Archive for September, 2009
Soda Taxes Part Two – The Industry Creates A Citizens Coalition
Does the potential revenue from soda taxes persuade anyone to give anyone a second thought?
Not a chance, says the group Americans Against Food Taxes. Â Americans Against Food Taxes is a “coalition of concerned citizens” that is strictly opposed to the sweetened beverage taxes. Â However, on more than cursory view, you find that it is actually [...]
September 30, 2009
Tags: Barack Obama, change, marketing, nutrition, obesity, policy, soda, sugar Posted in: Health, Politics, Science & Technology 
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Soda Tax Revenue Projections
I’m not advocating for or against soda taxes at this point (though, earlier I was definitely against the idea). Â There are many pros and cons to this issue that need to be studied further before any actual implementation. Â Plus, there are other avenues of curbing soda consumption that should be considered. Â For instance, ending subsidies [...]
September 28, 2009
Tags: pepsi, soda, sugar Posted in: Fun Food Facts, Health One Comment
Egypt Becomes A Pigsty Without Pigs
In an attempt to curb the spread of HINI influenza, commonly referred to as ’swine flu’, Egypt’s officials ordered the culling of every single pig in the nation. Â Egyptian officials now claim that the measure was not related to the swine flu pandemic, but rather about cleaning up the filth in a local neighborhood that [...]
September 25, 2009
Tags: bacon, Health, policy, waste Posted in: Health, Politics No Comments
Dairy Farms Contaminate Water And Get Away With It
According to the EPA, agricultural runoff is single largest polluter of the nation’s rivers and streams. However, thanks to years of paltry EPA authority and the lax legislation imposed during the Bush administration, their hands are pretty much tied when it comes to stopping it. There are laws in place that have big [...]
September 21, 2009
Tags: agriculture, Barack Obama, change, cows, farmers, green, Health, moms, policy, USDA Posted in: Health, Politics One Comment
Naturally? Naturally. — The USDA To Work On What ‘Natural’ Means
Costello: Look, if I throw the ball to first base, somebody’s gotta get it. Now who has it?
Abbott: Naturally.
Costello: Who?
Abbott: Naturally.
Costello: Naturally?
Abbott: Naturally.
Costello: So I pick up the ball and I throw it to Naturally.
Abbott: No you don’t, you throw the ball to Who.
Costello: Naturally.
Abbott: That’s different.
Costello: That’s what I said.
The confusion and nonsensical back [...]
September 16, 2009
Tags: agriculture, farmers, marketing, USDA Posted in: Politics, Science & Technology No Comments
A Relentless Focus On Prevention, Or Something
Food safety and child nutrition were topics at this year’s National Food Policy Conference. Â Bringing together the food industry, public health officials, consumer advocacy groups, and the government, the conference makes a concerted effort to demonstrate progressive action on key issues facing the nation and its food supply.
The Child Nutrition Act is due to be [...]
September 14, 2009
Tags: agriculture, change, education, farmers, FDA, food safety, Health, nutrition, policy, USDA Posted in: Politics No Comments
The Future Of Health Care Is Fighting The Farm Lobby
In an op-ed piece for the New York Times, Michael Pollan portends the entangled futures of health care, obesity, and insurance companies. Just as the insurance companies joined governmental efforts to rally against smoking, Pollan foresees insurance companies tackling obesity. This is necessarily after upcoming health care reforms.
Even the weaker versions of reform [...]
September 11, 2009
Tags: agriculture, Barack Obama, change, farmers, Health, Michael Pollan, nutrition, obesity, policy, subsidies Posted in: Health, Politics No Comments
Food Fortification – Too Much Of A Good Thing?
A Short History of Fortification
The first widespread use of fortification was in the early 1900’s. Â In some areas of the United States, upwards of 60% of the population had enlarged thyroid glands, also known as goiters. Â In 1924 officials all over America began iodizing salt and within ten years goiters all but disappeared.
Just before World [...]
September 9, 2009
Tags: FDA, food, food safety, innovation, marketing, moms, nutrition, policy Posted in: Health, Science & Technology One Comment
“Smart Choices” A Dumb Move?
Diet Pepsi, Kraft’s macaroni & cheese, Kid Cuisine, Lunchables, and Froot Loops (now with added fiber!) are just some of the 500 processed foods getting the green “Smart Choices” label. “Smart Choices” is front-of-the-package labeling meant to help rushed or confused consumers pick healthy(er?) foods.
Sure, Diet Pepsi and Kraft’s macaroni and cheese are smart [...]
September 7, 2009
Tags: food event, Health, innovation, marketing, nutrition, obesity, pepsi, sugar Posted in: Health, Science & Technology 2 Comments
Stop Picking On Soda, Says American Beverage Association
The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene started its new campaign against sweetened beverages. In an effort to curb obesity by getting people to think about their caloric intake, posters ask “Are you pouring on the pounds?”
To many public health officials, soda and other sweetened beverages are the scourge of obesity. They [...]
September 2, 2009
Tags: cane sugar, Health, marketing, nutrition, obesity, soda, sugar Posted in: Health, Politics 5 Comments
