Today
Ocean's dead zones, where fish can't survive because of nitrogen- and phosphorous-laden fertilizer runoff and burning of fossil fuels, now cluster along eastern coastal U.S., endangering ecosystem, new study finds. One such zone in 1976 cost region's fisheries $500 million-plus. And: Dead zones are paradox of American agriculture: richness on fields, death in the water.
By David Biello
Scientific American 2008-08-15 (entry)
See also
Environmental impact of growing foods far from where they're sold can be low enough to outweigh negative impact of transporting foods long distance, depending on farming practice efficiency, local conditions. With a potato, 45 percent of its energy demand until it's eaten, comes from transportation, and then, how it's cooked.
By Natasha Loder
Conservation Magazine 2008-07-01 (entry)
Wine producers everywhere need to follow Italy's lead and deliver better wine in a box. With U.S. poised to become largest market, consumers need to demand the switch to lighter packaging. It's the environmental and affordable thing to do. Once open, a box preserves wine for about four weeks, compared to a day or two for a bottle.
By Tyler Colman
The New York Times 2008-08-17 (entry)
As agriculture, large-scale irrigation, market competition and climate change fuel 'water war,' Spain reconsiders its water policy. Farmers, who use 80 percent of the country's water and now irrigate historically arid crop of olives to boost production, are blamed for tapping up to 1.5 million illegal wells. Desalination offers some hope.
By Christine Spolar
Chicago Tribune 2008-08-18 (entry)
Latin America is major food producer, but sometimes must import to prevent shortages. Political left turn was tied to food problem - Brazil's 'Zero Hunger' plan, Argentina's price controls, Venezuela's land reform. Assuring food security must avoid protectionism and requires new international regime of free trade for agricultural commodities.
By Khatchik Der Ghougassian
Journal of Turkish Weekly 2008-08-18 (entry)
Diet rich in legumes - peanuts, soybeans and other beans - reduces risk of type 2 diabetes by nearly 40 percent, study indicates. High intake of soybeans linked to 47 percent risk reduction. Study used food-frequency questionnaires to chart health of 64,227 middle-aged Chinese women for about 4.6 years.
By Stephen Daniells
Food Navigator 2008-01-08 (entry)
As horseweed, Palmer amaranth, johnsongrass and other weeds develop resistance to Monsanto's Roundup, Arkansas farmers pin hopes on Bayer CropScience LibertyLink soybeans. New soybeans will be resistant to Ignite, a potent weedkiller. And: EPA classifies active ingredient, glufosinate ammonium, as 'persistent' and 'mobile' (click 'See also').
By David Bennett
Delta Farm Press 2008-08-13 (entry)
See also
Rice farmers' suits against maker of biotech rice too dissimilar to consolidate into class-action, judge rules. After Bayer CropScience's Liberty Link rice contaminated public food supply in 2006, mostly likely from plot at Louisiana State University, some countries temporarily banned U.S. rice exports, drying up foreign markets and causing drop in U.S. rice price.
The Associated Press; International Herald Tribune 2008-08-14 (entry)
Food poisoning suspected in pre-Olympics illnesses of 15 percent of about 150 American athletes on track team in town outside of Beijing. Events official says he was told illnesses were 'normal stomach bugs' and not out of the ordinary for an international trip.
By Gina Kolata and Jason Stallman
The New York Times 2008-08-16 (entry)
Farm/food bill architects in Congress say that proposed USDA rule would cut out payments to small-acreage farmers by ignoring 'statement of intent' that accompanied law. But USDA says Congress debated provision that would have aggregated acreage to qualify for payments but removed it to save $34 million over five years.
By Aliya Sternstein
CQ 2008-08-13 (entry)
It's time to apply lessons from energy sector to food policies and create an OPEC-like group for grain. As biofuels cropland demand increases and climate change alters global harvests, Organization of Grain Exporting Countries could regulate grain stocks - and institutionalize food as a human right. And: Russia plans to form state grain trading company (click 'See also').
By Mike Stones
nutraingredients.com/Decision News Media 2008-08-11 (entry)
See also
It's a good time to start a small farm, based on organic farming popularity, growing awareness of food sources, say entrepreneurs, experts. Profit requires time, niche product such as truffles or natural meats; good target is annual sales of less than $10,000, so don't quit the day job.
By Brent Bowers
The New York Times 2008-08-06 (entry)
Easy availability of calories through cooking may have allowed diversion of energy from gut to brain in early humans, nurturing cognitive innovations including abstract thinking, creation of art and invention of tools, study suggests. And: Cooking pot responsible for dramatic change in human brain size, Harvard primatologist believes (click 'See also').
By Robin Nixon
LiveScience 2008-08-11 (entry)
See also
After protests from industry, environmental groups, Senate committee urges that USDA restore funding for surveying pesticide, fertilizer application on U.S. farms. But official says that without additional funding, $8 million program won't return. Higher standard would be implementing California's exacting reporting requirements nationally, says researcher.
