Singer Jesy Nelson recently shared an emotional update regarding the complications she is experiencing in her pregnancy with twin babies. Former Little Mix singer Jesy, who is having twins with partner Zion Foster, announced that she has been diagnosed with pre-twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (pre-TTTS). The condition, which is present in pregnancies involving twins with a shared placenta, has serious risks involved and needs intense medical supervision. As Nelson embarks on this difficult journey, her story enlightens us about a rare but dangerous condition many expectant parents may not know much about.

Twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome is a rare but dangerous condition that arises in monochorionic twin pregnancies, in which identical twins share a single placenta. The placenta supplies the developing babies with oxygen, nutrients, and blood flow, but in TTTS, there is an imbalance of blood vessels that interconnect the twins, and thus the vital resources are not evenly distributed. One twin, or the donor twin, shares excess blood with the other, referred to as the recipient twin. This leads to one baby becoming malnourished and possibly anemic, and the other in danger of heart problems due to too much blood.

Nelson described her diagnosis in a heartfelt Instagram video, explaining that she is currently in the pre-stage of TTTS and undergoing frequent monitoring. "I am being scanned twice a week, and each time, things have gotten a little worse," she shared, expressing her fears and hopes for the health of her babies.

Potential Risks of TTTS

If left untreated, TTTS can have devastating consequences. Medical research indicates that:

• 90% of the cases of untreated TTTS lead to loss of one or both twins.
• Despite treatment, only a 70% survival rate for both twins is assured.
• Severe forms can result in preterm labor, cardiac failure in the recipient twin, and organ failure in the donor twin.
• Complications in long-term survivors include neurological damage and developmental delay in surviving infants.

TTTS usually advances in stages, beginning with minimal changes in fluid levels and worsening as one twin continues to get an unequal share of blood. In extreme cases, fetal laser surgery, referred to as the Solomon technique, can be employed to divide the blood vessels and balance the twins.

Why Identical Twin Pregnancies Are More Complicated

Identical twins may develop differently, and their own unique form of placental sharing can have a dramatic effect on pregnancy risk. Jesy Nelson's twins are considered monochorionic diamniotic (mono/di), which means they share a placenta but have two amniotic sacs. This is the type of pregnancy in about 70% of identical twin pregnancies and carries an increased risk of complications like TTTS, umbilical cord entanglement, and growth restriction.

Conversely, dichorionic diamniotic (di/di) twins both have a separate placenta and amniotic sac, which greatly diminishes the threat of TTTS. Twin pregnancy type is normally identified by early ultrasound, with physicians being able to track future complications from inception.

Other Twin Pregnancy Health Risks

Twin pregnancies, even without the presence of TTTS, entail a variety of health risks to the mother as well as infants:

1. Premature Birth

Over 60% of twin pregnancies end in premature delivery, with birth usually taking place before 37 weeks. Premature infants can have immature organs and need neonatal intensive care (NICU) assistance to assist with breathing, feeding, and infection fighting.

2. Gestational Hypertension and Preeclampsia

Pregnant women with multiples are at increased risk of having high blood pressure during pregnancy. This, if left untreated, can result in preeclampsia, a serious complication of pregnancy that can result in damage to organs, preterm labor, and in some cases, maternal or fetal death.

3. Anemia

Pregnant women carrying multiples are twice as likely to experience anemia, a condition where the body does not produce enough healthy red blood cells. This can lead to fatigue, dizziness, and complications during delivery.

4. Birth Defects

According to John Hopkins Medicine, multiple birth babies are twice as likely to have congenital abnormalities compared to single births. These can include heart defects, neural tube defects, and gastrointestinal issues.

5. Amniotic Fluid Imbalances

When twins have to share a placenta, they are more likely to have polyhydramnios (excess amniotic fluid) or oligohydramnios (not enough amniotic fluid). Both result in distress to the babies during fetal development and can result in premature labor.

6. Postpartum Hemorrhage

Twins are at increased risk of excessive postpartum hemorrhage because their uterus is larger and there are greater blood supply needs.

Jesy Nelson's openness about her challenging experience is raising awareness for TTTS, a condition that few individuals—let alone expectant mothers and fathers—might be aware of. Through her tearful video, Nelson stressed the significance of knowing about twin pregnancies aside from the thrill of having multiples. "We had no idea that this type of thing occurs when you're having twins. We just desperately want to make people aware of this because there are so many people who aren't aware."

Her case reminds us of the intricacies involved in twin pregnancy and the significance of early identification and medical management. For mothers carrying twins, frequent ultrasounds and vigilance can become a life-and-death issue for early detection and better outcomes of both babies.

