Category: Issue 316
-
Researchers Develop Index to Evaluate Nutrient-Dense Foods
U.S. researchers have reportedly developed a nutrient-density classification system that offers “a positive, scientific approach to inform people about what to eat rather than what not to eat.” V.L. Fulgoni 3rd, et al., “Development and validation of the nutrient-rich foods index: a tool to measure nutritional quality of foods,” Journal of Nutrition, August 2009. The researchers…
-
Study Authors Urge Regulatory Reform of Food Allergen Labeling
A recent audit of food allergen labeling practices has reportedly concluded that “deficiencies and ambiguities are prevalent,” calling on federal agencies to back the “strict enforcement of labeling laws as well as additional regulation.” M.M. Pieretti, et al., “Audit of manufactured products: use of allergen advisory labels and identification of labeling ambiguities,” Journal of Allergy…
-
Chinese Researchers Find Nanoparticles in Human Lung Tissue
Chinese researchers studying seven women purportedly exposed to nanoparticles in the workplace for 5-13 months sought to determine if their shortness of breath and pleural effusions could be linked to their exposure. Y. Song, et al., “Exposure to nanoparticles is related to pleural effusion, pulmonary fibrosis and granuloma,” European Respiratory Journal, August 20, 2009. According to…
-
Food Producer Coalition Issues Report on Animal Antibiotics
The American Veterinary Medicine Association (AVMA) has submitted a report to Congress that challenges the 2008 findings of the Pew Commission on Industrial Farm Animal Production, which supports legislation (H.R. 1549 and S. 619) seeking to prohibit or limit the use of low-level antibiotics in agriculture. Signed by 20 food producer organizations, an introductory letter states…
-
Bryan Walsh, “America’s Food Crisis and How to Fix It,” Time, August, 20, 2009
Describing an Iowa pig’s miserable, short life as “the state of your bacon–circa 2009,” this author recaps the “horror stories about the food industry” and how he believes things have gotten worse. “The U.S. agricultural industry can now produce unlimited quantities of meat and grains at remarkably cheap prices,” Walsh writes. “But it does so…
-
Steve Stecklow, “Fraud by Trial Lawyers Taints Wave of Pesticide Lawsuits,” The Wall Street Journal, August 20, 2009
“After responding to a radio commercial seeking former banana-plantation workers for a lawsuit against Dole Food Co., Marcos Sergio Medrano thought he might be entitled to some money,” begins this article exploring fraud allegations against lawyers and plaintiffs in banana-pesticide litigation. “He says an American law firm convinced him that a pesticide used on the…
-
Illinois AG Sues Makers of Açai Berry Products for Fraud
Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan has filed lawsuits against companies that make, market or supply açai berry products, touted as weight loss dietary supplements, charging that they are scamming consumers with aggressive marketing campaigns, prematurely billing their credit cards, not always supplying the product ordered, and making it nearly impossible to cancel once a “free…
-
NAFTA Tribunal Awards Damages in HFCS Dispute
A North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) tribunal has reportedly awarded $58 million in damages to Corn Products International’s Mexican affiliate after finding that Mexico imposed discriminatory taxes on beverages sweetened with high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS). The tribunal determined in January 2008 that Mexico had breached its NAFTA obligations to favor its domestic sugar industry…