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‘Bond King’ Bill Gross says it’s time to stop betting against bonds and get ready for a economic slowdown: ‘Recession in 4th quarter’
Image Credit: Patrick T. Fallon—Bloomberg/Getty Images
Even some of the biggest bond bears on Wall Street fear they have flown too close to the sun, saying the market rout on Treasury bonds has pushed too far.
First, billionaire investor Bill Ackman, founder of Pershing Square Capital Management, wrote, “There is too much risk in the world to remain short bonds at current long-term rates,” and now the “Bond King” himself, Bill Gross, has chimed in to suggest investors should buy bonds.
Gross, former chief investment officer of Pacific Investment Management Co., or Pimco, urged his followers on X—the social media platform formerly known as Twitter—to “invest in the curve” on bonds, which have been hit with a selloff in recent months.
Yields on 10-year government bonds peaked at more than 5% last week‚ the first time in 16 years, while 30-year bonds similarly spiked at approximately 5.2%.
When Treasury bond yields rise, Treasury bond prices fall. This is why investors like Ackman have been shorting, or betting against, bond prices.
While some spectators expect to see yields—boosted by a high base rate and an expectation that bond supply will increase—fly to more than 6% in certain time frames, Gross and Ackman are convinced now is the time to scale back their bets on yields rising further.
“’Higher for longer’ is yesterday’s mantra,” Gross wrote.
Thus far, many on Wall Street had hoped the Fed would pull off a so-called soft landing of slow growth but not necessarily a recession.
Gross revealed he now disagrees, countering: “Regional bank carnage and recent rise in auto delinquencies to long-term historical highs indicate U.S. economy slowing significantly.”
“Recession in fourth quarter,” he added.
The Fed isn’t too worried about yields
For all the headaches Treasury yields are causing Ackman and Gross, the yield spike has actually done some of the work for the Fed, chairman Jerome Powell has said.
During a meeting with the Economic Club of New York, Powell seemingly echoed some of the sentiments of his Fed colleagues who believe the rise in yields is helping tighten financial outlooks.
As a result of the headwinds, Powell told his audience that “at the margin” the friction might lessen the need for additional Fed rate increases in the future.
It’s an opinion echoed by professor Jeremy Siegel, of the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, who is convinced the Fed will not hike rates again on Nov. 1 precisely because of the bond market.
“Concerns about rates staying higher for much longer are keeping long yields ticking higher. I do think the recent high inflation that we’ve experienced is raising the premiums and compensation demanded to own bonds,” professor Siegel wrote in his weekly Wisdom Tree commentary.
Like Ackman and Gross, Siegel advised a long-term approach, warning the current upset is not a “short-term phenomenon.”
He added: “The higher long-end rates are tightening conditions without the Fed raising short-term rates. It seems Powell has been very successful at getting unanimity and no dissent, and the chorus from recent Fed officials hinted for another pause.”
Indeed, professor Siegel believes that the bond market is not only to thank for a switch from hikes to a pause, but for shifting the Fed into “permanent pause mode.”
This story was originally featured on Fortune.com
-Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, featured on Yahoo! Finance
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JUST IN: U.S. Supreme Court Rules Biden Administration Can Contact Big Tech Amid Censorship Allegations
On Friday, the Supreme Court lifted restrictions on the Biden administration’s ability to communicate with social media companies, all while a lawsuit claiming that numerous top federal officials pressured social media companies into censoring free speech remains unresolved.
The decision puts a temporary halt to a preliminary court order that was given in response to the conclusions of two lower courts, which described it as a “coordinated campaign” by high-ranking officials in the Biden administration to censor disfavored views expressed on social networking platforms.
The U.S. District Court for the Western District of Louisiana initially granted the preliminary injunction on July 4, and on October 3, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit unanimously affirmed this decision.
In his dissent, Justice Alito expressed concerns regarding government censorship of private speech and the risk of “heavy-handed tactics” shaping the expression of opinions in today’s era of social media.
“At this time in the history of our country, what the Court has done, I fear, will be seen by some as giving the Government a green light to use heavy-handed tactics to skew the presentation of views on the medium that increasingly dominates the dissemination of news. That is most unfortunate,” wrote Justice Alito.
The stay will remain in effect until the Supreme Court renders its final judgment. This might be sometime late in the spring of 2024, Justice Alito noted in his dissenting opinion.
“Government censorship of private speech is antithetical to our democratic form of government, and therefore today’s decision is highly disturbing,” Justice Alito wrote.