By Erika Engelhaupt
American Chemical Society 2008-07-30 (entry)
Genetic engineering comes to Honduras corn fields, and country distributes seed, fertilizer to supplement pricey imported corn, rice. And: Transformation from farmer to agricultural entrepreneur in Honduras and other developing countries begins with seeds, fertilizer but requires decent roads, irrigation and help in using technology (click 'See also').
By Dan Charles
National Public Radio/Morning Edition 2008-08-07 (entry)
See also
After shoppers and businesses shun biotech hormone that increases milk yields, agribusiness giant Monsanto looks to sell its Posilac business. Company says it will focus on its genetically modified seed. And: Sale of business means sale of Georgia facility, which employs 200 (click 'See also').
By David Biello
Scientific American 2008-08-07 (entry)
See also
Farming lures novice growers and longtime gardeners looking for living and lifestyle. Beyond beauty, there's hot, hard work, observing the soil, weather and growing cycles and understanding business management. Networking is a start - for finding land, mentor or employer.
By Vickie Elmer
The Washington Post 2008-08-10 (entry)
Nebraska Beef, an Omaha meatpacker recalling 1.2 million pounds of beef - including some from Whole Foods - has history of food-safety and other violations and has fought USDA over plant shutdowns. Last month, it recalled more than 5 million pounds of beef. And: For recall, click 'See also.'
By Annys Shin and Ylan Q. Mui
The Washington Post 2008-08-08 (entry)
See also
Processed food makers, meatpackers raise prices, shrink packages while ranchers thin herds to pass high grain, energy prices on to shoppers; 'sticker shock' in meat case predicted. Food service suppliers look to shorten contracts. Stock prices are up for fertilizer maker Mosaic, biotech (GMO) seed creator Monsanto and farm equipment supplier Deere & Co.
By Scott Kilman
The Wall Street Journal. (may require subscription) 2008-08-08 (entry)
Reflecting industry ties, California forestry board turns down emergency salmon protection bid. Board regulates logging on private land. Coastal coho salmon numbers have plunged 73 percent since last year and may be near extinction. And: Logging and conversion of timberland have harmed coho salmon, fisheries group says (click 'See also').
McClatchy Newspapers/The Guardian (UK) 2008-08-07 (entry)
See also
With irreversible climate change expected in 100 months, everything we do matters. Individuals alone can't re-engineer Britain's fossil-fuel-dependent food, transport and energy systems; government must lead. Between 1938 and 1944, economy was re-engineered and there were dramatic cuts in resource use and household consumption. How countdown was calculated (click 'See also').
By Andrew Simms
The Guardian (UK) 2008-08-01 (entry)
See also
Obesity is a public health disaster and is threatening our children. About half of Americans' food budget is spent at restaurants. If we can force oil companies to tell us octane level of fuel for our cars, surely we can demand that fast-food and restaurant chains tell us what we're putting into our bodies.
By Harold Goldstein and Eric Schlosser
Los Angeles Times 2008-08-05 (entry)
As economy struggles, wine, liquor and beer sales rise in Iowa. Treasury gathered $87.6 million for the 12 months ending June 30, up 3.7 percent from year earlier. Most of the money went to general fund, for education, environmental protection, welfare and public safety; 16 percent goes to substance abuse programs.
By William Petroski
The Des Moines Register 2008-08-04 (entry)
Corporate responsibility, long-term solutions becoming company priorities as customers focus on source, impact of food production. Example is Cargill, with 30 plants in China, which provided earthquake aid plus funding for sustainable agriculture and food security. And: In 1880, Pullman community was firm's ill-fated investment in employees (click 'See also').
By Laura Crowley
nutraingredients.com 2008-07-31 (entry)
See also
Court papers show that Agriprocessors' human-resources employee helped distribute false green cards to Iowa slaughterhouse workers. In 2006, Swift official was charged with harboring illegals and failing to report crime after meatpacking raid. Companies seem to rely on a mid-level manager to create bogus documents, then claim ignorance.
By Rekha Basu
The Des Moines Register 2008-08-03 (entry)
In Dallas, entrepreneurial mechanic blends 'CNN and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance' with inspiration from stay-all-day coffee shops in Mexico City and London, but adds wine, beer and chain-link curtains.
The Dallas Morning News 2008-08-01 (entry)
See also
Development encroaches on Qorsaya island in the Nile, long home for fisherman, his two wives and their 13 children, at least one grown and a fisherman like his dad. 'If you ask me to choose between eating food or drinking from the Nile, I choose the Nile. I can't describe the value of the Nile. There are no words.'
By Jeffrey Fleishman
Los Angeles Times 2008-08-03 (entry)
Cost of moving goods could transform some foods into luxuries and further promote the local food movement. 'Avocado salad in Minneapolis in January is just not going to work in this new world, because flying it in is going to make it cost as much as a rib eye,' says researcher.
By Larry Rohter
The New York Times 2008-08-02 (entry)
Country-of-origin labels required by Sept. 30 for beef, chicken, fresh produce, frozen fruits and vegetables and other products; restaurants exempt. In hint on price shoppers may pay, retailers' costs about 7 cents a pound for beef and 4 cents a pound for pork. Ground meat labels must list all countries of origin or list of all reasonably possible countries of origin (click 'See also').
