Sasha Chavkin
@sashachavkin.bsky.social
Senior reporter covering the food industry @theexamination.org. Past: RIN Fellow for Pulitzer Center/@apnews.com, Ted Scripps Fellow, reporter @ICIJorg. Believer in democracy, the Constitution and the New York Mets.
Pinned
Sasha Chavkin
@sashachavkin.bsky.social
· Mar 25
We're covering cuts to FDA and other food regulators at @theexamination.org
If you're a federal worker, contractor or business partner, and we should know about changes to food programs and their impact on food safety & public health, drop a line
DMs are open and I'm on Signal at sashachavkin.09
If you're a federal worker, contractor or business partner, and we should know about changes to food programs and their impact on food safety & public health, drop a line
DMs are open and I'm on Signal at sashachavkin.09
Today I learned: drinking produces acetaldehyde in your mouth, a chemical that I previously knew of only as a cancer-causing air pollutant
Informative, alarming interactive from NYT
Informative, alarming interactive from NYT
What Alcohol Does to the Body
www.nytimes.com
February 13, 2026 at 4:41 PM
Today I learned: drinking produces acetaldehyde in your mouth, a chemical that I previously knew of only as a cancer-causing air pollutant
Informative, alarming interactive from NYT
Informative, alarming interactive from NYT
Reposted by Sasha Chavkin
Heraskevych’s choice to forfeit the medal chance instead of give up the memorial helmet is the biggest story in Ukraine today. Everyone is heartbroken but there is a unanimous consensus that this was what had to happen rather than to give up.
February 12, 2026 at 1:41 PM
Heraskevych’s choice to forfeit the medal chance instead of give up the memorial helmet is the biggest story in Ukraine today. Everyone is heartbroken but there is a unanimous consensus that this was what had to happen rather than to give up.
The decline in drinking, driven in part by health concerns, is having a growing effect on the alcohol industry
Heineken cited “challenging market conditions” as it laid off 7 percent of its workforce and lowered profit forecasts
Heineken cited “challenging market conditions” as it laid off 7 percent of its workforce and lowered profit forecasts
Heineken to cut 6,000 jobs as people drink less beer
Dutch brewer lowers forecasts for 2026 profit growth as cost of living and consumer health concerns reduce sales
www.theguardian.com
February 11, 2026 at 4:42 PM
The decline in drinking, driven in part by health concerns, is having a growing effect on the alcohol industry
Heineken cited “challenging market conditions” as it laid off 7 percent of its workforce and lowered profit forecasts
Heineken cited “challenging market conditions” as it laid off 7 percent of its workforce and lowered profit forecasts
Reposted by Sasha Chavkin
“Democracy may die in darkness, but it seems that journalism dies at the box office.”
www.avclub.com/melania-budg...
www.avclub.com/melania-budg...
Melania's budget could've paid the salaries of every fired Washington Post employee, three times over
An incomplete breakdown of Jeff Bezos' financial priorities, weighing one piece of propaganda (Melania) against 300 journalists.
www.avclub.com
February 11, 2026 at 12:47 PM
“Democracy may die in darkness, but it seems that journalism dies at the box office.”
www.avclub.com/melania-budg...
www.avclub.com/melania-budg...
People with obesity were 70% more likely to be hospitalized or die from infectious disease than people of a healthy weight, finds a new study in Lancet
The authors estimate that about a tenth of infectious disease deaths worldwide may also be linked to obesity
The authors estimate that about a tenth of infectious disease deaths worldwide may also be linked to obesity
Obesity: One in 10 infectious disease deaths linked to condition, study shows
A 10th of deaths worldwide related to infection are potentially linked to obesity, a study of 540 000 people concludes.1
The analysis of data from two Finnish cohorts and UK Biobank found that people...
www.bmj.com
February 10, 2026 at 3:15 PM
People with obesity were 70% more likely to be hospitalized or die from infectious disease than people of a healthy weight, finds a new study in Lancet
The authors estimate that about a tenth of infectious disease deaths worldwide may also be linked to obesity
The authors estimate that about a tenth of infectious disease deaths worldwide may also be linked to obesity
The Examination wins major award for lead battery recycling investigation
The first of many well-deserved accolades for @willfitzgibbon.bsky.social @taylortnturner.bsky.social and the team
The first of many well-deserved accolades for @willfitzgibbon.bsky.social @taylortnturner.bsky.social and the team
The Examination wins Selden Ring Award
The Examination and The New York Times revealed that Nigerian factories supplying the U.S. auto industry were poisoning communities with lead. Nigerian officials acted swiftly.
