Antibacterial products may contribute to dangerous superbug crisis, study suggests

A new viewpoint study suggests the use of antibacterial soaps and other cleaning products may contribute to the development of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), potentially posing risks to human and environmental health.

A group of international researchers evaluated the impact of biocides (chemical or biological agents used to control harmful organisms, such as bacteria, viruses, fungi and algae) on antimicrobial resistance.

These biocides are added to many common household products, including antibacterial hand soaps, disinfecting wipes, spray cleaners, laundry sanitizers, textiles and personal care products, the researchers noted.

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After analyzing numerous existing studies, the team concluded that the biocides — especially quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs) and chloroxylenol — can promote antimicrobial resistance. The findings were published in the journal Environmental Science & Technology.

Quaternary ammonium compounds (often called "quats") are a group of chemicals commonly used as disinfectants, sanitizers and preservatives. Chloroxylenol is an antiseptic and disinfectant chemical used to kill bacteria and some viruses on skin or surfaces.

As bacteria become resistant to these biocides, they can also become resistant to clinical antibiotics, which increases the risk of severe illness, disability or death, the researchers warned.

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"Antibacterial soaps, wipes and sprays can make bacteria harder to kill, even with critical antibiotics, yet they offer no added benefit over plain soap and water for everyday home use," lead author Rebecca Fuoco, director of science communications at the Green Science Policy Institute and doctoral student at Johns Hopkins University, told Fox News Digital. 

"We’re feeding the antibiotic resistance crisis from our own sinks and countertops with products that don’t deliver the protection their marketing suggests."

The study did have limitations, primarily that it was based on a review of existing studies rather than new experimental data.

"This is a viewpoint that synthesizes the existing body of research, not a clinical study that generates new evidence," Fuoco admitted. "We still need better data on how household biocides compare to other superbug drivers, like antibiotic overuse in hospitals and agriculture."

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The research only established an association and did not prove that the products caused AMR. Actual health impacts may vary depending on individual products’ concentration and usage.

The authors recommend that the World Health Organization implement targets to reduce the use of consumer-product biocides in its next Global Action Plan on antimicrobial resistance. They also call on governments to limit antimicrobial ingredients in household products and to promote public awareness.

"Use plain soap and water for everyday handwashing and routine cleaning," Fuoco recommended. "Reserve disinfectants for when you are cleaning up after someone in your household who has a contagious illness. In those cases, bleach works without the resistance risks."

Dr. Marc Siegel, Fox News senior medical analyst, was not involved in the study but weighed in on the potential risks.

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Millions die every year from antibiotic-induced infections, which are new infections or complications arising from the use of antibiotics that kill beneficial bacteria, allowing for an overgrowth of harmful, resistant bacteria or fungi, the doctor cautioned.

"Benzalkonium chloride is found in a lot of these products – it works as an antiseptic, but has also been linked to bacterial resistance," Siegel told Fox News Digital.

"Bacteria can swarm, growing in billions of colonies, and the principle of ‘survival of the fittest’ means those that aren’t susceptible to these chemicals are more likely to survive."

Siegel agreed that there should be less of these chemicals in Americans’ products and environments, not more. "Good old soap and water is still the best cleaner for most things, but is frequently overlooked in cleansers, hand wipes and similar products," he said.

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In October 2025, the World Health Organization warned that one in every six bacterial infections are resistant to antibiotics.

More than 1 million deaths each year are directly linked to antibiotic resistance, according to a study by the Global Research on Antimicrobial Resistance (GRAM) Project.

The American Cleaning Institute, based in Washington, D.C., argues that while antimicrobial resistance is a serious global health concern, the newly published research reflects opinion rather than new data. Claims that such products provide "no added health benefit" oversimplify a complex issue, ACI added.

"Public health authorities consistently recognize that the overuse and overprescription of antibiotic drug products in medical care and overuse in agriculture are the primary drivers of antibiotic resistance worldwide," the organization said in a statement sent to Fox News Digital. 

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"Blanket recommendations to phase out entire categories of consumer products, without regard to their regulated uses and demonstrated benefits, do not advance public health and risk undermining effective hygiene and infection prevention practices."

