In a long-awaited move by food safety experts, the Food and Drug Administration announced today that it will ban red dye No. 3 in foods.
The FDA has known for years that this petroleum-based artificial dye has been shown to cause cancer in animals. Several studies have also linked the use of red dye number 3, also called erythrosine, to hyperactivity and other neurobehavioral effects in children.
Back in 1990, the FDA banned the use of red dye number 3 in cosmetics after evidence of its potential dangers began to accumulate. However, for complex bureaucratic reasons, the dye continued to be permitted in foods and the food industry continued to claim that it was safe for consumption. Over the years, Red Coloring No. 3 used to lighten the reds and pinks of thousands of foods including candy, baked goods, fruit juices, fruit cocktails, strawberry lattes, sausages, faux bacon and more. A database maintained by the Environmental Working Group currently lists it among the ingredients of more than 3,000 products.
Call on the FDA to remove other toxic dyes from food
Lauren Kirchner is an investigative reporter on Consumer Reports' special projects team. He has been working at CR since 2022, where he focuses on product safety. She previously reported on algorithmic bias, criminal justice and housing for Markup and ProPublica and was a finalist for the 2017 Pulitzer Prize for Explanatory Reporting. Send your tips to lauren.kirchner@consumer.org and follow her on Twitter @lkirchner .
I consider myself someone who likes things a certain way, especially when it comes to organizing at home. If my wardrobe isn't organized by item of clothing (shirts, then pants, sweaters, and blazers in that specific order), it bothers me throughout the day. So when things aren't the way I like them, I can feel a little overwhelmed. Then the hectic cleaning and organizing begins.
When I first discovered the viral "Angry Cleanse" trend, I felt like I could join in pretty quickly based on the name alone. After going through some of the over 8 million TikTok videos archived under this term, I found myself laughing at the ridiculousness of it all while also telling it in a real way.
"Cleaning with anger is a phrase that makes me laugh," says Katie Ortega of @heyitkatieortega . "It's not as bad as it seems, but for me it's when I get tired of the clutter in my house and start to aggressively deal with it.
So I decided to hold off on the popular cleaning method until the next time I want to scream in my kitchen cabinets or kick all the shoes blocking the front door. As expected, this happened shortly afterwards. Read on to learn more about what I learned about the trend, the results of my experiment, and the best areas to clean according to experts.
What is cleansing anger?
Like exercise, anger management is a way to let off steam (and surprisingly, it can be just as physically demanding, depending on the task you choose). By turning anger into motivation, rage cleaning not only helps you release pent-up tension, it can also help you clean more effectively, according to our cleaning experts at the Good Housekeeping Institute .
"Cleansing is very therapeutic and very satisfying! You take something dirty or disorganized and leave it clean and beautiful," says Carolyn Forté , executive director of the Home Care & Cleaning Lab. "Cleaning requires effort and is a great way to reduce waste." Stress while accomplishing something you've been putting off. And the results are great on two counts: you'll feel less stressed or angry, and you'll have a cleaner house to show for it.
So if you find yourself constantly staring at a disorganized or dirty area of your home, try channeling that aggression for good. It could lead to the most thorough cleaning session of your life.
The results of my anger cleansing
My first angry cleaning victim? My storage closet. Because it's quite tall, I often blindly throw containers and water bottles in it after washing (which often results in something flying dangerously away every time I dare to open it). I had even started storing other containers and bottles that didn't fit on the kitchen counter. I decided I had finally had enough of the hassle.
Laura Miller
Laura Miller
After cleaning the furniture, I not only felt less anxious but also relieved. Now I can open this closet at any time without fear. I also feel more motivated to keep doing this now that I know the potential it has.
Then he was my cook. Although the permanent stains are from previous tenants, I've noticed how dirty they've become recently under my watch.
Laura Miller
Laura Miller
I put on some music and started rubbing. When I was finished, I smiled as I looked at the results. Then I vigorously emptied my dishwasher, loaded it with dirty dishes in the sink, and cleaned the counters while I still had the motivation. Then I sat down and felt like I had nothing to do for the rest of the night. And it felt really good .
My biggest takeaway? Clean and organize whenever you feel the sudden urge. I often put off cleaning until I have enough time to really commit, but anger cleaning is all about doing what you can do while you feel like it.
What are the best places to approach anger cleansing?
According to cleaning experts at the Good Housekeeping Institute, the places you don't go often provide the best cleaning results. Here are some recommendations:
Organize a messy closet. If it bothers you every time you open your closet, maybe it's time to start cleaning. Convert that anger into energy and get organized. Also be prepared to get rid of clothes you no longer need .
Mop dirty floors. There's nothing more therapeutic than standing on all fours with a sponge and cleaning supplies. The result is shiny floors and a better attitude.
Vacuum the carpet. Are you tired of dust and hair left on the carpet? It can be tiring, but vacuuming the entire carpet (yes, that means under the furniture) is one of the most rewarding areas of cleaning.
However, if you are unable to tackle a task that might take a little longer, try quick tasks that can be completed in a few minutes. It's about addressing an area that's making you feel overwhelmed and freeing yourself from that feeling through a cleanse.
