12/10/25 - #540

Good morning. In today’s edition:

• Shredded Cheese Sold at Walmart, Publix and Other Grocery Stores Recalled Due to Metal Fragments

• Semaglutide Fails to Slow Progression of Alzheimer’s in Highly Anticipated Trials, Novo Nordisk Says

• Insurance Coverage of Hepatitis B Vaccine Won’t Change, Industry and Officials Say

• Noninvasive Imaging Could Replace Finger Pricks for People With Diabetes. MIT Engineers Show They Can Accurately Measure Blood Glucose by Shining Near-infrared Light on the Skin

…and lots more. Have a great day!

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FOOD & NUTRITION

Shredded Cheese Sold at Walmart, Publix and Other Grocery Stores Recalled Due to Metal Fragments

Over 1 million bags of shredded cheese have been recalled because they may contain small pieces of metal. The cheese was made by Great Lakes Cheese Co. in Ohio and sold in 31 states and Puerto Rico. Stores that sold the recalled products include Walmart, Publix, Aldi, Target, H-E-B, Sprouts, and Food Lion.

The recall includes many kinds of shredded cheese, like mozzarella, Italian blends, and pizza-style cheese. Some of the store brands involved are Great Value (Walmart), Good & Gather (Target), Happy Farms (Aldi), and Food Club. The affected cheese was sold in sizes from 8-ounce bags to 5-pound bulk packs.

The FDA says this is a “Class II” recall. That means eating the cheese could cause short-term health problems, but serious harm is not likely.

The recalled cheese has sell-by dates from January through late March 2026. If you have any of this cheese, check the label and UPC code. You can find the full list of recalled items on the FDA’s website.

If your cheese is on the list, don’t eat it. Throw it away or return it to the store for a refund.

No injuries have been reported so far. But it’s still important to check your fridge and stay safe.

For questions or more information, visit FDA.gov.

Tip: If you feel sick after eating any of the recalled cheese, call your doctor. It’s better to be safe than sorry.

Source: cbsnews.com

WEIGHT LOSS

Semaglutide Fails to Slow Progression of Alzheimer’s in Highly Anticipated Trials, Novo Nordisk Says

A pill version of semaglutide, the main ingredient in Ozempic and Wegovy, did not help slow Alzheimer’s disease in two major studies, drugmaker Novo Nordisk said.

The trials included more than 3,800 adults with early Alzheimer’s. Some took semaglutide, while others took a placebo. Everyone also received standard care. The pill was safe and showed some signs of improving Alzheimer’s-related markers in the brain. But it did not stop the disease from getting worse.

Semaglutide is best known as a drug for diabetes and weight loss. Some smaller studies had raised hopes that it might also help with brain conditions like Alzheimer’s. But this new research shows it may not work for that purpose.

Novo Nordisk said they knew the chance of success was low, but they wanted to explore every possible option for such a serious disease. The company will now stop the one-year extension of the trial.

Experts say these results don’t mean the end for GLP-1 drugs and brain research. More studies are still looking at whether these drugs might help prevent Alzheimer’s before it starts.

The Alzheimer’s Association said it supports more research on GLP-1 drugs. Some scientists think these drugs might work better to prevent brain problems rather than treat them after they appear.

Novo Nordisk’s stock dropped after the news. The company is also facing more competition in the weight loss drug market and recently lowered prices for some people paying out of pocket.

Source: edition.cnn.com

HEALTH

Insurance Coverage of Hepatitis B Vaccine Won’t Change, Industry and Officials Say

Parents may be worried about vaccine costs after a recent change, but health experts say insurance will still pay for the hepatitis B shot.

The CDC’s vaccine advisers voted to stop recommending the hepatitis B vaccine for all newborns. Instead, if a mother tests negative for hepatitis B, she should talk to a doctor before her baby gets the shot. Babies who don’t get the vaccine at birth may wait until they are at least 2 months old.

This change has caused confusion. Some people are worried fewer babies will get vaccinated. Others were concerned that insurance companies might stop paying for the vaccine.

But major insurance groups, including Blue Cross Blue Shield and AHIP, say they will keep covering all vaccines that were recommended earlier in 2025. There will be no cost to parents through at least 2026. Medicaid and the Vaccines for Children program will also still pay for the shot.

Experts say the Affordable Care Act still requires private insurance to pay for recommended vaccines. That rule has not changed. Even if parents now have to talk to a doctor before getting certain shots, it doesn’t affect what insurance covers.

The CDC will make the final decision on this recommendation, but it usually follows the advice of its vaccine committee.

Bottom line: Parents can still get the hepatitis B vaccine for their babies at no cost.

Disclaimer: This article is for general information only. Talk to your doctor or insurance provider for personal advice.

Source: edition.cnn.com

Noninvasive Imaging Could Replace Finger Pricks for People With Diabetes. MIT Engineers Show They Can Accurately Measure Blood Glucose by Shining Near-infrared Light on the Skin

Checking blood sugar is a daily task for many people with diabetes. Most do this by pricking their finger, which can be painful and annoying. But a new device made by MIT may change that.

MIT engineers have built a machine that checks blood sugar without using needles. It shines a special light called near-infrared light onto the skin. Then it measures how the light bounces back. This process, called Raman spectroscopy, shows the amount of sugar in the blood.

In a test with a healthy person, the device gave results close to those from common glucose monitors that go under the skin. The current version is about the size of a shoebox, but a smaller, wearable version is already being tested.

Most devices like this need to read hundreds of light signals. But the MIT team found they only needed three key signals to get good results. This made the device smaller, faster, and less expensive.

Each test takes about 30 seconds. In one study, the person drank two sugar drinks, and the device was able to track the rise and fall in blood sugar.

The goal is to make it easier for people to check their levels often—without pain. Less finger pricking may help people manage their diabetes better.

A larger study with people who have diabetes is planned for next year. If the results stay strong, this new device could become a helpful tool for millions.

Source: news.mit.edu

✢ 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.