The “coordinated campaign” at the center of the landmark legal battle allegedly involved officials from the White House, the surgeon general, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the FBI, and a top U.S. cybersecurity agency.
The lower courts prohibited them from “coercing” or “actively controlling” the decisions made by social media companies about the content posted on their platforms.
The case originated from allegations by Missouri and Louisiana, along with various private parties, that popular social media companies were either blocking users or downgrading posts with disfavored viewpoints on various controversial subjects.
These topics included the COVID-19 lab leak theory, pandemic lockdowns, vaccine side effects, election fraud, and the Hunter Biden laptop story.
-Conservative Roof
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U.S. REDIRECTS EISENHOWER CARRIER STRIKE GROUP TO PERSIAN GULF
Via: CBS:
As tensions heighten in the Middle East amid the escalating Israel-Hamas war, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announced late Saturday that the U.S. will redeploy one of its strike groups to the Persian Gulf, as well as send additional air defense systems to the region.
Austin also said that he has placed additional U.S. forces on “prepare to deploy orders,” but did not detail how many. Austin earlier this week ordered 2,000 troops to be prepared to deploy to the Middle East.
The latest decision followed “detailed discussions with President Biden on recent escalations by Iran and its proxy forces across the Middle East,” Austin said in a statement.
The USS Dwight D. Eisenhower and its strike group — which last weekend Austin had announced was being deployed to the eastern Mediterranean Sea to join the USS Gerald R. Ford — will instead be heading to the Persian Gulf, Austin disclosed Saturday.
-Blacklisted News
US Troops Attacked 13 Times in Past Week, Admits Biden’s Defense Dept.
The U.S. Department of Defense has admitted that U.S. troops stationed in the Middle East have shockingly faced 13 attacks within the past week alone. Forces in Iraq experienced ten assaults, while those stationed in Syria were subjected to three under Commander-in-Chief Joe Biden. These attacks, employing one-way drones and rockets, reportedly all bear the hallmark of Iran, according to Pentagon officials.
On October 18th, the al Asad base in Iraq located west of Baghdad was targeted by two drones. Coalition forces managed to destroy one and damaged the other, resulting in minor injuries and some damage to the base. Gen. Pat Ryder stated that an early warning system in place at the base detected an additional threat that unfortunately led to a fatal heart attack in a civilian contractor during the precautions.
The USS Carney intercepted four land-based cruise missiles and 15 drones from Houthi forces in the northern Red Sea on October 19th. Other attacks took place at multiple sites including the Al-Harir air base, the Al Tanf Garrison in Syria, and near Baghdad International Airport. Reports indicate minor damages, four injuries to U.S. service members who have returned to duty, and no casualties. However, conflicting reports from Central Command (CENTCOM) points to a lower estimate of eight attacks, leaving the details surrounding the remaining five attacks unaccounted for.
-The National Pulse
Pentagon Belatedly Reveals Two Dozen US Personnel Were Wounded In Spate Of Drone Attacks In Iraq, Syria
Update(1910ET): The Pentagon revealed in a late Tuesday statement that in just the past week, US and coalition forces have been attacked at least ten times in Iraq, as well as three times in Syria "via a mix of one way attack drones and rockets," according to Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder, speaking to NBC.
But the real bombshell development, which Biden's defense officials have apparently sat on for several days, is that some 24 US personnel were wounded in the attacks. According to the NBC statement:
Two dozen American military personnel were wounded last week in a series of drone attacks at American bases in Iraq and Syria, U.S. Central Command told NBC News on Tuesday.
The Pentagon confirmed the attacks last week, but the number of U.S. casualties has not been previously disclosed.
"Twenty American personnel sustained minor injuries on Oct. 18 when at least two one-way attack drones targeted al-Tanf military base in southern Syria, CENTCOM said," the report continues.
It appears all the injuries were deemed minor, given Gen. Ryder described that all personnel returned to duty after being evaluated and threated, and there was no significant damage to base installations. However, in Iraq, "The U.S. shot down the one-way attack drones, but the debris from one destroyed a hanger that contained small aircraft, CENTCOM said."
The defense official said that amid the attacks there was a contractor that suffered cardiac arrest and died while sheltering in place, but the Pentagon isn't necessarily considering the casualty to be the direct result of the assault.
The Pentagon may have concealed the information until now not only to properly account for all the instances and wounded personnel, but possibly to avoid escalating tensions by releasing the news. The Biden administration has vowed to respond 'decisively' if Americans in the region come under attack by Iran.
