Representational image shows close-up shot of a scooped formula milk powder. — Pexels
PARIS: France has lowered the safety limit for cereulide toxin in infant formula, aiming to strengthen protections after several major groups ordered worldwide recalls over contamination concerns, the farm ministry said on Saturday.
Cereulide, which can cause nausea and vomiting, has been detected in ingredients from a factory in China supplying a large number of baby formula makers including Nestle, Danone and Lactalis, triggering recalls in dozens of countries and raising concerns among parents.
The new threshold will be of 0.014 micrograms of cereulide per kg of body mass, compared to 0.03 micrograms per kg currently, the ministry said in a statement.
France’s move follows a European Union meeting on January 28 and is in line with an updated guidance from the European Food Safety Authority that will be released on Monday, it said.
The lower threshold is likely to lead to further withdrawals in France in the coming days, it added.
The recalls illustrate how a single compromised ingredient can spread through the infant nutrition supply chain, despite tight regulation, and cause rapid market jitters.
French investigators said on January 23 they are looking into whether there is a link between the death of two infants and recalled formula products.
On Thursday, consumer group foodwatch said it had filed a criminal complaint in Paris on behalf of eight families whose babies it says fell ill after consuming contaminated infant formula, claiming companies waited too long to warn the public.
A former player returning to Manchester United to steady the ship after a roller-coaster ride under a Portuguese coach — the comparisons between the caretaker appointments of Ole Gunnar Solskjær in 2018 and Michael Carrick eight years later are obvious.
It might not end there. Solskjær took over from Jose Mourinho and did enough to win the job permanently, whereas Carrick has taken the reins from Ruben Amorim.
After Carrick began his tenure with impressive wins over Manchester City and Arsenal, there are murmurings among excited supporters that United could already have the right man in the dugout. There’s a new hierarchy these days with different voices making the big decisions. Still, the similarities between Solskjær and Carrick are hard to escape.
United have been seduced into promoting a caretaker once before, and continued success between now and the end of the season will strengthen Carrick’s case for it happening again.
Sources involved in hiring Solskjær in December 2018 have told ESPN the Norwegian was considered a “stopgap” when Mourinho was sacked. The plan was to buy time.
Laurent Blanc, who also had a brief stint as a player at Old Trafford, was another name in the frame to take the position temporarily, but there was a feeling internally that spells in big jobs with France and Paris Saint-Germain made it look like a long-term appointment in waiting.
Solskjær was viewed as a safer bet. He had a job at Molde to go back to in the summer of 2019 when United’s recruitment process to find a new manager was scheduled to reach its natural end. Solskjær — who had Carrick on his staff — wasn’t initially considered a front-runner for the permanent job, but, according to sources, had what was described as “option value” by United executives and wasn’t completely ruled out.
Carrick is in a similar boat. At the time of his appointment, United sources told ESPN that it would take something “exceptional” for the former England midfielder to get the job permanently and the focus, when the time was right, would center on external candidates.
The overriding message was that it was “highly unlikely” that the Solskjær situation would be repeated. Carrick — like Solskjær did — has left the door open when asked about his future. He could argue that it doesn’t get more exceptional than winning a Manchester derby against one of the greatest managers the world has ever seen in Pep Guardiola and inflicting a first home league defeat of the season on the Premier League leaders.
Going back to basics
Solskjær won his first eight games in charge, with United scoring 22 goals in the process. Sources have told ESPN that it wasn’t just the results that began to win bosses over, but the manner in which they were achieved.
Mourinho’s pragmatic style was gone, and in its place was “attacking flair, risk-taking and first-time passes going forward,” according to one source. Carrick, too, has been braver than Amorim in his early games, particularly at the Emirates when he made attacking substitutions with the game on the line in the second half.
With Solskjær, there was a sense at the time that he was helping to recover something that had been lost under Mourinho. A source told ESPN that he had “real clarification about what United needed to do to be Manchester United again. It was like talking to Sir Alex Ferguson.”
Before Mourinho was sacked, there was alarm among executives at comments he made about some of his squad players during the tour of America the previous summer. It was viewed then as the beginning of the end.
Similarly with Amorim, club bosses weren’t impressed with comments about Benjamin Sesko and Patrick Dorgu. He said Sesko was “struggling” and that Dorgu was “anxious” every time he touched the ball.
It has been noticeable that Carrick has kept news conferences shorter. He was given the chance to criticize Diogo Dalot following a poor individual performance against City, but rather than agree — as Amorim might have done — Carrick chose to defend him.
Solskjær won favor with the way he handled the media, and Carrick, too, is saying all the right things.
