Tag: nutrition
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Crops Grown in Higher CO2 Conditions Have Lower Levels of Nutrients
Harvard researchers have found that staple crops grown in environments with levels of carbon dioxide (CO2) similar to the levels expected in 2050 had less zinc, iron and protein than crops grown at current CO2 levels. Samuel S. Myers et al., “Increasing CO2 threatens human nutrition,” Nature, May 2014. The researchers conducted field trials of…
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Mother’s Diet Before Conception Can Allegedly Modify Child’s DNA
Researchers have reportedly found that nutrient levels in a pregnant woman’s diet before conception can permanently affect how the child’s genes function. Paula Dominguez-Salas et al., “Maternal nutrition at conception modulates DNA methylation of human metastable epialleles,” Nature Communications, April 2014. The London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) researchers selected 167 pregnant women…
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FDA Issues Final Rule on Nutrient Content Claims for Omega-3 Fatty Acids
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced a final rule prohibiting statements on food product labels, including dietary supplements, that claim products are “high in,” “rich in,” or an “excellent source of” docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) or eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) as well as similar claims for alpha-linolenic acid (ALA). The rule finalizes a proposed…
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FDA Unveils New Nutrition Facts Label
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has proposed revisions to the Nutrition Facts label that would emphasize the number of calories and servings per container, among other things. As the agency explained in a February 27, 2014, press release, the new panels would not only display calories per serving in larger, bolder type, but…
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CSPI to Host Food Labeling Discussion
Public health watchdog the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) has announced a February 26, 2014, meeting at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C., to discuss ways of improving the next generation of nutrition facts labels. NPR News correspondent Allison Aubrey is slated to moderate the panel with participants CSPI Executive Director Michael…
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Nutrition Bar Class Cannot Be Ascertained, Court Refuses to Certify It
A federal court in California has denied the plaintiff’s request to certify a class of those who purchased ZonePerfect Nutrition bars relying on allegedly deceptive labels representing the products as “All Natural.” Sethavanish v. ZonePerfect Nutrition Co., No. 12-2907 (N.D. Cal., order entered February 13, 2014). The court found that the plaintiff set forth sufficient…
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Legislators Seek to Modernize Food Labeling
U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.), Rep. Frank Pallone (D-N.J.) and Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) have introduced legislation (H.R. 3147) seeking to “modernize” food labeling by updating the Nutrition Facts panel and ingredient list requirements, addressing front-of package (FOP) labeling, and eliminating misleading health claims. Titled the Food Labeling Modernization Act of 2013, the bill would…
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USDA Establishes Stringent New Rules for Food and Beverages Sold in Schools
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has issued an interim final rule amending the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program regulations “to establish nutrition standards for all foods sold in schools, other than food sold under the lunch and breakfast programs.” Acting under Section 208 of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010,…