05/30/25 - #402

Good morning. In today’s edition:

  • The Food Recall System is Broken, and Experts Say We’re All at Risk

  • One Suggestion for Weight Control is to Eat Slowly. Bento Meals, Typically Eaten With Chopsticks, Led to Longer Mealtimes and More Chewing Than Fast Food Like Pizza. First Study to Isolate Meal Structure as Key Factor in Eating Speed, Offering Strategy to Combat Obesity and Promote Mindful Eating

  • Measles Jumps Borders in North America With Outbreaks in Canada, Mexico and U.S.

  • Don’t Hit Snooze on New Research About Waking up Each Morning: Researchers Find Hitting Snooze Is Bad for Your Sleep

…and lots more. Have a great day!

FOOD & NUTRITION

The Food Recall System is Broken, and Experts Say We’re All at Risk

When a food recall is announced, many people never hear about it until it’s too late. Experts say the current recall system is slow and confusing — and it’s putting lives at risk.

At the 2025 Food Safety Summit, health officials warned that serious recalls can take three to five weeks — or longer — to be officially posted by the FDA. That means unsafe food may stay on store shelves or in home kitchens for weeks before people are warned.

Even when a recall is announced, most Americans miss the message. Studies show only 13% of people visit recall websites, and just 3% get email or text alerts. Many recalls use vague language like “out of caution” or “no illnesses yet,” which can make the problem seem less serious than it is.

The biggest issue? Communication. Many notices are hard to understand, written in legal language, and available only in English. People may not know how to check lot numbers, or their food may not have clear labels. Experts say low-income and immigrant communities are especially at risk.

Companies are also slow to speak up. Many avoid using social media to spread recall alerts because they fear bad publicity.

The FDA admits it needs to do better. Officials say the focus must now be on speed and clear messaging — not just more alerts.

As food safety expert Dr. Darin Detwiler said, “Delays cost lives. We can’t keep waiting for the perfect system. We need a real one that works.”

WEIGHT LOSS

One Suggestion for Weight Control is to Eat Slowly. Bento Meals, Typically Eaten With Chopsticks, Led to Longer Mealtimes and More Chewing Than Fast Food Like Pizza. First Study to Isolate Meal Structure as Key Factor in Eating Speed, Offering Strategy to Combat Obesity and Promote Mindful Eating

A new study from Japan may have found a simple way to help people eat less and feel fuller—just eat more meals like a traditional Japanese bento.

Researchers at Fujita Health University studied 41 adults who ate different meals over several weeks. They found that people who ate bento-style meals—served in small portions and eaten with chopsticks—took more time to eat and chewed more than when they ate fast food like pizza.

While pizza was eaten quickly with fewer chews, the bento meals encouraged slower eating and more mindful habits. Even the order of eating (vegetables first or last) didn’t matter as much as the meal type. The structure of the meal—smaller bites, separate items, and using chopsticks—naturally slowed people down.

The study also found that chewing speed is hard to change since it’s mostly controlled by the brain. But the total time spent eating and number of chews can be influenced by meal type.

This is good news for people looking to manage their weight. Eating slowly helps the body feel full with less food. Choosing meals that take longer to eat may help prevent overeating—without needing to count calories.

So if you’re trying to eat healthier, skip the fast food and try meals that encourage slower eating. Bento boxes may be a smart and simple way to support weight control and better digestion—one bite at a time.

HEALTH

Measles Jumps Borders in North America With Outbreaks in Canada, Mexico and U.S.

Measles is spreading across North America, with big outbreaks in Canada, Mexico, and the United States. So far, more than 2,500 cases have been reported. At least four people have died.

The outbreak started in Ontario, Canada, last fall. It quickly spread to Texas and New Mexico, then across the border into Mexico. Alberta now has 170 cases. El Paso, Texas, has 38, and Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, has 14. In the Mexican state of Chihuahua, there are 786 cases.

Many cases are linked to Mennonite communities that travel between the three countries. One case started when a sick child visited family in Texas, got infected, and went back to school in Mexico.

Measles spreads easily, especially when people travel. In El Paso, more than half of the cases are in adults. Free vaccines are now being given at clinics, malls, and parks—no ID or insurance is needed.

Ontario now has over 1,000 cases, mostly near the Michigan border. Michigan health officials found four cases in Montcalm County, likely linked to Ontario. Even though Michigan’s vaccine rate is high overall, some schools have much lower rates, which puts people at risk.

Experts say measles is spreading again because fewer people are getting vaccinated. To stop outbreaks, 95% of people need to be protected.

Measles does not stop at borders. With more travel and low vaccine rates in some places, the risk of spread remains high. The best protection is getting the measles vaccine.

Don’t Hit Snooze on New Research About Waking up Each Morning: Researchers Find Hitting Snooze Is Bad for Your Sleep

Many people hit the snooze button to get a few more minutes of sleep. But new research shows this habit may be bad for your sleep and health.

A study from Mass General Brigham looked at sleep data from over 21,000 people. More than half used the snooze button. Some people hit snooze almost every morning and spent around 20 extra minutes in bed. The study found that snoozing was more common on weekdays than weekends.

People in the U.S., Sweden, and Germany hit snooze the most. People in Japan and Australia used it the least. Short sleepers—those getting five or fewer hours—used the snooze button less. This may be because they had to get up right away for work or other duties.

Dr. Rebecca Robbins, a sleep expert, says that snoozing can hurt your sleep. The last part of sleep is important for memory and mood. This part is called REM sleep. Hitting snooze breaks up this deep sleep. Instead of helping, it may leave you feeling more tired.

Robbins suggests setting your alarm for the latest time you can and getting up right away. This helps protect the quality of your sleep and gives you a better start to the day.

If you want to feel more rested, try skipping the snooze. Waking up on the first alarm may be hard at first, but your body and brain will thank you.

✢ 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.