Food safety in basic schools across developing countries poses significant public health challenges. Soya kebabs, popular protein-rich snacks sold in Ghanaian schools, have received limited microbiological safety assessment despite widespread consumption. This study investigated the microbial quality of soya kebabs sold in basic schools (covering primary and junior high education, grades 1-9) within Sunyani Municipality, Ghana, examining relationships between vendor hygiene practices and contamination levels. A cross-sectional study was conducted across 25 basic schools from March to June 2025. Soya kebab samples (n = 50) were collected from 25 vendors at two time points (early week: Monday-Tuesday; late week: Thursday-Friday) and analyzed for total aerobic counts, coliforms, Enterobacteriaceae, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and fungi using standard microbiological methods. Vendor hygiene assessments were performed using structured observation checklists for all 25 vendors. Bacterial contamination levels varied substantially throughout the school week. Total aerobic counts ranged from 4.18 ± 0.13 to 4.71 ± 0.20 log10 CFU/g, while S. aureus contamination ranged from 2.28 ± 0.13 to 4.12 ± 0.10 log10 CFU/g (p < 0.001). E. coli levels ranged between 1.85 ± 0.16 and 2.43 ± 0.19 log10 CFU/g. Public schools showed significantly higher contamination than private schools across multiple parameters. Vendor assessments revealed critical deficiencies: only 16% demonstrated adequate hand washing, 28% had hand washing facilities, and 12% maintained proper temperature control. A strong negative correlation (r = -0.780, p < 0.001) existed between hygiene scores and contamination levels. The study reveals substantial quality variation in soya kebabs throughout the school week and widespread hygiene deficiencies posing significant health risks to students. Targeted interventions addressing vendor training and infrastructure provision could substantially reduce these food safety risks.
Beef is a prominent dietary component in many developing countries, including Ghana, due to its rich protein, energy, and fat contents. However, it has become a significant source of foodborne pathogens, including Escherichia coli O157 and Salmonella, which can lead to severe gastrointestinal infections. This study investigated food hygiene practices and the microbial safety of beef sold at the Ho Central Market in Ghana. Sixty-three beef handlers and processing facilities in 25 shops were conveniently sampled using a structured questionnaire. Twelve beef samples were also collected in duplicates at 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. from the market and subjected to microbial analyses using standard procedures (aerobic plate count [NMKL No. 86, 2013], coagulase-positive staphylococci [NMKL No. 66, 5th Ed., 2009], Enterobacteriaceae [NMKL 144, 2005], E. coli O157 [NMKL 125, 2005], and Salmonella [NMKL No. 71, 1999]). The data collected were analyzed using SPSS Version 22. The food hygiene protocol observation study revealed that food safety and hygiene standards were compromised. However, personal hygiene practices like wearing suitable PPE (100%), using standard protocols for handwashing (100%), and removing pieces of jewelry before processing (92%) were observed. For microbial analyses, the results showed that almost all the beef samples were highly contaminated under each indicator, except the sample from shade Vendor 1 at 9:00 a.m., which recorded Enterobacteriaceae (3.18 ± 5.00) and E. coli (2.68 ± 4.04) below Ghana's Food and Drug Authority thresholds. While almost all the samples (75%) were free from E. coli O157, the Salmonella species contaminated about 75% of the samples. However, there are no statistical differences between the samples collected at 9:00 a.m. and those at 3:00 p.m. (p > 0.05). The presence of high microbial counts, E. coli O157, and Salmonella in beef samples could be attributed to inadequate and substandard infrastructure. Hence, effective food safety measures and regular monitoring are imperative to ensure the safety of beef products and protect public health.