The militias operating in Iraq and Syria, believed to be behind the uptick in attacks, are widely viewed by Washington as being supported from Tehran.
* * *
Update(1550ET): It's never a good sign when the United States says it "doesn't want war" - at a moment a long known geopolitical flashpoint region stands on the brink. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Tuesday delivered a stern warning to Iran before a UN Security council meeting, saying the US is prepared to respond "decisively" if Tehran or its proxies launch attacks on Americans in the Middle East.
Not only does the Pentagon still have thousands of troops and assets in Iraq, long under the domination of Shia paramilitary influence, but it has up to a thousand or so troops occupying broad oil and gas regions of eastern Syria. Missile and drone attacks on Pentagon outposts in Syria and Iraq have been rising in the last days. But the real concern is on Israel's northern border, where Hezbollah has launched multiple guided missile and anti-tank attacks on Israel border posts, including on Tuesday.
"The United States does not seek conflict with Iran," Blinken told the UNSC "We do not want this war to widen. But if Iran or its proxies attack US personnel anywhere, make no mistake: We will defend our people, we will defend our security, swiftly and decisively." Russia's President Putin, who since 2015 has stationed major assets in neighboring Syria, just the day prior blamed Washington for stoking "escalation" in the Middle East by moving two US carrier strike groups into the region.
There are building fears that Iran-backed Hezbollah would launch an all-out war on Israel if the IDF moves in full force into Gaza. The only thing which apparently has stalled these plans is the slow release (so far up to four hostages) of Israeli and American captives by Hamas. Domestic political pressure is also building against the Netanyahu government, led by families who see in Qatari mediated efforts hope that loved ones will be released. Hamas has demanded that fuel be transferred into Gaza via the Rafah border, but Israel has countered that all hostages must be freed first.
-Tyler Durden, Zerohedge
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Qatar’s War for Young American Minds
Image Credit: A student at Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar. The emirate has spent billions encouraging top U.S. colleges to build campuses in its “education city.” (Photo via Qatar Foundation)
Right now, senior leaders of Hamas, the perpetrators of the worst atrocity against Jews since the Holocaust, are huddled in Qatar. They’ve been there for years. But American foreign policy has turned a blind eye. Why? One reason might be that for the last 25 years, this small, energy-rich state has pumped billions into America to purchase influence and good favor.
The Qataris have spent their lavish fortune at American law firms, on lobbying contracts with former senior officials, and on junkets and partnerships with big media companies. The biggest recipients of Qatari largesse, though, have been major universities and think tanks.
The numbers are staggering. According to a 2022 study from the National Association of Scholars, Qatar today is the largest foreign donor to American universities. The study found that between 2001 and 2021, the petrostate donated a whopping $4.7 billion to U.S. colleges. The largest recipients are some of America’s most prestigious institutions of higher learning. These schools have partnered with the regime to build campuses in Doha’s “education city,” a special district of the capital that hosts satellite colleges for American universities:
Since 1997, Qatar has donated more than $103 million to Virginia Commonwealth University for a fine arts campus.
Since 2001, Qatar has donated $1.8 billion to Cornell for a medical school.
Since 2003, Qatar has donated nearly $700 million to Texas A&M for an engineering campus.
Since 2004, Qatar has donated $740 million to Carnegie Mellon University for a computer science campus.
Since 2005, Qatar has donated $760 million to Georgetown University for a school of politics.
Since 2008, Qatar has donated nearly $602 million to Northwestern University for a school of journalism.
One might expect that scholarly institutions that have benefited from this autocracy’s money would rethink their partnership after Qatar’s foreign minister said that “Israel alone is responsible” for the pogrom perpetrated by Hamas terrorists. Or after Qatar’s prime minister on Friday declined to close the office Hamas maintains in its capital. But these universities have given no indication that they will end their profitable partnership with Qatar.
All but one university on the list declined to comment on the future of their Doha campuses when contacted by The Free Press. Kelly Brown, a spokeswoman for Texas A&M, gave the following statement:
Maintaining relationships with countries like Qatar serve a broader purpose, including fostering international dialogue and cooperation. Texas A&M’s relationship with Qatar is focused on educational and research activities, which contribute to the academic and intellectual development of both countries. That, in turn, hopefully will one day lead to peaceful resolutions rather than conflict.
She added that Texas A&M has clear and transparent agreements with Qatar that accord with U.S. and international laws. “No public funds are spent toward the Qatar campus,” she said.
