Wolf-man jack
1 semana hace
Fourth Quarter 2024 Financial Review
Consolidated net revenue for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2024, was $12.7 million, compared to $15.9 million in the fourth quarter of 2023. Revenue increased modestly on a quarter-over-quarter basis versus Q3 2024 revenue of $12.6 million.
Quarterly revenue trend for 2024:
Q1
Q2
Q3
Q4
U.S. $ millions
2024
2024
2024
2024
Total revenue
$ 12.1
$ 12.3
$ 12.6
$ 12.7
In the fourth quarter, some retailers were negatively impacted by state regulations restricting the sale of certain CBD products, despite meeting federal requirements. However, e-commerce revenue increased quarter-over-quarter following the launch of the Company's new e-commerce platform.
Gross Profit in Q4 2024 was $5.1 million, or 40.2% of revenue, compared to Gross Profit of $8.9 million, or 56.0% of revenue, in Q4 2023. The reduction in gross margin reflected holiday promotional investments, temporary shipping inefficiencies, and reduced fixed cost absorption on lower-than-expected revenue. The Company models gross margin to return above 50% in 2025.
Total selling, general, and administrative ("SG&A") expenses in the quarter were $10.6 million, a 43% improvement from $18.6 million in Q4 2023. Stringent expense controls were implemented during the year to better align with current revenue levels.
Net loss for the fourth quarter of 2024 was $3.4 million, or ($0.02) per share basic and diluted, compared to a net loss of $8.5 million, or ($0.06) per share basic and diluted, for the fourth quarter of 2023.
Excluding depreciation, amortization and other non-cash items, Charlotte's Web reported positive Adjusted EBITDA1 for the fourth quarter of 2024 of $0.3 million, a $6.8 million improvement compared to negative Adjusted EBITDA of $6.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2023.
Fiscal Year 2024 Financial Review
On a year-over-year basis, consolidated net revenue for the twelve months ended December 31, 2024, was $49.7 million, a decrease of 21.4% from $63.2 million in 2023. Revenue was negatively impacted by inflationary impacts on consumer spending and reduced retailer shelf allocations to the CBD category. The Company adopted a new e-commerce platform mid-year that has resulted in improving marketing, customer management, and sales volumes.
Gross profit for the year ended December 31, 2024, was $21.3 million, compared to $35.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. Gross profit was negatively impacted by a $4.1 million increase in inventory provision for 2024 due to the revaluation of aged hemp based on current market conditions. The increase was partially offset by lower inventory expenses and other variable costs associated with lower revenue in 2024. Gross profit before inventory provision was $25.4 million, or 51.1%, and $36.6 million, or 58.0%, in 2024 and 2023, respectively.
Total SG&A expense for 2024 was $53.3 million, compared to $75.6 million in the prior year. The $22.4 million or 29.6% decrease resulted from multiple actions taken in 2024 to reduce operating expenses and better align SG&A against the lower revenue levels, including workforce and insurance program adjustments, contract reviews and negotiations, and software optimizations. Additionally, in 2024, the Company amended its MLB Promotional Rights Agreement, resulting in a decrease in amortization and media expense related to MLB assets of approximately $4.9 million compared to 2023.
An operating loss of $32 million in 2024 improved 21.2% from an operating loss of $40.6 million in 2023. Net loss for 2024 was $29.8 million, or $(0.19) per share, basic and diluted, compared to a net loss of $23.8 million, or $(0.16) per share, basic and diluted, in 2023. The lower net loss in 2023 was due to a combined net gain of $20.0 million in that year in the fair value of the Company's debt derivative and from its investment in DeFloria.
Excluding depreciation, amortization, and interest, the EBITDA1 loss for 2024 was $17.6 million, as compared to an EBITDA loss of $6.3 million for 2023. 2024 included a higher inventory provision than 2023, which included the combined net gain of $20.0 million in fair value of the Company's debt derivative and from its investment in DeFloria. Excluding these items, the Adjusted EBITDA1 loss was $12.6 million for 2024, as compared to the Adjusted EBITDA loss of $22.7 million for 2023.
Balance Sheet and Cash Flow
Net cash used for operations in the fourth quarter of 2024 was $1.8 million. Net cash used for operations in the year ended December 31, 2024, was $21.2 million, including cash paid to MLB for license and media rights assets of $5 million. Capital expenditures of $3.9 million were primarily used for the in-house production of topical and gummy projects.
