Food coloring linked to hyperactivity, says advocacy group

Fruit Roll-ups get their ‘fruity’ colors from Yellow 5, Yellow 6, Red 40 and Blue 1 - artifical food colorings. The ’blueberries’ in Aunt Jemima waffles are blue because they contain a mix of Red 40 and Blue 2. And Kraft’s guacamole dip is green, but not from avocados - from a combination of Yellow 5, Yellow 6 and Blue 1. Read more

Decoding produce stickers: organic? genetically modified?

Pregnancy is the time when you have most control over your child’s health -  and it’s a time when many women start to seriously seek out organic foods and produce. Grocers typically do a good job of highlighting the organics, and keeping them separate from conventionally grown (i.e., made with pesticides). But do you ever wonder if regular produce gets tossed in with the organic? Or if there’s genetically modified produce in the bunch? Read more

Under-vaccinating your child by choice?

The Centers for Disease Control issued a statement that indicated 20 percent of our 2-year-olds are under-vaccinated. ABC News and others reported on the announcement, saying that kids are missing vaccines but, also, that they are receiving vaccinations at the wrong time and the wrong interval. Read more

Tupperware identifies plastics with BPA in its product line

We think it took quite a bit of consumer prodding after the news of bisphenol-A  hit, but we’re thrilled that Tupperware has released a chart that identifies the types of plastics used in its product line. A link to the chart is posted after the jump.

Tupperware representatives got in touch with us to report that a material identification chart had been posted online. A quick look reveals that a number of collections - Ice Prisms, Microsteamer, Microwave Cooker and others - are made of polycarbonate plastic (the type the National Toxicology Program report has flagged as having “some concern” for leaching bisphenol-A). The majority of Tupperware products, though, are apparently made of polypropylene, LDPE and other plastics thought to be safe. Read more

Spring allergies? Don’t fight them, flush them…

Spring allergy season is beginning to hit, and it can make outdoor playtime a real bear. But did you know there is a good, natural alternative to allergy medicines?

A story in the Wall Street Journal this week reports on nasal irrigation - a thousand-year-old practice that’s a helpful, inexpensive natural treatment for allergy symptoms. It’s a great first-line treatment if you’re not too keen on loading your kids with meds each spring - or if you’re pregnant. Read more