Your health: Candy maker Mars adds GMO labeling

Candy maker Mars adds GMO labeling

In such small print that it's easy to miss, Mars has started to include the labeling of genetically modified organisms (GMO) on its candy and chocolate packaging, ABC News reports.

The words, "partially produced with genetic engineering," are printed on the back of M&M bags. You can also find GMO labels on Mars' 75th anniversary M&M's, peanut M&M's, Skittles, Lifesavers and Wrigley gum.

The new labels are in response to a law in Vermont, that will require labels on food products that contain genetically-engineered ingredients starting July 1.

General Mills also announced that consumers will begin seeing Vermont-mandated language on all impacted products, and they can go to www.generalmills.com/ask to check GMO ingredient information for hundreds of its U.S. products.

Alzheimer's patients increase in Illinois

An estimated 220,000 people in Illinois have Alzheimer's disease, according to the recently released Alzheimer's Association 2016 Alzheimer's Disease Facts and Figures report.

This number is up 10,000 people from 2015. The national number is expected to nearly triple by 2050 if a treatment is not found.

And Alzheimer's takes a devastating toll not just on those with the disease, but on entire families, the report shows. Nearly half of care contributors - those who are caregivers of someone with Alzheimer's and/or contribute financially to their care - cut back on their own expenses (including food, transportation and medical care) to pay for dementia-related care of a family member or friend.

Apply for Wisdom Tooth Award

The Delta Dental of Illinois Foundation is accepting applications for its annual Wisdom Tooth Award.

The $100,000 grant will support a nonprofit organization that has improved the oral health of Illinois children and plans to expand or enhance an existing children's oral health program in Illinois.

Eligible organizations must have a physical presence in Illinois, benefit children and have an established program that provides oral health education and/or access to oral health resources and care.

Organizations interested in learning more about the application process are invited to participate in a conference call at 1 p.m. April 6. The 2016 deadline for applications is 5 p.m. May 20. The application and criteria are available at deltadentalil.com/ddilfoundation/wisdomtoothaward.