The bacterium Escherichia (E.) coli has long been acknowledged as a major causative agent of food-borne illness, with the ability to cause several illnesses and fatalities nationwide. It has the ability to produce Stx1 and Stx2 toxins that cause food poisoning. The primary goals of the current study were to isolate and identify E. coli classical methods and confirmed by detecting the uidA gene using a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay to identify the Stx1 and Stx2 genes in E. coli isolated. Three hundred samples of veal meat sold at retail and various parts of butchers' shops were collected from each side of Mosul city. The prevalence of E. coli in the current investigation was 48%. The high prevalence of E. coli isolated from the floor was 61.7%. The prevalence of E. coli isolated from veal meat, tables, walls, and worker's hand was 60%, 56.7%, 31.7%, and 30%, respectively. A statistically significant difference in contamination rates was observed among sample types (χ² = 23.96, p < 0.001). The highest prevalence was recorded in the floor samples (61.7%). No statistically significant difference was observed between the two areas (χ² = 0.00, p > 0.05), indicating similar hygienic and contamination conditions in butcher shops on both sides of the city. Additionally, PCR analysis confirmed the presence of the uidA gene in all E. coli isolates (100%), the presence of the Stx1 gene in 73.3%, and the presence of the Stx2 gene in 23.3% of E. coli isolates. Four different gene profiles were found in E. coli. Profile II (uidA + Stx1) accounted for 53.3% of all isolates. All butcher shops' equipment spread E. coli, the retail meat was tainted by the bacteria, and the E. coli isolates had the Stx1 and Stx2 genes.
Many studies have identified antibiotic resistant (ABR) Escherichia coli on meat. Appropriate hand hygiene and cooking practices should minimize the risk of gastrointestinal colonisation with ABR E. coli found on meat, and the subsequent chance of causing resistant opportunistic extraintestinal infection. There are large gaps in our understanding of the prevalence, origins and zoonotic potential of ABR E. coli found on meat, however, and particularly for meat reared in extensive farming systems. Wales is a devolved nation within the United Kingdom having large populations of extensively-reared sheep and beef cattle. To help address knowledge gaps around ABR E. coli on extensively reared meat, therefore, beef mince and lamb loin/leg steaks/chops were purchased from 50 (beef) and 46 (lamb) independent butchers across Wales. Following enrichment culture, 200 g meat samples were found to be positive for E. coli resistant to amoxicillin (31% positivity), streptomycin (28%), spectinomycin (29%), amoxicillin-clavulanate (11%), 3rd generation cephalosporins (2%) and fluoroquinolones (5%). Phylogenetic analysis confirmed that Welsh lamb meat ABR E. coli isolates (n = 78) are more closely related to those found in faecal samples collected around sheep (n = 352) than around beef cattle (n = 361) on Welsh farms. This suggests that faecal contamination at or around slaughter is their primary origin. We found no closely related meat/infection clones (<20 SNPs distant and the same antibiotic resistance genes) when comparing ABR E. coli from Welsh meat (n = 91) and those causing extraintestinal infections in people (n = 2387) in an English region bordering Wales. We conclude, therefore, that the wider zoonotic implications of finding ABR E coli on beef and lamb meat sold at independent butchers in Wales are small, though a more geographically and temporarily contemporaneous survey is warranted to address this further.
As of August 2023, 24 U.S. states and the District of Columbia have legalized and taxed recreational cannabis. However, how these excise taxes impact prices and the demand for legally sold recreational cannabis remains underexplored. In this study, we evaluate the impact of cannabis taxes on prices and sales, further exploring how taxes on cigarettes, e-cigarettes, and beer impact cannabis sales. We utilized state-published records on cannabis tax revenue and cannabis sales in dollars in the U.S. to construct state-month-level flower-equivalent sales data from January 2014 to June 2023. We employed a two-way fixed effects model to identify the causal impact of taxes and prices on recreational cannabis sales (i.e., elasticity of demand). A $1 increase in cannabis taxes leads to a $4-$6 increase in cannabis prices. A 10% increase in cannabis taxes leads to a 12.6% reduction (p < 0.05) in the sales of legalized recreational cannabis, and a 10% increase in prices leads to a 17.8% reduction (p < 0.001). Increasing cigarette and beer taxes may reduce legal sales of cannabis, suggesting that these two products are economic complements to legal recreational cannabis products. Increases in cannabis excise taxes significantly raise the prices of legal products. Higher cannabis taxes reduce legal cannabis sales but also decrease tax revenues. Increasing cigarette and beer taxes may reduce legal cannabis sales. Policymakers should consider these dynamics when introducing or amending cannabis regulations.