By Michael Doyle
Mcclatchy-Tribune; The Houston Chronicle 2008-08-01 (entry)
See also
Jellyfish unwelcome residents at beaches worldwide after severe overfishing removes their predators (tuna, sharks, swordfish) and food competitors, and pollution saps oxygen needed for other predators to thrive in coastal shallows. Their presence signals declining health of the world's oceans, scientists say. And: Jellyfish could take place of fish with chips (click 'See also').
By Elisabeth Rosenthal
The New York Times 2008-08-03 (entry)
See also
Potato chip producers agree to reduce carcinogen - acrylamide - in their chips over three years and pay penalties to settle California lawsuit. Accord means a 20 percent cut for Frito-Lay products, 87 percent cut for Kettle Chips, and warning label on Cape Cod Robust Russets. And: FDA tells home cooks to reduce chemical by not over-browning potatoes (click 'See also').
By Bob Egelko
San Francisco Chronicle 2008-08-02 (entry)
See also
Iowa slaughterhouse workers treatment is disgrace. Bush administration abandoned mercy and proportionality, devised new, harsher traps for illegal workers. By treating desperate employees as criminal class, government is attempting to inflate illegals' menace to level that justifies its rabid efforts to capture and punish them. And: Immigrants' stories (click 'See also').
The editors
The New York Times 2008-08-01 (entry)
See also
There's too much we don't know about what we eat, and food industry is largely to blame. After 9/11, food industry spent $2.6 million lobbying against stronger food safety rules that would have required source tracing. Bush administration backed business; this season, tomato growers alone lost $250 million so far in salmonella outbreak.
The editors
Reno Gazette-Journal (NV) 2008-07-28 (entry)
Some flight attendants balk at collecting $1 and $2 for coffee and sodas on US Airways; assertive passengers likely to still score free non-alcoholic drinks. New policy is expected to make $500 million yearly and help offset rising fuel prices, spokesperson says.
Bloomberg News; The New York Times 2008-08-01 (entry)
Collapse of trade talks indicates revolution in way we see economics of agriculture, and it should be reflected in freer trade. It's time for U.S. to let markets and need determine what farmers grow and how they farm - and lead by example. And: Doha failed after U.S., India and China couldn't agree on farmer protections in developing countries (click 'See also').
By Victor Davis Hanson
The New York Times 2008-08-01 (entry)
See also
With presidential campaign showing aspects of beauty pageant/eating contest, will sedentary, overweight electorate pick former fat kid turned skinny gym-goer who eats protein bars and battles cigarettes or slightly overweight guy with weakness for Butterfingers and doughnuts? Does weight struggle make candidate seem like 'one of us?'
By Amy Chozick
The Wall Street Journal. (may require subscription) 2008-08-01 (entry)
Obesity, already public health crisis, likely to cost $956.9 billion by 2030 if epidemic grows at current rate, researchers suggest. More than 86 percent of population projected to be overweight or obese by then, including 96 percent of black women and 91 percent of Mexican-American men. Analysis shows that, over time, heavy Americans become heavier.
By Natalie Wood-Wright
Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health 2008-07-28 (entry)
Proposition 2, which would ban factory farms in California from using small pens or cages, brings to mind childhood on Oregon farm. Of animals raised for food, two provided pause: Pigs, with their characters and obvious intelligence; and geese, many of which could overcome panic at slaughter time to step away from flock and comfort a doomed mate.
By Nicholas D. Kristof
The New York Times 2008-07-31 (entry)
See also
Fat build-up, triglyceride surge greater from fructose consumption than other sugars, small study reports. Researchers also note that fat was created from fructose by liver within four hours of consumption, which means that the next meal's fat is more likely to be stored. Fat synthesis may be revved up in overweight, obese patients.
By Stephen Daniells
nutraingredients.com 2008-07-25 (entry)
The Kingsbury Farm runs along Route 100 and has Mad River frontage.
After nine-month rollercoaster ride and high community interest, Vermont Foodbank gets into the farming business with planned purchase of scenic 20-acre farm. Property will teach links between agriculture, food systems and hunger - and will allow group to stock state's pantries with fresh produce. And: In Virginia, volunteers grow produce, then donate it. (click 'See also').
By Mel Huff
Times Argus (VT) 2008-07-30 (entry)
See also
Though childhood obesity best treated by diet and exercise, data suggest that several hundred thousand children now taking medicines to treat its eventual complications, with greatest increase in Type 2 diabetes drugs. Many patients live in neighborhoods without grocery stores and attend schools that have no physical education programs. And: Series on childhood obesity (click 'See also').
By Stephanie Saul
The New York Times 2008-07-26 (entry)
See also
Conservation program land won't be released for planting without penalty because of good harvest projections and because many farmers have already paid their way out of program, returning 288,726 acres to farming, USDA says. Decision disappoints bakers and livestock owners, who face high grain costs; hunters, conservationists pleased.