The Company's cash and working capital as of December 31, 2024, were $22.6 million and $31.1 million, respectively, compared to $47.8 million and $54.5 million as of December 31, 2023, respectively.
"With reduced cash burn, having cash reserves exceeding $22 million provides the runway for 2025 growth and beyond," said Mrs. Lind. "In-house production will increase in 2025, and continued expense discipline is key to stabilizing our financial position."
Consolidated Financial Statements and Management's Discussion and Analysis
The Company's audited consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes for the three and twelve-month periods ended December 31, 2024, and 2023, and related management's discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations ("MD&A"), are reported in the Company's 10-K filing on the Securities and Exchange Commission website at www.sec.gov and on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca and will be available on the Investor Relations section of the Company's website at https://investors.charlottesweb.com.
DarthYoda
3 semanas hace
Here are some excerpts from an interesting new article...
"How the FDA lets chemicals pour into America’s food supply":
March 7, 2025
There are at least 950 substances in our food that are not permitted in Europe, according to one expert’s estimate, and chemicals linked to health concerns show up in hundreds of products that line the shelves of American supermarkets.
The FDA website lists 19 post-market determinations since 2010 that substances were not “generally recognized as safe.” Four involve chemical constituents of one mushroom and the mushroom itself. Others include an anabolic steroid, caffeinated alcoholic beverages, cannabidiol (CBD), Ginkgo biloba, melatonin, and partially hydrogenated oils.
Meanwhile, trichloroethylene, banned by the Environmental Protection Agency in December as “an extremely toxic chemical known to cause liver cancer, kidney cancer, and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma,” is still allowed under FDA rules for use as a solvent in the production of foods.
FDA spokesperson Enrico Dinges said the agency will work with new leadership at HHS “to safeguard the food supply through pre-market and post-market safety evaluations of chemicals in the food supply.
More than a decade ago, Pew Charitable Trusts estimated that there were about 10,000 additives allowed in food in the United States — and that the FDA had not reviewed the safety of about 3,000 of them.
KFF Health News asked nine of the largest food manufacturers — The Coca-Cola Co., Conagra Brands, General Mills, Kellanova (successor to Kellogg), The Kraft Heinz Co., Mondelez International, Nestlé, PepsiCo, and Unilever — for the number of ingredients, if any, that go unnamed on their product labels and the names of those ingredients deemed safe without involvement by the FDA, and substances used in their products in the United States but not in Europe, and vice versa.
None provided answers to those questions.
For advice on whether ingredients are GRAS, companies may convene panels of specialists. The FDA has noted that panel members could be paid by the companies commissioning the review, but, in guidance to industry, it says “such compensation is not itself an unacceptable conflict."
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/fda-chemicals-food-supply/
DarthYoda
3 semanas hace
Could be boom time soon. Check this stuff out...The guy nominated to be the new head of the FDA is Dr. Marty Makary. The news has kinda painted him as anti-cannabis so far. However...he has also publicly acknowledged the therapeutic properties of cannabis. So...for starters here is a quote I found from him in a book review on Amazon...
"The CBD Skincare Solution: The Power of Cannabidiol for Healthy Skin":
"An eye-opening book about how the anti-inflammatory effects of CBD can play an important role in skin health and in improving lives."Marty Makary, MD, John Hopkins physician and New York Times bestselling author of The Price We Pay
https://www.amazon.com/CBD-Skincare-Solution-Cannabidiol-Healthy/dp/0738764884
Next, check this out..."How will Trump Nominations Impact the Dietary Supplement Industry?":
"Industry thought leaders discussed the prospect of Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. at the helm of HHS and Dr. Marty Makary in charge of FDA."
January 6, 2025
“FDA promised that they’re going to answer our citizen petition by July … if you have people in charge who are thinking about a much more holistic approach, they’re much more likely to balance the pharmaceutical industry’s interest and the supplement industry’s interest in a way that we think the law was intended,” Mister said. “The previous administration sat on the CBD issue for over 5 years, and didn’t do anything except conclude that they can’t regulate it,” concurred Israelsen.
https://www.nutraceuticalsworld.com/exclusives/how-will-trump-nominations-impact-the-dietary-supplement-industry/
Here is the petition...
