Pritika Swarup's life is a tapestry of success, passion, and a deep commitment to making a difference. As an international fashion model, entrepreneur, and the founder and CEO of Prakti Beauty, she has carved a unique path in the world. In November 2023, she received the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award from Harvard University, adding another feather to her cap.Honoring the Changemaker AwardPritika Swarup is deeply honored to receive the Changemaker Award from Operation Smile. Her journey with the organization began as a student volunteer in middle school. She actively participated in local events, organized bake sales, and packed supplies for mission trips. This early engagement laid the foundation for her long-term dedication. Six years ago, she became an Operation Smile Ambassador, representing the organization at international conferences, raising awareness about cleft conditions, and spearheading fundraising efforts. She has been on missions in Peru, South Africa, India, Mozambique, and Brazil, witnessing the transformative power of surgery firsthand.The impact of these missions is immeasurable. Seeing a child regain their smile and the ability to speak, drink, and eat comfortably is a life-altering experience. It brings a renewed sense of hope and optimism to both the child and their family. Pritika's passion for the cause has only grown over time, and she feels fortunate to have a platform to create positive change.Operation Smile's Global ImpactOperation Smile is the world's largest volunteer-based charity, providing surgery for children with cleft lip and palate. Its mission resonates with Pritika on a profound level. Through her work as an ambassador, she has seen the tangible difference that surgery can make in the lives of children and adults worldwide. The joy and hope that these life-changing surgeries bring are truly fulfilling.The Beauty of Prakti BeautyPrakti Beauty is a brand that combines India's cultural richness and spirituality with contemporary energies and technologies. It takes a holistic approach to wellness and healthy living, offering an Ayurvedic collection that enhances skin through both botanical and clinical elements. From a young age, Pritika had a deep passion for beauty, inspired by her mother's homemade remedies. Over the years, she developed her philosophy and integrative method, which focuses on maintaining overall balance to prevent skin issues.After spending five years in the fashion industry, she realized that there were no clinically effective products that balanced skin health and provided the sensorial self-care moments she believed in. Prakti Beauty was born out of this realization, aiming to redefine beauty standards through holistic wellness.Product Philosophy and Clean BeautyPrakti products combine cutting-edge scientific innovation with the pleasure of sensorial experiences. They are intentionally formulated to target specific skin concerns while preventing future sensitivities, ensuring optimal skin health. The brand's unique approach prioritizes scientific ingenuity, with advanced actives, innovative processing, functional aromas, and revitalizing sensations.Pritika has always prioritized clean beauty, inspired by her early experiences with homemade skincare recipes. She formulated all Prakti products to align with the Credo Clean Standard, as it represents the highest benchmark in purity, safety, and sustainability. Clean beauty is not just a trend for her; it is a fundamental part of her approach to wellness and self-care.Life on the East EndPritika spends a lot of time in the Hamptons during the summer. Her perfect day starts with an early morning walk on the beach, followed by a lunch at Sant Ambroeus. She then heads to goop to shop for beauty products and catch up with the team (as Prakti products are sold there too!). For dinner, she loves going to Crow's Nest, enjoying the farm-to-table dishes and the stunning sunset views.In conclusion, Pritika Swarup's story is one of inspiration and determination. Through her various endeavors, she has made a significant impact in the fields of fashion, beauty, and philanthropy. Her work with Operation Smile and the creation of Prakti Beauty showcase her commitment to using her platform to create positive change and bring joy to the lives of others.