-Eli Lake, The Free Press
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Around 300 people arrested after Jewish group organizes sit-in on Capitol Hill calling for a ceasefire
Hundreds were arrested on Wednesday, Oct. 18, after pro-Palestinian demonstrations erupted on Capitol Hill, with protestors pouring into the Cannon House Office Building and large crowds coming together with flags and signs around the Capitol complex.
The Cannon House Office Building holds various House Committees and congressional offices. By 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday, its rotunda was packed with protestors calling for "free Palestine" and an immediate ceasefire.
Capitol Police told the protesters that the activity was not permitted inside Congressional buildings.
The police said they arrested around 300 people overall. The arrested protestors were assembled outside the building and transported to a temporary holding area in the Capitol complex.
Capitol Police said demonstrators inside the Cannon Rotunda will be charged with illegally demonstrating inside a House office building. At least three other individuals were charged with assaulting a police officer.
"Civil disobedience is part of how we get messages across, and we need the Congress to hear, we need the president to hear. I feel that [President Joe Biden] needs to stand up and help facilitate a cease-fire so no more people die," a protestor named Louisa said while her hands were secured with zip-tie handcuffs.
Protest organized by Jewish American peace activists
The protest was organized by the organization known as the Jewish Voice for Peace (JVP). One member of the JVP said the sit-in at the Cannon Rotunda was planned about three days in advance.
Capitol Police watched the situation as more protesters assembled around the House side of the Capitol complex through the afternoon and evening hours.
For safety, they created temporary rolling road closures and only allowed Capitol staff and employees to enter and exit in certain areas.
The protest started at the National Mall around noon and ultimately made its way to the Cannon building, which is located at Independence Ave. and New Jersey Ave. close to the Capitol building.
Fencing increased overnight around portions of the U.S. Capitol prior to the protest organized by the JVP, but the protestors were able to find their way into the building. By 3 p.m., it was filled with JVP members in black t-shirts reading "Jews say ceasefire now!"
JVP claimed on social media that no less than 10,000 people were outside the Capitol while 500 fought their way inside the rotunda, all there to "challenge the Israeli government's ongoing ethnic cleansing of Palestinians."
After the protests on Capitol Hill ended, another showed up in the evening hours outside the Israeli Embassy Washington, D.C.
Barriers encircled the embassy and a group of police stood between it and the crowd marked with the red, black, white and green colors of the Palestinian flag.
President Joe Biden was already in Israel when the protests unfurled. Biden flew to Israel on Tuesday, Oct. 17, to start a series of discussions with Israeli, Jordanian, Egyptian and Palestinian leaders.
-Kevin Hughs, Natural News
Spain’s Canary Islands Under “Siege” as 5,000 Migrants Arrive in Week Amid Historic Surge
In the past week, nearly 5,000 migrants have reportedly arrived in the Canary Islands, a Spanish archipelago off the coast of Africa.
The Canaries are experiencing a historic illegal migration wave, with the island chain on track for more than 50,000 illegal entries this year.
More than 13,000 migrants have reached the Canary Islands in October already, the highest monthly total ever recorded and a 570% increase over October of 2022, Rubén Pulido reports for La Gaceta de la Iberosfera, which describes the influx as a “siege.”
So far in 2023, a total of 28,376 illegal entries were recorded by the beginning of this week — 90% more than the same period last year.
“If the current trend continues, migratory pressure in the archipelago could break its historical record before the month of November, the one recorded in 2006, when a total of 31,678 illegal immigrants arrived in the Canary Islands,” Pulido reports.
“But not only that, if we take the daily average of entries accumulated in the last two months, the Canary archipelago could surpass the barrier of 50,000 illegal immigrants between now and the end of the year.”
A whopping 321 migrants were ‘rescued’ from a cayuco near Gran Canaria over the weekend, the highest number ever pulled from a single vessel in the region.
Most migrants who set out for the Canaries do so with the ultimate goal of reaching the European mainland — a leg of the journey often facilitated by the Spanish government and participating corporations.
On Tuesday, two Boeing 787 Dreamliners belonging to Air Europa were strategically parked at Aeropuerto de Los Rodeos on the Canary Island of Tenerife and hundreds of migrants were brought aboard and flown to Barcelona and Madrid, according to Pulido.
-Dan Lyman, Infowars
‘Ban the Scan’: 32 Groups Ask New York City to Ban Facial Recognition Technology
Seventeen civil rights groups last week launched a public advocacy campaign to ban the use of facial recognition technology from New York City residential buildings and public venues, including stores and stadiums.