"CRN Petitions FDA to Change Course on ‘Drug Preclusion’":
May 10, 2023
CRN asked for clearer and more consistent application of the statute which prohibits ingredients from dietary supplements due to past drug research.
https://www.nutraceuticalsworld.com/breaking-news/crn-requests-fda-to-change-course-on-drug-preclusion/
https://www.crnusa.org/sites/default/files/pdfs/comments-pdfs/CRN-CitizenPetition-FDA-DrugPreclusion050923.pdf
Going forward, the hearing to confirm Dr. Makary as head of the FDA is Thursday March 6 at 10:00am:
Hearings to examine the nomination of Martin Makary, of Virginia, to be Commissioner of Food and Drugs, Department of Health and Human Services. Thursday, Mar 06, 2025 10:00 AM
https://www.senate.gov/committees/hearings_meetings.htm
DarthYoda
1 mes hace
Lots of different stuff below...
"DeFloria Receives Investigational New Drug Application Clearance from FDA for Phase 2 Clinical Trial of AJA001, an Oral Cannabinoid Drug Being Developed for the Treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)":
Feb 24, 2025
https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/defloria-receives-investigational-new-drug-application-clearance-from-fda-for-phase-2-clinical-trial-of-aja001-an-oral-cannabinoid-drug-being-developed-for-the-treatment-of-autism-spectrum-disorder-asd-302382573.html
"With RFK Jr. in charge, supplement makers see chance to cash in":
2/21/2025
Last fall, before being named the senior U.S. health official, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said the Trump administration would liberate Americans from the FDA's "aggressive suppression" of vitamins, dietary supplements, and other substances — ending the federal agency's "war on public health," as he put it.
With Kennedy now in the driver's seat, the industry will likely expect more: It aims to make bolder health claims for its products and even get the government, private insurers, and flexible spending accounts to pay for supplements, essentially putting them on an equal footing with FDA-approved pharmaceuticals.
On Feb. 13, the day Kennedy was sworn in as secretary of Health and Human Services, President Donald Trump issued a "Make America Healthy Again" agenda targeting alleged corruption in health regulatory agencies and instructing them to "ensure the availability of expanded treatment options and the flexibility for health insurance coverage to provide benefits that support beneficial lifestyle changes and disease prevention."
Kennedy has said exercise, dietary supplements, and nutrition, rather than pharmaceutical products, are key to good health. Supplement makers want consumers to be able to use programs like health savings accounts, Medicare, and even benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, to pay for such items as vitamins, fish oil, protein powders, and probiotics.
The Alliance for Natural Health hopes that in lieu of strict FDA standards, Kennedy will enable companies to make expanded marketing claims based on evidence from non-FDA sources, Verkerk said, such as the National Institutes of Health's nutritional information site, which describes the pros and cons of different supplements.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/other/with-rfk-jr-in-charge-supplement-makers-see-chance-to-cash-in/ar-AA1zvjw7
"Possibilities of energy utilization of CBD extraction by-product":
17 February, 2023
During the last decade, the global pharmaceutical industry was primarily focused on cannabinoid extraction (mostly cannabidiol – CBD) from dry hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) biomass. Depending on the extraction method used, the first raw cannabinoid extract amounts to an average of under 10 % of total biomass. The remaining share of 90 % is waste. The aim of this research was to determine the usability of industrial hemp waste after the ultrasound extraction in ethanol for energy production via direct combustion and pyrolysis. The biomass of industrial hemp, variety Fortuna, was used in the research. Analyses were carried out by using standard methods for determining the content of proximate and ultimate analyses, Ash content was found to be 15,40 %, coke content was 22,12 %, fixed carbon was 8,12 %, whereas volatile substances were found to be 68,81 %. The obtained HHV was 16,60 MJ kg-1, while LHV was 15,35 MJ kg-1. After the pyrolysis process, the share of produced biochar (50.45 %) and bio-oil (13.70 %) was determined. The composition of biochar was analyzed using the standard methods – moisture content of 2.71 %, ash 29.22 %, and coke 37.06 %. The obtained results confirmed the potential of CBD extraction by-products in terms of high energy value and environmentally friendly raw materials for energy production. It has proven to be an attractive source of energy that has the potential to partially replace raw materials of fossil origin in energy production.
https://www.croris.hr/crosbi/publikacija/prilog-skup/830682
"Understanding Voluntary Carbon Markets and Hemp’s Potential for Change":
December 16, 2024
How It Works
1.Credits Are Generated: Projects like reforestation, renewable energy development, and sustainable regenerative farming techniques create carbon credits by eliminating or avoiding emissions.