By Andrew Martin
The New York Times 2008-07-30 (entry)
When one in eight families who bring children to Maryland emergency room are undernourished, there's growing need for nutrition programs. Baltimore officials are right to urge physicians to screen young patients for malnutrition and refer families to food pantries. But encouraging families to get help isn't enough; city needs a plan.
The editors
The Baltimore Sun 2008-07-18 (entry)
Some Kellogg's Eggo products advertised for sale a pirate bandana 'like the one worn by Jack Sparrow' in a 'Pirates of the Caribbean' movie.
Pitches for sodas, restaurant items, boxed cereals led $1.6 billion in spending to sell processed food items to children in 2006, FTC report says. Beyond that 63 percent, $860 million aimed for children 12 and younger; $1 billion was directed at adolescents. And: In 1999, candy and snack ad spending was $1 billion; USDA spent $333 million on nutrition education, evaluation, and demonstrations (click 'See also').
By Bob Dart
Cox News Service/The Atlanta Journal-Constitution 2008-07-29 (entry)
See also
Use diet, physical activity to treat pre-diabetes, endocrinologists say in issuing guidelines for diagnosing metabolic syndrome. Group calls for training primary-care doctors in helping patients with lifestyle changes. 'Most doctors don't know how to deal with this,' says research director. And: More children taking drugs related to childhood obesity (click 'See also').
By Mary Brophy Marcus
USA Today 2008-07-22 (entry)
See also
Eat Maine lobster, but leave the tomalley - the soft green liver - says FDA. Red tide in Atlantic waters from Canada to South Carolina may have deposited toxin that could cause paralytic shellfish poisoning. And: Florida lawmakers push for red tide research (click 'See also').
The Associated Press; U.S. News & World Report 2008-07-28 (entry)
Trayless dining, which cuts food waste up to 50 percent and reduces water, energy use, catches on at universities.Then, there's pleasing the students: 79% of the 92,000 students surveyed this spring said they supported move. And: In Maine, colleges also compost, and buy in bulk (click 'See also').
By Bruce Horovitz
USA Today 2008-07-23 (entry)
See also
Congress must write stimulus plan with more spending for food stamps and more direct aid to states and local governments. Food aid helps most vulnerable Americans; food stamps are spent quickly and in full. Direct aid to states and localities reaches Medicaid recipients and others, and extra money is passed on.
The editors
The New York Times 2008-07-27 (entry)
As their profits soar, agribusiness giants form group to protect ethanol subsidies and to push for genetically modified crops so renewable fuels won't cut into global food supplies.
In the opposing corner: food producers in U.S. lobbying to get ethanol subsidies scrapped or reduced.
By Doug Cameron
The Wall Street Journal. (may require subscription) 2008-07-25 (entry)
Obesity now tops list of parent concerns, study shows. Drug abuse, smoking, bullying are runners-up; environmental toxins and lack of opportunity for physical activity finish off the top 10 list. Researchers saw priorities change depending on race, income or whether children were living at home, indicating no universal approach to problems, says physician. And: Slide show of obesity trends across the U.S. (click 'See also').
By Krista Hopson
University of Michigan 2008-07-14 (entry)
See also
Tyson wrestles with costs of grain in chicken farming and ingredients for processed and pre-cooked items. Tyson has raised prices, closed a Kansas factory, cut 1,500 jobs. It also faced bird-flu scare, floods in Midwest and was required by USDA to pull a 'raised without antibiotics' label off some chickens (Tyson is suing over decision). And: corn price was 69 percent higher on average during the quarter than a year earlier (click 'See also').
By David Benoit
The Wall Street Journal. (may require subscription) 2008-07-28 (entry)
See also
Slow Food USA hoping to draw 50,000-plus to its Woodstock at Labor Day weekend festival. In preparation, it has turned San Francisco's City Hall lawn into edible garden, accepted corporate partners and raised more than $2 million. Group will showcase inclusive, independent direction for U.S. branch (Italian parent organization criticized by columnist as elitist global movement to combat globalism - click 'See also').
By Kim Severson
The New York Times 2008-07-23 (entry)
See also
Cool hobby of gardening teaches children skills that help them succeed.
Vegetable gardening has become wild and dangerous, a radical way to rebel against authority and subvert the dominant industrial-food paradigm, says longtime gardener, once the dweebiest of dorks who grew tomatoes outside his dorm room. Young people are flocking to the garden. We'll tend our veggies while we wait to see if our hobby is passing fad or lasting effort to diversify our food system. Click 'See also' for more columns.
By John Hershey
San Francisco Chronicle 2008-07-26 (entry)
See also
Teens found working at kosher slaughterhouse during immigration raid; afterward, they described labor violations that could result in criminal charges, lawyers say. And: Demonstrators expected in Iowa to protest immigrant treatment at Agriprocessors; Jewish groups debate buying their meat, labeled Aaron's Best and Aaron's Choice. (click 'See also').