The groups are urging city council members to pass resolutions that would prohibit “any place or provider of public accommodation” and any landlord from using biometric recognition technology.
In their campaign letter, the groups said:
“Biometric recognition technology, including facial recognition technology (FRT), is biased, error-prone, and harmful to marginalized communities. It has no place in businesses and residences in New York City.”
The “Ban the Scan” initiative is led by the Surveillance Technology Oversight Project, Amnesty International, New York Civil Liberties Union (NCLU), The Legal Aid Society, Surveillance Resistance Lab, Fight for the Future and the Center On Race, Inequality, and the Law at NYU School of Law.
As of today, 15 additional groups have joined as campaign signatories.
The campaign comes on the heels of New York City Mayor Eric Adams’ Oct. 16 announcement of a citywide plan to embrace “responsible” use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools.
The groups said the banning of biometric recognition — including facial recognition — is “an essential first step toward any ‘responsible’ AI plan in New York City.”
According to privacy experts, including Greg Glaser, a digital privacy expert and lawyer litigating cases for Children’s Health Defense’s (CHD) Electromagnetic Radiation & Wireless program, facial recognition technology carries at least four risks.
Glaser told The Defender that many people have a “natural aversion” to having their faces systematically scanned by AI software that analyzes the data in sometimes “undisclosed ways.”
Glaser and other experts offered these four warnings:
1. Facial recognition is ‘racially biased’ and ‘outright dangerous’
“At least in the early stages of this AI facial recognition technology the risk of misidentification will be significant, especially because of the vast quantity of data that can now be analyzed,” Glaser said. “That is why privacy organizations are especially concerned with whether facial scans misidentify people, including based on factors such as race.”
Daniel Schwarz, NCLU’s senior privacy and technology strategist, said, “Facial recognition tech is risky, unreliable, and racially biased — and in the hands of law enforcement, it’s outright dangerous.”
“We’ve seen the harms of facial recognition technology amplifying racist policing and leading to wrongful arrests,” Schwartz said.
Kashmir Hill, a privacy and technology reporter for The New York Times who lives in New York, recently told NPR that “of the handful of people we know to have been wrongfully arrested for the crime of looking like someone else, in every case, the person has been Black.”
Schwartz added:
“Whether in their homes, patronizing local businesses, or accessing health care, New Yorkers don’t want live in a world where biometric surveillance constantly monitors their every move — we’re proud to fight alongside our coalition partners so New York City bans the scan once and for all.”
-Suzanne Burdick, Ph. D, The Defender
Tyson Foods to bring bug-based protein to US markets after partnering with 'world leader in insect ingredients'
Tyson Foods has announced that it will be partnering with Protix, a Dutch company that brands itself as the "world leader in insect ingredients," to foster "more sustainable protein production."
Via a direct equity investment, the American food giant will acquire a minority stake in Protix, and eventually create an "insect ingredient facility" to manufacture bug-based protein in the United States.In an October 17 statement, Tyson Foods revealed that when the proposed plant is completed, it will be "the first at-scale facility of its kind to upcycle food manufacturing byproducts into high-quality insect proteins and lipids which will primarily be used in the pet food, aquaculture, and livestock industries."
"Our partnership with Protix represents the latest strategic investment by Tyson Foods in groundbreaking solutions that drive added value to Tyson Foods’ business," said Chief Financial Officer John Tyson. "The insect lifecycle provides the opportunity for full circularity within our value chain, strengthening our commitment to building a more sustainable food system for the future."
The CEO of Protix, Kees Aarts, called the agreement "a major milestone for Protix and significantly accelerates our ambition to grow through international partnerships," and noted that the company could "immediately use [Tyson Foods'] existing byproducts as feedstock for our insects."Protix, founded in 2019, is one of the largest manufacturers of insect ingredients in the world, producing and processing 14,000 metric tons per year in the Netherlands. While most of its products are used in pet food, aquaculture feed, livestock feed and organic fertilizer industries, bug-based protein has been pushed for human consumption by some.
According to the Ecologist, many insects "provide high-quality complete protein," meaning they "contain all nine essential amino acids and are rich in fibre, iron and calcium." While many in the West have come out strongly in opposition to the idea of eating bugs, the idea has been touted by some for developing nations.-Jarryd Jaeger, The Post Millennial
French Politicians Are Already Using Potential Terror Threats To Call For Mass Facial Recognition Rollout
Surrounded by controversy, Laurent Wauquiez, president of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region and affiliated with the Les Républicains (LR), has raised eyebrows with his call for legislative amendments to facilitate the implementation of facial recognition in high schools. This proposal, aimed at beefing up security in educational institutions, has polarized opinions and ignited debates about privacy rights and surveillance boundaries.
