Current Events in November 2024

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has sent a warning letter to Tom’s of Maine, telling the personal care products company that FDA inspectors found a “mold-like” substance at its plant, along with other safety violations.

The black mold-like substance was found at the base of the hose reel and behind the water storage tank, according to the FDA inspector’s report.

“Your firm failed to follow appropriate written procedures, designed to prevent objectionable microorganisms in drug products not required to be sterile (21 CFR 211.113(a)),” the FDA wrote in a letter to Tom’s of Maine CEO Noel Wallace.

Bacteria in the water supply

The FDA said it found several types of bacteria in the water supply and the company’s plant in Sanford, Maine. It identified the bacteria as  Paracoccus yeei,  Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Ralstonia insidiosa. 

Pseudomonas aeruginosa can cause blood, lung and urinary tract infections. Ralstonia insidiosa can lead to sepsis.

Of concern to the FDA inspector who filed the report, the company used the bacteria-tainted water to clean equipment at the plant. 

Tom's of Maine is known for products such as toothpaste, mouthwash and lip balms. Founded as an independent disrupter in the personal care products space, it is now owned by Colgate-Palmolive, which gives the products wide distribution.

In a statement to the news media, Tom’s of Maine said it is working with the FDA to resolve all of the issues noted in the warning letter.

If a new iPhone is on your Christmas list, there’s something you should know. Porch pirates may have hacked into AT&T tracking data to swipe the devices almost as soon as they are delivered.

CNET, a technology website, reports there appears to be a correlation between iPhones ordered from AT&T and delivered by FedEx and the rash of iPhone thefts. According to the report, the thefts have mostly occurred on the East Coast in New York, Massachusetts, Florida, Texas, Virginia, Georgia and Pennsylvania.

In a few cases, the thieves – mostly teens and young adults – have been nabbed. They reportedly followed the delivery vehicle and grabbed the packages seconds after they were delivered.

It’s not clear how they knew what was in the package or if it continued something valuable, but CNET says there could be two ways. 

“First, these thieves are somehow getting tracking numbers or similar tracking information for iPhone deliveries, so they get real-time updates about when and where packages are delivered, allowing them to swoop in the moment the package status changes,” CNET said in its report.

The second way could be just as important. AT&T apparently does not require a signature for high-value items that are delivered to doorsteps. The driver drops off the package and leaves.

How to protect yourself

AT&T hasn’t commented on the speculation but consumers ordering an iPhone or anything of value should take steps to protect their purchases. The best protection is to have the package delivered to a secure location, such as where you work.

If possible, request that the delivery company obtain a signature and not simply drop it off on the porch.

Some retailers, such as Walgreens and Dollar General, accept packages delivered by FedEx. If there is a store near you, that could be an option.

Installing a security camera may not provide that much protection. Thieves usually cover their face and cameras don’t seem to deter them. And if they are able to track the delivery with inside information, they – and the package – are gone in a flash.

A study by Florida Atlantic University found that alcohol-related deaths in the U.S. nearly doubled between 1999 and 2020, rising from 10.7 to 21.6 per 100,000 people. Total deaths increased from 19,356 to 48,870 during this period.

Key findings include:

• Deaths among those aged 25–34 increased nearly fourfold.
• Individuals aged 55–64 had the highest death rates.
• Men experienced higher overall death rates, but women saw the largest relative increase, with deaths rising from 4.8 to 12 per 100,000.
• Asian and Pacific Islander communities and the Midwest region experienced the steepest increases.

Researchers highlight gender differences, noting that women may be more vulnerable to alcohol’s effects due to body composition and metabolism. Social changes and targeted marketing have also contributed to increased alcohol consumption among women.

The study emphasizes the need for targeted interventions to address factors like obesity, diabetes, and mental health, which worsen alcohol-related risks.

Health care providers are encouraged to screen for alcohol use and address coexisting conditions to reduce the impact of alcohol on premature deaths and cardiovascular disease.

Alcohol consumption varies significantly by region worldwide and in the U.S. According to 2019 data, Latvia had the highest annual per capita consumption at 13.2 liters, followed by France at 12.2 and the U.S. at 10.

Descriptive data on mortality reveal complex links between alcohol use and premature deaths. Latvia, for example, leads in alcohol consumption and ranks third in total deaths, while France, despite high alcohol consumption, has low cardiovascular mortality but high rates of cirrhosis and liver cancer.

In contrast, Russian men have high alcohol consumption and an elevated rate of cardiovascular mortality. These patterns illustrate the complex interrelationships of alcohol consumption, premature death and disease, regardless of the beverage type.

“Both globally and in the U.S., high levels of alcohol consumption are closely linked to premature deaths and disability,” said Charles H. Hennekens of FAU.

“The difference between consuming small amounts of alcohol daily and larger amounts could be the difference between preventing and causing premature death. One immediate effect of alcohol is liver damage, and in the U.S., the rising rates of obesity and diabetes also contribute to early liver damage,” he said.

The study was published in The American Journal of Medicine.