Environmental Working Group

📢 FDA finally bans BVO! 🥤🚫 Join Iris Myers as she breaks down the latest FDA decision to ban brominated vegetable oil (BVO) from our food and drinks. Learn why this ban is a big win for our health and what it means for your favorite beverages. Read more: https://ewg.life/4cmrWHk #EWG #BVO #FoodSafety #Health #FDA #CleanEating

💧 Concerned about "forever chemicals" in your water?💧 Here's what you need to know. PFAS, found in many products, are linked to immune damage, fetal harm, reduced vaccine effectiveness, and cancer. They also contaminate the water supply of 70 million people. The EPA recently set new legal limits for the amount allowed in our drinking water, but that will take years to fully be in effect. Here is what you can do in the meantime: 🚰 Check your water quality with EWG’s Tap Water Database. Enter your ZIP code to see if your water is affected and get detailed reports on contaminants. 🗺️ Explore EWG’s interactive map to view PFAS contamination in your area and across the U.S. The map is updated with new findings to keep you informed. 🔍 Protect yourself with a home water filter. Reverse osmosis filters are highly effective but can be pricey. EWG’s research shows many countertop filters also reduce PFAS levels. 🛠️ Maintain your filter according to manufacturer instructions and replace it regularly for the best protection. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/eTBkDRTA hashtag#PFAS hashtag#WaterSafety hashtag#EWG hashtag#Health hashtag#WaterQuality hashtag#StaySafe hashtag#ForeverChemicals hashtag#HomeWaterFilter

🌾 EWG's Alex Formuzis and Geoff Horsfield explain the Farm Bill and why it matters 🌾 The Farm Bill isn't just about farming; it impacts food assistance programs like SNAP, farm subsidies, and climate change efforts. If the House version passes: ☢️ Pesticides could be sprayed near playgrounds and schools without warning, harming children and the environment. 💲 Rich farmers would get richer, diverting $30 billion from SNAP to large farms, making it harder for small, Black, and young farmers. ���� Climate-smart agriculture funding that helps farmers would be cut, reversing progress on pollution and soil health. Read more: https://ewg.life/3WqLy7v 🌍✊ #FarmBill #FoodSafety #ClimateAction

Oil companies have known about their catastrophic impact on climate change since the 1950s and lied about it. Now, they're lying about their commitment to fix it. Who will hold them accountable? Tune in as Ken, Missy, and Richard discuss suing Big Oil for climate damages and their hopes for the future. 🌍🎙️ Listen here: https://ewg.life/4cIuqA9 #ClimateCrisis #BigOil #ClimateJustice #Podcast

Protect yourself from the sun this summer without breaking the bank! 🌞💰 Experts recommend wearing sunscreen every day you plan to be outside. These EWG Verified sunscreen picks are not only under $20, but also EWG scientist-approved for their sun protection and are free from ingredients of concern. All of these options can be found on their respective store sites and other retailers, like Target and Amazon. Click here to see the full list and find your new favorite sunscreen: https://ewg.life/3WqF2xR #EWGVerified #Sunscreen #SunProtection #HealthySkin #EWG

The “Sephora kids” trend is booming, but many skincare products aren't safe for tweens. Our 2023 survey found that young people are avid users of skincare and cosmetics. But many products aren't designed for their delicate skin and can do more harm than good. 🚫 Retinol, Vitamin C, and exfoliating acids may be great for adults, but for tweens, they can cause irritation, dryness, and other issues. Swipe through to learn about safer young skincare options and check out EWG’s Skin Deep database to find products free from harsh ingredients! Read more: https://ewg.life/4f2dGFu #CleanBeautyDay #SafeSkincare #EWGVerified #HealthySkin #TweenSkincare #BeautyTrends