Through constant medical attention and care, she and her partner Zion Foster remain positive and get ready for their babies to be born. In other parents whose situations are no different, the story of Nelson highlights awareness, medical progress, and emotional encouragement in handling complicated pregnancies.

The expecting parents of twin siblings are advised to discuss TTTS screening and possible interventions with their physicians to give their babies the best chance.

India’s food safety regulators have stepped up scrutiny on multiple fronts this week. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has tightening packaging rules for pan masala and Maharashtra’s Food and Drug Administration (FDA) taking action against retail outlets over alleged hygiene violations.

From what goes into packaged products to how food is stored and handled before it reaches consumers, these developments come at a time when food safety in India is under tight scrutiny.

FSSAI Bans Plastic And Aluminium Foil In Pan Masala Packaging

Under the new Food Safety and Standards (Packaging) Amendment Regulations, 2026, notified on August 10, pan masala packaging can no longer use plastic-based materials, plastic laminates, aluminium foil or metallised layers.

Pan masala can now be packaged in materials made of paper, paperboard, cellulose and other naturally derived materials, provided they are completely free from plastic and synthetic polymers. Tin and glass containers are also allowed.

The decision follows an earlier draft notification issued by FSSAI in April, which proposed adding specific packaging materials for pan masala to the food packaging regulations.

Also read: Why FSSAI Seized 18,000 Boxes Of Diageo Whisky, Vodka Bottles

Why FSSAI Is Targeting Pan Masala's Packaging?

Pan masala sachets have traditionally relied heavily on plastic and foil materials as they are lightweight, inexpensive and the contents are shielded from moisture.

However, such multilayer plastic packaging is difficult to recycle and contributes to persistent plastic waste. The new rules push manufacturers towards packaging made of paper and other naturally derived materials that won't harm the environment.

This does not mean that pan masala itself safer to consume. Pan masala, particularly those containing tobacco or areca nut, continues to be harmful. The regulation is primarily about packaging standards and waste.

Also read: From Liquor to Dabur to VKC Nuts, FSSAI Crackdown Puts Food Safety in Focus: Why It Matters

Maharashtra FDA Cracks Down On Retail Food Safety

On the other hand, Maharashtra FDA suspended the food license of a Blinkit facility in Malad West after it reportedly found cockroach infestation, improper storage and other hygiene violations that posed health safety dangers.

Officials also flagged expired and damaged products, inadequate pest control, poor waste management and improper food storage practices. The license was suspended under Section 32(3) of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.

The incident highlights why storage conditions matter even when food has already passed manufacturing and packaging checks.

Also read: Why Indian Doctors Are Seeking A Ban On Junk Food Ads And Mandatory Warning Labels On Packaging?

Reliance Retail Outlet Under Investigation Over Kaju Katli Complaint

In a separate case in Buldhana, Maharashtra FDA flagged a Reliance Retail outlet after a consumer complaint alleging fungal growth and live larvae in packaged kaju katli.

Officials inspected the outlet on August 8 and seized 54 kaju katli boxes reportedly. The specific batch mentioned in the complaint was no longer available, while another batch of the same product was found in stock.

These incidents underscore an important point: food safety does not end when a product leaves the factory. Packaging, transportation, storage, pest control, temperature management, expiry checks and hygiene at retail outlets all form part of the food-safety chain.

For consumers, checking the product's packaging, expiry dates, storage instructions and signs of contamination remains important. If a packaged food looks, smells or tastes abnormal, it is safer not to consume it and to report it to the food-safety authority.

England is on the verge of becoming one of the first countries in the world to eliminate hepatitis C, after more than 100,000 people received the life-saving pioneering antiviral drugs through the NHS that was rolled out in 2015.

NHS England said the country has already surpassed the World Health Organization’s target of treating at least 80% of patients diagnosed with hepatitis C. The latest numbers show that 81.5% of people diagnosed with chronic hepatitis C between 2015 and 2024 had started treatment.

Professor Frankie Swords, NHS national medical director, said hepatitis C can cause serious complications including liver failure and cancer. She also said that many people may live with the infection for years without knowing they have it.

“That’s why the NHS has worked hard alongside public health teams and charities to find and treat hidden cases,” she said, adding that England is now “leading the world” on the path to eliminate the disease.

“We are making significant progress towards eliminating Hepatitis C as a public health threat,” said Dr Sema Mandal, Deputy Director – Blood Safety, Hepatitis, STIs and HIV Division at UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA).

She added, "The sharp fall in cases since 2015 shows the impact of expanded testing and sustained access to modern curative treatments, and the commitment of health services and community partners across England."

“Treating over 100,000 people in just 10 years is a remarkable achievement and brings England closer than ever to becoming one of the first countries in the world to eliminate this disease as a public health threat,” Mandal said.