www.theexamination.org
February 10, 2026 at 3:09 PM
The Examination wins major award for lead battery recycling investigation
The first of many well-deserved accolades for @willfitzgibbon.bsky.social @taylortnturner.bsky.social and the team
The first of many well-deserved accolades for @willfitzgibbon.bsky.social @taylortnturner.bsky.social and the team
An European Union proposal to raise tobacco taxes was scaled back after opposition from several member states, reveals a draft of the proposal obtained by @theexamination.org
EU countries scale back tobacco tax proposal
The latest draft recommends smaller tax hikes for cigarettes, heated tobacco and e-cigarette liquids.
www.theexamination.org
February 10, 2026 at 3:06 PM
An European Union proposal to raise tobacco taxes was scaled back after opposition from several member states, reveals a draft of the proposal obtained by @theexamination.org
Reposted by Sasha Chavkin
The Freedom of the Press Foundation files a disciplinary complaint against the federal prosecutor who signed the search warrant of WaPo reporter Hannah Natanson, arguing he failed to cite a federal law barring the application.
Letter buff.ly/xDHJIy4
Letter buff.ly/xDHJIy4
February 9, 2026 at 4:19 PM
The Freedom of the Press Foundation files a disciplinary complaint against the federal prosecutor who signed the search warrant of WaPo reporter Hannah Natanson, arguing he failed to cite a federal law barring the application.
Letter buff.ly/xDHJIy4
Letter buff.ly/xDHJIy4
Thoughtful piece that swims against the anti-UPF tide
"The policy tools exist to minimize the harms and maximize the benefits of a system that provides food, much of it healthy, in abundance. But first we need to stop demonizing industrial food, and instead think about how to make it better."
Gabe & I for @nytimes.com
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/08/o...
Gabe & I for @nytimes.com
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/08/o...
Opinion | We Shouldn’t Want to Eat Like Our Great-Great-Grandparents
www.nytimes.com
February 8, 2026 at 2:28 PM
Thoughtful piece that swims against the anti-UPF tide
Its not just the US:
About 50 children in Hong Kong have reported illnesses linked to infant formula, including a one-year old girl who got sick after drinking Nestle formula
About 50 children in Hong Kong have reported illnesses linked to infant formula, including a one-year old girl who got sick after drinking Nestle formula
Hong Kong toddler suspected to have fallen ill from tainted milk formula
Authorities also order immediate removal of 390 cans of Aptamil Profutura milk formula from shelves.
www.scmp.com
February 6, 2026 at 5:42 PM
Its not just the US:
About 50 children in Hong Kong have reported illnesses linked to infant formula, including a one-year old girl who got sick after drinking Nestle formula
About 50 children in Hong Kong have reported illnesses linked to infant formula, including a one-year old girl who got sick after drinking Nestle formula
Citing addiction science concepts like "dose optimization" and "hedonic manipulation," a new study argues that ultraprocessed foods need to be confronted with the same policy playbook used for tobacco control
Ultra-processed foods should be treated more like cigarettes than food – study
UPFs are made to encourage addiction and consumption and should be regulated like tobacco, say researchers
www.theguardian.com
February 6, 2026 at 5:37 PM
Citing addiction science concepts like "dose optimization" and "hedonic manipulation," a new study argues that ultraprocessed foods need to be confronted with the same policy playbook used for tobacco control
The American Beverage Association - which includes Coke, Pepsi and other leading processed food companies - is sponsoring & buying ads on Katie Miller's podcast
“It represents the evolution of lobbying and influence in the second Trump administration,” an expert says
“It represents the evolution of lobbying and influence in the second Trump administration,” an expert says
Stephen Miller is a top Trump adviser. Katie Miller has a podcast. So who’s advertising on it? - The Boston Globe
Amid her episodes with Trump administration officials, celebrities, and health influencers, Katie Miller’s podcast has attracted advertisers and guests who are trying to shape policy.
www.bostonglobe.com
February 6, 2026 at 5:32 PM
The American Beverage Association - which includes Coke, Pepsi and other leading processed food companies - is sponsoring & buying ads on Katie Miller's podcast
“It represents the evolution of lobbying and influence in the second Trump administration,” an expert says
“It represents the evolution of lobbying and influence in the second Trump administration,” an expert says
Reposted by Sasha Chavkin
INBOX: Washington Post Ukraine Correspondent Lizzie Johnson announces that she has been laid off in the middle of a below-freezing war zone without power, heat, or running water.
February 4, 2026 at 5:11 PM
INBOX: Washington Post Ukraine Correspondent Lizzie Johnson announces that she has been laid off in the middle of a below-freezing war zone without power, heat, or running water.
