Latest news with #FSA
The Irish Sun
4 hours ago
- Health
- The Irish Sun
Mini Milk ice lollies are urgently recalled by major UK supermarkets over ‘health risk' as shoppers warned ‘do NOT eat'
A POPULAR sweet treat has been urgently recalled from shelves over fears it could pose a life-threatening risk to customers. Unilever has pulled their summer product from major UK supermarkets after a labelling error. 1 Wall's Mini Milk Vanilla, Strawberry & Chocolate Ice Cream Lollies have been recalled from supermarket shelves over allergy risk Shoppers have been warned not to eat Wall's Mini Milk Vanilla Strawberry & Chocolate Ice Cream Lollies. The ice cream contains milk and may have pistachios, peanuts and soya which could endanger allergy sufferers. The Food Standards Agency confirmed that labels on certain 10x35ml packs display ingredients in Spanish rather than English. It means customers with an allergy or intolerance to milk, soya or nuts could miss the important allergen information. read more on news Supermarkets have put out point of sale notice which explains why the product has been recalled. Affected products show a use by date up to May 2027 which can be found on the side of the box. Consumers with allergies have been asked to contact Unilever for more guidance and refund. A national alert was also issued by the FSA, who advised Brits to avoid the product. Most read in The Sun Unilever has apologised to the customers and added that no other Wall's products have been affected. The statement read: " We apologise for any inconvenience caused and thank you for your co-operation." Allergy alert for chocolate cupcakes Exposure to traces of It comes as a mum issued a stark warning after Jess North, who had a severe Devastated Mum Maxine, from Aldingbourne, West Sussex, told how her daughter had only consumed "a couple of mouthfuls". The brave mum has since been on a mission to raise awareness over severe allergies - and in particular the lack of up to date epipens. The signs of an allergic reaction and anaphylaxis + what to do SYMPTOMS of an allergy usually occur within minutes of contact with with the offending food or trigger, but they can also come on up to one hour later. Most allergic reactions are mild but they can also be moderate or severe. Anaphylaxis is the most severe form of allergic reaction which can be life threatening. In some cases, anaphylaxis symptoms lead to collapse and unconsciousness and, on rare occasions, can be fatal so it's important to know how to recognise them and act quickly. Mild to moderate symptoms include: Itchy mouth, tongue and throat Swelling of lips, around the eyes or face Red raised itchy rash (often called nettle rash, hives or urticaria) Vomiting, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhoea Runny nose and sneezing Severe symptoms of anaphylaxis include: Swelling of your throat and tongue Difficulty breathing or breathing very fast Difficulty swallowing, tightness in your throat or a hoarse voice Wheezing, coughing or noisy breathing Feeling tired or confused Feeling faint, dizzy or fainting Skin that feels cold to the touch Blue, grey or pale skin, lips or tongue – if you have brown or black skin, this may be easier to see on the palms of your hands or soles of your feet Anaphylaxis and its symptoms should be treated as a medical emergency. Follow these steps if you think you or someone you're with is having an anaphylactic reaction: Use an adrenaline auto-injector (such as an EpiPen) if you have one – instructions are included on the side of the injector. Call 999 for an ambulance and say that you think you're having an anaphylactic reaction. Lie down – you can raise your legs, and if you're struggling to breathe, raise your shoulders or sit up slowly (if you're pregnant, lie on your left side). If you have been stung by an insect, try to remove the sting if it's still in the skin. If your symptoms have not improved after 5 minutes, use a second adrenaline auto-injector. Do not stand or walk at any time, even if you feel better. Sources: Allergy UK, NHS
Coin Geek
a day ago
- Business
- Coin Geek
Japan wants reforms to broaden appeal of digital asset investments
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready... Japan continues to explore reforms that would make the country more competitive in the global digital asset industry. This week, its national financial regulator, the Financial Services Agency (FSA), created a working group to explore proposals related to taxation and classification of digital assets to mirror those of other investments. A reclassification, which the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) is also exploring, would see digital assets have the same flat 20% tax rate as shares. Other issues of concern are additional sales taxes on digital assets that hit non-JPY trades between assets on exchanges and limits on how Japanese customers can acquire digital assets. In Japan, digital assets are classified as 'payment methods' rather than 'investments,' which results in additional taxes and tends to lump blockchain in with game tokens and retail points. Changing this would reflect a gradual shift in perception of blockchain assets/tokens over the years, from currencies intended for daily purchases to assets their users hold in the hope of future profits. While this was never the (stated) intention for inventions like Bitcoin when it first emerged, volatile market values and the resulting media attention have de facto created a new