2.Credits Are Verified: To ensure the project’s credibility, verification bodies confirm that the claimed reductions are real, measurable, and longterm.
3.Credits Are Traded: Buyers, typically companies looking to offset their emissions, purchase the credits, supporting the funding of these projects.
Challenges in the Current System
1.Complex Verification: Proving the effectiveness of carbon-reduction projects often requires sophisticated monitoring systems, making entry daunting for smaller participants.
2.High Costs: Smaller players, including smallholder farmers or grassroots projects, struggle with the financial burden involved in generating and navigating carbon credits.
3.Transparency Issues: Some markets lack clarity on where funds go and how environmental benefits are quantified, raising concerns about accountability.
Why Hemp? Why Now?
Hemp has long been praised for its environmental benefits, but its potential as a powerful carbon-sequestration crop is only beginning to be realized. Unlike many other crops, industrial hemp not only removes CO2 but also regenerates the soil, making it an ideal candidate for nature-based carbon credits.
Hemp’s Unique Advantages
1.Rapid Growth: Industrial hemp is one of the fastest-growing plants, capable of absorbing significant quantities of CO2 during its short growth cycle.
2.Versatile Applications: Beyond its environmental benefits, hemp can be used to produce textiles, construction materials, biochar, and more, creating additional economic opportunities.
3.Sustainability: Unlike some carbon-offset solutions, hemp farming leaves the land enriched, making it a regenerative approach to climate action.
https://hempcarbonstandard.org/understanding-voluntary-carbon-markets-and-hemps-potential-for-change/
DarthYoda
1 mes hace
"Cannabidiol reshapes the gut microbiome to promote endurance exercise in mice":
18 February 2025
Abstract
Cannabidiol (CBD), a nonpsychoactive compound from Cannabis, has various bioactive functions in humans and animals. Evidence suggests that CBD promotes muscle injury recovery in athletes, but whether and how CBD improves endurance performance remains unclear. Here we investigated the effects of CBD treatment on exercise performance in mice and assessed whether this effect involves the gut microbiome. CBD administration significantly increased treadmill running performance in mice, accompanied by an increase in oxidative myofiber composition. CBD also increased mitochondrial biogenesis and the expression of associated genes such as PGC-1a, phosphorylated CREB and AMPK in muscle tissue. Interestingly, CBD altered the composition of the gut microbiome, and antibiotic treatment reduced the muscle endurance-enhancing effects of CBD and mitochondrial biogenesis. We isolated Bifidobacterium animalis, a microbe increased by CBD administration, and named it KBP-1. Treatment with B. animalis KBP-1 in mice resulted in improved running performance. Whole-genome analysis revealed that B. animalis KBP-1 presented high expression of genes involved in branched-chain amino acid biosynthesis, expression of branched-chain amino acid release pumps and metabolism of lactic acid. In summary, our study identified CBD and B. animalis KBP-1 as potential endurance exercise-promoting agents.
https://www.nature.com/articles/s12276-025-01404-5
DarthYoda
2 meses hace
"New Peer-reviewed Study Again Confirms Childhood Vaccines Are Likely Responsible for Nearly 80% of the Autism Cases in US":
29 January 2025
https://www.globalresearch.ca/childhood-vaccines-responsible-80-autism-cases-us/5878382
Here is the actual study of 47,155 children...
"Vaccination and Neurodevelopmental Disorders: A Study of Nine-Year-Old Children Enrolled in Medicaid":
01/23/2025
Children with just one vaccination visit were 1.7 times more likely to have been diagnosed with ASD than the unvaccinated (95% CI: 1.21, 2.35) whereas those with 11 or more visits were 4.4 times more likely to have been diagnosed with ASD than those with no visit for vaccination (95% CI: 2.85, 6.84).
https://publichealthpolicyjournal.com/vaccination-and-neurodevelopmental-disorders-a-study-of-nine-year-old-children-enrolled-in-medicaid/
SEN. MULLIN: "1-in-36. If that's not a pandemic, then what is? It used to be 1-in-10,000 have autism. Can any of you guys with a straight face say that we shouldn't look at every aspect to what we're putting in our kids, be it from the food to the vaccines?"
