Aroma Candles - Are Wax Melt (non-burning) Better than Regular Candles? No

I know that there are some big aroma candle users out there, so this is for you.  A recently released study showed that aroma wax melts (perfumed wax heated to the point of melting to release the 'aromas') produce more health impacting chemicals similar to those produce by a diesel engine...not that many are have a diesel engine to improve relaxation while sitting in a soothing bath with rose pedals. (This is too close to my ongoing fear of getting picked off by a speeding forklift in some overly dark warehouse).

"Our findings reveal that terpenes released from scented wax melts react with indoor atmospheric ozone (O3) to initiate new particle formation (NPF) events, resulting in significant indoor atmospheric nanoparticle concentrations (>106 cm–3) comparable to those emitted by combustion-based scented candles, gas stoves, diesel engines, and natural gas engines. We show that scented wax melt-initiated NPF events can result in significant respiratory exposures, with nanoparticle respiratory tract deposited dose rates similar to those determined for combustion-based sources."

So there you go, don't be buying one of those fancy plug-in wax melts. You can get the same terpene high with those cheap burning aroma candles and at least get the flickering flame.

While this work focused on wax melts, I would guess the same would apply for those plug-in scented oil units that have become popular.

As for me, I have gone unscented.  I think about all those chemicals added to provide some artificial smell....like laundry detergent, or worse yet, drier sheets.  Clean is the absence of smell.  As a former boss used to say, don't use agents that mask the smell, because if not properly clean, we want to know.

Environmental Science & Technology LettersVol 12/Issue 2
https://pubs.acs.org/doi/full/10.1021/acs.estlett.4c00986
Flame-Free Candles Are Not Pollution-Free: Scented Wax Melts as a Significant Source of Atmospheric Nanoparticles
Satya S. PatraJinglin JiangJianghui LiuGerhard SteinerNusrat Jung*Brandon E. Boor*

Abstract

PA Firm Recalls Cheese After Listeria Positive Sample

Goot Essa LLC of Howard, PA is recalling one lot totaling 64 pounds, batch 33, of its Goot Essa brand Der Mutterschaf Cheese because it has the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.  

The potential for contamination was noted after routine testing by the company revealed the presence of Listeria monocytogenes in one sample from the batch. Sampling of similar batches revealed no contamination. Goot Essa will work closely with the FDA to conclude the investigation.

It appears that good corrective action limited this to one lot.

Goot Essa brand Der Mutterschaf Cheese was distributed to 7 customers in New Jersey, Virginia, Connecticut, and Montana and it was distributed through retail stores and restaurants.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/goot-essa-recalls-der-mutterschaf-cheese-because-possible-health-risk
Goot Essa Recalls Der Mutterschaf Cheese Because of Possible Health Risk
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  September 19, 2025
FDA Publish Date:  September 25, 2025
Product Type:  Food & Beverages  Cheese/Cheese Product
Reason for Announcement:  Potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes
Company Name:  Goot Essa LLC
Brand Name:  Goot Essa
Product Description:  Der Mutterschaf Cheese

Health Alert Issued for Meatball Linguine Product After Pasta Ingredient Potentially Contaminated with Listeria

USDA-FSIS is issuing a public health alert for Marketside brand (Walmart) ready-to-eat meals containing pre-cooked pasta that may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.  The alert covers “MARKETSIDE LINGUINE WITH BEEF MEATBALLS & MARINARA SAUCE” with “best if used by” dates Sep. 22, 2025; Sep. 24, 2025; Sep. 25, 2025; Sep. 29, 2025; Sep. 30, 2025; and Oct. 1, 2025. 

From the announcement, "The producing company collected samples of the FDA-regulated, pre-cooked pasta used as an ingredient in these products as part of the ongoing investigation related to the Listeria outbreak linked to chicken fettuccine alfredo meals. The test confirmed that the linguine pasta was positive for Lm and further testing is ongoing to determine if the Lm is genetically related to the specific outbreak strain. FSIS previously issued a recall notice linked to the Listeria outbreak in June and continues to coordinate with FDA, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and state public health partners."

FreshRealm, the company producing the final product, has two locations where the pasta was used as an ingredient - San Clemente, CA (Est ID M50784+P50784) and Indianapolis, IN (Est ID M47718+P47718).  It seems that the pasta was produced by Nate’s Fine Foods, Roseville, CA as that company was listed as the contact on the USDA release.   