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Drug-soaked paper is killing inmates amid reports of prison smuggling trends

A dangerous drug smuggling trend has been reported among U.S. jails and prisons, highlighting a growing health risk.

Synthetic cannabinoids have been increasingly detected in fatal overdoses among incarcerated individuals, according to a recent alert from The Center for Forensic Science Research & Education (CFSRE).

These man-made psychoactive substances are designed to mimic the effects of THC, the primary active component of cannabis.

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Reports have also revealed that synthetic cannabinoids are increasingly being smuggled into correctional facilities on common paper items, such as letters, greeting cards, books, postcards and magazines.

The CFSRE has previously warned of "drug-soaked paper strips" causing overdoses among incarcerated individuals.

In many cases, the papers are laced with a "potpourri" of synthetic cannabinoids mixed with other dangerous drugs, officials noted.

"While it’s impossible to know exactly why people are cooking up these combinations, I suspect they are simply ordering these substances from China or India and mixing them with very little understanding of how different substances interact or what constitutes a lethal dose," Alex Krotulski, director of toxicology and chemistry for the CFSRE, told a local outlet.

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In a December 2024 study, the CFSRE found that the paper strips it examined primarily contained "synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonists, nitazene opioids, and other novel psychoactive substances."

The drug-laced papers have been found to cause "severe health outcomes," including central nervous system depression (slowed brain activity) and bradycardia (slowed heart rate), the agency stated.

Cook County Jail in Chicago, which houses nearly 5,000 detainees, has reported increasing cases of smugglers soaking paper with synthetic drugs and sending them into the jail through mail or visitors.

In 2023, the jail’s administration confirmed 18 total deaths of prisoners in custody. Five of those were caused by overdose, with three involving synthetic cannabinoids, according to Cook County Medical Examiner records.

"I cannot stress how serious this is," Dr. Priscilla Ware, who oversees Cook County Correctional Health and is medical director of Cermak Health Services, told a local outlet in November 2023. "People are dying from this product every single day when they use it."

To address the growing trend of soaking paper with cannabinoids, the jail’s administrators reportedly implemented a ban on paper in April 2023.

In 2024, Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart told a local outlet that while overdose deaths were lower that year, drug-soaked paper smuggling continues to be an issue.

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"Unfortunately, it has been common to see test results for drug-soaked paper come back with two or three dangerous drugs, and we know that the people who produce this paper often included toxic chemicals, such as insecticides and rat poison, in their ‘recipes,’" Dart told the outlet. 

"That was alarming enough. But to see these results come back with a half dozen or more dangerous synthetic drugs – any one of which could be fatal on its own – is terrifying."

In July 2024, Cook County reportedly seized three pieces of paper that were suspected to be laced with drugs. Testing by CFSRE found that the papers contained up to 10 separate dangerous synthetic drugs, including protonitazene (a synthetic opioid up to three times more powerful than fentanyl) and xylazine (a powerful animal sedative known as "tranq" or "zombie drug").

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Cook County noted in an August 2024 press release that drug-laced papers have been known to sell for $10,000 per page.

The issue appears to extend beyond Chicago, as The New York Times has reported that at least 16 states have prosecuted people for smuggling drug-laced papers into jails and prisons.

"Drug‑soaked paper allows extremely powerful substances — synthetic cannabinoids, opioids and other novel compounds — to be delivered invisibly, without smell or obvious residue, making detection difficult in many environments," Dr. Adam Scioli, chief medical officer of Caron Treatment Centers in Pennsylvania, told Fox News Digital.

Scioli said the "drug‑impregnated paper" should not be viewed as a problem limited to prisons. 

"It represents a broader and very troubling shift in how highly potent synthetic drugs are being distributed, concealed and consumed across multiple settings," he said. "The same delivery method can easily affect schools, mail rooms, shelters, treatment centers and private homes — any place where paper moves freely and inspection is limited."

The fact that paper can be handled or shared unintentionally raises the risk not only of overdose, but of accidental exposure to staff, family members or bystanders, Scioli cautioned.

To reduce accidental exposure and to protect both the public and frontline workers, Scioli calls for early detection and screening tools.

