07/15/25 - #434

Good morning. In today’s edition:

  • FDA Issues Highest Risk Warning for Nationwide Chocolate Recall

  • "Food Noise is Persistent Thoughts About Food That Are Perceived... As Being Unwanted and/or Dysphoric and May Cause Harm to the Individual, Including Social, Mental, or Physical Problems. Food Noise is Distinguished From Routine Food-related Thoughts by Its Intensity and Intrusiveness..."

  • The US Just Recorded the Most Measles Cases in 30 Years

  • Scientists Demonstrate How a Weak Handgrip Can Accurately Correlate With Numerous Diseases and Poor Performance of Daily Chores Among Older Adults. Diseases Include Ailments Like Depression, High Blood Pressure, Diabetes Mellitus, Alzheimer’s Disease, and Osteoarthritis

…and lots more. Have a great day!

FOOD & NUTRITION

FDA Issues Highest Risk Warning for Nationwide Chocolate Recall

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued its highest risk warning for a nationwide chocolate recall. Weaver Nut Company, based in Pennsylvania, is recalling some of its semi-sweet chocolate nonpareils because they may contain milk that isn’t listed on the label.

The FDA gave this recall a Class I risk level. This means the product could cause serious health problems or even death, especially for people who are allergic to milk.

Milk is one of the nine major food allergens. People with milk allergies can have mild symptoms like hives or more serious ones like trouble breathing or anaphylaxis, which can be life-threatening.

The recall includes two types of semi-sweet chocolate nonpareils: Christmas Seeds and White Seeds. These products were sold across the U.S. in many stores. Lot numbers include 204206, 204207, 204208, 204209, and several others.

The problem was found after a customer noticed something was wrong. Lab tests later showed the chocolates did contain milk, even though the label said they didn’t. As of June 17, no illnesses had been reported.

Weaver Nut Company said it is working with the FDA to make sure its products are safe. The FDA reminds people with food allergies to always read labels carefully.

If you bought these chocolates and have a milk allergy, don’t eat them. Return them to the store or throw them away.

Food allergies are serious. Always stay alert and double-check what you eat.

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WEIGHT LOSS

"Food Noise is Persistent Thoughts About Food That Are Perceived... As Being Unwanted and/or Dysphoric and May Cause Harm to the Individual, Including Social, Mental, or Physical Problems. Food Noise is Distinguished From Routine Food-related Thoughts by Its Intensity and Intrusiveness..."

Food noise is when thoughts about food keep coming into your mind and won’t go away. These thoughts can feel stressful or unwanted. People with food noise may worry about what they eat, how much they eat, or whether they’re eating the “right” way. Unlike normal meal planning, food noise feels hard to control and can cause anxiety, guilt, or shame.

Researchers now define food noise as ongoing, unwanted thoughts about food that can affect your mental, physical, or social health. It’s not just thinking about your next meal—it’s more like constant mental chatter that takes up space in your mind and makes it hard to focus on other things.

Many people with food noise are trying to lose weight or follow a strict diet. Some say food noise makes it hard to stick to healthy habits. Interestingly, people who take GLP-1 medications, like semaglutide, for weight loss often report that their food noise becomes quiet or goes away.

Doctors and scientists are working on new tools to measure food noise. One tool is called the RAID-FN Inventory. It may help identify who is struggling with food noise and how to treat it.

Food noise is not yet fully understood, but early research shows it could play a big role in weight control and mental well-being. If food takes up too much space in your mind, you’re not alone—and help may be on the way.

HEALTH

The US Just Recorded the Most Measles Cases in 30 Years

Measles cases in the U.S. are the highest they’ve been since 1992. So far in 2025, over 1,200 people have gotten sick. Most cases are in Texas, New Mexico, and Oklahoma, but the virus has spread to other states, too. Three people have died — the first U.S. measles deaths in 10 years.

Summer camps and vacations could make the outbreak worse. Measles spreads very easily, especially in places where people are close together. The CDC asked camps to check if campers are vaccinated and to watch for signs like rash or fever.

Measles is more than just a rash. It can lead to pneumonia, brain swelling, and even death. About 1 in 5 people with measles need to go to the hospital. It’s most dangerous for babies, pregnant women, and people with weak immune systems.

The best way to stay safe is to get the MMR vaccine. It protects against measles, mumps, and rubella. Two doses work 97% of the time. Most kids get their first shot at 1 year old and the second between ages 4 and 6. If you’re unsure if you got both doses, talk to your doctor. A blood test can check your immunity.

Even if you’ve been vaccinated, it’s still smart to stay alert. If measles is spreading in your area, take extra care. If you're traveling this summer, be aware of outbreaks.

Measles is serious — but vaccines can stop it. Protect yourself and your family.

Scientists Demonstrate How a Weak Handgrip Can Accurately Correlate With Numerous Diseases and Poor Performance of Daily Chores Among Older Adults. Diseases Include Ailments Like Depression, High Blood Pressure, Diabetes Mellitus, Alzheimer’s Disease, and Osteoarthritis

A new study shows that a weak handgrip may be a sign of health problems in people over age 50. Researchers found that a weaker grip was linked to conditions like depression, high blood pressure, diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, and joint pain from osteoarthritis.

The study was done by scientists from the University of Sharjah and looked at nearly 18,000 adults in Europe. These adults lived in their own homes and were at least 50 years old. The study found that people with a weak grip also had trouble doing daily tasks like getting dressed, climbing stairs, or standing up from a chair.

Doctors often test handgrip strength to check overall muscle health. A weak grip may mean the muscles are getting weaker with age. The researchers also found that men tend to lose grip strength faster than women after age 60.

Other risk factors for a weak grip included being overweight and having more than one health problem. People with a weaker grip were also more likely to have a lower quality of life and a higher risk of death.

This study is important because it used a large group of people from 12 countries. The results can help doctors spot early warning signs of illness. A simple handgrip test could help find health problems before they get worse.

The findings may also help health leaders make better plans to care for older adults and support healthy aging.

✢ 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.