We may see additional recalls as the investigation moves forward.


https://www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls-alerts/fsis-issues-public-health-alert-ready-eat-meals-containing-pasta-may-be-contaminated
FSIS Issues Public Health Alert For Ready-To-Eat Meals Containing Pasta That May Be Contaminated with Listeria

FSIS Announcement

WASHINGTON, September 25, 2025 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is issuing a public health alert for ready-to-eat meals containing a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulated pre-cooked pasta that may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes (Lm). FSIS expects more updates as this investigation continues. As more information becomes available, FSIS will update this public health alert. Consumers should check back frequently because additional products may be added.

FDA Issues Follow-up Public Advisory on Frozen Shrimp From Indonesia After Cesium Contamination Event

FDA issues a broad public advisory on the Indonesian shrimp where cesium (Cs) was found.  There are four companies that issued recalls with some of those companies expanding their initial recall.

Some important points

• At this time, no product that has tested positive or alerted for Cesium-137 (Cs-137) has entered the U.S. marketplace.
• FDA detected Cs-137 in a single shipment of imported frozen shrimp from PT. Bahari Makmur Sejati that did not enter U.S. commerce. The level of Cs-137 detected in the detained shipment was approximately 68 Bq/kg, which is below FDA’s Derived Intervention Level for Cs-137 of 1200 Bq/kg. At this level, the product would not pose an acute hazard to consumers.
• The primary health effect of concern following longer term, repeated low dose exposure (e.g., through consumption of contaminated food or water over time) is an elevated risk of cancer, resulting from damage to DNA within living cells of the body.
• FDA is working with distributors and retailers that received product from PT. Bahari Makmur Sejati after the date of first detection of Cs-137 by Customs & Border Protection (CBP), but from shipments that did not alert for Cs-137, to recommend that firms conduct a recall.
• FDA has also added PT. Bahari Makmur Sejati to a new import alert for chemical contamination to stop products from this firm from coming into the U.S. until the firm has resolved the conditions that gave rise to the appearance of the violation.

https://www.fda.gov/food/alerts-advisories-safety-information/fda-advises-public-not-eat-sell-or-serve-certain-imported-frozen-shrimp-indonesian-firm?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery
FDA Advises Public Not to Eat, Sell, or Serve Certain Imported Frozen Shrimp from an Indonesian Firm

Frozen shrimp imported from PT. Bahari Makmur Sejati is in violation of the Federal FD&C Act. Additional recalls have been added. FDA’s investigation is ongoing

Is Cold Pizza Better Than Hot Pizza?

Hot pizza vs leftover cold pizza?  This article lays out this question and provides some science-ish support.

"Scientists speculate on why this group prefers chilled pizza. Chilling foods mellows the flavors, particularly those that are bitter or sweet. Meanwhile, the taste receptors for saltiness are stronger in cold temperatures. This mutes the sweetness of the tomato sauce, causing the pizza to taste saltier. Other, more delicate flavors, such as the herbs in the sauce, can also come through stronger."

While the melding of flavors is important, however I think there are factors that are more important.  First, we must recognize that not all pizza is the same, and there are big differences on which will be better cold or better reheated.  

The dough is a major factor.  A very thick dough can be overly chewy when cold and is better on reheating.  And if that thick dough was overly doughy initially, reheating it can make it better than it was initially.  

As for cheese, it depends on the type of cheese.  Some cheeses are better hot, while some may be better cold.  I am not the cheese expert (our cheese expert retired), but as a pizza aficionado (grew up in NE PA, pizza capital of the world, and worked for a real pizza shop (not one of these cookie-cutter chains) for 4 years (age 15-18)), I have seen some pizza cheese turn from excellent hot to nothing more than rubber when cold.  This is not only a textural issues, but flavors as well.

The beverage served as a lot to do with this as well.  You can pair hot pizza with beer or wine, but with cold pizza, I just don't see it.  I like my cold pizza with milk.

So do you have a favorite pizza joint and is that pizza good when cold?


Morning Clips
https://www.morningagclips.com/does-cold-pizza-actually-taste-better-the-science-of-leftovers/
Does Cold Pizza Actually Taste Better? The Science of Leftovers
Leftover pizza may be best served cold, but most other leftovers require reheating

PUBLISHED ON September 24, 2025

WASHINGTON — The best way to eat pizza is an ongoing debate. In Pizza Hut’s second annual Pizza Trends Report, 57% of Americans prefer their leftover pizza cold, and science suggests there might be something to the claim. From the oxidation of food molecules to the role of starch, here’s what happens to leftover food in your fridge and how to make the most of it.

