Public Health
Sunland Plant Resumes Peanut Butter Production
May 24, 2013 9:56 am | by JERI CLAUSING, Associated Press | News | CommentsThe eastern New Mexico peanut butter plant shuttered eight months ago after a salmonella outbreak is back in production, and the company's officials say their coveted natural and organic butters could be back on store shelves within a month.
McDonald's Can't Shake Criticism About Nutrition
May 24, 2013 9:53 am | by CANDICE CHOI, AP Food Industry Writer | News | CommentsMcDonald's once again faced criticism that it's a purveyor of junk food that markets to children at its annual shareholder meeting Thursday. McDonald's was taken to task by speakers associated with an advocacy group about its menu and marketing toward kids.
Daily Sound Bite: Food Stamp Administration to Remain Federal
May 23, 2013 12:47 pm | News | CommentsThe senate has rejected an attempt by Republican lawmakers to move the administration of food stamp benefits under the SNAP program to the states. Opponents of the measure cited fears that individual states would impose restrictions on benefits including eliminating those with criminal records from the program.
Senate Rejects GMO Labeling Amendment to Farm Bill
May 23, 2013 12:35 pm | by MARY CLARE JALONICK, Associated Press | News | CommentsThe Senate on Thursday overwhelmingly rejected an amendment that would allow states to require labeling of genetically modified foods.Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt, said his amendment was an attempt to clarify that states can require the labels.
Thailand Urged to Explore Edible Insects
May 22, 2013 8:42 am | News | CommentsResearchers say Thailand is showing the world how to respond to the global food crisis: by raising bugs for eating. The United Nations' Food and Agricultural Organization released a study and handbook Tuesday on what they call "six-legged livestock."
Research Links Communication to Childhood Obesity
May 22, 2013 8:34 am | News | CommentsRutgers Business School professor Jerome Williams is co-editor of a new book of research that explores the role communications play in the nation's troubling epidemic of childhood obesity. The book also touches on the implications of regulating advertising and the variety of efforts underway to try to counter the obesity problem.
Calling All Grill Masters: Is It Done Yet?
May 21, 2013 12:04 pm | by Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics | News | CommentsAs part of their award-winning Home Food Safety program, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and ConAgra Foods encourage all grill masters to equip themselves for the job with a food thermometer — the only way to determine if foods are fully cooked and safe to eat.
Report Advises on Food Security Stragety
May 21, 2013 11:31 am | News | CommentsA new report from The Chicago Council on Global Affairs urges the U.S. government to focus its global food security strategy on prioritizing science, increasing trade flows for agriculture and food, and incentivizing greater business activity in low-income countries.
General Mills Says 'No' to GMO Labeling
May 21, 2013 10:27 am | by CNN Money | News | CommentsIn the face of growing consumer interest in labeling packaged foods containing genetically modified organisms (GMOs), General Mills CEO Kendall Powell explains why his company opposes GMO labeling, saying that GMOs are safe and don't need to be specifically identified.
Drought Accelerates Use of Drugs to Beef Up Cattle
May 21, 2013 9:27 am | by ROXANA HEGEMAN, Associated Press | News | CommentsCattle feeders in the U.S. are coping with reduced herds and high corn costs in part by increasing their use of growth-inducing drugs designed to bulk up animals, get more pounds of beef from each carcass and circumvent the drought's withering effects on the food cycle.
Portland Revisits Issue of Water Fluoridation
May 20, 2013 12:31 pm | by STEVEN DUBOIS, Associated Press | News | CommentsBoth supporters and opponents of public fluoridation in Portland have raised hundreds of thousands of dollars ahead of a Tuesday ballot measure that has drawn heavy attention from the city's mainstream and alternative newspapers. Campaign signs have sprouted alongside roses on lawns across the city, as have reports of people stealing them.
National Pork Board Addresses Pork Virus
May 20, 2013 12:19 pm | News | CommentsThe USDA has confirmed that porcine epidemic diarrhea virus has been identified in the United States for the first time through testing at the National Veterinary Services Laboratory. Producers will need to work with their herd veterinarian if any TGE-like symptoms appear and, as always, maintain strict biosecurity protocols.