🌞🍦During the summer almost nothing beats enjoying a sunny day with creamy ice cream or tart popsicle! But did you know some of these tasty treats might contain harmful food chemicals? 🚫🧪 Watch out for: ❗Titanium Dioxide - Used to add shine and brightness ❗Red No. 3 - A synthetic dye to make foods more colorful What can you do? Check Labels: Avoid products with Red 3, titanium dioxide, “artificial color,” or “color added.” 🔍 Use Alternatives: EWG’s Food Scores database helps find safer options. ✅ Choose Organic: Organic foods meet strong standards, free from harmful additives. 🌿 Let’s enjoy our summer treats safely! 🍨✨ Note: Nanoparticles do not permeate skin. Titanium dioxide is safe in sunscreen due to its large particle size and external application, which prevents significant skin absorption. Read more: https://ewg.life/4cHDFRa #SummerSafety #FoodChemicals #HealthyChoices

Several food brands have recently chosen to abandon their antibiotic-free commitments, opting instead for practices that could compromise consumer health and help factory farms expand. Antibiotics help fight infections, but using them too much can make them less effective over time. This can make it harder to treat infections in people, which is a big concern for everyone's well-being. Prophylactic antibiotic use is when they're given to healthy animals to prevent the onset of bacterial infections due to factors like close confinement, transportation, or stressful conditions. The rationale behind abandoning antibiotic-free practices often revolves around cost savings and supply chain concerns. However, the consequences are far-reaching. Antibiotic-resistant bacteria can spread through the food chain, causing infections that are difficult or impossible to treat with antibiotics if not adequately cooked, and potentially lead to death. Consumers can only be sure meat is raised without prophylactic antibiotics if the Department of Agriculture regulates food packaging claims, or if consumers choose organic or plant-based options. Links: https://ewg.life/3RXmbYz https://ewg.life/4eZDkuo https://ewg.life/4cWJb22 https://ewg.life/4faQrcz #Antibiotics #Poultry #Chickfila #Tyson #Ag #Agriculture #Food #USDA #FDA

BVO. Perfectly safe — right up until it’s banned 🤦 Today, the FDA announced a long overdue ban of brominated vegetable oil (BVO) in food, marking a major, if not belated, win for public health. Studies have shown BVO can harm the nervous system, and it’s banned from drinks sold in Europe and Japan. In the US, California led the charge with its Food Safety Act banning BVO in 2023. It used to be found in a wide range of citrus-flavored drinks, until a 2012 change.org petition brought attention to the health problems relating to BVO. Under market pressure, many brands removed it from their products. But BVO is still often found in so-called off-brand products, including store-brand products and lesser-known, smaller brands that are sometimes sold regionally. As author of the California Food Safety Act, Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel said: “While the FDA’s announcement is a step forward, allowing BVO to remain in foods for so long despite clear evidence of harm highlights a glaring failure in our food safety system. The FDA must act quickly to expedite its reviews and do more to remove harmful and toxic chemicals from our food supply”. What can you do? ✅ Check labels to reduce exposure to harmful chemicals. ✅ Visit EWG’s Guide to Food Additives and Food Scores to learn more about what’s in the food you are consuming! More on BVO here: https://ewg.life/4cmrWHk #FDA #FoodSafety #BVOBan #EWG #HealthyChoices

Planning a summer BBQ soon? Here are a few tips for a expanding your BBQ menu: 🌽 Grill a variety of veggies for a colorful and nutritious feast. 🍅 Watch out for condiments with artificial dyes and excess sugar. 🍔 Choose natural or organic meats to avoid harmful additives. Other tips to stay safe while enjoying your BBQ: ☀️ Plan your cookout for late afternoon to avoid the strongest sun. 🧴 Use EWG’s Guides to Sunscreens and Bug Repellents for the best protection. 🫧 Head to EWG’s Guide to Healthy Cleaning find a low hazard grill cleaner. Enjoy delicious and healthy BBQs while being kind to your body and the planet! 🌭🍔🍉 Read More: https://ewg.life/4ePlc6l #MemorialDay #GrillSmart #EWG #HealthyLiving #PlantBased #SummerBBQ