UK's Public Health Milestone

Also read: How Chronic Hepatitis Quietly Progresses To Liver Cirrhosis: Why Early Action Can Save Your Liver

Hepatitis C is a blood-borne virus that primarily affects the liver. If the infection becomes chronic and remains untreated, it may lead to cirrhosis, liver failure and liver cancer. But hepatitis C differs from many other chronic viral infections as it can be cured.

Since 2015, England has significantly expanded access to direct-acting antiviral medicines. These tablets are generally taken for just 8 to 12 weeks and can clear the virus in more than 90% of the patients.

An estimated 50,200 adults were living with chronic hepatitis C in England in 2024, down 61.1% from an estimated 129,000 in 2015.

Deaths linked to hepatitis C have also fallen, with NHS England reporting a 36% reduction over the past decade.

Testing Still Remains Crucial

The biggest challenge for the health officials right now is finding people who do not know they are infected with hepatitis C.

The UKHSA estimates that 84.6% of people living with chronic hepatitis C had been diagnosed between 2015 and 2024. While the number is is encouraging, it still below the WHO target of 90%.

Past or current injecting drug use remains the most important risk factor in England. People who received blood transfusions or blood products before widespread hepatitis C screening was introduced are also considered at risk.

Elimination does not mean that hepatitis C will disappear completely. Under WHO criteria, it means reducing transmission, illness and deaths to very low levels while maintaining strong testing, treatment and prevention systems in public health.

The progress is especially significant because the world is currently far away from WHO’s 2030 viral hepatitis elimination targets. WHO estimates that about 47 million people were living with hepatitis C globally in 2024, while around 240,000 people died from hepatitis C-related causes.

Even as the US faces major outbreaks of Cyclospora and Salmonella infections, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has finalized safety guidance for operations handling ready-to-eat (RTE) fresh-cut produce.

The guidance incorporates public comments received on the October 2018 draft and replaces the FDA’s 2008 guidance on fresh-cut produce.

“This guidance represents the agency’s current thinking on the issues related to preventing contamination in fresh-cut produce,” the FDA said.

The agency also encouraged the industry to continue advancing food safety practices, including through best-practice documents tailored to specific commodities and processes.

The FDA’s guidance targets manufacturers and processors of fresh-cut produce and recommends measures such as sanitation controls, supplier verification and refrigeration amid ongoing outbreaks of cyclosporiasis and salmonella linked to fresh produce.

What Does the FDA Guidance Include?

The FDA recommendations are not legally binding and are aimed at manufacturers and processors of products such as chopped lettuce, sliced cantaloupe, diced onions, shredded carrots, coleslaw mixes and fruit salads.

Fresh-cut produce can include a single commodity, such as cut lettuce, sliced cantaloupe, diced celery, diced onions and shredded carrots, or combinations of two or more produce items, such as coleslaw mixes and fruit salads.

The FDA has focused on contamination with pathogens including salmonella, cyclospora, E. coli and listeria.

Fresh-cut produce processors should assess whether these pathogens pose potential hazards that require preventive measures, including supply-chain controls, the FDA said.

The recommended measures include:

• Using safe water
• Washing fruits and vegetables with antimicrobial solutions
• Training personnel
• Improving facility design
• Implementing sanitation controls
• Verifying suppliers
• Maintaining appropriate refrigeration

Why Is Fresh-Cut Produce at Risk?

Fresh-cut produce can be particularly susceptible to contamination because pathogens may be introduced at multiple points, including during growing, transportation, manufacturing, commingling with other products or at retail.

The opportunity for contamination can increase at each stage before the food reaches consumers.

Fresh-cut produce also does not undergo a kill step to eliminate pathogens that may be introduced during these processes, and most products are sold ready to eat.

The guidance provides recommendations and examples of how Preventive Controls for Human Food can be implemented to protect fresh-cut RTE produce from biological hazards.

Cyclospora and Salmonella Outbreaks

The guidance comes as the US investigates outbreaks linked to contaminated lettuce and jalapenos that have sickened thousands of people.

The cyclospora outbreak linked to iceberg lettuce from Taylor Farms has spread to 15 states, with Michigan hit the hardest.

“Americans should feel confident in eating fresh produce, including leafy greens at this point,” Diamantas said during an appearance on CNBC. The FDA said it remains confident that iceberg lettuce linked to the cyclospora outbreak had been effectively removed from the market following the July 17 recall.

The US Department of Health and Human Services also said Tuesday on X: “Cyclospora: contained, American food: safe.”

However, the FDA and CDC say the investigation into the cyclospora outbreak remains ongoing.

Separately, Taylor Farms said Monday that it was recalling prepared foods containing jalapenos from retailers in several states because of potential salmonella contamination.