FDA Issues Warning Letter to NJ Firm for FSVP Issues Brought to Light by Supplier-related Salmonella Outbreak

FDA issued a Warning Letter to DingMoo LLC, doing business as (DBA) Dingman’s Dairy, Paterson, NJ after finding issues with compliance to the FSVP requirements.

The inspection was initiated in response to a multistate outbreak investigation involving Salmonella Enteritidis infections linked to a food item manufactured by the company's foreign supplier.  Although not stated in the Warning Letter, the foreign supplier was Sweet Cream, whose mini pasties were responsible for 18 cases of Salmonella infection, posted in January of 2024 (https://pennstatefoodsafety.blogspot.com/2025/02/salmonella-outbreak-linked-to-imported.html).

So DingMoo was importing from a company that just had a Salmonella outbreak.  FDA found that DingMoo 

• Did not establish and follow written procedures to ensure that you import foods only from foreign suppliers you have approved based on an evaluation of the foreign supplier’s performance and the risk posed by the food
• Did not establish and follow adequate written procedures for ensuring that appropriate foreign supplier verification activities are conducted with respect to the foods 
• Must conduct a written hazard analysis for each type of imported food to determine whether there are any hazards requiring a control
• Did not provide documentation that the foreign suppliers’ performance was evaluated including the risk posed by the food.

To summarize, the company should have had a FSVP in place for each imported food.  It is also important that the company  know that their supplier was just involved in a Salmonella outbreak.  This would call for a review of the hazard analysis, if they had one, to determine if their plan captures the risk associated with that supplier.  At the very least, knowing that their supplier was involved in an outbreak, they should expect a regulatory inspection.


https://www.fda.gov/inspections-compliance-enforcement-and-criminal-investigations/warning-letters/dingmoo-llc-dba-dingmans-dairy-705186-08072025
DingMoo LLC DBA Dingman’s Dairy
MARCS-CMS 705186 — August 07, 2025

NJ Firm Expands Recall of Sauce Pouches Due to Elevated Lead Content

Sprout Organics is expanding its September 16, 2025 recall of Sprout Organics® Sweet Potato Apple and Spinach, due to potentially elevated lead levels, to include additional lots.

No additional information was posted in the notice on which ingredient may have had the lead contamination.  

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/sprout-organics-expands-voluntary-recall-sweet-potato-apple-and-spinach-include-additional-lot-codes
Sprout Organics Expands Voluntary Recall of Sweet Potato Apple and Spinach to Include Additional Lot Codes
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  September 23, 2025
FDA Publish Date:  September 23, 2025
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Potential Metal Contaminant - Lead
Company Name:  Sprout Organics
Brand Name:  Sprout Organics
Product Description:  Sweet Potato Apple and Spinach, 3.5-ounce pouch

NY Firm Recalls Kimchi Product for Undeclared Milk and Shrimp

Lee K of NY INC of Flushing, NY, is recalling it’s 57-ounce packages of “Stewed Aged Kimchi w/ Mackerel” in black bottomed plastic container because it contains undeclared milk and shrimp.   The recall was initiated after New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets Food Inspectors have found out the label for “Stewed Aged Kimchi w/ Mackerel” does not display the allergen milk and shrimp.


https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/lee-k-ny-issue-allergy-alert-undeclared-allergen-milk-and-shrimp-stewed-aged-kimchi-wmackerel
Lee K of NY Issue Allergy Alert on Undeclared Allergen (Milk and Shrimp) in “Stewed Aged Kimchi w/Mackerel”
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  September 08, 2025
FDA Publish Date:  September 23, 2025
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Potential or Undeclared Allergen – Milk and Shrimp
Company Name:  Lee K of NY INC
Brand Name:  Pinocchio
Product Description:  Stewed Aged Kimchi w/ Mackerel

Costco Issues Recall for Prosecco Due to Bottle Shattering

Costco issued a recall notice for Kirkland Signature Prosecco Valdobbiadene between April 25, 2025 and August 26, 2025 due to potential shattering of the bottles, even when those bottles are not being handled or in use.

Prosecco is not bottle fermented like Champagne.  Rather, it uses he tank method, aka the Charmat method where the fine receives the secondary fermentation in a pressurized tank keeping the gas in in the wine.  The wine is then filtered and bottled under pressure (Wine Enthusiast).  So this is either an over-pressurized wine or there are issues with the bottles (not properly rated for the pressure).  Another possibility is there is a dosage added to the bottle at the filling step and this may have been off.    We're going to bet on a bottle issue.

Product was distributed in IA, IL, IN, KY, MI, MN, MO, NE, OH, SD, and WI.