"Expanding access to evidence‑based addiction treatment, including medications for opioid and alcohol use disorder, directly lowers demand for illicit and high‑risk substances," he added.

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"A coordinated response that includes healthcare, public safety, mail systems and community education is essential — this cannot be solved by enforcement alone."

Fox News Digital reached out to Cook County Jail requesting comment.

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Man with Celine Dion's rare disease warns her comeback could be dangerous

A former marathon runner who was diagnosed with the same condition as Celine Dion worries that crowds could be a "trigger" during the singer’s recently announced comeback.

Jon Kelf, 56, was a five-time marathon runner before he was diagnosed with stiff-person syndrome (SPS) in 2019, SWNS reported. Dion revealed her own diagnosis in late 2022.

SPS causes progressive muscle stiffness and severe muscle spasms that can lead to chronic pain, falls and loss of mobility over time, according to UT Southwestern Medical Center.

UNEXPLAINED SHOULDER PAIN COULD SIGNAL DANGEROUS HEALTH CONDITION, DOCTOR WARNS

"In some cases, spasms are so severe that they can cause falls, broken bones and dislocated joints," the center notes on its website.

While this rare condition is not fatal, its symptoms can dramatically affect a person’s quality of life.

The disease is often triggered by emotional stress or noise, elements Kelf calls "particularly debilitating." He shared with SWNS that he never expected Dion to perform again.

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 "I was a bit surprised. Especially when she talked about the dancing. I couldn’t dance before the diagnosis, let alone afterwards," said Kelf, who has no medical involvement or knowledge of Dion's case personally.

"Obviously, she has the resources to get the best treatment available, but even still, it’s quite remarkable."

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In 2019, the former engineer started feeling his legs tighten up and stiffen anytime he was nervous or tense, but dismissed the odd sensations until one day, he stood and couldn't move.

Kelf can now barely walk and has been forced to quit his job.

Dion has announced 10 shows in September and October at the 40,000-capacity Paris la Défense Arena, planned at three- to four-day intervals. 

The intervals will be crucial for Dion to pace herself, rest and medicate between shows, according to Kelf.

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"Everyone’s different, but I’m still surprised," said Kelf, who added that the disease could "limit" the singer.

"It’s challenging to live with, to say the least. You have to rearrange your entire life. There are good and bad days."

While Kelf is hopeful that Dion will be able to make the show work, he warned against underestimating the seriousness of the disorder.

"I think it could undermine how seriously people take us, other sufferers," he told SWNS.

While he views the tour as positive and inspiring, Kelf said he hopes it will lead to more support for others who are suffering.

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"Otherwise, people may look at her and think, ‘Why aren’t I doing more?’ which could ultimately have a negative impact."

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"If I’m out in public, people don’t see the worst of it," he added. "It's the same with her, they only see the good side."

Fox News Digital reached out to Dion's representatives for comment.

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Hospital food under fire as experts warn meals are harming America’s sickest patients

HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is pushing to expand the Dietary Guidelines for Americans into hospitals, integrating federal nutrition standards into patient care.

On March 30, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), led by Dr. Mehmet Oz, sent a memo directing hospitals to align their meals with the guidelines by reducing ultraprocessed foods, sugar-sweetened beverages, refined carbohydrates and added sugars.

Kennedy reportedly shared that Oz’s memo effectively acts like a federal mandate, as hospitals may need to follow the dietary guidelines to maintain funding.

DR OZ BLASTS 'WHITE FOODS' AS OBESITY DRIVERS AS FEDERAL DIETARY GUIDELINES CONTINUE TO MAKE WAVES

Most hospital menus rely heavily on convenience foods, according to Dr. Hamid Khan, chief medical officer of Jorie AI, a healthcare revenue service.

"Patients are often served items such as pasta, processed deli meats, packaged snacks with artificial components, sugary desserts, cereals, juice and soda," he told Fox News Digital. 

"Although many hospitals have begun the implementation of 'healthier options,' the average menu still tends to prioritize low cost, long shelf life and ease of preparation over nutrition."

Larger concerns include high sugar and sodium levels, processed ingredients and refined carbohydrates in hospital foods, Khan said. "There seems to be a lack of high-quality protein, fresh fruits, vegetables and healthy fats," he added.

