5@5: Tyson fires managers over COVID-19 betting pool | Nutrition research swayed by food industry

Tyson fires managers following allegations of COVID-19 betting pool

After reports surfaced of a betting pool among management employees regarding how many workers would contract COVID-19 at Tyson's Waterloo, Iowa, pork processing plant, seven management employees have been fired. Over 1,000 employees at the plant had tested positive for the virus by May. The lawsuit that brought these managers' behavior to light also alleged that plant managers encouraged workers to complete their shifts despite their COVID-19 symptoms. CNN has the story.

In the most popular nutrition journals, 1 in 7 articles have food industry involvement

Scientific findings funded by certain industries are likely to flatter them, and the food world is no exception. A new analysis has found that nearly one out of every seven studies in the most popular nutrition journals had links to food producers, with processed food, dietary supplements and dairy making up the largest sectors involved with the research. And researchers also discovered that an outside sponsor meant the results were six times more likely to favor that sponsor. Head to The Counter for more details.

General Mills anticipates higher demand beyond pandemic

General Mills Chief Executive Jeff Harmening believes consumers will continue to cook and eat at home well after COVID-19 because of added financial strain and greater work-from-home flexibility. Harmening said that many of the company's brands have gained market share this year, and tweaks to its recipes (like lowering sugar in its yogurt products) have attracted health-conscious shoppers. The Wall Street Journal recaps the exec's food industry projections.

The poison found in everyone, even unborn babies–and who is responsible for it

So-called forever chemicals PFAS and PFOS have been linked to a variety of serious diseases, and they can also be found in every human on Earth. This call to action at The Guardian explains how much bigger in scope this poisoning is than many consumers realize; scientists have known for decades the damaging effects these chemicals can have on people and animals, but this knowledge is only now trickling down and affecting how consumers view food packaging.

Pet food producers use insect protein to help the planet

Nestlé is launching a new range of its Purina pet food that consists of black soldier fly larvae protein with plant proteins and some meat. More brands are viewing insect protein as a more eco- and cost-friendly way to feed the world's pets. Pet food production accounts for as much in terms of annual emissions as countries like Nigeria and the Phillipines. World Economic Forum reports.