Off-field considerations
It wasn’t just on the pitch where Solskjær impressed. When Mourinho read reports that United wanted to hire a director of football, he angrily approached then-executive vice chairman Ed Woodward and said: “Tell me this isn’t true.”
It had long been the goal of the club to modernize the structure, but there was a feeling that it couldn’t happen while Mourinho was there. Solskjær, according to one source, was more open-minded and considered himself a “hand in a glove” rather than a dictator.
With Solskjær in charge, United were able to appoint their first football director and technical director in March 2021. One source told ESPN that it was “easier to move forward” without Mourinho in charge.
There will be similar considerations this time. Amorim eventually rebelled against the club’s structure, and his spectacular fallout with the director of football Jason Wilcox contributed to his departure.
But rather than amend the distribution of authority in the wake of Amorim’s sacking, United are doubling down and insist that the next permanent manager will have to accept his place within the decision-making process.
Other external candidates like Thomas Tuchel and Roberto De Zerbi have shown in the past that they can be very demanding, particularly when it comes to recruitment. Given how the relationship with Amorim ended, you can understand why a more understated, accommodating character like Carrick would be appealing to Wilcox and CEO Omar Berrada.
History repeating?
In the end, above everything else, it’s the results that matter most. Solskjær won 14 of his 19 games as caretaker and was appointed permanent boss in March 2019.
“Since coming in as caretaker manager in December, the results Ole has delivered speak for themselves,” Woodward said at the time.
Sources have told ESPN that there was “no defining moment” when bosses decided Solskjær was the right man. It helped that in January 2019, Solskjær took his team to Tottenham — managed by Mauricio Pochettino, the leading external candidate for the United job — and won 1-0.
“We talked about doing a process, but it turns out we didn’t need to. He showed the right things on and off the field from the get-go,” said one source.
United, as things stand, still plan to push ahead with their search. They’ve talked about waiting for a manager currently preparing for the World Cup — someone like Tuchel, Pochettino, Carlo Ancelotti or Julian Nagelsmann.
There are also contenders with Premier League experience like Andoni Iraola, Marco Silva and Oliver Glasner. One thing in particular that Wilcox and Berrada are looking for is the ability to handle the pressure that comes with managing United, especially because a key part of the job is teaching players to do the same.
There was a sense that it became too much for Amorim, and United do not want to make the same mistake again. It’s one of the things that set Solskjær apart in 2019. It could yet do the same for Carrick.
Both learned to deal with the intense spotlight and unique scrutiny at Old Trafford as players, each winning multiple league titles and the UEFA Champions League. They’ve both been there, seen it and done it.
So far, United have been keen to distance themselves from suggestions that history could repeat itself. A few more good results and the noise might become impossible to ignore.
Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson make One Direction fans feel nostalgic
Harry Styles and Louis Tomlinson have made One Direction fans nostalgic with the latest achievement the duo unlocked with their new work.
However, there was an ongoing rift among fans about Tomlinson throwing shade at Styles for releasing his new single the same day of his new album release.
After the Watermelon Sugar hitmaker announced his new single, he wrote on his X account, “Going to need your help over the next few days to cut through the noise. Time to give this record the moment it deserves!”
But there is no point of this argument now as both have topped the UK Charts post-One Direction with Louis’ “How Did I Get Here” earning the top spot on the Official Albums Chart and Harry taking the top spot his new single Aperture.
Taking it to social media, the Imposter singer shared a picture of him holding the special award he received after achieving the milestone.
He wrote, “Number 1 in the UK!! Absolutely mind blown. The amount of hard work I’ve seen from every fan to support this record is a different class. This is a fan base where every individual makes such a huge difference. Thank you to all of you!”
Harry did not share anything on his social media handle, but his picture has been going viral on different internet accounts featuring him posing with the accolade.
Their first post-1D chart double is making fans feel nostalgic as it took them back to 2016 when they were dominating the UK music charts as a band.
Natural or clinical baby skincare? Experts explain why safety, testing, and skin physiology matter more than labels when choosing products for infants.
Your baby’s skin needs just a little extra thought and care.
Soft, fragile, and still developing, baby skin demands more than pretty labels and comforting words. Yet today’s baby care aisle is dominated by buzzwords such as “natural”, “organic”, “chemical-free”, “clinical” – leaving parents torn between tradition and science. The truth is simpler and far more practical: infant skin doesn’t care about marketing categories. It responds to safety, stability, and tolerance.
Experts say the real conversation is not about choosing sides but about thoughtful formulation. “Baby skin is up to 30 per cent thinner and far more permeable than adult skin, which makes gentleness, safety and efficacy non-negotiable. The concern is not natural versus clinical, but how adequately and thoughtfully the two are combined,” explains Mithun Majumdar, CEO, 750AD Group.