The objective of this study is to describe parental experiences with solid food introduction (SFI), with a focus on decision-making and challenges related to the feeding approach. A qualitative study was conducted analyzing semi-structured interviews of English-speaking parents of 8-13-month-old infants recruited from multiple outpatient clinics in Chicago, Illinois and surrounding areas. Parents of infants with medical conditions altering SFI practices or those involved in other feeding-related studies were excluded. The interview questions were informed by a modified version of the Theory of Planned Behavior (TBP) and explored the factors that guided SFI, including facilitators and barriers. Interview themes were refined through an iterative discussion until consensus was reached amongst the researchers. 49 parents were interviewed, with participants being primarily mothers (92%). Of these, 43% were White, 29% were Black, 29% were Hispanic/Latinx, 8% were Asian, and 2% were Native American. 3 themes and 2 subthemes on the feeding approach were applied from the analysis including 1) feeding along a continuum, 1.1) navigating infant preferences and caregiver circumstances, 1.2) situational adaptation, 2) family and cultural influences, and 3) variable guidance based on sources of information. While BLW and PLF are often viewed as contrasting approaches, most parents described elements of both, adapting practices to suit their family's needs in different circumstances. These findings highlight the importance of supporting personalized nutritional recommendations, rather than promoting a one-size-fits all method.
Understanding retailer advertising has been identified as critical for developing effective policies to reduce tobacco product use, as these forms of advertising are among the tobacco industry's largest expenditures. Online retailer marketing has grown rapidly, and in this study, we sought to describe the marketing practices of these retailers. Between March and July 2022, we conducted keyword searches (e.g. 'buy e-cigs', 'buy vapes') with the Brave search engine, embedded in the Brave browser, to identify online tobacco retailers, using the inclusion criteria: English-language websites of online retailers selling e-cigarette products that allowed online ordering and the sale of products to customers in the United States. Measures included name, address, and landing page characteristics, including products, brands, product types, seasonal specials, social media links, age gating, and whether the retailer sold non-tobacco products. Results are reported descriptively. We identified 97 unique online tobacco retailers. Of these, 58 (60%) had set a restriction on browsing based on age. E-cigarettes, both disposable and reusable, were the most available products, followed by liquid nicotine ('vape juice'). Thirty-seven percent of online tobacco retailers sold cannabis products, and 38% of retailer websites listed other types of products for sale (e.g. bongs, dab rigs, cannabis apparel, psilocybin chocolates). Our findings indicated that online tobacco retailers heavily marketed flavored products, and a majority sold derived cannabis products. Future research should continue to investigate whether this marketing conflicts with stated federal regulatory goals, and whether the U.S. Food and Drug Administration should expand enforcement of existing regulations on tobacco and derived cannabis products.
In August 2023, the United Kingdom introduced alcohol taxation reforms designed to encourage alcohol producers to lower the alcoholic strength of their products. This study aims to quantify the extent of reformulation of alcoholic drinks sold in the off-trade in Great Britain between 2018 and 2025 and explore the role the tax reforms may have played. We used continuous longitudinal data on alcohol purchases from Worldpanel by Numerator's Take Home data to examine changes between 2018 and 2025 in the mean alcohol-by-volume (ABV) of all alcohol sold, identify specific product reformulations and examine how their timing related to the 2023 tax reforms. We also explored growth in the < 3.5% ABV beer market, for which tax rates were cut in the reforms. The average ABV of all alcohol rose from 17.2% in late 2018 to 17.7% in June 2022, before falling to 16.7% in December 2025. We identified 557 reformulations, of which 50% were for wine and 17% were for beer. Reformulations increased substantially following the reforms, with the proportion of the beer market, measured in pure alcohol, sold below 3.5% ABV increasing from 1.1% in 2022 to 18.1% in 2025. Our findings suggest that the 2023 UK alcohol tax reforms appear to have contributed to an increase in reformulations that reduced the strength of alcoholic drinks. In turn, these may have played a role in reductions in the overall ABV of alcoholic drinks purchases. Following the reforms, there was a large and immediate increase in the market share of lower-strength beers.