By Julia Preston
The New York Times 2008-07-27 (entry)
See also
Ann Veneman, former agriculture secretary to George Bush, floated as possible Obama running mate. Veneman was seen as experienced leader but often clashed with Democrats on regulation and over expanding subsidies for small farmers. She led administration's mad cow response; light U.S. testing has led to continuing barriers for American beef exports.
By Amie Parnes and Ben Smith
Politico 2008-07-25 (entry)
Coast Guard opens Mississippi River to limited traffic two days after oil spill; some nearby suburbs find another source for drinking water; fate of fish unknown. And: Between 55 percent and 65 percent of all U.S. corn, soybean and wheat exports leave from the Gulf of Mexico (click 'See also').
By Adam Nossiter
The New York Times 2008-07-25 (entry)
See also
Smell, taste experts gather to share latest research, insights to these intimately connected senses that are perceived so differently among individuals. One new tool: the olfactometer. It dispenses puffs of scented air, then judges ability to name a smell; to distinguish one odor from a slightly different one; and to find the threshold of scent detection. And: Asthma drug restores sense of smell for some (click 'See also').
By Sabin Russell
San Francisco Chronicle 2008-07-25 (entry)
See also
Democratic senators say administration-rejected EPA report declares that greenhouse gases endanger public welfare. It forecasts worse heat waves, more strain on scarce water sources, worse flooding and erosion, more stress on damaged ecosystems. And: EPA administrator refuses to grant Dems' request to appear at hearing on climate change inaction (click 'See also).
By Juliet Eilperin
The Washington Post 2008-07-25 (entry)
See also
Barack Obama's Berlin speech vague on trade, a concern for Europe considering earlier vow to renegotiate NAFTA, opposition to Colombian trade deal. Europeans dislike $289 billion farm/food bill that maintains U.S. farm subsidies; Americans say they're losing $200 million yearly because Europe won't buy their chickens disinfected by chlorine bath. Click 'See also' for youtube video.
By Steven Erlanger
The New York Times 2008-07-25 (entry)
See also
Strong demand for corn, soybeans (click 'See also'), pushes DuPont
quarterly earnings higher than expected. Its $9 billion revenue aided
by global agriculture boom, which offset weak performance in housing,
automotive markets. Delaware-based chemical company sells genetically
modified seeds, other agriculture products.
By Euan Rocha
Reuters 2008-07-22 (entry)
See also
Cool, wet weather delays peak harvest, breeds soil fungus, bloats berries and melons and proves treacherous for farm equipment - but on bright side, irrigation not required. Farmers counsel patience and explain to customers the unpredictability of agriculture.
By Jenna Johnson
The Washington Post 2008-07-25 (entry)
In Midwest, vast fields of crops release moisture into the air, causing pockets of humidity. Dew points, a measure of moisture, may soon reach near 80 in sections of Missouri and Iowa--a level most often associated with tropical rain forests.
By Tom Skilling
Chicago Tribune 2008-07-25 (entry)
Citing safety risk to toddlers, EPA bans residue of carbofuran. It's used mostly in developing countries on rice, bananas, coffee, sugar cane, corn, potatoes, soybeans and alfalfa. It kills bees and, over last 40 years, it has killed millions of wild birds, including golden and bald eagles, red-tailed hawks and migratory songbirds, environmental groups say.
By Juliet Eilperin
The Washington Post 2008-07-25 (entry)
To cut nation's fossil fuel use for food production by half, individuals must eat less, reduce junk food intake and switch to diet lower in meat, therefore reducing demand for processed foods and factory-farmed livestock, Cornell researchers say. Other crucial need: transformation from conventional to organic farming.
Science Daily 2008-07-24 (entry)
McDonald's likely to raise prices on dollar menu items, which are 14 percent of U.S. sales. Franchisees bear the rising costs of commodities; dollar menu limits revenues. One target: double cheeseburger (cheese prices to rise 21 percent). And: double cheeseburger holds 440 calories, 210 from fat; 34 grams of carbohydrates and 1,150 milligrams of sodium (click 'See also').
By Mike Hughlett
Chicago Tribune 2008-07-24 (entry)
See also
After 1,251 reported illnesses, FDA finds Saintpaul salmonella match in Mexican hot peppers, but contamination source unclear. And: North Carolina recalls jalapeño peppers and Hass avocados for Orangeburg salmonella (click 'See also').
By Bina Venkataraman
The New York Times 2008-07-21 (entry)
See also
As ocean warms, octopus appear in Scottish seas lobster traps and might be eating the more lucrative catch; their price drops to that of cod. Squid, deep-sea John Dory fish, red blenny and Japanese skeleton shrimp among those invading - others have hitched rides on ship hulls.
By Paul Kelbie
The Observer (UK) 2008-07-20 (entry)
In study, those who kept food diary lost twice as much weight as those who didn't. Other aids: low-fat diet high in produce, weekly support sessions, moderate exercise. Losing nine pounds each would vastly decrease U.S. rates of hypertension, high cholesterol, diabetes, heart disease and stroke, says researcher. And: At senate hearing, childhood obesity called 'medical emergency' (click 'See also').