Safe Food for Canadians Action Plan Unveiled
May 20, 2013 12:00 pm | News | CommentsThe Safe Food for Canadians Action Plan aims to further improve Canada's food safety system by strengthening food safety rules, implementing more effective inspection and pledging a renewed commitment to service and more information for consumers.
Daily Sound Bite: Food Map Details Expansive Food Marketplace
May 20, 2013 10:40 am | News | CommentsResearchers at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill have developed a new, highly detailed map illustrating Americans' buying and consumption habits. Some hope the map can be used to better tailor nutritional guidelines and monitor public health as it related to processed food.
Risk-Management Mechanisms Associated with Gluten Intolerance
May 20, 2013 10:34 am | by Jonathan M. Cohen & Jenna A. Hudson, Gilbert LLP | Articles | CommentsA gluten-free product tainted with gluten may make it to consumers despite a company’s best efforts if pre-sale testing fails. If this happens, consumers may allege that a food company is liable for bodily injury or other harms from gluten, leading to potential economic liability and, perhaps, a recall.
New Food Map Will Tell Us What We Eat
May 20, 2013 8:14 am | by MARY CLARE JALONICK, Associated Press | News | CommentsResearchers from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill are trying to change that by creating a gargantuan map of what foods Americans are buying and eating. Part of the uniqueness of the database is its ability to sort one product into what it really is — thousands of brands and variations.
Deep Divide in Congress Over Domestic Food Aid
May 17, 2013 12:50 pm | by MARY CLARE JALONICK, Associated Press | News | CommentsThe House and Senate Agriculture Committees laid the groundwork this week for reducing the size of the federal food stamp program, approving farm bills that would shrink food aid and alter the way people qualify for it. The two chambers are far apart on how much the $80 billion-a-year program should be cut.
Consumer Trends: Encouraging Women To Eat Healthy
May 17, 2013 12:00 pm | News | CommentsThis year, Mother's Day kicked off the 14th annual National Women's Health Week (May 12 – 18), which includes National Women's Checkup Day (May 13). This national week-long observance promotes healthy eating, regular activity and mental health.
NC House Votes to Block Obesity Lawsuits
May 17, 2013 10:01 am | News | CommentsA majority in the North Carolina House voted Wednesday night for legislation that would bar civil law suits against food producers, manufacturers and marketers on claims long-term consumption led to weight gain and obesity-related health problems.
Food Safety at the Grocery Store
May 17, 2013 9:11 am | by NBC | Videos | CommentsFood safety at the plant and consumer levels are much-discussed factors in securing the food supply and ensuring public health. But what about safety in the middle of the supplychain — at the grocery store? Dateline's Supermarket Sweep investigates the food safety standards at food retailers.
Photo of the Day: Study Shakes Up Salt Recommendations
May 17, 2013 8:00 am | News | CommentsThe Institute of Medicine said Tuesday there's no evidence that cutting well below established guidelines offers any benefit — even though that's recommended for certain people at high risk of heart disease. There are some suggestions that going way too low might harm certain patients.
NC House OKs Blocking Obesity Lawsuits
May 16, 2013 12:07 pm | News | CommentsLegislation that attempts to prevent people from suing North Carolina food manufacturers, sellers and advertisers by claiming their products made them overweight has passed one General Assembly chamber. A majority in the House voted Wednesday night for legislation that would bar civil actions against food producers and marketers on claims long-term consumption led to weight gain and obesity-related health problems.
Consumer Trends: British Familes Take a Fresh Approach
May 16, 2013 12:00 pm | News | CommentsNew research shows that recent food scandals and much publicized research into the health risks associated with processed meat have had a positive effect on Britons' eating habits. Nearly a quarter of Britons say they have cut down on the amount of processed food they eat.
Food Safety at OSU
May 16, 2013 9:22 am | by OSU Extension | Videos | CommentsFaculty from the Ohio State University (OSU) Extension introduce the Food Safety program at OSU Extension and explain how it can help train students to become food safety professionals who secure the safety and quality of the U.S. food supply.
Study Questions How Sharply We Should Cut the Salt
May 14, 2013 12:33 pm | by LAURAN NEERGAARD,AP Medical Writer | News | CommentsThe Institute of Medicine said Tuesday there's no evidence that cutting well below established guidelines offers any benefit — even though that's recommended for certain people at high risk of heart disease. There are some suggestions that going way too low might harm certain patients.
