Category: Issue 518

  • Study Claims High Sodium Intake Accelerates Cellular Aging in Overweight Teens

    A research abstract presented at the American Heart Association’s (AHA’s) Epidemiology and Prevention/Nutrition, Physical Activity and Metabolism Scientific Sessions 2014 has claimed that “overweight or obese teenagers who eat lots of salty foods may show signs of fast cell aging.” According to a March 20, 2014, AHA press release, researchers with the Medical College of…

  • BMJ Examines Fast Food and Obesity

    The British Medical Journal (BMJ) recently published two research articles related to fast food and obesity, including a study claiming that “individuals who are genetically predisposed to obesity may be more susceptible to the adverse effects of eating fried foods.” Qibin Qi, et al., “Fried food consumption, genetic risk, and body mass index: gene-diet interaction…

  • UK Campaign Calls for Extended Junk-Food Ad Ban

    A recent analysis conducted by University of Liverpool researchers and commissioned by the campaign group Action on Junk Food Marketing has suggested that children in the United Kingdom are “bombarded” with as many as 11 junk-food advertisements during one hour of prime-time, family-oriented TV. Noting that almost one out of four TV ads shown between…

  • Incomplete Products Linked to Increased Consumption

    The University of Pennsylvania Wharton School of Business recently interviewed Marketing Professor and Jay H. Baker Retailing Center Director Barbara Kahn about her research on food consumption habits for the March 20, 2014, edition of its Knowledge@Wharton series. Describing how product shape and size affect consumer perception, Kahn noted that individuals will eat more of…

  • Roosevelt House to Host Book Release Event Focused on Corporations and Public Health

    The Roosevelt House Public Policy Institute at Hunter College has announced an April 8, 2014, event touting the release of Lethal But Legal: Corporations, Consumption and Protecting Public Health by City University of New York’s School of Public Health Professor Nicholas Freudenberg. Moderated by former New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene Commissioner…

  • Consumer Reports Finds 4-MEI in Pancake Syrups

    Following up its testing of soft drinks for the caramel-coloring ingredient 4-methylimidazole (4-MEI) by testing for its presence in pancake syrups, Consumer Reports tested several products, including pure maple syrup which had just 0.7 micrograms in a one-quarter cup serving, and found relatively low levels in light of the amount of syrup generally consumed in the…

  • Four Loko Maker Settles AG Claims

    According to New York Attorney General (AG) Eric Schneiderman, Phusion Projects, LLC, the company that makes Four Loko flavored malt beverages, has agreed to settle allegations by 20 attorneys general and the San Francisco city attorney that the company marketed and sold its products in violation of consumer protection and trade practice statutes. In re…

  • Putative Class Claims Vinegar Not “All Natural”

    A California resident has filed a putative statewide class action against H.J. Heinz Co. alleging that its Distilled White Vinegar is falsely advertised as “all natural” because it is made with genetically modified (GM) crops. Banafsheha v. H.J. Heinz Co., No. 14-2023 (C.D. Cal., filed March 17, 2014). Alleging that she paid more for the product…