Why Baby Skin Needs Special Care
Infant skin behaves differently from adult skin. Its protective barrier is still forming, water loss is higher, and sensitivity thresholds are lower. That means even mild irritants such as fragrance, unstable botanicals, or harsh preservatives can trigger redness or dryness.
“In baby skincare, labels often oversimplify a nuanced reality. Infant skin isn’t just smaller or softer. Its barrier is still developing, and tolerance levels are much lower. Any formulation that ignores these biological facts risks doing more harm than good,” says Prerna Singla, Founder, Clariteens.
This physiological vulnerability makes precision essential.
The ‘Natural’ Myth
Plant oils, herbal extracts, and botanicals have long been trusted for their soothing qualities. Coconut oil, calendula, and chamomile are staples in traditional baby care for good reason. But natural does not automatically mean safer.
“Raw natural ingredients may cause allergic reactions or irritation. They require purification, standardisation, and stability testing before they are suitable for baby skin,” Majumdar notes.
Singla echoes the sentiment: “Botanical oils can support hydration, but they also carry naturally occurring allergens and variability. Without careful selection and dosage control, even familiar ingredients can overwhelm sensitive skin.”
In short, nature needs science to make it predictable.
What ‘Clinical’ Really Means
The word “clinical” often feels cold or synthetic to parents, but in formulation terms, it simply signals evidence-backed precision.
“Clinically validated ingredients are chosen because their interaction with infant skin is well understood. Their safety margins are established through testing, and their performance is predictable,” Singla explains.
Clinical formulation ensures the right pH balance, barrier protection, and long-term stability – the invisible factors that determine whether a cream soothes or stings.
Majumdar adds that dermatological testing, controlled concentrations, and safety assessments strengthen natural formulations rather than replace them. He notes, “These protocols don’t negate the natural nature of products. They ensure consistency and safety.”
What Parents Should Look For
Instead of chasing trends, experts suggest focusing on fundamentals:
Dermatologically tested formulations
Balanced pH levels
Fragrance-free or low-allergen profiles
Stable, purified ingredients
Absence of parabens, sulphates, dyes, and harsh additives
As Majumdar puts it, “The divine truth of baby products is evidence-backed formulation.”
The safest baby skincare products are neither purely natural nor strictly clinical. They are intelligently designed. When traditional botanicals meet rigorous testing and modern science, the result is gentle, reliable care that respects infant skin biology. For parents, the best choice isn’t about labels, but about trust built on tolerance, transparency, and proven safety.
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Eugene and Dan Levy break silence over Catherine O’Hara’s death
Schitt’s Creek co-creators and stars Eugene Levy and Dan Levy are grieving the death of their beloved costar Catherine O’Hara
O’Hara’s manager confirmed her death yesterday, January 30. The beloved actress was 71. The news was a big shock to her fans, who learned via news and social media.
O’Hara was known for her roles in Home Alone, Best in Show, Beetlejuice, The Nightmare Before Christmas and more recently, Schitt’s Creek.
The actress made dedicated fans out of a younger generation with her over-the-top portrayal of out of work actress and mom Moira Rose in the show. Eugene played her husband Johnny Rose, while Dan played their son David and Annie Murphy played their daughter Alexis.
Sharing his sentiments over the death of a cherished collaborator, Eugene wrote, “Words seem inadequate to express the loss I feel today. I had the honor of knowing and working with the great Catherine O’Hara for over fifty years.”
“From our beginnings on the Second City stage, to SCTV, to the movies we did with Chris Guest, to our six glorious years on Schitt’s Creek, I cherished our working relationship, but most of all our friendship,” Eugene continued. “And I will miss her. My heart goes out to Bo, Matthew, Luke, and the entire O’Hara family.””
Dan also took to Instagram to share a tribute to the actress.
“What a gift to have gotten to dance in the warm glow of Catherine O’Hara’s brilliance for all those years,” he began.
“Having spent over fifty years collaborating with my Dad, Catherine was extended family before she ever played my family,” he continued. “It’s hard to imagine a world without her in it. I will cherish every funny memory I was fortunate enough to make with her.”
Why Violet Bridgerton pulled back in Lord Marcus romance revealed
Bridgerton season four has given matriarch Lady Violet Bridgerton (Ruth Gemmel) her own love story as she continues to tell her kids to marry for love.
Violet is the loving and supportive mother to eight Bridgerton kids she welcomed with Viscount Edmund Bridgerton (Rupert), who died long ago.
In season three, Violet met her old friend Lady Danbury’s (Adjoah Andoh) brother Lord Marcus Anderson (Daniel Francis) and sparks flew between the two.
In season four, the duo decide to take things further but keep it secret from Violet’s kids.
Actors Ruth and Daniel are commenting on the budding romance.
