Scott Pruitt is slowly strangling the EPA

EPA head Scott Pruitt, in a review of his first year, praised President Donald Trump’s denial of climate change and reveled in his own decisions that overturned 22 existing regulations. Former EPA administrator Christine Todd Whitman criticized Pruitt, saying, “People will get sick and die.” Read more at Vox …

How an Iowa law requiring grocers to sell conventional eggs is stirring controversy

An Iowa law requiring grocery stores that sell cage-free or free-range eggs to also sell conventional eggs, from caged hens, has moved to the governor’s desk to be signed into law. Reportedly, the law is designed to preserve access to cheaper eggs for low-income residents and those who use public food assistance. Read more at Civil Eats …

Trade war could spark food fight, California growers fear

In reaction to President Donald Trump’s tariffs on steel and aluminum, some trading partners—including China and the European Union—are threatening retaliation that could affect agricultural trade. Because it is perishable, food is susceptible to deeper penalties than other goods. Read more at the Los Angeles Times …

Do you know what's really in your protein powder?

In a test of 134 popular protein powders, the Clean Label Project found that “nearly all” contained one or more heavy metals, and the majority included BPA, a hormone disruptor. Plant-based proteins showed more contamination than whey-based products. Read more at Treehugger …

Martin Shkreli sentenced to seven years in prison for defrauding investors

The notorious hedge fund investor known for increasing the price of an AIDS medication 5,000 percent when he headed up Turing Pharmaceuticals was convicted in August of defrauding investors. Martin Shkreli tearfully asked the judge for leniency, but did not react when she issued the sentence. Read more in The Washington Post …