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The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is alerting the public via its recall website to be on the lookout for bags of frozen vegetables, due to possible contamination from Listeria. New York-based Endico Potatoes is voluntarily recalling peas and carrots and mixed vegetables sold between July 18 and August 4 in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Maryland, Florida, and Washington, D.C. The company ceased distribution of the product after sampling by the state of Pennsylvania revealed the presence of the bacteria. No illnesses have been reported to date, and the FDA and Endico are continuing to investigate the cause. What is Listeria and what are the symptoms? Listeria monocytogenes is a type of disease-causing bacteria that is generally transmitted when food is harvested, processed, prepared, packed, transported, or stored in manufacturing or production environments contaminated with the bacteria, according to the FDA. Infection can lead to severe symptoms such as fever, nausea, abdominal pain, and diarrhea, poses a particular risk to vulnerable populations, including pregnant women, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems. In pregnant women, it can cause miscarriages and stillbirths. What is the product information for the recall? The product was packed in frozen 2.5-lb clear plastic bags under the Endico label. Details for the affected products are as follows: “PEAS AND CARROTS”: Lot number: 110625 Production date: June 11, 2025 Use by date: June 10, 2027 “MIXED VEGETABLES”: Lot number: 170625 Production date: June 17, 2025 Use by date: June 16, 2027 The lot codes are printed on the side of the bag. What if I have these products in my freezer? Consumers who have purchased Endico brand peas and carrots or mixed vegetables with these lot codes are urged to not consume the products and to return them to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with questions may contact the company by phone at 1-800-431-1398.
Category:
E-Commerce
The number of Americans filing new applications for unemployment benefits increased more than expected last week, while hiring by private employers slowed in August, offering further evidence that labor market conditions were softening. The reports were released a day after government data showed there were more unemployed people than positions available in July for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic. Job growth has shifted into stall-speed, with economists blaming President Donald Trump’s sweeping import tariffs and an immigration crackdown that is hampering hiring at construction sites and restaurants. The slackening labor market likely positions the Federal Reserve to resume cutting interest rates later this month, though much would depend on August’s employment report to be published on Friday and consumer price data due next week. “We continue to see softness growing in the labor market as tariff policy uncertainty lingers, immigration changes take effect, and AI adoption grows,” said Eric Teal, chief investment officer at Comerica Wealth Management. “The silver lining is the weaker the jobs data, the more cover there is for stimulative interest rate cuts that are on the horizon.” Initial claims for state unemployment benefits rose 8,000 to a seasonally adjusted 237,000 for the week ended August 30, the Labor Department said. Economists polled by Reuters had forecast 230,000 claims for the latest week. Still, layoffs remain relatively low as businesses generally hoard workers following difficulties in finding labor during the pandemic, anchoring the labor market. The unsettled economic environment, stemming from the protectionist trade policy has, however, left businesses reluctant to increase headcount. That hesitancy to hire means people who are laid off have difficulty landing new opportunities. The number of people receiving benefits after an initial week of aid slipped 4,000 to 1.940 million during the week ending August 23, the claims report showed. The Fed’s “Beige Book” report on Wednesday noted that “firms were hesitant to hire workers because of weaker demand or uncertainty.” The softening labor tone was reinforced on Thursday with the release of the ADP National Employment Report, which showed private employment increased by 54,000 jobs last month after advancing by 106,000 in July. The downbeat assessment of the labor market was also evident in the Institute for Supply Management survey, which showed a measure of services sector employment contracting for a third straight month in August. Economists, as a result, are bracing for another month of tepid job growth when the Labor Department’s Bureau of Labor Statistics publishes its closely watched employment report on Friday. A Reuters survey of economists estimated nonfarm payrolls increased by 75,000 jobs last month after rising by 73,000 in July. Employment gains averaged 35,000 jobs per month over the three months to July compared to 123,000 during the same period in 2024, the government reported in August. The unemployment rate is forecast to climb to 4.3% from 4.2% in