On October 20, during a plenary assembly of the community, Wauquiez voiced his appeal, emphasizing the need to enhance security measures in response to the potential terrorist threats that could affect educators and students. He not only wishes to see stricter access control in French educational establishments but is also advocating for the widespread implementation of facial recognition software.
As an ardent supporter of this initiative, Wauquiez offers to collaborate with the French government by sharing their experience and effective strategies in bolstering high school security. Previous recommendations for experimental sites to the Minister of National Education, Gabriel Attal, attest to the president’s consistent interest in this sensitive topic.
Ignoring the criticism, Wauquiez asserts that legislative changes are the prerogative of elected officials, challenging the status quo of the counter-powers shaping democracy. He leverages the recent Arras tragedy, where a teacher was killed by a former pupil in an Islamist terror attack, to underscore his long-standing push for heightened security, reminding the public of his early efforts to install security gates in regional high schools.
-Ken Macon, Reclaim the Net
WW3 Fears Trigger American Panic-Buying Of 5.56 Ammo, Prices Surge 39% In A Week
As the Israel-Hamas war sparks fears of WW3, law-abiding Americans are streaming the chaos in Israel and Gaza on their smartphones or smart TVs and have come to one conclusion: It's time to panic buy ammo (just like during Covid).
New data from the ammo tracking website Ammo Prices Now shows 5.56×45mm NATO caliber ammunition listed online by popular brands has surged 39% in the past week, from .36 per round on Oct. 14 to .50 per round on Sunday.
The price spike is significantly larger than the move in early 2022 when Russia invaded Ukraine. Also, 223 Remington surged 42% last week.
Besides the Israel-Hamas war threatening to broaden into a regional conflict, Americans are also watching the Ukraine war and imploding US cities governed by radical progressives who could care less about law and order. All of these developments are stoking yet again another run on ammo.
Remember what Elon Musk said on X last week, "As tragic as the mass shootings are, armed citizens are essential to the defense of democracy."
... and don't forget when shit hits the fan, the government won't be there to save you.
-Tyler Durden, Zerohedge
Agro-food collapse: USDA gives US corn, soybean yields a major downward revision
With harvest fast approaching, the USDA has published significant downward revisions to its preliminary estimates of corn and soybean yields for the 2023/24 growing season.
What’s the reason for the revised numbers and how will grain markets be impacted?
-Strange Sounds
California “Skittles ban” prompts call to ban other CANCER-CAUSING food additives already BANNED in Europe
California has become the first state to take a major legal step in banning cancer-causing additive ingredients often used in food products. Now, health experts are encouraging the rest of the U.S. to also ban other potentially dangerous additives in different food products.
Governor Gavin Newsom signed the "Skittles ban" on Oct. 7.
Despite the name, the Skittles ban doesn't ban the candy called Skittles. Instead, it bans the use of four very common food additives that have been linked to health problems like kidney, thyroid and gastrointestinal cancer, and mood disorders.
These four ingredients are brominated vegetable oil, potassium bromate, propylparaben and red dye No. 3.
Some products that use these ingredients include:
Brach's Candy Corn
Cosmic Brownies
Hot Tamales Candy
Little Bites
Mountain Lightning
Peeps
Pez
Strawberry Yoo-hoo
Sun Drop Soda
However, there are other ingredients that, despite their known health risks and prohibition in European countries, are still present in foods Americans eat every day.
Dr. Carolyn Williams, a registered dietitian, emphasized that it's "about time legislation was enacted to protect Americans from harmful food additives."
Williams added that it's embarrassing that California had to [enact a ban] before the federal government because there are numerous studies about harmful ingredients and their "potential health risks."
None of the ingredients on the banned list are necessary in products but they are often cheaper, easier and faster to use in recipes. The ingredients also help manufacturers achieve more uniform products, but a natural ingredient could be used as a safer alternative.
Williams hopes other states will soon follow California's lead. She added that she also wants to see better regulation at the federal level.
Williams knows that significant change will take some time because the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) often takes several years to make changes. She added that there is "a lot of bureaucracy," with the FDA often requiring "overwhelming evidence" that a certain ingredient has a specific negative impact on health.
-Zoey Sky, Natural News
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