SEN. MULLIN: "1-in-36. If that's not a pandemic, then what is? It used to be 1-in-10,000 have autism. Can any of you guys with a straight face say that we shouldn't look at every aspect to what we're putting in our kids, be it from the food to the vaccines?" pic.twitter.com/lzgGQF9IlQ— Chief Nerd (@TheChiefNerd) January 30, 2025
LoL@ these people..."Yes, Some Vaccines Contain Aluminum. That’s a Good Thing.
R.F.K. Jr. and others have blamed the ingredient for allergies and other illnesses. Scientists say it actually bolsters the immune response."
Jan. 24, 2025
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/24/health/aluminum-vaccines-kennedy.html
DarthYoda
2 meses hace
I vaguely remember posting about heavy metals, hemp, batteries, CBD, etc a long time ago, but there does now seem to be even more connections worth investigating. What condition does RFK say some vaccines can cause? Autism. What does RFK say one of the biggest problems are with vaccines? Heavy metals. What does RFK suggest people with Autism try? Chelation to remove heavy metals...
http://www.autismpolicyblog.com/2024/10/rfk-jr-and-chelation.html?m=1
What protects against heavy metals toxicity? CBD. What can improve life and symptoms for people with Autism? CBD. There seem to be profound connections between CBD, heavy metals, and Autism. Thankfully, these connections are being investigated. Hopefully, this research can lead to Ajna001 being fast tracked by FDA for Autism treatment.
"Exposure to heavy metals may increase risk of autism":
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/317754
"Association of autism with toxic metals: A systematic review of case-control studies":
2022 Jan
The findings from this review demonstrate that high levels of toxic metals are associated with ASD, therefore, critical care is necessary to reduce body burden of these metals in children with ASD as a major therapeutic strategy.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34896416/
DarthYoda
2 meses hace
I know my metals talk has nothing to do with the company's current business plan, but it does look like I was onto something...Because of the battery and electric vehicle boom Nickel is actually the metal for which phytomining is being researched the most...The new research below is exactly what should be done with hemp. It may turn out to be the best candidate for the job...
"US scientists engineer plant to harvest precious minerals, improve soil, create biofuel":
1/28/2025
“Our idea” Dhankher said as per the UMass Amherst release, “is to determine which genes and proteins are responsible for Alyssum’s nickel hyperaccumulation, then re-engineer Camelina so that it, too, can hyperaccumulate nickel. We also want to determine which soil amendments will optimize the engineered Camelina’s ability to pull even more nickel from the soil.”
https://www.msn.com/en-us/science/environmental-science/us-scientists-engineer-plant-to-harvest-precious-minerals-improve-soil-create-biofuel/ar-AA1y081c
"The Feds Are Trying to Get Plants to Mine Metal Through Their Roots":
Mar 21, 2024
Some species can absorb extreme amounts of nickel from soils. Such “phytomining” could help provide batteries essential for the renewable revolution.
Of the 350,000 known plant species, just 750 are “hyperaccumulators” that readily absorb sky-high amounts of metals and incorporate them into their tissues.
https://www.wired.com/story/the-feds-are-trying-to-get-plants-to-mine-metal-through-their-roots/
With that all being said, if hemp is now also being looked at to pull PFAS(forever chemicals) out of the ground, you gotta wonder if CBD can protect against the effects of PFAS, similarly to how it can protect from heavy metals toxicity...
"Viability of Hemp as a PFAS Remediation Tool Moves Forward, as Contamination Spreads":
January 23, 2025
“Starting in 2025, the Mi’kmaq Nation, [Upland Grassroots], [University of Virginia], the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station and Central Aroostook Soil and Water Conservation District will use a four-year, $1.6 million EPA grant to continue hemp planting at [the former] Loring [Air Force Base] and testing potential ways to extract PFAS [per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances] from harvested hemp.”
https://beyondpesticides.org/dailynewsblog/2025/01/viability-of-hemp-as-a-pfas-remediation-tool-moves-forward-as-contamination-spreads/
"Minnesota Just Became the First State to Target Plastic Chemicals in Food":
January 22, 2025
On January 16, Gustafson introduced bill SF 188, which aims to pressure food manufacturers to reduce their use and levels of phthalate chemicals — plasticizers used to make plastics more flexible and durable — in their products.
