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🌞 Red Dye Banned
Daily Upsider - Friday, January 24th, 2025
Friday, January 24th, 2025
Good Morning! 🌞
January 24 is National Compliment Day, a great reminder to recognize the positive qualities in those around us. Whether it's a colleague's effort or a friend's smile, offering a genuine compliment can make someone's day a little better. Today, let's take a moment to appreciate the people who make a difference in our lives – it’s a simple gesture with a big impact.
Today’s Upside
Health Sciences
Red Dye Banned
A variety of sugary cereals that contain or once contained one or more food colorings – credit, Unsplash
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced a ban on Red Dye No. 3 (RD3) in food, giving food companies until 2027 and drug companies until 2028 to comply. This decision marks a significant step in consumer safety, following decades of advocacy and research linking RD3 to cancer in animals. While RD3 has been banned in cosmetics since 1990, it has continued to be widely used in food and beverages.
Concerns over RD3 extend beyond its cancer risks. A 2021 study by California’s Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment revealed that synthetic dyes like RD3 are also linked to behavioral issues in children, including reduced attention spans and memory problems. Europe has approached synthetic dyes with caution, requiring warning labels on products containing them. Many manufacturers there have transitioned to natural alternatives such as curcumin, spirulina, and carotenoids, highlighting the feasibility of safer options.
Advocates for public health have celebrated the FDA's decision as a victory for consumer protection. “This landmark decision wouldn’t have been possible without public health advocates like Michael Jacobson, who fought tirelessly for consumer safety,” said Ken Cook, president of the Environmental Working Group (EWG). However, other synthetic dyes, such as Yellow Dye No. 5 (YD5), which is linked to hyperactivity, cancer, and other health issues, remain approved for food use despite ongoing scrutiny.
Culture
Generation Beta
Leila Register / NBC News; Getty Images
As Generation Beta begins to arrive, experts predict they will grow up in a world even more intertwined with artificial intelligence and technology than previous generations. Expected to span births until around 2039, Generation Beta follows Gen Alpha (2010–2024), Gen Z (1996–2010), and millennials (1981–1996). Unlike Gen Alpha, who experienced the pandemic firsthand, Generation Beta will navigate a fully post-pandemic world shaped by its ripple effects. This cohort is being raised by younger millennials and older Gen Zers, placing them at the intersection of new parenting styles and evolving societal norms.
This generation will face significant challenges from climate change, urbanization, and global population shifts. Sustainability, once optional, is now an expectation, notes demographer Mark McCrindle. At the same time, technology will continue to transform their everyday lives. Smart devices and AI are expected to become indispensable, further embedding these tools into how they learn, socialize, and work. Yet, their parents, particularly Gen Z, may take a more cautious approach to early technology exposure, seeking to balance the advantages and drawbacks of growing up online.
Defining the shared experiences of Generation Beta remains speculative, as pivotal events that will shape their identity have yet to occur. While generational labels provide context for analyzing trends, experts caution against oversimplification. Jason Dorsey, author and generational researcher, highlights the value of understanding these patterns while acknowledging their limits. “Generational labels help identify shared experiences,” he explains, “but they don’t define individuals.” As we look ahead, the stories and challenges of Generation Beta will unfold, offering new insights into how humanity adapts to an ever-changing world.
How do you think Generation Beta will shape the future? Are there lessons from past generations we should carry forward—or avoid?
Environment
Rebuilding Deer Shelter
A male Sitka black-tail deer – credit: courtesy of AWCC
A wildlife rehabilitation center in Alaska has successfully raised funds to rebuild a shelter for its deer after a severe storm demolished the structure earlier this month. On January 6, 2025, winds exceeding 80 mph swept through Portage Valley, destroying the Sitka black-tailed deer shelter at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center (AWCC). Fortunately, all five resident deer were unharmed despite the shelter’s complete destruction.
The AWCC provides care for many of Alaska’s large mammals, including caribou, musk oxen, and Sitka black-tailed deer, which are known for their friendly yet alert nature. The deer shelter was a vital resource, offering protection during harsh weather, a feeding area, and a recovery space after medical procedures. With the estimated cost of a more durable replacement at $30,000, the AWCC turned to crowdfunding and raised an impressive $33,000 in just 36 hours.
“We’re incredibly grateful for everyone’s support. We’ll be able to start rebuilding immediately,” said AWCC executive director Sarah Howard. This rapid response showcases the strength of community-driven generosity, proving that even in remote areas, collective efforts can quickly address challenges and ensure the well-being of vulnerable wildlife.
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Fun Fact
A tricolour (or calico) cat is almost always female. They are often called lucky cats (they should bring us luck!).
Mind Stretchers
⁉️
White sheep on a blue hill. When the winds stop, they stand still. They walk far away when the winds blow.
What are they?
Yesterday’s Mind Stretchers:
A-maze-in-grace , Debbie Ettinger got this correct and early!
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From the Community
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