Khan said he has seen patients order their meals from Grubhub, DoorDash or Uber Eats because they felt the hospital menu options were not healthy enough.

"Most of the hospital meals do not provide adequate nutrients … to properly support healing, muscle maintenance, immunity or overall recovery," he told Fox News Digital.

"Poor nutrition only makes things worse for this patient pool," Khan went on. "Ultimately, poor nutrition is very harmful for elderly patients and people with chronic illnesses. They are at a higher risk for muscle loss, weakness, delayed healing, infection and re-infection."

Celebrity chef and restaurateur Geoffrey Zakarian is partnering with Tampa General Hospital in Florida to transform hospital dining, introducing Mediterranean diet–inspired meals for patients.

Zakarian told Fox News Digital that hospital food is often a mix of "high desire, low-value and low-nutrition food," typically priced to meet a strict per-plate cost that hospitals cannot exceed.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE LIFESTYLE STORIES

"[There is] very little emphasis on original, pasture-raised proteins and fats like eggs, whole dairy grass-fed beef and poultry, and unprocessed vegetables," he said.

In Tampa, Zakarian has been working since 2023 to eliminate all processed foods — removing items containing hormones, added sugars, seed oils and anything prepackaged.

"All the food originates from farms and gardens in and around Tampa," he said, calling the mission "Farm to Gurney."

Sec. Kennedy and CMS administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz announced a similar initiative at Nicklaus Children's Hospital in Miami.

Vani Hari, known as the "Food Babe," told Fox News Digital that this is the first time leaders in Washington are openly acknowledging that food is medicine.

"The fact that they had to send a memo reminding hospitals of that tells you everything about how broken the system is," said Hari, who is based in North Carolina. "People are at their most vulnerable in a hospital bed – and for decades, nobody in charge seemed to care what they were eating."

Medicare and Medicaid fund the majority of inpatient services, including at least half of inpatient days at 96% of hospitals and two-thirds or more at 80% of hospitals, according to the American Hospital Association (AHA).

An AHA spokesperson told Fox News Digital that hospitals recognize nutritious food is an essential part of healing and recovery. 

"They are deeply committed to providing patients with high‑quality, nutritious meals that meet clinical standards, individual dietary needs and federal guidance," said the spokesperson. 

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Hospital teams collaborate with registered dietitians and clinical staff to make sure each patient receives meals tailored to their medical needs and recovery plan, according to the AHA.

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The spokesperson also said the organization regularly evaluates current evidence-based nutrition recommendations and integrates them into meal programs.

"Beyond the hospital walls, we partner with community organizations to expand access to nutritious food, provide education on healthy eating, and support initiatives that promote long‑term wellness," they added.

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Experts reveal hidden link between poor sleep and Alzheimer's disease risk

There’s a known link between sleep and brain health – but recent research has specifically highlighted the impact of rest on neurodegenerative conditions like Alzheimer’s disease.

A study published in NPJ Dementia found that tau pathology – the buildup of toxic brain proteins that is the hallmark of Alzheimer’s – is also linked to hyperactive brain activity and poor sleep.

This could be a reason why people with Alzheimer’s often struggle with sleep before memory loss begins, according to researchers at the University of Kentucky's Sanders-Brown Center on Aging.

SLEEPING 11 MINUTES LONGER EACH NIGHT SHOWS SURPRISING HEALTH BENEFIT, STUDY FINDS

In a press release, the scientists revealed how tau "hijacks" the brain’s energy supply, which leads to a "state of overactive excitability that prevents restorative rest."

Using female mouse models, the study authors measured time spent in sleep stages.

At six months, the mice with tau pathology spent more time awake and less time in NREM sleep (non-rapid eye movement), which is the calm and restorative first phase of a sleep cycle. By nine months, the results showed even less REM sleep, pointing toward a progressive decline.

Tau changes how the brain uses glucose to stimulate brain activity, the researchers concluded.

POPULAR DIET TIED TO LOWER DEMENTIA RISK FOR SOME GROUPS, STUDY REVEALS

"It’s like a petulant toddler who just won’t calm down and go to sleep," principal investigator Shannon Macauley, PhD, associate professor of physiology, commented in a statement.