https://www.foodandwine.com/minnesota-bill-sf188-phthalate-testing-packaged-foods-8777895
DarthYoda
2 meses hace
Hey good to see you Fangster. I agree about the food. There are a lot of issues in this sector. All are government dependent unfortunately. There is no free market. There is no sense in how they approach food, drugs, dietary supplements, even without cannabis. So much needs to be fixed. However, next week on Feb 5th there will be a banking hearing so maybe that is a start...
https://www.marijuanamoment.net/marijuana-businesses-tell-gop-senate-committee-about-struggles-accessing-financial-services-ahead-of-debanking-hearing/
Oh, and FWIW, hemp plants CAN pull soluble precious metals like Gold and Palladium out of the ground. It's called phytomining, but there hasn't been much effort to research it thoroughly to see how well it could work after things like selective breeding for enhanced metals absorption...
"Phytoextraction of palladium and gold from Broken Hill gossan" :
2015
A second trial used Cannabis sativa (Hemp) due to recorded metal tolerance of this species. Pots were re-seeded with C. sativa. Hemp germinated and grew well relative to B. juncea. Potassium cyanide solution (50 mL of 8 g L-1) was applied to each pot at the point of maximum biomass to induce the solubility of precious metals and therefore to induce hyperaccumulation. Significant metal concentration values after KCN treatment were as follows: Copper (6,726 µg g-1) > nickel (184 µg g-1) > palladium (62 µg g-1) > gold (9 µg g-1). Following established criteria values, copper, palladium, and gold hyperaccumulation was observed. The mean metal concentrations of copper, nickel, and palladium from Hemp grown in soil B were greater compared to Hemp grown in soil A and control plants (p < 0.05). However, gold concentration between Hemp A and Hemp B was not different significantly (p > 0.05).
https://mro.massey.ac.nz/items/58b8f1c0-2e1b-4180-b374-90125a6b8446
"Phytomining: Can plants really grow gold?":
May 1, 2013
https://www.mgsrefining.com/blog/phytomining-can-plants-really-grow-gold/
"Phytomining of noble metals – A review":
6 August 2021
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0045653521022773
DarthYoda
2 meses hace
"100% of Fast Food Samples Tested Positive for Heavy Metals, Lead, and Cadmium":
October 12, 2023
Summary
-100% of the fast food samples tested contained alarming levels of cadmium.The levels of cadmium were between 74%-1158% higher than what the EPA allows in drinking water.
-Cadmium is highly carcinogenic and can cause toxic reactions even at low levels.
-In-and-Out french fries had 1,158% higher levels of cadmium than what the EPA allows in drinking water.
-Jack-in-the-Box french fries had 970% higher levels of cadmium than what the EPA allows in drinking water.
-100% of the 42 fast food samples tested had trace amounts or higher of lead.
-Even low levels of lead in blood have been shown to negatively affect a child’s intelligence, ability to pay attention, and academic achievement.
-A Sonic Drive-in cheeseburger had the highest amount of lead, 912% higher than what the EPA allows in drinking water.
-Arsenic was also detected in 17% of the fast food samples.
-The highest level of arsenic was found in Panda Express’s orange chicken and white rice at 362% higher than EPA levels allowed in drinking water.
Cadmium
The highest level of cadmium was found in fast food french fries. This is presumably because potatoes are grown in the ground and absorb more heavy metals in the growth process. In-and-Out had 1,158% higher levels than what the EPA allows in drinking water, and Jack-in-the-Box had cadmium levels 970% higher than what the EPA allows in drinking water. According to a March 2023 paper by Wang et al. “Cadmium (Cd) is a highly carcinogenic metal, which can cause toxic reactions even at low concentrations. Long-term ingestion of high-dose Cd can cause serious health problems (Ankit et al., 2021).
The paper further explains how cadmium may be polluting food. “Application of sewage sludge, farmyard manure, or some commercial fertilizers may also increase Cd levels in the soil (Bigalke et al., 2017, Kubier et al.,)” The paper also points to reasons “such as dumping of domestic or industrial wastewater (Rao & Kashifuddin, 2016), and misuse of phosphate fertilizer.”
https://www.momsacrossamerica.com/fast_food_heavy_metals
You would think our "food" would at least have to be as clean as our cannabis, but no.