The Center for Health Research, Kaiser Permanente 2008-07-08 (entry)
See also
EU debates produce grading - cucumber's maximum arc, refractive ability of a peach, 29 pages on quality standards for onions. Some favor stringency since shoppers aren't allowed to touch merchandise, but agriculture commissioner wants regulations pared, citing waste, food prices and bureaucracy.
By John Ward Anderson
The Washington Post 2008-07-08 (entry)
See also
Controversy over risks of BPA, a leaching chemical in some food containers, shows divergence in results of industry- and government-sponsored research because funding sources shape questions asked, data gathered and definitions used. De-linking sponsorship and research is crucial to credibility.
By David Michaels
The Washington Post 2008-07-15 (entry)
Politics, poverty hinder farmers' yields abroad. Farmhands in Ukraine scavenge junked equipment to keep their ancient tractors and combines running. And: Argentina senate votes against government's new tax on grain exports; the issue has paralyzed country's rich agriculture sector (click 'See also').
By Greg Burns, Alex Rodriguez and Oscar Avila
Chicago Tribune 2008-07-18 (entry)
See also
Alice Waters leads 150 in planting of updated version of a World War II victory garden at San Francisco's Civic Center. Slow Food Nation Victory Garden will be centerpiece of the group's conference over Labor Day weekend. Produce will be distributed to local charities.
San Francisco Chronicle 2008-07-13 (entry)
Better access to healthful foods, walkable streets and recreational areas and sense of community reduces residents' risk of high blood pressure, study shows. Links diminished when researchers factored in the 2,612 participants' race and ethnicity.
Reuters 2008-07-15 (entry)
Climate change may bring water shortages in West and increased spread of diseases contracted through food and water, as well as heat waves, hurricanes and increased death rates in inner city, EPA says. And: Oil industry arguments helped block regulations on greenhouse gases (click 'See also').
By David A. Fahrenthold and Juliet Eilperin
The Washington Post 2008-07-18 (entry)
See also
Starbucks reveals the 600 stores that will be closed after information begins to leak out. Stores targeted are across the country and in diverse locales - inside malls, near beaches, in college towns. Seattle is scheduled to lose seven cafes. For list, click 'See also.'
By Janet Adamy
The Wall Street Journal. (may require subscription) 2008-07-18 (entry)
See also
Obesity rates rise to one in four in 2007 and above 30 percent in Alabama, Mississippi, and Tennessee, CDC says. And: U.S. spends $2 trillion annually on health care; per capita cost of many effective community-based disease prevention programs is less than $10 (click 'See also') and could save more than $16 billion in five years.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 2008-07-18 (entry)
See also
Chicago Transit considers adding L stops in or near grocery stores, or even restaurants, to tap into commuters' need for dinner ingredients. Adding such commercial development could reap an extra $100 million over the next five years.
By Robert Manor
Chicago Tribune 2008-07-17 (entry)
Of the estimated 76 million cases of foodborne illnesses in the U.S. each year, a majority occur in restaurants. To reduce risk if food source is unknown, follow CDC's common-sense precautions (click 'See also') used for travel in developing countries (which, paradoxically, also export foods to U.S.); eat only at restaurants that passed local health inspections.
By Laura H. Kahn
Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists 2008-07-16 (entry)
See also
As customers demand environmentally friendly foods, grocers respond. Most comprehensive guidelines are at Whole Foods. They include prohibitions on preservatives, antibiotics, hormones and other chemicals, as well as farming in wetlands and mangroves. They limit amount of wild fish in farmed fish food.
By Ylan Q. Mui
The Washington Post 2008-07-16 (entry)
Professor's vertical farming idea (click 'See also') captures imagination of New York borough president. 'The sky is the limit in Manhattan,' he says, but skeptic brings another view: 'Would a tomato in lower Manhattan be able to outbid an investment banker for space in a high-rise? My bet is that the investment banker will pay more.'
By Bina Venkataraman
The New York Times 2008-07-15 (entry)
See also
Democrats' guidelines for convention caterers include half the meal of fruits and/or vegetables, foods in a variety of colors, no fried foods, 70 percent organic and/or local, reusable silverware and no bottled water. Official promises no grease police for those who sneak funnel cakes. And: Denver councilman declares fry-free menu anti-Southern (click 'See also').
By Sara Burnett and Julie Poppen
Rocky Mountain News 2008-07-11 (entry)
See also
Breakfast, lunch and fancy restaurant dinners still allowed under pharmaceutical industry's new voluntary guidelines for drug marketing campaigns. In 2002, industry banned "dine and dash" events where they provided free take-out dinners and other gifts to doctors who listened to sales pitches.
By Gardiner Harris
The New York Times 2008-07-10 (entry)
As fertilizer and energy prices rise with concern for environment and food security, push to reform sanitation gains global currency. Ecological sanitation spurs new farming practices, fuels stoves and creates awareness: Why taint 4,000 gallons of potable water per person, per year, with a relatively small amount of pathogenic material - primarily feces?