HIV self-testing (HIVST) through community pharmacies offers a complementary, confidential and convenient testing option. Despite the availability of HIVST kits in Belgian pharmacies since 2017, little is known about sales and pharmacists' experiences. This study assessed HIVST sales and pharmacists' knowledge, attitudes and perceptions regarding its provision. We conducted a cross-sectional web-based survey among all community pharmacies (~4700) in Belgium between 14 May and 31 July 2025. Participants were recruited via newsletters from national and regional pharmacists' associations and a pharmacy network. We analysed responses on HIVST sales and pharmacists' knowledge, attitudes and perceptions descriptively. Associations between sales and pharmacy or pharmacist characteristics were examined using χ2, Fisher's exact or Mann-Whitney tests. Among 235 respondents, 33.2% (78/235) reported selling HIVST, of whom 69.2% (54/78) sold ≤2 kits annually. Most sold the finger-prick Autotest HIV (65/78, 83.3%). Retail prices ranged from €26 to €35 (58/78, 74.4%). Half procured kits on request (37/78, 47.4%), only 12.8% (10/78) displayed kits. Sales were associated with pharmacist age (p=0.04) and location, with Brussels pharmacies more likely to sell kits than those in Flanders or Wallonia (p<0.001). Selling ≥3 HIVST kits annually occurred in 90.0% (9/10) of respondents with kits visibly displayed, compared with 41.4% (12/29) for behind-the-counter storage and 5.4% (2/37) for on-request provision (p<0.001). While 76.6% (180/235) considered HIVST a valuable complement to facility-based testing, only 19.6% (46/235) actively recommended it. Only 15.3% (36/235) had attended HIVST training; 31.9% (75/235) reported discomfort advising clients due to limited experience (85.3%) or low knowledge (78.7%). The opportunity to purchase HIVST in community pharmacies remains underutilised in Belgium. Enhancing pharmacists' training, confidence, visibility of kits and affordability may increase uptake, strengthening the role of pharmacists as complementary providers of HIVST. Future research should include clients' perspectives on HIVST.
Raw chicken meat is widely consumed and serves as an important vehicle for foodborne pathogens when hygienic-sanitary controls at the retail level are insufficient. This cross-sectional study evaluated the occurrence of Enterobacteriaceae in 88 raw chicken meat samples collected from supermarkets, butcher shops, and street fairs across the four urban zones of Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil, between June and September 2025. Detection of Salmonella spp. was performed according to ISO 6579-1:2017, followed by biochemical identification of Salmonella spp., Escherichia coli, and other Enterobacteriaceae, including Citrobacter freundii, Proteus spp., and Shigella spp. Salmonella spp. was detected in 32.9% of samples, E. coli in 42.0%, and other Enterobacteriaceae in 11.4%. Higher contamination frequencies were observed in samples sold at room temperature and in street fairs, which exhibited poorer hygienic-sanitary conditions, whereas supermarkets generally showed lower contamination rates and better adherence to cold chain and hygiene practices. No significant differences were observed among chicken cuts or urban zones. Hygienic-sanitary assessments of 49 retail establishments revealed inconsistent use of personal protective equipment, inadequate cleaning of surfaces and utensils, and the presence of synanthropic vectors. These findings highlight the potential public health risks associated with raw chicken sold in informal retail settings in Amazon and emphasize the need for strengthened sanitary surveillance, improved vendor training, and targeted educational interventions to reduce consumer exposure to foodborne pathogens.
Agroecology is a holistic approach that draws on ecological and social justice principles. Although there is evidence that agroecological practices can improve food security and nutrition for rural households, there is less research in urban areas. This exploratory study in Dakar, Senegal, asks: how could agroecological markets support healthier diets in urban and periurban areas for low-income consumers? Four market initiatives were studied that were urban/periurban, sold agroecological food products, and had low-income consumers. Three focus groups were held with women consumers, and interviews were conducted with consumers and those involved in agroecological markets. A survey was carried out with 180 consumers in 6 market sites. Small-scale agroecological market initiatives were well established, relied on short chains built on trust that promoted values such as health, reduced use of chemicals, and fairness. Women who purchased agroecological foods regularly bought a diverse range of foods. One-third reported having a diet-related disease such as diabetes. Women reported consuming agroecological products either as prevention or after being diagnosed with a diet-related disease. Main motivations for consumers to purchase agroecological foods were health, taste, and avoidance of agrochemicals. Consumers noted several barriers to eating more agroecological foods, including market availability, distance, and seasonal availability of food products. Seven pathways to connect agroecology to nutrition were found: 1) agrobiodiversity, 2) livelihoods/social empowerment, 3) knowledge cocreation, 4) participation/connectivity, 5) culture and diets, 6) reduced exposure to pesticides, and 7) rights-based approaches. Six recommendations were identified to promote these pathways, including support for agroecological producers in urban low-income areas, support for short agroecological markets, and strengthening urban food governance. Although not generalizable, the conceptual framework addresses research gaps on the agroecology-nutrition nexus by providing food for thought for the design of interventions that aim to support agroecology and nutrition of urban low-income consumers.
