04/14/25 - #368

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Good morning. In today’s edition:

  • Butter Recalled in 7 States Over Possible Fecal Contamination

  • Trump Drops Biden's Proposal for Medicare to Cover Obesity Drugs Like Wegovy and Zepbound

  • Adult ADHD Prescriptions Still on the Rise, Especially Among Older Women

  • Two Mixtures of Common Food Additives (Aspartame, Sucralose, Xanthan and Guar Gums, Modified Starches, Carrageenan and Citric Acid) Linked With Increased Risk of Type 2 Diabetes. First Found in Broth, Dairy Desserts, Fats, and Sauces and Second in Artificially Sweetened Beverages and Sugary Drinks

…and lots more. Have a great day!

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FOOD & NUTRITION

Butter Recalled in 7 States Over Possible Fecal Contamination

Cabot Creamery has recalled 1,700 pounds of butter after testing found high levels of coliform bacteria—an indicator that fecal contamination may have occurred. The recall includes the brand’s 8-ounce Extra Creamy Premium Sea Salted Butter.

The butter was sold in Vermont, New York, Pennsylvania, Maine, Connecticut, New Hampshire, and Arkansas. Most of the affected butter—99.5%—was recovered before reaching customers. Only 17 packages were actually sold, all in Vermont. No illnesses have been reported.

Coliform bacteria are common in the environment, but their presence in food can signal unsanitary conditions during production. This raises concerns about harmful bacteria like E. coli or salmonella, which can cause serious stomach problems. Older adults are especially at risk for complications.

The butter was packaged in boxes containing two 4-ounce sticks. The affected packages have a best-by date of September 9, 2025, lot number 090925-055, and UPC code 0 78354 62038 0.

The FDA has classified this recall as Class III, meaning the risk is low. Still, if you purchased this butter, do not eat it. Return it to the store or throw it away.

Agri-Mark, Cabot’s parent company, said the problem has been fixed and no other products are affected. They continue to monitor their products closely.

If you live in one of the affected states, check your fridge to stay safe. Always watch for recall notices—it’s one of the best ways to protect your health.

WEIGHT LOSS

Trump Drops Biden's Proposal for Medicare to Cover Obesity Drugs Like Wegovy and Zepbound

President Donald Trump has ended a proposal from the Biden administration that would have allowed Medicare to pay for expensive weight loss drugs like Wegovy and Zepbound.

These drugs help people lose weight but cost about $1,000 a month without insurance. Biden’s plan would have made it easier for people with obesity to get these medications through Medicare. Obesity is defined as having a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher.

The idea was to help millions of Americans get access to these drugs. But the plan was expected to cost the government $35 billion over nine years. Since the rule wasn’t final when Trump took office, his team decided to stop it.

Right now, Medicare and many insurance plans don’t cover weight loss drugs unless a person has other serious health problems, like diabetes or heart disease. Because of the high cost, many people can’t afford them on their own.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services said they may still look into covering these drugs in the future. But for now, there is no change.

Wegovy is made by Novo Nordisk. Zepbound is made by Eli Lilly. After Trump’s decision was announced, the stock prices of both companies dropped slightly.

This change may affect older adults who are overweight and hoping for help. Without Medicare coverage, many may still struggle to afford these new treatments.

The drug companies did not respond to requests for comment on the decision.

HEALTH

Adult ADHD Prescriptions Still on the Rise, Especially Among Older Women

More women over age 35 are now getting treatment for ADHD. A new study found that prescriptions for ADHD drugs like Adderall and Ritalin have gone up a lot since 2019—especially for women ages 35 to 64.

In 2019, about 1.2 million women in this age group were prescribed stimulants. By 2022, that number grew to 1.7 million. Experts believe this may be due to better awareness and more telehealth visits during the pandemic.

The study, published in JAMA Psychiatry, also looked at how these medications are being misused. Misuse means taking more than prescribed, taking it at the wrong time, or using pills from someone else.

Overall, about 25% of adults with ADHD prescriptions said they misused them. Around 9% had signs of addiction. But women ages 35 to 64 were the least likely to misuse their medicine—only about 14% did, compared to 22% of men and 37% of younger women.

There are three main types of ADHD stimulants: amphetamines (like Adderall), methamphetamines (like Desoxyn), and methylphenidates (like Ritalin). People who took amphetamines or methamphetamines were more likely to misuse them than those who took Ritalin.

Doctors aren’t sure why prescriptions are rising so fast in older women. Some experts say girls may be missed when young because their symptoms are more subtle than boys’.

More research is needed to understand this trend and help make sure people get the care they need safely.

Two Mixtures of Common Food Additives (Aspartame, Sucralose, Xanthan and Guar Gums, Modified Starches, Carrageenan and Citric Acid) Linked With Increased Risk of Type 2 Diabetes. First Found in Broth, Dairy Desserts, Fats, and Sauces and Second in Artificially Sweetened Beverages and Sugary Drinks

A large study from France found that two mixtures of common food additives may be linked to a slightly higher risk of type 2 diabetes.

The researchers looked at the diets of over 108,000 adults. They found that people who ate more of two certain additive mixes had a higher chance of getting diabetes. These mixes included aspartame, sucralose, xanthan gum, guar gum, modified starches, carrageenan, and citric acid.

The first mix is found in processed foods like broth, dairy desserts, fats, and sauces. The second mix is often in diet and sugary drinks.

This type of study, called an observational study, cannot prove that the additives cause diabetes. It only shows that there may be a link. Still, many health experts say that eating fewer processed foods is always a good idea.

Ultra-processed foods are made in factories and often contain many added ingredients to change taste, color, or texture. These foods can be low in fiber and high in sugar, salt, and fat.

Experts recommend eating more fresh or whole foods, like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean meats. These foods are better for blood sugar, heart health, and weight control.

This study was published in PLOS Medicine. It was paid for by public health groups and universities in Europe, and the researchers were not paid by food companies.

If you're over 45 and worried about diabetes, watching your diet and avoiding highly processed foods may help lower your risk.

✢ A Note From Hem Hero

The information in this health newsletter is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment; always consult your healthcare provider with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your health. The publishers are not responsible for any actions taken by the reader based on the information provided.