By Rebecca Tuhus-Dubrow
The Boston Globe 2008-07-13 (entry)
Elephant breaks into elementary school pantry in India, and in 45 minutes, consumes enough rice, lentils, potatoes and salt to feed students for a month. Animal also broke 250 eggs. About 250 children attend the school, mainly on the promise of a good meal.
The Telegraph (Calcutta, India) 2008-07-13 (entry)
New federal poverty measure proposal accounts for diminished role of food in household spending (down from one third, in 1969, to one-eighth). New measurement includes spending on food, clothing, shelter, transportation, utilities, medical expenses and food stamps or housing subsidies. Measure determines eligibility for public assistance.
By Keith B. Richburg
The Washington Post 2008-07-14 (entry)
Aftermath of immigration raid at Iowa kosher meat processing house shows abuse of undocumented immigrants. Slaughterhouse workers were charged as serious criminals and shackled at the wrists, waist and ankles; most sentenced to five months in prison, sending their families deeper into poverty. And: essay from eyewitness (click 'See also').
The editors
The New York Times 2008-07-13 (entry)
See also
New soil fumigant restrictions, including buffer zones and community outreach efforts, set to protect farm workers, bystanders from pesticide exposure. The poison, which is injected or incorporated into soil, is used primarily on potatoes, tomatoes, strawberries, carrots and peppers.
EPA 2008-07-10 (entry)
Price for household water headed up for Brits after review shows environmental damage to rivers, wetlands and habitats and threats to wildlife. One water company, required to cut by half the amount it takes from a river supplying 740,000 people in summer, must find alternative source.
By Juliette Jowit
The Guardian (UK) 2008-07-12 (entry)
Considering rising cost of food, the carbon footprint, the food shortage, the moral queasiness about biofuels, food safety issues and the Midwest floods, activist wants to see next president think global, eat local - from the 18-acre yard of the White House.
By Ellen Goodman
International Herald Tribune 2008-07-04 (entry)
See also
USDA will in August begin listing retail stores receiving meat and poultry products recalled for serious concerns to public health at www.fsis.usda.gov. Retail stores include supermarkets, grocery stores, convenience stores, meat markets, wholesale clubs and supercenters. Agency won't identify distribution centers, institutions or restaurants.
USDA 2008-07-11 (entry)
USDA decision expected soon on whether millions of acres it rents from farmers to maintain soil, wildlife habitat, grasslands, trees, wetlands and buffer areas along streams and rivers can be plowed for corn crop without penalty. Amid rising food prices, last year's corn crop was used for ethanol; Congress has mandated increased ethanol use this year.
By Joel Achenbach
The Washington Post 2008-07-11 (entry)
See also
Illinois task force works toward eat-local policy, but biggest obstacle may be farmers who mostly grow corn, soybeans. State imports more than 90 percent of its food. One Iowa county mandated in 2006 that county-run departments buy only food grown and processed within 100 miles.
By Gerry Smith
Chicago Tribune 2008-07-06 (entry)
Processed food manufacturers pass along price hikes of fuel and raw ingredients by shrinking product quantity inside packaging. Called short-sizing, it's why a 'pound' of coffee now weighs 10 ounces. Best way to shop: Pay attention; compare unit prices.
By David Ushery and Alex Johnson
MSNBC 2008-07-07 (entry)
After population's mid-century exodus to urban Italy, grape vines tended for centuries were left to run wild. Now, vineyard sleuth in Alpine valley works to save grape varietals from extinction, to bring them back to cultivation and, finally to turn them into wine.
By Aaron Maines
The Wall Street Journal. (may require subscription) 2008-07-04 (entry)
Salmonella outbreak suspected in salsa ingredients shows it's time to put existing technology to work, tracing foods from the fields to the dinner table. Congress must protect our food supply by linking traceability with mandatory recall authority in current globalization bill under consideration.
The editors
The Washington Post 2008-07-08 (entry)
In reversal, FDA declares high-fructose corn syrup 'natural' after reviewing documents provided by manufacturer. Sugar lobby disagrees; consumer group points out that chemical bonds are broken and rearranged to create the corn-based sweetener and complains that FDA stance was announced via letter, informally. To read letter, click 'See also.'
By Laura Crowley
Food Navigator 2008-07-08 (entry)
See also
Loophole allows meat companies to move e.coli-contaminated meat found during processing into the 'cook only' category without telling USDA. Some inspectors say practice conceals higher levels of bacteria in packing plants than the companies admit. School lunch program bought 2.8 million pounds of cooked beef in 2006.
By Stephen J. Hedges
Chicago Tribune; The Seattle Times 2007-11-11 (entry)
Growing number of shoppers hire personal farmers - in reverse kind of sharecropping. Some weed, harvest and water; most see investment as either bargain or green sense. States with most Community Supported Agriculture efforts include New York, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and California.
By Susan Saulny
The New York Times 2008-07-10 (entry)
As popularity of raw milk grows, state regulators fine small dairies for minor violations, obtain search warrants and push for restrictive laws. FDA backs the efforts but CDC reports show that about 59 people became ill from raw milk each year, compared to 14 million who contract other food-borne illnesses each year. And: Undercover agents entrap dairy farmers (click 'See also').