Non-essential heavy metals pose health risks even at low concentrations in contaminated food. Complementary foods are widely used for infants and young children, often due to insufficient breastfeeding or unmet nutritional requirements. This study aimed to investigate the concentrations of As, Cd, Hg, and Pb in formulas for infants, babies, and young children (n = 51) sold in Türkiye and to assess the non-carcinogenic risks associated with the consumption of these products. The mean concentrations (ppb) were as follows: As (3.48), Cd (<LOD), Hg (4.68), Pb (10.42) in infant formula (n = 10); As (5.41), Cd (<LOD), Hg (0.90), Pb (10.55) in follow-on formula (n = 15); As (7.25), Cd (5.01), Hg (2.79), Pb (16.63) in baby food (n = 11); and As (5.20), Cd (<LOD), Hg (<LOD), Pb (10.84) in formula for medical purposes (n = 15). The mean concentrations of all metals in the tested formulas were below the legal limits set by regulations. The THQs for As, Cd, Hg, Pb, and HI values were all under 1, indicating that there are no non-carcinogenic health risks for girls and boys. Contaminants should be monitored at all process stages, and risk assessments should be conducted, including expanded contaminants and exposure scenarios.
Acrylamide and 4-methylimidazole (4-MEI) are heat-induced contaminants formed during coffee roasting, raising concerns due to their potential toxicological effects. Considering the limited information about the occurrence of these contaminants in Brazilian coffees as well as the lack of studies on the effect of L-asparaginase treatment on both acrylamide and 4-MEI, this study evaluated (i) acrylamide and 4-MEI levels in 48 commercial roasted ground coffees sold in Campinas, Brazil, and (ii) the effect of L-asparaginase treatment on green Coffea arabica beans prior to roasting. Commercial samples were classified by coffee type (traditional, gourmet, organic, decaffeinated) and roast degree. For enzymatic treatment, three batches of green beans were treated (including steam) with Acrylaway® L at 5000 ASNU/kg, followed by roasting under controlled conditions. Acrylamide and 4-MEI were quantified by UHPLC-MS/MS and GC-MS, respectively; asparagine and ammonia precursors were measured enzymatically. Moisture content was monitored to ensure roasting consistency. Acrylamide concentrations in commercial coffees varied widely (from < LOD to 207.3 µg/kg) (LOD = 10 µg/kg), with traditional and light roast samples showing the highest levels (p < 0.05). In contrast, 4-MEI was strongly associated with darker roasts and ranged from < LOD to 366.1 µg/kg (LOD = 20 µg/kg). Packaging type had no significant effect on the concentrations of the contaminants. L-asparaginase treatment reduced asparagine by 23.8-34.1%, resulting in acrylamide reduction of 30.4-41.4% in roasted beans. Notably, 4-MEI levels remained unchanged after roasting, indicating that asparagine removal does not affect Maillard-derived imidazole formation pathways. Overall, combining steam pre-treatment with L-asparaginase effectively reduced acrylamide without promoting 4-MEI formation, demonstrating a viable mitigation strategy to enhance the chemical safety of C. arabica coffee while preserving roasting characteristics.