investment class instead. The latest moves result from years of lobbying from Japanese digital asset industry groups, like the Japan Crypto-Asset Business Association (JCBA) and the Japan Crypto-Asset Exchange Association (JVCEA). Specifically, they have called for reduced taxes for digital asset investments and reforms that would make Japan a more attractive location for Web3 and other technology startups. Digital assets becoming a major investment sector in Japan and internationally The FSA noted that the number of digital asset trading accounts in Japan has grown fivefold since 2020. Currently, 12.14 million accounts are registered, with a total user deposit balance of roughly JPY5 trillion (US$34.4 billion). Those numbers reflect trend shifts internationally as a new generation of younger and more technologically-competent investors seeks opportunities outside the 'traditional' areas of stocks and bonds. The FSA's document also revealed financial survey findings showing that 7.3% of experienced investors hold 'cryptocurrencies.' That number is still lower than those investing in other existing financial products, including stocks, but higher than those participating in yen-denominated corporate bonds, savings insurance, and foreign exchange. In another survey from Nomura Holdings and Laser Digital Holdings AG, 62% of investment managers said they view digital assets as an opportunity, while 54% said they intended to invest in digital assets in the next three years—80% of those also plan to hold their assets for more than one year. Investors abroad (particularly in the USA) are interested in exchange-traded funds (ETFs), including BTC and other digital assets. Even more conservative institutional investors like pension funds are joining in, and there are signs fund managers are starting to see digital assets as 'inflation-resistant' investments, similar to precious metals. The relatively new Trump Administration in the U.S. is seen as particularly friendly to digital asset investments, and this, coupled with fears of inflation in national fiat currencies, has led investors to discover alternative means to protect existing value. Investment opportunities for everyone could spur innovation Reforms to digital asset investment rules are part of the Japanese government's 'New Capitalism Strategy.' This is an ongoing initiative started by former Prime Minister Fumio Kishida in 2021 and aims to reconfigure Japan's economy around sustainable growth and innovation. The terms 'Web3,' 'Green Transformation/Clean Energy,' and 'inclusion' frequently appear alongside blockchain, stablecoins, and DAOs as key drivers. The strategy also aims to create a more equitable share of wealth in general, focusing on human capital and opening up new investment opportunities outside the traditional sphere of stock exchanges and stagnant investment funds. The government views Japan's reputation as an early adopter of new technologies, with a population always keen to build and protect wealth through investments, as an advantage. Watch: Power, Protocol, and Protection with Mitch Burcham title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen="">
Tom's Guide
2 days ago
- Health
- Tom's Guide
Want a finger massage? You can get one for over $30 off right now with this Bob & Brad massager I've been testing for weeks
I've been a working journalist for nearly 20 years, and my hands aren't what they used to be. So for the past decade or so, I've been doing what I can to stretch and strengthen my moneymakers with hand, shoulder and wrist exercises. But as I get older, the recovery process is definitely taking longer, and I need all the pain relief I can get. That's why I started investigating the world of hand massagers late last year when I had some extra cash burning a hole in my FSA account. I have to spend that money every year or I lose it, so I figured I'd take a flyer on a hand massager to see if it did anything for my aching mitts. I thought that $200 hand massager was a gimmick, but it turned out to be a game-changer for my pain. While nothing completely eliminates the ache and strain of typing all day, having a hand massager on, er, hand (sorry) is a lovely little luxury that provides a bit of relief after working for hours. That's why I started investigating the world of hand massagers in 2025: I want to find the really standout products that provide meaningful relief, because I need that relief, and I bet lots of other people who work all day at a computer do too. What I've learned so far is that every model offers a slightly different array of features, including variable massage strength and heat. Not all of them are designed equally, either—this $89 Bob and Brad H50 hand massager I tested earlier this year can deliver more wrist coverage and stronger massages than the $200 model I bought last year, but the larger $200 hand massager has a wide cutout on each side so you can comfortably rest your thumb while your hand is being massaged. That kind of cutout might seem like a tiny detail, but once you try a few of these things you start to see how valuable that detail really is because many hand massagers don't have cutouts on the side—and that means if you have big hands (like I do) your thumb is often uncomfortably crushed alongside your hand inside the massager. That's a long way of winding up to say I've been testing hand massagers for some time now, and I've learned a fair bit about what to look for and what to avoid. So when the folks