"food news" news and stories

I recently read a revealing article from Parade magazine that uncovers common food myths. Some of them were shocking. Do people really think that margarine is healthier than butter? Although butter contains saturated fats that raise cholesterol, margarine is loaded with trans fats. Unfortunately, my parents believed this myth; and, just recently, over the past few years I have begun to discover the many different delicious creamy butters that exist.

A myth that I believed prior to reading this article was that fresh fruits and vegetables are healthier than frozen ones. In some cases, you can get more nutrients from frozen fruits and vegetables. This depends on how old the "fresh" produce really is. After being harvested, fresh fruit can spend many days being sorted through and shipped to markets. Fluctuations in light and temperature affect the nutrients in produce. On the other hand, the negative effects of canned and frozen produce have to do with its taste, texture, and additives.

Another revealing myth is that decaf coffee has no caffeine. There are plenty more! For example, people actually believe that bananas are fattening. Many people argue that cooking vegetables destroys their vitamin content. What do you think about these busted food myths? And, which ones do you think are less obvious?

Last week, I listened to a story on NPR about countries in Central America, notably Honduras, that are turning to genetically modified crops as the global food crisis worsens. Honduras is the only country in Central America that has embraced genetically engineered corn.

Genetically engineered corn is against the law in most of Central America where the crop has been grown for thousands of years. They ban genetically modified organisms (GMOs) to protect their many diverse varieties of corn from contamination. But with the price of corn doubling, Honduras has recently decided to use GMOs.

The food crisis is bringing about a new trend towards genetically modified crops. Egypt just approved GMO corn, and China increased its funding in research on GMO foods. However, this may be a destructive temporary solution. Environmentalists are concerned that biotech crops could damage the natural diversity of plants. These crops are made by injecting new genes that were found in other species. In essence, they're getting rid of previous natural varieties and creating new ones.

What do you think? Should countries view GMO foods as a solution to the current food crisis?

A word to the wise. If you've just stolen the box of doughnuts you're eating, it is probably not particularly smart to offer said doughnuts to the officers who are investigating the robbery.

If you're planning on having a heart attack, doing so in a restaurant where a college student majoring in cardiovascular technology works is probably a good way to go.

The 85 chickens that were let loose in a Philadelphia high school have found a home at the Fox Chase Farm, where they'll be able to graze for bugs and lay eggs to their hearts' content.

Two German airmen are being court-marshaled after trying to start a sausage-making company in which they used human blood. They were found out when one of their fellow soldiers inquired to a superior as to whether the venture was permissible or not. [via Yumsugar]

A new grocery store in the Giant chain opened Willow Grove, PA yesterday that is the size of two football fields and has a babysitting center, a cooking school, an on-site nutritionist and valet grocery pick-up. Who knew that grocery stores were becoming the next place for family entertainment.

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I have just been playing with the new netscape (read more at download squad) and ran across this story on the Food and Travel page.

It is for a competition to design a tomato ketchup bottle label. "Oh fun!" I thought - I always enjoy tinkering with Photoshop and thought I would give it a go, especially as it kind of ties in with my foodography theme of Brand Awareness over on flickr. Some great designs have already been submitted and it certainly got the creative juices flowing (not to mention the gastric juices so I am off to make some burgers).

Then I re-read the comprtition guidelines to see that it closed in October last year. Ho Hum. Perhaps this new netscape channel needs more input from users. So I settled on reading a post about the correct way to pour ketchup instead!

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