It seems that there’s trouble in paradise for Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck. At least, that’s what the internet has been saying for the past few days.
Sadly, multiple news outlets suggest that things may not be looking good for the power couple, affectionately referred to as ‘Bennifer’.
Rumors of a potential split have slowly been intensifying as new details come to light.
Last week, Ben Affleck was spotted driving in Brentwood, Los Angeles. According to TMZ, the actor was leaving a house where he had apparently been staying alone. The following day, paparazzi caught him again, leaving the same location.
Affleck, once more riding solo, was reportedly not seen at the $60 million Beverly Hills estate he shares with Jennifer Lopez the previous evening. This absence has led some fans to express their dismay over the potential breakup.
“Why are they breaking up?” a sad fan wrote on X.
Another fan expressed their shock at the breakup rumors, saying on Facebook: “Noooooo!!!!!!!!!!! This can’t be happening!!!!!”
Similarly, someone else simply commented: “That’s not true.”
However, others are less surprised by the rumors… One person even claimed they expected this outcome all along.
“I wouldn’t be a bit surprised if they have secretly split. I knew from the moment they got married, it [would] not be till death do us part. This is her fourth marriage, how is it truthful on her vows?” an X user wrote.
Meanwhile, a hopeful fan chimed in with: “I hope things work out between them!”
Further complicating the couple’s relationship status is the fact that Affleck and Lopez have not been publicly photographed together for over a month. The last time they were seen together was on March 30, holding hands in New York City.
Lopez stayed in New York in April and May to promote her upcoming Netflix movie, Atlas. She was also preparing for and attending the Met Gala as a co-chair, without Affleck.
While Lopez was occupied in New York, Affleck was on the West Coast reportedly filming The Accountant 2. He also attended Tom Brady’s comedy roast on May 5, without Lopez.
Commenting on Lopez’s demeanor during her big night at the Met Gala, one Facebook user wrote: “She looked super stressed and tired at the Met Gala. I figured it was […] her tour rehearsals and filming … Maybe it was this … I root for them.”
“That’s what I was thinking,” replied one user. Another added: “Agree! She looked awful, stressed, and strained. Did not look herself at all.”
A third wrote that the actress “seemed off.”
What those numbers on fruit stickers really mean
When it comes to groceries, we usually pay attention to the brand and the expiry date, but when it comes to fruits and vegetables most of us pick the ripe ones that look appealing to the eye. The truth is that fruits and vegetables are also labeled, but not many pay attention to those numbers mostly because they don’t even know what they stand for.
Numbers on fruit stickers like 9
Numbers on fruits serve more than the single purpose of identify how much the item should ring up. In fact, they provide valuable information about the product. If you notice fruit stickers starting with the numbers 9, out of five digits, it indicates that the fruit has been grown organically.
Number 8
If the five-digit number the fruit is labeled with starts with the number 8, it means the product has been genetically modified. GMO foods are controversial as many believe they cause and trigger allergies. This technology is often used in agriculture to enhance the resistance of crops to pests and diseases, improve tolerance to herbicides, or increase nutritional content.
Currently, researchers still investigate the long-term effects, if any, on humans. Some of the most notable GMO fruits are papayas, apples, plums, strawberries, and grapes, among the rest.
4-digit code
A 4-digit code starting with either number 3 or 4 signifies the food isn’t organically grown. Instead, it has likely been “conventionally grown.” The meaning of conventionally grown food refers to the way they are fertilized. While organic produce uses organic matter like compost and is mechanically or biologically treated for weeds, conventional methods use synthetic fertilizers and pesticides.
The debate about the environmental impacts and possible future health complications involving conventional food-growth methods is ongoing.
Dr. Tamika D. Sims, the senior director of food technology communications in Atlanta Georgia, says both organic and synthetic fertilizers have been “federally regulated.”
According to him, people shouldn’t worry about the numbers on fruits and vegetables they consume but rather focus on reaching a well-balanced diet with a variety of foods needed for good health.
When it comes to picking the right fruits and vegetables, the number of digits also matters. A 4 or 5-digit number indicates where and how the food was grown, in addition to the size and type of food purchased, but when the product is labeled with a sticker consisting of more than five digits, it means it’s not included in the “internationally standardized system.”
For most, going grocery shopping is a dull task they tend to complete as swiftly as possible.
However, knowing that the food we consume is crucial for our survival and maintaining our health and fitness, we should all pay more attention when choosing the food we purchase. The International Federation for Produce Standards is dedicated to “improving supply chain efficiency” which involves, among other responsibilities, ensuring the provision of high-quality ingredients and “establishing and unifying international standards.”
This system was first implemented during the 90’s, when stickers on fruits and vegetables were added. Categorizing these items with numerical codes was to guarantee high quality. The IFPS has issued more than 1,400 such codes. However, since the system is optional, not all fruits and vegetables in stores have been inspected or approved by the IFPS or meet global standards.
Those people who care of the choice of food they consume can find the knowledge behind the meaning of numbers on fruits and vegetables useful. This knowledge can also expedite the self-checkout process by simply entering the PLU code instead of searching for the item by name. The PLU code system is an excellent method to track the delicious and nutritious foods that travel worldwide.
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