marketing Bob & Brad's personal wellness products offered me a chance to test out the new and improved H50 Handspa Pro Hand Massager, I was intrigued. The H50 Handspa Pro is interesting because it offers you a massage for each individual finger. Whereas most hand massagers I've tested have a cavity surrounded by inflatable bladders that you stick your whole hand into, the Handspa Pro refines that design with individual cavities for each finger. The motors and inflatable bladders, which provide the hand massage sensation, wrap around every cavity of the device, so the pitch is that it feels like you're getting a per-finger massage. This wireless hand massager has little cavities inside for each finger and thumb, allowing you to feel the 3 massage modes (with 3 levels of intensity) around each finger. It also comes with a carrying bag and a finger massage tool. This little gadget weighs under two pounds and comes with a small cache of accessories that include a carrying bag, a finger massage tool and some disposable gloves you can wear to keep your massager clean when wearing lotion. The H50 Handspa Pro charges via USB-C and holds enough charge to run at least 3-4 massages at maximum strength for the maximum runtime (15 minutes), so it's fairly portable to boot. I've been using one for two weeks now, and since it happened to be discounted on Amazon at the moment, I thought now would be the best time to tell you what I think about this hand and finger massager. As goofy as the name is, I think the H50 Handspa Pro Hand Massager really does deliver a bit on the promise of being a portable hand spa. For starters, it has the nicest and softest design of any hand massager I've used to date, with a soft foam exterior that ensures you won't damage anything if you accidentally slam it into something. Unlike its predecessor, the H50 Handspa Pro has a compartment for your thumb. And since there's no hard plastic between the bladders encasing your hand and the foam exterior, you can actually push your fingers into the foam exterior and extend them an additional inch or so. This causes a funny-looking effect where you can see your finger pushing through the exterior of the massager, but the upside is you can stretch your fingers out inside the massager to ensure you're getting full exposure to the per-finger massage. This is important because if there's one most important thing I've learned about hand massagers this year, it's that everyone is different and adjustability is key for comfort. My hands are on the larger side of average, for example, so I really like being able to stretch my hands to full finger extension and fill up every available bit of usable space inside the massager. And while the 3 massage modes, 3 intensity levels and optional heating are required in hand massagers at this point, the per-finger massage is fairly unique and feels pretty good. While I think the strength and heat of the Handspa Pro are a little underwhelming, it's nice to be able to feel it around each individual finger. While the H50 Handspa Pro impresses with its premium design and per-finger massage capability, after weeks of use, I have to admit I'm a little underwhelmed. In my experience, the H50 is pretty weak in terms of both heat and massage intensity. I've tried using all three of its modes at all three strength settings, with and without heat, and I've yet to feel a really great massage when using it. I also don't love how short and cramped the H50 Handspa Pro feels on my hands. It's the shortest hand massager I've tested to date, and for me, that means it barely comes up to my wrist. That might not sound like much of an issue for a hand and finger massager, but the problem is that my pain isn't limited to my hand and fingers—it extends through my wrist. So when I'm massaging the pain away, I hate the fact that my wrist isn't getting any attention. What's extra frustrating about these issues is the fact that the H50 hand massager I tried earlier this year extends farther down the wrist and delivers stronger, hotter massage to the wrist than the H50 Handspa Pro, despite being $10 cheaper. I also wanted to flag that I've read some complaints in Amazon reviews that the H50 Handspa Pro can actually exacerbate carpal tunnel symptoms by compressing the wrist. I haven't experienced any pain or discomfort myself while using the Handspa Pro, but I can confirm that it applies pressure around the edge of the arm hole — and on me that edge wraps around my wrist, right where the carpal tunnel resides. The Bob & Brad H50 Handspa Pro isn't my favorite hand massager I've ever tested, but the premium design and per-finger massage capability are pretty compelling. I'll probably keep using the cheaper Bob & Brad H50 hand massager (which is also on sale at the moment) over the H50 Handspa Pro because I prefer the stronger, hotter massage of the H50 and I like that it extends far enough to also massage my wrists. This cordless hand massager bears the brand of Bob & Brad and offers 3 different massage modes and 3 different levels of massage strength. It also comes with some accessories, including a carrying pouch and a finger massage tool. But I also want to flag that hand massagers are a deeply personal choice because everyone is unique when it comes to hand/wrist pain and tolerance for heat and massage. I have big hands and lots of pain, for example, so I tend to like strong, hot, comprehensive massages for maximum duration. But when my partner tries using one of these massagers at my settings, she complains it's trying to squeeze her hand off, which can be a terrifying sensation. So while I find the H50 Handspa Pro a little weak for my needs, I trust that many people will find it far more comfortable to use. I also think that if you have small hands, you'll have much less issue with the squat length of the Handspa Pro. But suppose you have carpal tunnel or any kind of condition that would be exacerbated by pressure on your wrist. In that case, it might be wise to steer clear until you talk to a doctor or physical therapy professional about whether one of these discounted massagers would be a good choice for you.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Kebab and pizza shop gets five-star hygiene rating after latest review
