Food

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced a recall of approximately 2,855 pounds of raw ground beef after routine testing detected E. coli O26, a strain of Shiga toxin-producing bacteria that can cause gastrointestinal illness. The recalled product was distributed in six states and is being pulled from store shelves as a precautionary measure.

WASHINGTON — President Trump on Thursday announced what he called “The Patriot Games,” a new nationwide competition that will pit teenage representatives from twelve Democratic-run cities against one another in a mixed martial arts tournament staged in the White House Rose Garden.

Washington — JD Vance and his wife, Usha Vance, observed Hanukkah this week with a small, private gathering that paired traditional holiday rituals with a traditional dish of potato latkes tikka masala.

According to individuals familiar with the event, the Vances hosted family members and close friends for an evening that included the lighting of the menorah and a dinner centered on customary Hanukkah foods. The gathering followed traditional observances, with brief reflections on the holiday’s themes of perseverance and religious freedom.

Washington, DC — Vice President JD Vance spent Tuesday morning recognizing International Men’s Day in an unexpectedly personal way: by stepping into the kitchen of the Naval Observatory and preparing a traditional quiche Lorraine.

According to staff members, the vice president began the day with a small gathering that included aides, kitchen staff, and a handful of guests representing men’s advocacy and mentorship groups. The event combined light-hearted cooking with discussions on men’s health, family roles, and workplace well-being.

Washington, D.C. — A routine inspection by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has revealed traces of Listeria monocytogenes in batches of fresh blueberries distributed across several states. While the agency has not issued a full recall, it is urging consumers to thoroughly wash produce and follow standard food safety practices.

In a statement meant to temper public concern, Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. acknowledged the contamination but emphasized the overall safety of America’s food supply.

President Donald Trump has unveiled a controversial new round of tariffs targeting the taco industry, announcing Wednesday that the United States will impose a 50% tariff on carnitas (pork) tacos and a 70% tariff on carne asada (beef) tacos. Chicken tacos, however, will remain exempt from any new duties.

Los Angeles, CA — In a surreal twist to an already high-profile civil trial, rapper and actor Scott Mescudi, known professionally as Kid Cudi, took the witness stand Wednesday with an explosive claim: music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs allegedly consumed his pet cat.

The packed courtroom audibly gasped as Cudi, composed but visibly emotional, delivered the bizarre testimony during an ongoing defamation and misconduct case that has captivated the entertainment industry for weeks.

Washington, DC - The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced the results of a sweeping series of audits that uncovered significant safety concerns in both the personal health and food sectors. The findings revealed troubling lapses in the manufacturing and storage of over-the-counter eye-care products and the presence of Listeria monocytogenes in a variety of prepackaged food items.

New York - The iconic weight-loss brand WeightWatchers has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, citing what many might have once considered an unthinkable reason: the declining number of overweight individuals in the United States.

"We never imagined we'd say this," said CEO Carla Linton in a somber press conference Tuesday morning, "but there simply aren't enough overweight people in this country anymore to sustain our business model."

Washington, D.C. — Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has ignited a national debate by asserting that petroleum-based synthetic food dyes are contributing to what he calls an "autism epidemic" in the United States. Kennedy’s claims, made during a series of press briefings and public events this week, accompany sweeping new federal measures to phase out eight artificial food dyes from the nation’s food supply by the end of next year.