The city of Amsterdam will ban meat advertising in public spaces, effective May 1
A striking contrast with the US, where RFK Jr will be touting his meat-friendly new dietary guidelines at the beef industry convention CattleCon tomorrow
A striking contrast with the US, where RFK Jr will be touting his meat-friendly new dietary guidelines at the beef industry convention CattleCon tomorrow
The Vegans Win: It’s Now Illegal to Advertise Meat in This City
Amsterdam has banned meat advertising as part of a broader push to cut emissions and promote plant-based diets.
vegnews.com
February 4, 2026 at 4:57 PM
The city of Amsterdam will ban meat advertising in public spaces, effective May 1
A striking contrast with the US, where RFK Jr will be touting his meat-friendly new dietary guidelines at the beef industry convention CattleCon tomorrow
A striking contrast with the US, where RFK Jr will be touting his meat-friendly new dietary guidelines at the beef industry convention CattleCon tomorrow
Reposted by Sasha Chavkin
Incredible reporting. Here’s the email that launched an intrusive and frightening investigation:
February 3, 2026 at 2:02 PM
Incredible reporting. Here’s the email that launched an intrusive and frightening investigation:
Increasing numbers of kids are ending up in the emergency room with life-threatening cardiac effects after consuming energy drinks, warns a Macedonian doctor
Children end up in the emergency room due to energy drink consumption
The number of cases of children and minors seeking help due to health complications from consuming energy drinks is increasing, the Emergency Department reports. Doctor Sejfullah Ademi says that he fa...
telegrafi.com
February 2, 2026 at 3:25 PM
Increasing numbers of kids are ending up in the emergency room with life-threatening cardiac effects after consuming energy drinks, warns a Macedonian doctor
A cadre of wellness influencers who have promoted debunked theories are getting a network TV platform
@theguardian.com digs into Bari Weiss' latest gambit
@theguardian.com digs into Bari Weiss' latest gambit
A ‘wellness bro’, a cosmologist and an RFK Jr crony: meet Bari Weiss’s new CBS News contributors
The network’s editor-in-chief unveiled a curious list of 19 people to be paid contributors across different platforms
www.theguardian.com
January 30, 2026 at 5:31 PM
A cadre of wellness influencers who have promoted debunked theories are getting a network TV platform
@theguardian.com digs into Bari Weiss' latest gambit
@theguardian.com digs into Bari Weiss' latest gambit
Reposted by Sasha Chavkin
Breaking on MS NOW:
Career DOJ prosecutors in both Minnesota and Los Angeles refused to be involved in charging Don Lemon and the other journalists who covered the Minneapolis church protests.
The prosecutors believe the evidence does not support the charges, per @carolleonnig.bsky.social.
Career DOJ prosecutors in both Minnesota and Los Angeles refused to be involved in charging Don Lemon and the other journalists who covered the Minneapolis church protests.
The prosecutors believe the evidence does not support the charges, per @carolleonnig.bsky.social.
January 30, 2026 at 2:55 PM
Breaking on MS NOW:
Career DOJ prosecutors in both Minnesota and Los Angeles refused to be involved in charging Don Lemon and the other journalists who covered the Minneapolis church protests.
The prosecutors believe the evidence does not support the charges, per @carolleonnig.bsky.social.
Career DOJ prosecutors in both Minnesota and Los Angeles refused to be involved in charging Don Lemon and the other journalists who covered the Minneapolis church protests.
The prosecutors believe the evidence does not support the charges, per @carolleonnig.bsky.social.
Mississippi residents who say they were sickened by toxic emissions from bioenergy giant Drax face painful setbacks: an increased pollution quota for Drax & uncertainty about whether a key federally funded study will provide any answers
New story with Alex Rozier & @mississippitoday.org
New story with Alex Rozier & @mississippitoday.org
Mississippi community alarmed after state raises pollution limit for wood pellet plant
State regulators allowed a facility owned by the U.K.-based bioenergy giant Drax to release more emissions. Scientific studies in the area have offered few answers for sick residents.
www.theexamination.org
January 29, 2026 at 3:31 PM
Mississippi residents who say they were sickened by toxic emissions from bioenergy giant Drax face painful setbacks: an increased pollution quota for Drax & uncertainty about whether a key federally funded study will provide any answers
New story with Alex Rozier & @mississippitoday.org
New story with Alex Rozier & @mississippitoday.org
Carlos Monteiro, who developed the concept of ultraprocessed food, warns against the new wave of "healthy" UPFs
He says these products:
- Mislead consumers by focusing on a single nutrient
- Encourage unhealthy dietary patterns
- Undermine regulation by dodging or preempting needed rules
He says these products:
- Mislead consumers by focusing on a single nutrient
- Encourage unhealthy dietary patterns
- Undermine regulation by dodging or preempting needed rules
Misleading narrative of “healthy” ultraprocessed foods
A focus on “healthy” ultraprocessed foods is overstating benefits, legitimising industry narratives, and obscuring the priority of reducing overall consumption, argue Leandro Rezende and colleagues
...