By David E. Gumpert
The Nation. 2008-03-05 (entry)
See also
Social, cultural dimensions of our food system should raise great concerns for conservatives. Even the smallest acts of resistance to corporate-governmental collaboration on policy and nutritional guidelines are crucial to recovering local culture and will nurture ability to either govern or to resist centralized government.
By John Schwenkler
The American Conservative 2008-06-30 (entry)
See also
Global food market is a messy amalgam of international markets for specific foods, each reacting independently and swayed by popularity of biofuels, growing middle class, dysfunctional trade and aid policies, weather, dwindling farmland, market speculation, energy prices and decline of the dollar.
By Lee Hudson Teslik
Council on Foreign Relations 2008-06-30 (entry)
From our efficient, automated food stamp program, we have learned that current benefits run out the third week of every month. Price tag of hunger to American society is about $90 billion a year; ending hunger in U.S. would cost $10-12 billion a year. What added moral hazard could a full month of eating create?
By Michael Gerson
The Washington Post 2008-07-09 (entry)
In fighting hunger, basic crop research pays. The U.S. needs a substantial, renewed commitment to CGIAR, the consortium of internationally funded and staffed crop-research centers around the world. And: America must rebuild, not destroy collaborative research, says father of first 'Green Revolution' (click 'See also').
The editors
The Washington Post 2008-07-09 (entry)
See also
Salmonella outbreak now largest in U.S., with more than 1,000 cases CDC says. Agency says to avoid raw red plum, red Roma, round red tomatoes, and products containing these raw tomatoes, and warns elderly, immune-compromised to avoid jalapeno peppers as well.
By Steven Reinberg
HealthDay News; U.S. News & World Report 2008-07-09 (entry)
Costa Rica launches probe after tuna spotters for industrial seine-fishing boat drop explosives onto or near boats of sport fishermen, and, separately, encircled sport boats with fishing net and yelled threats. And: Industrial trawler fishing (which drags nets along the sea bottom) is main culprit for soaring numbers of dolphin deaths (click 'See also').
By Pete Thomas
Los Angeles Times 2008-07-08 (entry)
See also
World's leaders feast on multi-course meal after discussions of food price crisis. Sixty chefs were flown in for the occasion, including Michelin-starred Katsuhiro Nakamura. Twenty thousand special police officers provided security; total cost of Hokkaido event was enough to buy 100 million mosquito nets.
By Andrew Grice
The Independent (UK) 2008-07-08 (entry)
UK plans healthful food promotion after report links poor diet with premature death of 70,000 people each year. Program, which will urge fruit and vegetable consumption and reduced intake of saturated fat, sugar and salt, will begin in hospitals and prisons, then radiate outward. For report, click 'See also.'
By Andrew Sparrow
The Guardian (UK) 2008-07-07 (entry)
See also
President Bush's pledge of $5 billion this year and next to fight global hunger is a first step. Leaders at G8 summit must increase aid to poorest countries, lead others to do the same, reduce or ban egregious agricultural and energy subsidies, stop export bans and stockpiling, and halt wrongheaded pursuit of biofuels.
The editors
The New York Times 2008-07-06 (entry)
See also
After workout, drink caffeine and eat carbs to restore muscles and to gain advantage for next contest, study suggests. Subjects who consumed caffeinated drink had higher levels of blood glucose, insulin and signalling proteins (which transport muscle-powering glucose) than those who drank carb-only beverage.
Canadian Broadcasting Corporation News 2008-07-02 (entry)
As U.S. salmonella cases edge toward 1,000 and tomato industry counts losses in hundreds of millions of dollars, health officials refocus salmonella probe. At mostly non-chain restaurants that serve Mexican food, they now are examining jalapeño peppers, serrano peppers and cilantro.
By Jane Zhang and Janet Adamy
The Wall Street Journal. (may require subscription) 2008-07-04 (entry)
With tuberculosis in cattle on the rise, UK farmers want badger population culled, but controversy continues over whether reducing germ-carrying population will reduce incidence of disease (click 'See also'). In 2007, 28,000 cattle were slaughtered because of TB; number likely to reach 40,000 this year.
By James Meikle
The Guardian (UK) 2008-07-05 (entry)
See also
City adds greater police presence to its popular 'Taste of Chicago' event after four persons shot following holiday fireworks display. Shootings occurred a mile away from festival, officials said. Sixty-five vendors are offering a total of 287 items for tastings. For interactive map, click 'See also.'
By Angela Rozas And Jason Meisner
Chicago Tribune 2008-07-04 (entry)
See also
Secret report says EU, U.S. drive for biofuels pushed food prices up 75 percent, contradicting U.S. assertion that plant-derived fuels contribute less than 3 percent to food-price rises. Biofuels affected prices by diverting grain from food, encouraging farmers to set land aside for biofuel production and by sparking financial speculation in grains.
By Aditya Chakrabortty
The Guardian (UK) 2008-07-04 (entry)