Laura Millar (she/her) is Associate Lifestyle Editor at Good Housekeeping , where she covers home design. Before joining Good Housekeeping in 2024, she wrote for NBC's TODAY.com , where she covered everything from entertainment news to pop culture updates.
Is one of your New Year's resolutions to get organized this year? Also read: Cleaning up the COVID mess: What to do with all the trash? In this segment...
A doctor shared her top five colonoscopy tips on TikTok .
Karen Zaghiyan ( @drkarenzaghiyan_official ), a board-certified colorectal surgeon based in Los Angeles , used the platform to share tips for what she described as "one of the most feared" but also "most interesting" exams.
In the video , which has been viewed more than 700,000 times, Zaghiyan primarily advises that the brew may taste terrible, but take it seriously because a thorough cleaning will allow doctors to see clearly.
"You are responsible for the success of your own colonoscopy by doing an excellent job of cleaning your colon," he said.
Here is the rest of his advice.
Archive image. A doctor gave five tips for a colonoscopy on TikTok.Archive image. A doctor gave five tips for a colonoscopy on TikTok.Photo by Romaset/Getty Images
1. Tailored preparation for constipation
For patients with constipation, Zaghiyan recommends planning ahead.
"If you tend not to have a bowel movement every day, [...] you might be a little late on the day of your colonoscopy prep," she explained.
Zaghiyan recommended speaking with a doctor about adjusting laxatives or medications a week before the exam. This could include increasing the dosage of Miralax or magnesium supplements to ensure proper colon cleansing.
He also noted that a two-day formula course or larger volume solutions may be recommended for some patients.
"Small preparations [...] may not be ideal for you if you have constipation," he said.
2. Keep yourself hydrated during preparation
Even with smaller, more convenient formula solutions like pills or small bottles, hydration is essential.
"For this preparation to work properly, you need to drink a lot of fluids," advises Zaghiyan.
In addition to these solutions, drink more water and electrolyte-rich fluids to activate the cleansing process.
3. Avoid foods rich in fiber
For a week before starting your colonoscopy prep, avoid foods that are difficult to remove from the colon, such as quinoa, chia seeds, and nuts.
"These can stay in the colon and clog our screens," Zaghiyan warned.
By eliminating fiber, patients can improve the effectiveness of the formula and make it easier for doctors to examine the colon.
4. Choose an early date
Scheduling a colonoscopy in the morning, if possible, can make the preparation process less intimidating. If the preparation is completed the day before, patients can wake up and begin the procedure directly without additional cleaning.
"You just need to prepare at night, which is much easier than drinking the full amount of solution first thing in the morning," Zaghiyan said.
5. Read the instructions in advance .
One of Zaghiyan's most practical tips is to read the preparation instructions at least a week in advance.
"Many people read their colonoscopy instructions the day before they arrive [...] and forget to stop taking any medications or supplements they shouldn't be taking," he said.
By following these tips, patients can ensure that their colonoscopy is much easier to manage.
A drink that people are more likely to spill on the carpet than they know can be used to clean it could be the secret toremoving carpet stains for good.
Experts recommend alcohol instead of store-bought carpet cleaners andtricks such as vinegarand baking soda to remove unsightly stains on doormats.
So it might be worth having somevodkain your pantry, even if you don't plan on consuming it.
Red wine stains can be removed with a little vodka. (Getty)
Dallas Maids owner Greg Shephard told theDaily Expressthat any type of clear alcohol can be used for stains, including isopropyl alcohol and white wine.
He recommends drying the stain first and then pouring clear alcohol on it.
"It's better than any over-the-counter product," he said.
Leave a vodka-soaked cloth on the stain before gently wiping it off. (Getty Images/iStockphoto)
Experts from the appliance brand Shark also advocate the use of vodka to remove stains from carpets, claiming that it is particularly effective against grease and blood stains.
"Let it sit for a few hours and then dry it with a microfiber towel," they said.
However, when blotting a stain, use caution and be careful not to push the stain further into the carpet.
Speaking of stains, vodka can also remove stains from clothing and upholstery, as well as odors like body odor and cigarette smoke.
How to remove common stains from clothing and bedding
The reason vodka is so effective at removing carpet stains is its high alcohol content. This means that it also disinfects and eliminates bad smells.
The quality of vodka does not matter when it is used for cleaning. So even a cheap bottle will do the trick and it's handy to have at home as it cleans almost everything.
Vodka is particularly effective at eliminating mold, which can be difficult to clean because both the stain and the fungal spores must be removed to prevent the mold from recurring.
To remove mold with vodka, you can make a homemade spray using equal parts vodka and water. Spray the mixture onto the moldy area and let it sit for 15 minutes before wiping it off with a cloth.
Vodka is known as a drink, but it is a great cleanser. (Getty Images/iStockphoto)
Vodka can be a good alternative for those who can't stand the smell of vinegar, the most recommended cleaning and mold removal product.
While you have the vodka, you can also apply it to glass and mirrors with a splash of vodka and water for a shiny finish.
And then try it in the kitchen to remove sticky residue and grease, especially from the back wall.
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