"The brain is hijacking all your glucose to make glutamate (a chemical neurotransmitter) over and over again, keeping the system awake and preventing it from reaching the deep, restorative stages of sleep necessary for recovery and memory formation," she added.

This leads to a vicious cycle, as the disease causes sleep disruption, and sleep disruption then worsens the disease, according to the researchers.

The study did have some limitations, the researchers acknowledged. It identifies associations between tau pathology, brain activity and poor sleep, but does not establish a clear causal relationship. It is also unclear whether these findings apply to human populations.

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Dr. Wendy Troxel, a Utah-based licensed clinical psychologist and senior behavioral scientist at RAND, commented on the Alzheimer's-sleep connection in an interview with Fox News Digital.

"We know that sleep is critical for our cognitive health and our ability to age well," she said. "And research shows that short sleep duration, fragmented sleep and irregular sleep schedules can increase the risk of dementia."

Other lab studies have shown that deep sleep activates the glymphatic system, which is responsible for flushing out toxins that accumulate in the brain, according to Troxel.

This includes tau and amyloid beta, the neurotoxins associated with the development of Alzheimer’s disease.

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"If you sacrifice sleep, you're not just sacrificing this passive state – you're actually sacrificing this critical brain-flushing mechanism, because the glymphatic system predominantly works while asleep," the expert said.

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"So, it's really important to protect sleep for your cognitive health, for your cardiovascular health, for your mental health and overall well-being."

In her own clinical psychology practice, Troxel said she has patients who experience insufficient or low-quality sleep due to stress.

"If we're constantly thinking about, ‘Oh my gosh, if I don't get enough sleep, I'm going to develop Alzheimer's disease,’ that's not going to serve you well," she said. "We do have to recognize the risks, but also recognize that sleep is imperfect."

The sleep expert encourages aiming for progress instead of perfection.

"If we invade our brains with these worries about the consequences of not sleeping well, that's going to increase pressure and anxiety, and contribute to more restless nights," Troxel cautioned.

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"Sometimes, we have to just throw our hands up, practice the good behaviors that are going to set the conditions for a good night of sleep, and not obsess about it."

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Drinking habits of parents may be more contagious than they think: 'Greater risk'

A parent’s drinking habits really do rub off on their children, a new study suggests.

Specific parenting interventions can break the cycle of generational substance use, even if the parents don't stop drinking themselves, according to researchers from the Federal University of São Paulo.

The study analyzed data from more than 4,200 Brazilian teens and their guardians, finding that parents' drinking habits are a leading predictor of whether their teenagers will partake in alcohol or drugs.

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A parent’s alcohol consumption is associated with a 24% probability of their child drinking, and that risk escalates when multiple substances are involved, according to the study's press release. 

When guardians use both alcohol and tobacco or vapes, the likelihood of their children following suit jumps to 28%. The findings were published in the scientific journal Addictive Behaviors.

The data was collected from 2023 to 2024 in four towns in Brazil. The average age of the adolescents was 14.7 years, and the group included an even mix of boys and girls.

"With this study, we reinforce the fact that parents' patterns of alcohol and other drug use influence their children's," said lead author Zila Sanchez, a professor at the university, in the release.

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The most effective form of prevention appears to be lead-by-example abstinence. When guardians opt not to drink, 89% of adolescents refrain from using alcohol or other drugs.

Home environment also played a role in adolescent substance use, as the researchers analyzed the effects of the following four parenting styles.

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"If they set rules and limits at home and show affection, these protective factors greatly minimize the risk they themselves pose when they consume these substances," Sanchez said.

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However, the researchers warned that affection isn't a cure-all, and that if alcohol is framed as a universal coping mechanism, a teenager is far more likely to adopt that behavior.

"When consumption is frequent and treated as something trivial, it translates into greater risk, regardless of the existing emotional bond," Sanchez said.

The researchers noted some limitations of the study.

Because it analyzed a snapshot of data from one point in time, it shows a connection but cannot prove that parents’ drinking caused the teens' choices.

The data also relied on surveys from teenagers, who may have underreported their own use or misremembered their parents' habits.

