Food for Thought (Dec.10 – Dec.16)

Food and Health

Taking vitamin and mineral supplements may be linked to a shorter, not longer, life.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/2011/10/12/gIQAGeH7rL_story.html

When children are overweight, heart-health risk factors such as dangerous cholesterol levels and artery inflammation can start as early as age 3, according to a University of Miami study published in the current issue of the medical journal, Obesity.
http://www.stltoday.com/news/national/fat-children-face-heart-risks-as-young-as-age/article_f2822844-f147-53ad-87f2-ab108a1fb8d3.html

In the third quarter of 2011, 11% of Americans reported having ever been diagnosed with diabetes. This measurement and the 10.6% that Gallup and Healthways measured in the second quarter of this year are among the lowest levels recorded since 2009.
http://www.gallup.com/poll/151589/Diabetes-Rate-Levels-Off-2011.aspx?utm_source=tagrss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=syndication

Food Safety

In collaboration with government and university specialists, organizations representing fresh-produce farmers and handlers have written enhanced food safety practices for the growing of leafy greens. http://www.cfbf.com/leafygreens/

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is relying more often on states to inspect food plants but is failing to properly monitor those state inspections or follow through on their findings, the Department of Health and Human Services watchdog has concluded.
http://blog.usfoodsafety.com/2011/12/15/fda-faulted-over-state-inspections/

With the holiday season in full frenzy, Food Safety News presents a few food safety tips, a compilation of yuletide considerations for cooks and eaters alike. http://www.foodsafetynews.com/2011/12/time-to-eat-drink-and-be-wary/

Food Assistance

About 20 people volunteered last week to take part in a Community FoodBank of New Jersey Challenge to shop and eat for no more than $31.50 — the average weekly food stamp amount allotted to an individual in New Jersey. http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2011/12/nj_community_foodbank_challeng.html

The number of Virginians relying on food stamps spiked as the economy dipped, leading to an all-time high last month of more than 900,000 individuals receiving assistance to buy groceries. http://www2.timesdispatch.com/news/2011/dec/17/tdmain01-number-of-virginians-on-food-stamps-soars-ar-1550375/