A SALISBURY takeaway has gone from bottom to top with its new five-star hygiene rating. Saray Kebab & Pizza on Endless Street has been given top marks by Wiltshire Council, whose inspector pasted the new rating in the window. After an inspection last week, the update came as a relief to one of its owners, Neshet Hasamov, who wants the whole city to know. "It's perfect now," the Salisbury man, 38, said, "We've changed a lot. The equipment, the cleaning, we're feeling really good at the moment." Read more Free bus travel to be offered for Armed Forces Day See inside Salisbury's new gift and lifestyle shop and cafe as they prepare to open Colfords Raw Natural Pet Store announces closure of Wilton branch According to Mr Hasamov, who lives above the shop and runs it with friends and family, the business struggled in the wake of the one-star rating. The man, who has been in Salisbury for nine years, said: "Absolutely. When you guys put the one-star in the paper, it hit really hard. "When you get one-star [...] all the customers were concerned. We're more confident now. "It was hard; really bad. I understand, though, for the community, you check hygiene ratings." "We do everything right now. We have a new cleaning system, new equipment, and everything's on track." The relief was palpable for Mr Hasamov, who has worked in food and hospitality all his life - his family owned a similar business in Bulgaria. He said: "I have always been in food. In the Balkan area, this kind is called 'gyros.' I'm really pleased now, I'm very happy." "I really like to make and cook food and serve customers. In hospitality, you're learning new stuff every day." The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has not updated its website, but a spokesperson for Wiltshire Council said: "I can confirm that this premises was inspected on the 17th June and a window sticker was left by the inspecting officer at the time of the visit. "The upload of the ratings to the FSA website takes place every two weeks; the next one is scheduled for the end of next week, where this premises rating will be uploaded." According to "The FSA is responsible for food safety and food hygiene in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. "It works with local authorities to enforce food safety regulations, and its staff work in meat plants to check that the standards are being met. "The FSA also has responsibility for labelling policy in Wales and Northern Ireland, and for nutrition policy in Northern Ireland."
Telegraph
2 days ago
- Health
- Telegraph
Risky money-saving shortcuts could be behind food poisoning increase
Risky money-saving measures such as eating out-of-date food, turning off fridges and failing to heat up meals may be behind a sharp rise in food poisoning cases. More than 10,000 people tested positive for salmonella in 2024, up 17 per cent from 2023 and the highest annual total since 2007, official figures have revealed. Around one in four cases were in children under 10, with London being the most affected area, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said. There were also more than 70,000 cases of campylobacter, a similar bacterial illness, amounting to a 17.1 per cent rise on the year before. The gastrointestinal illnesses cause similar symptoms, including diarrhoea, stomach pains and cramps, vomiting and mild fever. Infections can be caused by eating contaminated food such as chicken, meat, eggs, unpasteurised milk products, and raw fruit or vegetables, as well as close contact with infected people and kitchen cross-contamination. Health officials said the reason for the rise in cases was 'likely multifactorial' and that improvements in testing could have led to more cases being identified. Hygiene concerns However, another possible cause is people storing and cooking their food in unsafe ways to save money, according to a UKHSA report. A survey by the Food Standard Agency (FSA), which is working with the UKHSA, found that one in eight adults demonstrated risky behaviours while storing and preparing food in response to cost-of-living pressures. This includes cooking food on a lower heat or not for long enough, turning fridges and freezers to less frigid settings, eating food cold instead of hot, and eating out-of-date food. Around 5 per cent of people also admitted to turning their fridge off to save money, while one in eight did not cook their food properly. Potential contamination from environmental sources such as raw dog food in kitchens could also be partly responsible for the increase in salmonella infections, the report added. The UKHSA said children, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems were particularly vulnerable and should take extra care.