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Additionally, because the study focused only on four towns in Brazil, the results may not reflect drinking cultures or family dynamics in other parts of the world.

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Officials slam hospital food as health experts demand menu overhaul: 'Farm to gurney'

HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is pushing to expand the Dietary Guidelines for Americans into hospitals, integrating federal nutrition standards into patient care.

On March 30, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), led by Dr. Mehmet Oz, sent a memo directing hospitals to align their meals with the guidelines by reducing ultraprocessed foods, sugar-sweetened beverages, refined carbohydrates and added sugars.

Kennedy reportedly shared that Oz’s memo effectively acts like a federal mandate, as hospitals may need to follow the dietary guidelines to maintain funding.

DR OZ BLASTS 'WHITE FOODS' AS OBESITY DRIVERS AS FEDERAL DIETARY GUIDELINES CONTINUE TO MAKE WAVES

Most hospital menus rely heavily on convenience foods, according to Dr. Hamid Khan, chief medical officer of Jorie AI, a healthcare revenue service.

"Patients are often served items such as pasta, processed deli meats, packaged snacks with artificial components, sugary desserts, cereals, juice and soda," he told Fox News Digital. 

"Although many hospitals have begun the implementation of 'healthier options,' the average menu still tends to prioritize low cost, long shelf life and ease of preparation over nutrition."

Larger concerns include high sugar and sodium levels, processed ingredients and refined carbohydrates in hospital foods, Khan said. "There seems to be a lack of high-quality protein, fresh fruits, vegetables and healthy fats," he added.

Khan said he has seen patients order their meals from Grubhub, DoorDash or Uber Eats because they felt the hospital menu options were not healthy enough.

"Most of the hospital meals do not provide adequate nutrients … to properly support healing, muscle maintenance, immunity or overall recovery," he told Fox News Digital.

"Poor nutrition only makes things worse for this patient pool," Khan went on. "Ultimately, poor nutrition is very harmful for elderly patients and people with chronic illnesses. They are at a higher risk for muscle loss, weakness, delayed healing, infection and re-infection."

Celebrity chef and restaurateur Geoffrey Zakarian is partnering with Tampa General Hospital in Florida to transform hospital dining, introducing Mediterranean diet–inspired meals for patients.

Zakarian told Fox News Digital that hospital food is often a mix of "high desire, low-value and low-nutrition food," typically priced to meet a strict per-plate cost that hospitals cannot exceed.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE LIFESTYLE STORIES

"[There is] very little emphasis on original, pasture-raised proteins and fats like eggs, whole dairy grass-fed beef and poultry, and unprocessed vegetables," he said.

In Tampa, Zakarian has been working since 2023 to eliminate all processed foods — removing items containing hormones, added sugars, seed oils and anything prepackaged.

"All the food originates from farms and gardens in and around Tampa," he said, calling the mission "Farm to Gurney."

Sec. Kennedy and CMS administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz announced a similar initiative at Nicklaus Children's Hospital in Miami.

Vani Hari, known as the "Food Babe," told Fox News Digital that this is the first time leaders in Washington are openly acknowledging that food is medicine.

"The fact that they had to send a memo reminding hospitals of that tells you everything about how broken the system is," said Hari, who is based in North Carolina. "People are at their most vulnerable in a hospital bed – and for decades, nobody in charge seemed to care what they were eating."

Medicare and Medicaid fund the majority of inpatient services, including at least half of inpatient days at 96% of hospitals and two-thirds or more at 80% of hospitals, according to the American Hospital Association (AHA).

An AHA spokesperson told Fox News Digital that hospitals recognize nutritious food is an essential part of healing and recovery. 

"They are deeply committed to providing patients with high‑quality, nutritious meals that meet clinical standards, individual dietary needs and federal guidance," said the spokesperson. 

TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ

Hospital teams collaborate with registered dietitians and clinical staff to make sure each patient receives meals tailored to their medical needs and recovery plan, according to the AHA.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER

The spokesperson also said the organization regularly evaluates current evidence-based nutrition recommendations and integrates them into meal programs.

"Beyond the hospital walls, we partner with community organizations to expand access to nutritious food, provide education on healthy eating, and support initiatives that promote long‑term wellness," they added.

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