State and local menthol cigarette bans are increasingly common, but strategies to boost their impact remain unclear. A campaign that encourages people who smoke menthol cigarettes to quit smoking altogether could amplify the benefits of bans. This study examined reactions to campaign messages in a situation where menthol cigarettes are no longer being sold among adults who smoke menthol cigarettes. We conducted 6 semi-structured focus groups, each with 7-9 adults ages 21+ years, who smoked menthol cigarettes (n = 50). Four of the focus groups were with populations at higher menthol cigarette use (i.e., Black and lesbian, gay and bisexual adults). Participants shared reactions to 12 campaign messages that aimed to encourage quitting smoking (e.g., "You can start your quit journey today" and "You've got this!"). We conducted qualitative thematic analyses. Messages that used supportive language (e.g., "Every attempt counts") motivated participants to want to quit. Nuanced messages about money (reward vs. saving) and family (quit to spend time with family vs. quit for family), as well as encouragement to set small attainable goals also received positive reactions. Messages about mental health benefits of quitting received mixed feedback. Phrases like "quit smoking now" and mention of menthol cigarettes, as opposed to cigarettes in general, were described as punitive and negatively targeted. Our study provides guidance for campaign developers seeking to encourage adults who smoke menthol cigarettes to quit smoking. Findings highlight the need for nuanced health communication to support quitting smoking among priority populations.
We study the introduction of wildfire risk maps, known as bushfire prone area maps, in Western Australia in 2015. Using property market transaction data and high-resolution GIS data, we apply a regression discontinuity design to examine the price differential for properties across the hazard discontinuity introduced by these maps. Results show that properties within bushfire prone areas are sold at a 4.2% lower price than those outside. Our analysis further suggests this discount is driven by an information shock, rather than pre-determined risk perception or stricter building regulations for risk-exposed properties.
Price discount is a common strategy adopted by cigarette producers. The effectiveness of tax measures in discouraging smoking is, however, lessened if price discounts remain unregulated. Despite the Indonesian government having monitored retail transaction prices (RTP) since 2009, there was no restriction on the extent of price discounts. In 2018, Indonesia began to implement price-discount limitation, which restricts the price discount to a maximum of 15% of the banderol price and also maintains further monitoring to enforce the regulation. To examine whether the monitoring and enforcement approach can lessen the availability of discounted prices for cigarette sales across cigarette brands in Indonesia. Using Panel Poisson regression with an exposure, we analyse survey data spanning from 2012 to 2023 on three of the most popular cigarette types in Indonesia: Machine-made kretek (SKM), Machine-made white (SPM) and Hand-rolled kretek (SKT) to determine the incidence rate where a brand is sold for less than 85% of its banderol price despite the implementation of the price-discount limitation policy in 2018. The price discount limitation policy led to a significant decline in the incidence rate of price discount. The incidence rate by mainstream brands has fallen by more than 50%, compared with their counterparts. The RTP-to-banderol price ratio was also, on average, 0.305 points higher after the policy, with no difference between those two groups. Introducing limitations on price discounts, consistent monitoring of point-of-sale prices and substantial punishment lead to increased tobacco prices for both mainstream and local brands.
Previous studies examined area-level differences in menthol and non-menthol cigarette prices, finding cigarettes tend to cost less in neighborhoods with lower household income, higher percentage of youth, and higher percentage of Black residents. Previous studies of store-type differences in cigarette price found lower prices in pharmacies compared to convenience stores. In a representative sample of urban cigarette retailers, this study examined differences in advertised cigarette prices by store type and neighborhood demographics. In a random sample of 1489 cigarette retailers in 26 US cities, data collectors recorded five single-pack prices: Marlboro Red and menthol (Philip Morris USA), Newport menthol and Camel Crush (RJ Reynolds Tobacco Company), and cheapest pack regardless of brand (June-August, 2022). General Estimation Equations tested differences in cigarette price (including taxes) by store type and store-neighborhood demographics. Pharmacies sold premium cigarette brands at lower prices than all other store types, except for Newport menthol in tobacco specialty shops. Associations of price with neighborhood demographics varied by manufacturer. Marlboro (Philip Morris) prices decreased as the percentage of youth in neighborhoods increased. Newport menthol and Camel Crush (RJ Reynolds) prices decreased as percentage of minoritized population increased. Price of cheapest pack decreased as the percentage of youth increased. Pharmacies were the cheapest retail source for cigarettes. With the caveat that this study is cross-sectional and observational, area-level differences in cigarette price were consistent with tobacco industry documents about marketing to youth and to racial/ethnic subgroups. Laws mandating tobacco-free pharmacies and minimum prices are recommended.
