Category: Issue 377
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California Agency Proposes NSRL for Chemical Common in Foods After Cooking
California EPA’s Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) has proposed a no significant risk level (NSRL) of 16 micrograms per day for 4-methylimidazole (4-MEI), a chemical commonly present in foods such as wine, soy sauce and Worcestershire sauce after they have been cooked. The food industry was apparently unable to prevent OEHHA from listing…
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New Study Questions HDL Cholesterol’s Role
A recent study has reportedly questioned the role of HDL cholesterol in lowering heart disease risk, suggesting instead that one specific protein or compound in so-called “good” cholesterol might be better than others at removing bad cholesterol. Amit Khera, et al., “Cholesterol Efflux Capacity, High-Density Lipoprotein Function, and Atherosclerosis,” New England Journal of Medicine, January 13,…
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Bryant Stamford, “Government Should Step In to Help Kids,” Courier-Journal. com, January 13, 2011
“I don’t want any more government interference than the next guy, but I believe that the precedent has already been set for successful government intervention on behalf of improving our health,” writes Hanover College Kinesiology and Integrative Physiology Professor Bryant Stamford in the first of a two-part article comparing obesity prevention tactics to federal curbs…
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Jessica Leeder, “Honey laundering: The sour side of nature’s golden sweetener,” The Globe and Mail, January 5, 2011
“As crime sagas go, a scheme rigged by a sophisticated cartel of global traders has all the right blockbuster elements: clandestine movements of illegal substances through a network of co-operatives in Asia, a German conglomerate, jet-setting executives, doctored laboratory reports, high-profile takedowns and fearful turncoats,” opens Globe and Mail food reporter Jessica Leeder in this…
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Rudd Center Announces Spring 2011 Seminar Series
Yale University’s Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity has announced its Spring 2011 Seminar Series featuring the interdisciplinary work of public policy and health advocates, as well as legal and industry insights. Speakers for the series include (i) Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids President Matthew Myers (Advocacy Lessons from the Battle to Reduce Tobacco); (ii)…
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AFBF Asks Industry to Handle GM Crop Patent Expirations
The American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) has reportedly voted to amend its policy on the expiration of genetically modified (GM) crop patents, calling on industry to develop “a protocol for biotech crops before coming off patent.” With patents set to expire for more than 24 GM varieties in coming years, the 6-million member farmers’ coalition…
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American Heart Association Calls for Intensified Efforts to Reduce Sodium
The American Heart Association (AHA) is urging the food industry, health professionals, government, and the public to “intensify efforts to reduce the amount of sodium (salt) Americans consume.” Published as a presidential advisory in an upcoming issue of its journal Circulation, AHA says its science-based recommendations advocate no more than 1,500 mg of sodium daily…
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California’s Approval of Pesticide Ingredient Challenged
A coalition of pesticide watchdogs and farm workers has filed a petition in a California state court seeking review of a Department of Pesticide Registration (DPR) decision to allow the use of pesticides containing methyl iodide despite evidence that the chemical is highly toxic. Pesticide Action Network N. Am. v. Cal. Dep’t of Pesticide Regulation,…