Food for Thought (Jan.7 – Jan.13)

Food and Health

Scientists working at the Medical Research Council have identified changes in the patterns of sugar molecules that line pre-cancerous cells in the esophagus, a condition called Barrett’s dysplasia, making it much easier to detect and remove these cells before they develop into esophageal cancer.
http://www.newswise.com/articles/researchers-use-sugar-to-halt-esophageal-cancer-in-its-tracks?ret=/articles/list&category=medicine&page=1&search[status]=3&search[sort]=date+desc&search[section]=10&search[has_multimedia]=

Educating consumers to use the Nutrient Rich Foods approach to eating is an effective means of promoting healthful shopping and eating patterns, and improving diet quality.
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/584657/

The ultimate goal is to understand how our perception of fat in food might influence what foods we eat and the quantities of fat that we consume.
http://www.sci-news.com/medicine/article00151.html

Among overweight and obese adults, a diet rich in slowly digested carbohydrates, such as whole grains, legumes and other high-fiber foods, significantly reduces markers of inflammation associated with chronic disease.
http://www.flexonline.com/nutrition/diet-rich-slowly-digested-carbs-reduces-markers-inflammation-overweight-and-obese-adults

Convenience stores (c-stores) are not typically recognized for their food selections, but as tobacco and gas prices rise, fewer people are spending money on these items and other c-store staples. http://8pak.com/2012/01/13/new-trends-convenience-stores-to-focus-on-food-in-2012/

The LG fridge might have features to help you lose weight, but since it's not yet available (and its price tag is a bit steep), give the fridge you already own a little makeover. It can help you reach your 2012 weight loss goals with these tips. http://www.fitsugar.com/Ways-Your-Fridge-Can-Help-You-Lose-Weight-21242390

Food Assistance

In recent speeches and debates, Republican Presidential contenders Mitt Romney, Rick Santorum and Newt Gingrich have all invoked the 1996 welfare reform project as a model for responsibly cutting federal spending on social safety-net programs like food stamps and health care.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/01/10/romney-santorum-gingrich-welfare_n_1197409.html

Pennsylvania plans to make the amount of food stamps that people receive contingent on the assets they possess - an unexpected move that bucks national trends and places the commonwealth among a minority of states.
http://articles.philly.com/2012-01-10/news/30612157_1_food-stamps-supplemental-nutrition-assistance-program-federal-poverty-level

After losing her job as a consultant for nonprofits, Martha Heassler and her husband, a graphic artist, no longer had money for their daughter’s college education, new clothing or groceries.
http://www.businessweek.com/news/2012-01-12/mercedes-owners-ph-d-holders-join-crowd-straining-food-banks.html

One day last semester at Utah State University, a nontraditional student contacted Jordan Hunt, the executive assistant to the Associated Students of USU. The student said she was “scared” about her financial situation, being able to put food on the table while going to classes, working and paying the bills for her apartment.
http://news.hjnews.com/news/article_88d23eb6-3f29-11e1-ac01-0019bb2963f4.html

Food Safety

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is continuing to test imported shipments of orange juice for the fungicide carbendazim before allowing them to enter commerce. Preliminary test results for three samples are negative, according to an agency spokesman. http://www.foodsafetynews.com/2012/01/fda-preliminary-tests-for-fungicide-in-oj-imports-are-negative/

Congressman Gary Ackerman, D-NY, this week reintroduced a bill to permanently prohibit the slaughter at meat plants of unhealthy livestock that cannot walk because they are diseased, injured or ill, and to require that these animals be humanely euthanized.
http://www.foodsafetynews.com/2012/01/bill-seeks-permanent-ban-on-downer-slaughter-at-meat-plants/

According to the CDC a salmonella outbreak, which peaked during the summer and is over, stemmed from labeling confusion. The packaging described the product as "kosher broiled chicken livers," but the product was not ready-to-eat and required further cooking before eating. http://foodpoisoning.pritzkerlaw.com/archives/salmonella-cdc-declares-chicken-liver-salmonella-outbreak-over.html

Later this month the Environmental Protection Agency is scheduled to release new guidelines that would set limits on the safe exposure of U.S. consumers to dioxin. As with most proposals of this type, farmers, ranchers and the U.S. food industry are caught between the proverbial rock and a hard spot. http://www.mycentralnebraska.com/pages/11914510.php?