All-natural: Smoothie King is making another step to go all natural. The New Orleans chain announced today that it is removing added sugar from more than 50 smoothies. It will also eliminate artificial flavors, colors, preservatives, and added hormones from all ingredients and introduce non-GMO fruits and veggies instead. The move is part of a companywide initiative Smoothie King calls Cleaner Blending, which will roll out over the course of the 18 months. Smoothie King has already removed high fructose corn syrup, transfat, hydrogenated oil, gluten, and ingredients prohibited by any regulatory lists monitored by NSF International, a product safety and certification organization. Read more.
Opinionated: Now that Congress has reconvened, Americans want aid for Hurricane Harvey survivors to be a top congressional priority, a new Morning Consult/Politico survey has found. In addition, 76% of those surveyed say dreamers—undocumented people brought to the illegally brought to the U.S. as children—should be allowed to stay. The survey of 1,933 registered voters, conducted Aug. 31 to Sept. 3, sheds light on issues ranging from hurricane relief to tax reform. Disaster relief should be a top priority for Congress, 36% of those surveyed said. Another 62% said Congress should fund disaster relief efforts even if it increases the federal deficit. Read the full report.
Restarting: Motiva’s Port Arthur refinery, the nation’s largest, is beginning to restart and should be partially operational at the beginning of next week, FuelFix.com reports. Hurricane Harvey knocked out more than 20% of the nation’s fuel production at oil refineries, causing price spikes and some fuel shortages. The last hit by Harvey, those in Beaumont and Port Arthur, could be the last to return, but some already are beginning the methodical restart