In the wake of various foodborne disease outbreaks affecting a wide range of food items, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has made some important statements. Despite the high-profile examples, data suggest that recalls were not unusually high last year. For the fiscal year ending in September, there were 179 recalls deemed as the highest-risk classification, up from 145 in 2023 but less than the 185 recorded in 2022. In 2019, there were 167 high-risk recalls. One significant recall was of tens of thousands of cases of onions processed by Taylor Farms, which were suspected to be linked to a deadly E. coli outbreak in McDonald’s Quarter Pounder burgers, sickening over a hundred people.FDA's Perspective on Food SafetyThe FDA spokesperson emphasized that their ultimate goal is for industry to ensure the safety of foods introduced into the market. Recalls help remove contaminated food quickly, and outbreak advisories provide crucial safety information. The spokesperson also referred to The Economist's report, stating that the U.S. food supply is one of the safest in the world and ranked joint first for the food safety indicator in 2022. In fact, the increase in recalls is seen as an indicator that the safety system is working. The occurrence of recalls and outbreaks shows that manufacturers, importers, and distributors are monitoring for issues and taking action.CDC Data on Foodborne IllnessesFigures from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) suggest that the number of high-profile recalls has increased slightly from last year. So far this year, 10 "multistate foodborne outbreak notices" have been issued, compared to 9 last year and 24 in 2018. Infections from foodborne outbreak culprits like Shiga toxin-producing E. coli have climbed to at least 13,962 this year. Around 13,140 had been reported by health departments at this time last year, and 12,119 were reported in 2019. Foodborne illnesses linked to other germs have also increased across the country in recent years. Sharon Shea, senior director of food safety at the Association for Public Health Laboratories, explained that laboratory technology changes impact surveillance data. Faster and more specific testing makes the data less comparable. Public health departments and doctors have also improved their responses to foodborne outbreaks. For example, there has been a shift towards "molecular-based" panel tests that can be run by hospitals and clinical labs for a variety of germs instead of one-off tests for specific pathogens. Labs in the PulseNet network have also switched to "whole genome sequencing," a more accurate approach for linking different cases.Food Safety Advocates' ViewsFood safety advocates outside the government believe that the U.S. still has much room for improvement. Sarah Sorscher, head of regulatory affairs at the Center for Science in the Public Interest, pointed out that it doesn't help to claim that Americans have the safest food when people are dying from baby carrots. She acknowledged that public health departments have improved in investigating outbreaks but cautioned that only a fraction of foodborne illnesses are solved. Staffing shortages and breakdowns in food safety during the COVID-19 pandemic led to a dip in the number of recalls and reported illnesses. Scott Faber, senior vice president for government relations at the Environmental Working Group, said that the food supply is not as safe as it was even five years ago. Inspections by the FDA of food facilities are falling short of congressional mandates, and the agency has been criticized for not requiring testing of irrigation water sprayed on crops. These are common sense measures to reduce the risk of foodborne illness, and they are the most preventable, needless deaths imaginable.

South Bend, Indiana is home to one truly remarkable individual. Cairo Forizs, a student at Darden Elementary, has captured the hearts of many with his acts of kindness. His story has spread far and wide, becoming an inspiration for people of all ages. Inspiring Acts of Kindness from a Young HeartGardening as a Source of KindnessCairo's passion for gardening stems from his late grandfather. This hobby has not only brought him joy but has also led him to share the fruits of his labor with his classmates. By sharing tomatoes, he showed them the simple pleasure of giving and the impact it can have on others. Gardening became a way for Cairo to connect with others and spread kindness.His love for the earth and his desire to make others happy through gardening is truly remarkable. It shows that even the smallest act of sharing can make a big difference in someone's day.Just imagine the sense of fulfillment Cairo gets when he sees the smiles on his classmates' faces after sharing his tomatoes. This is the power of kindness through gardening.Taking an Example from Cairo's Act of KindnessJessie Hansen, the founder of the Kindest Kid in America program, emphasizes the importance of taking example from Cairo's act of kindness. She believes that we should all give for the sake of giving, without expecting anything in return.When we are kind, we not only make others feel better but also experience a sense of well-being ourselves. Cairo's story shows that kindness is contagious and can spread like wildfire.By following Cairo's example, we can all become more compassionate and make a positive impact on the world around us. His simple message of "Be kind, and never stop being kind" is a powerful reminder of the importance of kindness in our lives.Cairo's Simple Message for EveryoneCairo's message is clear and straightforward: "Be kind, and never stop being kind." This message resonates with people of all ages and backgrounds.It is a reminder that kindness should be a part of our daily lives, not just a one-time act. We should strive to be kind to everyone we encounter, whether it's a friend, a stranger, or an enemy.Cairo's example shows that kindness is not about being perfect or doing something big. It's about the small acts of kindness that we do every day, like sharing a smile or a kind word. These small acts can have a big impact on someone's life.