News for Educators - January 2021

January 2021 Welcome to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition's (CFSAN) News for Educators! Check out our latest information and materials for educating your consumer groups. We also encourage you to share this update and invite your colleagues to sign up for future issues! Food Waste At the start of each new year, many people make food-related resolutions like eating healthier or dropping a few pounds. This year, consider helping your audiences make a different kind of food resolution that will encourage them to waste less of the food they purchase, stretch their food dollars, and help protect the environment. By some estimates, a typical family of four will waste as much as $1,500 of their food dollars each year. Wasted food is also the single largest category of waste going into the typical municipal landfill, which contributes to excess methane production. Share these new videos from FDA with your audiences to help them learn how to take action to reduce food waste: Tips for Reducing Food Waste Understanding Date Labels on Food Packages Imperfect Produce Food Waste Facts Committing to a healthier lifestyle often begins with making healthier food choices. One way for people to make decisions that have a lasting impact on their health is by using the Nutrition Facts label on packaged foods and beverages. Use the following FDA resources to teach your audiences about the Nutrition Facts label and how to use it to make more informed food choices. The "What's New" page highlights the changes to the Nutrition Facts label. These fact sheets and videos make it easy to learn about the Nutrition Facts label, including serving size, added sugars, and calories. The Interactive Nutrition Facts Label allows you to explore the updated label online in greater detail. January is National Bath Safety Month and hopping into a warm tub can be a great way to chase the winter blues away. Below are a couple of things to consider before you soak: Aromatherapy. The use of essential oils (sometimes referred to as aromatherapy) is a common practice that goes back to ancient civilizations. Sometimes people think that using a product marketed as an essential oil or using products that contain ingredients, which come from plants are safe. But many plants contain substances that are toxic, irritating, or may cause allergic reactions when they contact skin. To get the most from your aromatherapy bath, add oils directly to your bath water, not to your skin. After filling the tub and turning off the tap, stir the water to help disperse the oils. These best practices will reduce the likelihood of concentrated oils coming into direct contact with your skin. Bubble bath products. Overuse of foaming detergent bath products (also known as bubble bath products) by children or adults can cause a negative reaction. These cosmetic products are legally required to have a caution statement on the label. Examples include: Excessive use of prolonged exposure may cause irritation to skin and urinary tract. Discontinue use if rash, redness or itching occurs. (for bath products intended for adults) Keep out of reach of children, except under adult supervision. (for bath products intended for children)  To avoid an adverse event from using bubble bath products, do not apply them directly to skin and check the ingredients for any potential irritants to sensitive skin, or substances to which you may be allergic. For any products you decide to use to enhance your bathing experience, it's important to read all product labels thoroughly and follow all directions for use. Although the law does not require FDA approval for cosmetics before they go on the market, companies, and individuals who manufacture and market cosmetics have a responsibility for the safety and labeling of their cosmetic products. For more information, be sure to check out our spotlight entitled "Safety of Cosmetics and Ingredients" on the main FDA Cosmetics webpage at: https://www.fda.gov/cosmetics. Follow us on Twitter @FDACosmetics Content with FDA Invite a friend or colleague to sign up for future issues of News for Educators! Get email alerts about recalls and other food and cosmetic safety news by subscribing to FDA's email updates. Follow us on Twitter! Get current information from FDA FOOD and FDA Cosmetics. Join us on Pinterest! See the many resources available from FDA, and watch for new boards and pins. Like us on Facebook! See FDA posts and join the conversation. Manage Subscriptions  |  Unsubscribe All  |  Help This email was sent to ooseims.archieves@blogger.com using GovDelivery Communications Cloud on behalf of: U.S. Food and Drug Administration ·  10903 New Hampshire Ave · Silver Spring, MD ·  20993-0002 ·  1-888-INFO-FDA