July. Fed Chair Jerome Powell last month signaled a possible rate cut at the U.S. central bank’s September 16-17 policy meeting, acknowledging the rising labor market risks, but also added that inflation remained a threat. The Fed has kept its benchmark overnight interest rate in the 4.25%-4.50% range since December. Stocks on Wall Street were trading higher. The dollar rose against a basket of currencies. U.S. Treasury yields fell. Trade deficit widens Tariffs continued to influence trade data. A separate report from the Commerce Department’s Bureau of Economic Analysis showed the trade deficit ballooned 32.5% to $78.3 billion in July amid record inflows of capital and other goods. The duties have caused wild swings in imports and ultimately the trade deficit, distorting the overall economic picture. A U.S. appeals court ruled last week that most of Trump’s duties, which have boosted the nation’s average tariff rate to the highest level since 1934, were illegal, creating more uncertainty for businesses. Imports soared 5.9% to $358.8 billion. Goods imports vaulted 6.9% to $283.3 billion. They were boosted by a $12.5 billion surge in imports of industrial supplies and materials, which reflected a $9.6 billion increase in non-monetary gold imports. But petroleum imports were the lowest since April 2021. Capital goods imports increased $4.7 billion to a record $96.2 billion, driven by computers, telecommunications equipment and other industrial machinery. Semiconductor imports declined $0.8 billion. Imports of consumer goods increased $1.3 billion, though pharmaceutical preparations imports fell $1.1 billion. Imports of motor vehicles, parts and engines decreased $1.4 billion. Exports rose 0.3% to $280.5 billion. Exports of goods edged up 0.1% to $179.4 billion. Capital goods exports increased $0.6 billion to a record $59.9 billion, lifted by shipments of computer accessories and civilian aircraft. Exports of excavating machinery fell $1.5 billion. Exports of motor vehicles, parts and engines increased $0.3 billion. Industrial supplies and materials exports decreased $0.2 billion as finished metal shapes dropped $2.5 billion. Non-monetary gold exports increased $2.9 billion. The goods trade deficit widened 21.2% to $103.9 billion. The goods trade deficit with China increased $5.3 billion to $14.7 billion. Imports of services increased $1.7 billion to a record $75.5 billion in July, reflecting rises in transport, travel and other business services. Exports of services increased $0.6 billion to a record high of $101.0 billion, driven by the transport, charges for the use of intellectual property as well as government goods and services. Travel services, however, dropped $0.3 billion amid the White House’s immigration crackdown. Trade subtracted a record 4.61 percentage points from GDP in the first quarter before sharply reversing and adding 4.95 percentage points in the second quarter, also the largest contribution on record. The economy grew at a 3.3% annualized rate last quarter after contracting at a 0.5% pace in the first three months of the year. Goldman Sachs lowered its third-quarter GDP growth estimate to a 1.6% rate from a 1.7% pace. “Disruptions from tariffs are still making their rounds across the economy and increased uncertainty continues to be present in firms’ decision-making processes,” said Eugenio Aleman, chief economist at Raymond James. Lucia Mutikani, Reuters
Category:
E-Commerce
If you’re a regular Fast Company reader, you may come check the site when you want news, or follow us on social media. But when you’re looking for something on Google, would you also like to find out if Fast Company has covered your question already? We know the Google search pages are getting harder and harder to navigate, with AI summaries and countless little boxes, but there’s a new way to ensure you’re seeing Fast Company stories relevant to your query near the top of your search results. Google has a new feature called “Preferred Sources,” which lets you select which news outlets appear in the Top Stories box. The next time you’re searching for a news event, you’ll see relevant Fast Company stories first instead of a random selection of local news sites rehashing the same version of the news. Google also plans to roll out a specific From Your Sources” section that will then also feature Fast Company stories. Here’s what to do. 1. Go to this Google link Clicking here will bring you to the Google page that lets you select your sources, with Fast Company already filled in. [Screenshot: Google] 2. Click the check box next to Fast Company Add a little blue check to the left. You can also do this from the Top Stories section on the search page by clicking the star icon next to the Top Stories header. 3. Refresh your search results If there’s a Fast Company story that fits your search criteria, it should now be near the top. You can also, of course, add other sites you like to further customize your experience. But now your Google results can better reflect the sources you want to hear from.
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E-Commerce
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