Archive for December, 2008
The Truth About Expiration Dates
Contrary to popular belief, there is very little science behind expiration dates. Â Beyond infant formula and some meats, expiration and ’sell by’ dates are mere suggestions that hint at dates of freshness or quality, not safety.
Baby formula is regulated by the FDA to have exact amounts of certain nutrients, and because these nutrients degrade over [...]
December 30, 2008
Tags: FDA, food safety, USDA Posted in: Health, Politics 
2 Comments
White House Wine Always a Winner
Sometimes food and politics come together in unexpected ways. Â When Nixon made his historic visit to China in 1972 he brought with him a Schramsberg sparkling wine. Â After the “Toast to Peace” in Beijing, the wine has been served by every subsequent administration, and as one could guess, this little Californian winery has become rather [...]
December 22, 2008
Tags: alcohol, Barack Obama, food, food event, policy Posted in: Fun Food Facts 2 Comments
New York City is Taking Us Back to 1984 with Its Soda Tax
New York City may institute an 18% sales tax on soda and other sugary drinks in order to combat growing obesity in the City–right now, one in four New Yorkers is obese. The new policy would create over $400 million per year in revenue. Officials say the money will go to creating health programs.  The tax seems more like a way [...]
December 19, 2008
Tags: nutrition, obesity, policy, soda, taxes Posted in: Health, Politics No Comments
New Agriculture Secretary a Trick up Obama’s Sleeve?
Whoa. Whoa. Whoa. Obama wanted to tackle wasteful crop subsidies, so he selected Iowa governor Tom Vilsack? Tom Vilsack is a representative from one of the most heavily subsidized states in the Union, and he wholeheartedly endorses the failed corn ethanol project. Is he just going to give up on corn and other crop subsides just [...]
December 18, 2008
Tags: agriculture, Barack Obama, green, policy, subsidies Posted in: Politics One Comment
FDA Report Urges Fish Consumption Despite Scientific Evidence
A new FDA report, still in draft form, says that Americans should eat more fish despite health warnings about mercury levels. What is wrong with the FDA? 1) The negative health affects of eating mercury-laden fish are still very worrisome.  And, 2) the world’s fish populations are severely overfished as it is.
Imagine how low fish populations would be if [...]
December 17, 2008
Tags: FDA, fish, nutrition, policy Posted in: Health, Politics, Science & Technology Comments Closed
NIH Bans Junk Food Ads. Next Plan to Ban TV, Then Parents.
A new study conducted by the National Bureau of Economic Research and funded by the National Institutes of Health has demonstrated that banning junk food advertisements may help stem the child obesity epidemic.  The study shows that banning such ads from children’s programming will help to reduce the rate of childhood obesity by 18 % for kids 3 [...]
December 16, 2008
Tags: fast-food, marketing, nutrition, obesity, parents, policy Posted in: Health, Politics, Science & Technology No Comments
I Don’t Care About Cloned Meat
I don’t care about cloned meat. What I do care about is what this “fiasco” exemplifies. You see a year ago the FDA approved the sale of cloned meat, and much later the USDA found out about it and disapproved. The USDA wanted to ban cloned meat quickly, but the FDA regulation made it impossible [...]
December 15, 2008
Tags: cows, FDA, policy, USDA Posted in: Politics No Comments
EPA Causes Stink Over Cow Stink, Farmers Opposed to Tax on Farm Animals
The cap-and-trade system may not be limited to the traditional grimy industries like the coal processors and car makers. Â New discussions have surfaced about the possibility of targeting greenhouse gas emissions caused by our four-legged, mooing friends. Â Yes, environmentalists have recognized for some time that cows are the predominant emitters of methane, a greenhouse gas [...]
December 14, 2008
Tags: cows, green, greenhouse gases, policy Posted in: Politics One Comment
The Next White House Chef Could Make a Real Impact on the Nation’s Diet
Eat.Drink.Better. has been surveying its own shortlist of contenders for the new White House chef. The most recent profile has been of Chef Bryant Terry, a chef known for his non-profit projects and focus on sustainable meals.
Eat.Drink.Better. asked the chef what his “menu for change” would be. His proposed White House menu is funny, yet thought-provoking:
Bryant Terry: All these dishes [...]
December 13, 2008
Tags: Barack Obama, food, food event, green, policy Posted in: Health, Politics No Comments
Calories on Chain Restaurant Menus, a Follow-Up
New York City’s calorie legislation has caused thousands of jaws to drop, not in preparation for eating, but in awe of the number of calories in their favorite foods.  Marion Nestle, an academic nutritionist, found a blueberry and pomegranate smoothie with 1180 calories!  Newspapers and blogs have been abuzz with the astounding calorie discoveries. But, is this consumer shockwave [...]
December 12, 2008
Tags: fast-food, marketing, nutrition, obesity Posted in: Health, Politics One Comment
