailers and wholesalers across the country and have an establishment number of "EST. 5385" inside the U.S. Department of Agriculture inspection mark. "Some products would have been weighed, wrapped, and labeled in retail store locations at the time of purchase," the FSIS says, adding later that the department is concerned people may have the recalled products in their freezers or refrigerators. Gaiser's Russian Brand Doktorskaya Bologna can be seen related to a recall on June 27. (Photo from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service.) Gaiser's Russian Brand Doktorskaya Bologna can be seen related to a recall on June 27. (Photo from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service.) What People Are Saying The FSIS in the alert, in part: "The problem was discovered when FSIS was notified by the Office of Inspector General (OIG) of a complaint received through the OIG's hotline. FSIS investigated the complaint and determined that the products contained source materials that were not declared on the label. "Although FSIS does not expect any adverse health effects for Class III recalled products and there have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions due to consumption of these products, anyone concerned about an illness should contact a healthcare provider." What Happens Next Customers who have purchased the recalled products should not consume them; either throw them away or return the goods to the original place of purchase, the FSIS says.
The Hill
11 hours ago
- Business
- The Hill
Senate Republicans' new SNAP proposal prompts GOP concern
A GOP-backed proposal that would shift some of the cost of food assistance to states for the first time is drawing renewed concern in the party, as critics argue the effort could lead to states cutting benefits on their own. Republicans are pushing to pass the proposal — which could see states with higher payment error rates covering a greater share of benefit costs — as a part of the broader spending cuts and tax package in the coming days. But that doesn't mean some Republicans aren't concerned about the measure. 'Our big thing is the data to be used, the data to be used on the error rate,' Sen. Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska.) told The Hill on Friday. 'So, that's important to make sure that the data is as accurate and reflective of the year you're judging as possible.' Numbers from the U.S. Department of Agriculture showed Alaska's payment error rate — which factors in overpayment and underpayment error rates — hit above 60 percent in fiscal year 2023. The national average hit at 11.68 percent. Sullivan noted the state has seen much lower payment error rates prior to the pandemic and is on a path to improving those figures, noting new numbers are expected soon. But he added, 'It's still higher than our traditional error rate, and as you know, the cost share is based in part on that.' According to the Alaska Beacon, the state's error rate hiked after state officials said they violated federal rules in order to continue feeding people amid a significant backlog in applications. Under the initial plan crafted by the Senate Agriculture Committee, Republicans sought to require states to cover some of the cost of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits if they have a payment error rate above 6 percent beginning in fiscal 2028. The proposal in the megabill would also allow states with rates below that level to continue paying zero percent. It also proposes states with higher payment error rates cover a greater share of benefit costs. If the error rate is 6 percent or higher, states would be subject to a sliding scale that could see their share of allotments rise to a range of between 5 percent and 15 percent. However, Senate Republicans tweaked the plan after facing a setback when their 'state cost-share' proposal was rejected by the chamber's rules referee as part of a megabill the party hopes to pass in the coming days. A release from the agriculture committee said the updated plan would allow states to choose the payment error either fiscal year 2025 or 2026 to 'calculate their state match requirement that begins in Fiscal Year 2028.' For the following fiscal year, the 'state match will be calculated using the payment error rate from three fiscal years prior,' the committee said, adding a 'state must contribute a set percentage of the cost of its SNAP benefits if its payment error rate exceeds six percent.' Asked about further potential changes to the plan, Agriculture chairman Sen. John Boozman (R-Ark.) said Friday that negotiators 'worked really hard to try and get a situation that worked for as many people as we could, and I think we've achieved that.' 'Alaska is a unique state, unique situation, so I know that everybody's trying to work hard to accommodate situations that don't fit,' Boozman said Friday afternoon. 'So, I haven't heard of any changes, and I'm sure that, you know, [Senate Majority Leader John] Thune [(R-S.D.)] will grab me if that comes about.' Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Ala.) also expressed concerns about the proposal, telling reporters earlier on Friday that she's raised them with others in the party, according to Politico. Asked briefly about the party's SNAP proposal later, Murkowski told The Hill, 'We're still in trouble on SNAP.' 'The implementation is still next to impossible for us,' she said. Republicans say the states' cost-share proposal would incentivize states to improve their error rates. But Sullivan and Murkowski aren't the only Republicans who have voiced concerns about the effort in recent weeks. Originally, the House plan called for all states to cover 5 percent of the cost of allotments in its initial version of Trump's megabill, with states that had higher payment error rates having to pay anywhere between 15 percent and 25 percent. However, the proposal was dialed back after concerns from other Republicans, including Sens. Tommy Tuberville (Ala.) and Jim Justice (W. Va.) over the measure. Asked if he's meeting with Boozman or Thune on the matter, Sullivan also told The Hill on Friday evening that he's 'meeting with everybody.' 'For me, it's just important to get the data as close to the date that you're judging,' Sullivan said, adding that he expects Alaska to see a notable drop in its error rate in a coming report.
2 days ago
- Health
Oklahoma seeks to exclude soda, candy from food stamp purchases
Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt said Thursday the state is seeking federal permission to exclude soft drinks and candy from the list of items that can be purchased under the benefit for low-income Americans long known as food stamps. Stitt made the announcement during an event at the Capitol with U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as part of the 'Make America Healthy Again' initiative. Oklahoma would join several other states that already have sought federal waivers from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to prohibit the purchase of items such as soda and energy drinks under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP. 'If you want to drink a bottled soda, you should be able to have that right,' Kennedy said. 'But the federal government should not be paying for it with taxpayer money.' SNAP is a roughly $100 billion program that serves about 42 million Americans and is run by the U.S. Agriculture Department and administered through states. Stitt also signed an executive order on Thursday calling into question the appropriateness of mandatory fluoridation of public drinking water and the use of commonly used artificial food coloring, including Red Dye 40. Under the order, the Oklahoma State Department of Health and Department of Equality are directed to immediately stop any endorsement of fluoridation of the public water supply. Although Stitt said each local municipality will still have the autonomy to make a decision to continue the practice, which has long been encouraged as a means of promoting dental health. Under the order, the two state agencies are directed to conduct a comprehensive review of water fluoridation and make recommendations for transitioning away from the practice. Stitt also said he would direct agencies that provide meals, including prisons and public schools, to discontinue the use of artificial dyes in food. 'Today we're going to get the ball rolling on making Oklahoma healthy again,' Stitt said.
