The main reason why Cheetos are banned in Germany is that a German food conglomerate called Intersnack holds the trademark for the word “Chitos”, which they use in many snacks. But the beloved, artificially reddish-orange flavour bomb still wouldn’t be able to sneak into Germany (or most of Europe) even if its name was changed. American Cheetos contain acrylamide, a potential carcinogen that’s strictly regulated in Europe but considered passable for consumption in the US. Read full article here
Societal Issues
To curb drug deaths, communities turn to Reddit, texts and wastewater
With drug overdose deaths on the rise, authorities are attempting to curb the epidemic by tracking and sharing information in real time. In one unique effort, a nonprofit in New York City is using drug-testing equipment and stamping or marking habits of dealers to identify drug batches that may endanger users. Other approaches are also being used, such as monitoring drug-related chatter on Reddit and analyzing local wastewater for opioid and other drug levels. With the combination of these efforts, researchers hope to put a dent in the opioid crisis and reduce overdose deaths. Read full article here
Merv
June 1, 2023