“We’re certainly more confident in each other’s company. There was a very tentative, first stepping out in a way, and I think the beginning of [Season 4], there is much more confidence,” Ruth told Deadline.
“It’s implied, that suggestion of where we’d go from here. And suddenly, I slightly backtrack. So there’s a lot of patience,” she explained.
Daniel chimed in, saying, “It’s a very patient exploration, but I think once they know they like each other, then it’s just about ‘What needs to happen in order to evolve this?’”
“Lord Anderson is very patient. He’s not on a dating app, swiping,” he added.
Ruth also explained Violet’s honest monologue about her hesitation to date after mourning her husband for several years.
“All those are really valid points, actually, certainly, if you have not been intimate with someone for years, I mean, almost 12, 13, years. I should know how old Hyacinth is at this stage, and it escapes me, but it’s something like that, and that’s quite a long time. So they are completely valid. All of those, I feel those now, all those vulnerabilities,” Gemmell said.
Bridgerton season four part 1 is streaming on Netflix. Part 2 will drop on February 26.
India has calibrated tariff reductions under its free trade agreement with the European Union to speed up access to critical imports while giving domestic industries time to adjust, Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal said in an interview with NDTV.
Rather than a blanket opening of the market, India has prioritised faster duty elimination for goods it needs immediately, such as certain medical devices, while building transition periods for sectors that require adjustment, Goyal told NDTV’s Vishnu Som in a televised interaction. The approach reflects how India intends to use trade agreements as part of its domestic manufacturing strategy, he said.
The comments come days after India and the European Union concluded negotiations on a long-awaited free trade agreement. While official statements have focused on trade volumes and tariff coverage, Goyal’s remarks shed light on how New Delhi intends to sequence market access to balance imports with domestic production goals.
Goyal said India front-loaded tariff reductions only where imports directly support domestic priorities, including healthcare needs. Sectors where domestic manufacturers required time to adapt were given longer transition periods under the agreement, he said.
“In India, what we have done is calibrated it smartly,” Goyal said, adding that the agreement reflects different timelines based on sectoral readiness rather than uniform liberalisation.
The minister said the design ensures that Indian industry is not exposed to sudden competitive pressure while allowing consumers and essential sectors to benefit where imports add immediate value.
The structure of the tariff schedule signals how India plans to align future trade agreements with industrial policy, according to Goyal. Rather than using trade pacts solely to expand exports, the government is embedding import sequencing into its broader manufacturing and supply-chain strategy.
Goyal said India remains focused on building domestic capacity even as it integrates more deeply with global markets. The European Union agreement, he said, reflects that balance.
December 10 were formed on camera during Netflix’s docuseries Simon Cowell: The Next Act
Simon Cowell’s new boyband, December 10, set the internet ablaze after they dropped their debut single Run My Way via EMI Records.
December 10 were formed on camera during Netflix’s docuseries Simon Cowell: The Next Act, which premiered last year on December 10.
The band, which consists of Cruz Lee-Ojo, 19, Danny Bretherton, 17, Hendrick Christoffersen, 19, John Fadare, 17, Josh Olliver, 17, Nicolas Alves, 16, and Sean Hayden, 19, have also released an accompanying music video which shows the boys in action packed day out in London.
Fans were quick to share their praise in the comments following the release.
Last month December 10 debuted their first full performance with an acoustic cover of NSYNC’s Bye Bye Bye.
Over the years, Simon has created a number of successful groups and solo artists, including One Direction, Little Mix, Susan Boyle and Westlife – which are all down to shows such as ITV’s X Factor and the Got Talent franchise.
On the show, Simon was joined on-screen by his wife Lauren Silverman, 48, – who he married in 2013 – as well as a number of music industry professionals.
The six-part series gave viewers a glimpse behind day-to-day demands of his job, revealing the unglamorous finer details so often overlooked on The X Factor.
The couple had been romantically linked for about two years
Fashion blogger Danielle Bernstein has officially confirmed her split from fiancé Cooper Weisman.
The couple had been romantically linked for about two years.
The WeWoreWhat entrepreneur shared the news in a post to her Instagram Stories on Friday, Jan. 30. ‘I’ve been quiet about my personal life and wasn’t ready to speak on it until now,” she wrote.
‘We’re stepping away from our relationship with love and respect,” Bernstein continued.
Fashion blogger Danielle Bernstein’s official Instagram account
‘There’s no big dramatic reason — sometimes it’s simply not the right forever. I’m not sure what the future holds, but this choice took courage.’
She added, ‘I would really appreciate privacy and grace for both of us during this time. Thank you for the support.’
Bernstein’s announcement comes six months after the pair got engaged in June, following nearly two years of dating.