We report a case of severe opioid-like withdrawal symptoms following cessation of a commercially available beverage marketed as a "kava" product. A 36-year-old White male with opioid use disorder in sustained remission developed rapid tolerance, frequent redosing, nocturnal withdrawal, prominent gastrointestinal and autonomic symptoms, and generalized pruritus after heavy use of a gas-station-sold "kava" shot. Symptoms were refractory to benzodiazepines but improved rapidly with buprenorphine/naloxone; this suggests µ-opioid receptor-mediated dependence. The clinical presentation was inconsistent with kava withdrawal, which is typically mild and anxiety predominant. Review of product labeling indicated the presence of akuamma (Picralima nitida), a botanical containing μ-opioid receptor-active alkaloids; secondary qualitative testing of independently purchased samples of the same product by the UAB toxicology lab confirmed the presence of kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) derivatives and kavalactones. In the context of kratom prohibition in Alabama and overlapping manufacturer product lines, this case highlights the risks of mislabeled or adulterated polyherbal products and underscores the need for clinicians to consider opioid-mediated mechanisms and symptom-guided treatment when evaluating withdrawal from purported nonopioid supplements.
The global consumption of plant-based beverages has increased markedly in recent years. In Ecuador, this trend is also growing, with a wide variety of almond, soy, oat, rice, coconut, pea and Andean lupin beverages available in supermarkets. The present study analyzed the nutritional labels of 68 commercial plant-based beverages sold in Quito and compared them with cow's milk (whole, semi-skimmed and skimmed) using the Kruskal-Wallis non-parametric statistical analysis. To further analyze the dataset, the self-organizing maps (SOMs) neural network and principal component analysis were applied to identify nutritional patterns among the products. Soy-based beverages exhibited the highest protein content, making them the closest nutritional alternative to cow's milk. By contrast, oat and rice beverages were characterized by higher carbohydrate content, whereas coconut-based beverages showed higher levels of saturated fat. Although many products were fortified with calcium and vitamins A and D, their concentrations frequently did not match those found in cow's milk. Nutritional claims were identified in 91% of the products, most commonly 'lactose-free' and 'sugar-free'. The SOMs analysis showed clusters of the majority of plant-based beverages; however, soy-, pea- and Andean lupin-based beverages showed high dispersion indicating substantial variability despite sharing similar raw materials. Plant-based beverages in the Ecuadorian market show considerable variability in their nutritional composition, largely influenced by formulation and fortification practices. This variability raises concerns about their adequacy as substitutes for cow's milk and highlights the need for improved regulatory frameworks and clearer nutritional information to support informed consumer choices. © 2026 Society of Chemical Industry.
Market vendors play a critical role in food distribution, employment creation, and the functioning of the urban economy in Uganda, yet they operate within highly flood-prone environments. Despite their socio-economic importance, there remains limited empirical understanding of the factors shaping flood impacts and the adaptive capacity of informal market vendors in such urban vulnerable contexts. This study therefore seeks to address this knowledge gap by examining the determinants of flood impacts and adaptation capacity among market vendors in Walukuba-Masese, Jinja City. A cross-sectional survey of 263 vendors was conducted using structured questionnaires. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Chi-square tests, and logistic regression models. Logistic regression results showed that vendors with 5-9 years of business experience had significantly lower flood impacts (β = -1.89, p < 0.05) compared to vendors with fewer years of operation. Vendors who were not members of business associations were about 5.7 times more likely to experience flood impacts compared to those who were members. Adaptive capacity analysis revealed several significant determinants. Access to savings (β = 4.876, p < 0.001), access to credit (β = 2.616, p = 0.002), availability of storage containers (β = 2.939, p = 0.002), receipt of early warning information (β = 3.857, p < 0.001), disaster preparedness training (β = 4.097, p < 0.001), vendor association membership (β = 1.680, p = 0.002), and support from family or community during floods (β = 4.014, p < 0.001) significantly enhanced vendors' adaptive capacity. Additionally, the type of goods sold (β = 0.214, p = 0.020) and financial loss experienced during the last flood (β = 0.090, p = 0.023) were also associated with adaptive responses. The findings highlight the need for targeted interventions such as improved drainage infrastructure, expanded access to financial services, disaster preparedness training, and strengthened early warning systems to enhance the resilience of informal urban enterprises and support inclusive flood risk management in Uganda's rapidly growing secondary cities.