www.bmj.com
January 28, 2026 at 7:23 PM
Carlos Monteiro, who developed the concept of ultraprocessed food, warns against the new wave of "healthy" UPFs
He says these products:
- Mislead consumers by focusing on a single nutrient
- Encourage unhealthy dietary patterns
- Undermine regulation by dodging or preempting needed rules
He says these products:
- Mislead consumers by focusing on a single nutrient
- Encourage unhealthy dietary patterns
- Undermine regulation by dodging or preempting needed rules
Denouncing unscientific claims and industry influence in RFK Jr's new dietary guidelines, @cspinet.org & others present "Uncompromised Dietary Guidelines for America" that:
- Call for limiting saturated fat & sodium
- Prioritize plant-based proteins
- Adhere to rigorous science
- Call for limiting saturated fat & sodium
- Prioritize plant-based proteins
- Adhere to rigorous science
Op-Ed: The Government Wants You to Follow Their Food Pyramid. We Have a Better Alternative.
The new Dietary Guidelines serve corporate interests and the Make America Healthy Again leadership, not the people of this country. Our version is built on decades of evidence-based research.
civileats.com
January 26, 2026 at 7:55 PM
Denouncing unscientific claims and industry influence in RFK Jr's new dietary guidelines, @cspinet.org & others present "Uncompromised Dietary Guidelines for America" that:
- Call for limiting saturated fat & sodium
- Prioritize plant-based proteins
- Adhere to rigorous science
- Call for limiting saturated fat & sodium
- Prioritize plant-based proteins
- Adhere to rigorous science
Swiss chocolate giant Barry Callebaut was fined by Brazilian authorities for child labor in its supply chains - rulings that were kept in secret until now
Via @reporterbrasil.org.br
reporterbrasil.org.br/2026/01/giga...
Via @reporterbrasil.org.br
reporterbrasil.org.br/2026/01/giga...
Gigante suíça do chocolate lucrou com trabalho infantil no Brasil, diz Justiça
Processo contra a subsidiária brasileira da multinacional Barry Callebaut estava em segredo de Justiça até novembro do ano passado e deve ter recursos finais julgados no começo de 2026; decisões de 20...
reporterbrasil.org.br
January 26, 2026 at 7:53 PM
Swiss chocolate giant Barry Callebaut was fined by Brazilian authorities for child labor in its supply chains - rulings that were kept in secret until now
Via @reporterbrasil.org.br
reporterbrasil.org.br/2026/01/giga...
Via @reporterbrasil.org.br
reporterbrasil.org.br/2026/01/giga...
Tobacco companies defeat a lawsuit by the health ministry in South Korea - extending the industry's unbeaten streak in avoiding paying the costs of harms caused by smoking (the US tobacco settlement is the biggest exception)
The latest from @jasonmclure.bsky.social @maria-perez.bsky.social
The latest from @jasonmclure.bsky.social @maria-perez.bsky.social
Tobacco companies win — again — in South Korean lawsuit
The South Korean court said the government failed to link smoking to specific health problems. It's part of a global pattern of decisions favoring the tobacco industry.
www.theexamination.org
January 23, 2026 at 2:51 PM
Tobacco companies defeat a lawsuit by the health ministry in South Korea - extending the industry's unbeaten streak in avoiding paying the costs of harms caused by smoking (the US tobacco settlement is the biggest exception)
The latest from @jasonmclure.bsky.social @maria-perez.bsky.social
The latest from @jasonmclure.bsky.social @maria-perez.bsky.social
Reposted by Sasha Chavkin
The right move. And an excellent, forceful statement: "We have asked the court to order the immediate return of all seized materials and prevent their use. Anything less would license future newsroom raids and normalize censorship by search warrant.”
wapo.st/4jUxQEe
wapo.st/4jUxQEe
Washington Post demands government return materials seized from reporter
The Post demanded in a court filing Wednesday that federal law enforcement officials return electronic devices the government seized from a staff reporter’s home.
wapo.st
January 21, 2026 at 5:30 PM
The right move. And an excellent, forceful statement: "We have asked the court to order the immediate return of all seized materials and prevent their use. Anything less would license future newsroom raids and normalize censorship by search warrant.”
wapo.st/4jUxQEe
wapo.st/4jUxQEe
🚨We're hiring again! 🚨
Another great opportunity at @theexamination.org - we're seeking a data reporter with a track record of producing impactful investigations
Another great opportunity at @theexamination.org - we're seeking a data reporter with a track record of producing impactful investigations
Investigative Data Reporter
We investigate corporate behavior that threatens the health of communities around the world. See our reporting on tobacco, food, polluters and more.
www.theexamination.org
January 21, 2026 at 4:10 PM
🚨We're hiring again! 🚨
Another great opportunity at @theexamination.org - we're seeking a data reporter with a track record of producing impactful investigations
Another great opportunity at @theexamination.org - we're seeking a data reporter with a track record of producing impactful investigations