Big Players
Editor rethinking viability of this site; in meantime, please read ethicurean.com, National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition, farmpolicy.com, newsletters of the RWJF, websites for USDA, FDA, CDC, and work of journalists worldwide
- Karla Cook
The Food Times 2012-01-05
Increased competition over land for growing biofuels, coupled with climate change and poor farming practices risks ability to feed growing population, UN warns
The Associated Press; The Washington Post 2011-11-28
Smithfield - world's largest pork producer - making false claims, Humane Society says; group urges McDonald's to require speedier improvements in animal welfare practices
By Monica Eng
Chicago Tribune 2011-11-02
EPA to probe fracking sites in PA, CO, LA, ND, TX to measure impact of drilling on entire water lifecycle, from taking water from rivers to sequestering tainted wastewater
By Dina Cappiello
The Associated Press; St. Louis Post-Dispatch 2011-11-03
Fearing water shortages caused by climate change, food and beverage firms, tobacco companies, clothing makers and metal and mining companies reckon with dependence
By Leslie Kaufman
The New York Times 2011-11-01
Opinion: Occupy Wall Street has its points, but occupying the kitchen will bring, keep families together, and when food is sourced locally, will 'stick it to the Man,' too
By Kurt Michael Friese
The Huffington Post 2011-10-27
Opinion: House, Senate Ag panel leaders try to write new farm bill in private, with plans to take it to deficit committee to be enacted whole, without votes; farm bill sets food policy for 5 years
By Carolyn Lochhead
San Francisco Chronicle 2011-10-26
Opinion: Children's needs ignored as Senate protects potato farmers who complained over proposed anti-obesity rules limiting high-carb foods for school meals
By Valerie Strauss
The Washington Post 2011-10-20
Howard Buffett urges soil-health approach to helping African farmers end hunger, says crop diversity, not biotech seed and monoculture, will ensure families' survival
The Associated Press; The Washington Post 2011-10-12
Labeling genetically modified foods would scare consumers away from buying them, State Department says; virtually any U.S. food containing corn or soy would have to be labeled
By Philip Brasher
The Des Moines Register 2011-10-12
Processed food industry group says draft voluntary guidelines for advertising its items to children would cause loss of 74,000 jobs annually, billions in lost sales
By Marian Burros
Politco 2011-10-12
As industry, Congress look to delay air pollution rules, research grows on pollution's link to obesity, diabetes; annually, obesity costs U.S. $270 billion; diabetes costs $174 billion
By Amy Westervelt
Forbes 2011-10-10
Opinion: As Occupy Wall Street draws attention to corporate control of democracy, government, we note lobbyists' role in shaping food/ag issues, even writing legislation
By Ben Lilliston
Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy 2011-09-30
Scrutiny of sugar tariffs, corn subsidies shows reason for ubiquity of high-fructose corn syrup in diet and is example of corruption in Congress, says Lawrence Lessig, in "Republic, Lost"
By Julian Brookes
Rolling Stone 2011-10-05
Opinion: Despite lure of $1 million gifts, those in Good Food Revolution aren't required to include Wal-mart, other entities whose practices undermine long-term goals
By Andy Fisher
Civil Eats 2011-09-16
Texas drought focuses researchers' warning that planners must incorporate vast water requirements of all energy production - except for that derived from wind
By Kate Galbraith
The New York Times 2011-09-18
Opinion: To become healthier, more sustainable population, we must encourage a shift from ubiquitous fast food to craft of cooking and associated thrift
By Mark Bittman
The New York Times 2011-09-27
Opinion: Philanthropic retailers could take cue from Kellogg, Walmart foundations and back farmers' market organizations, food access/food justice nonprofits
By Michel Nischan
The Atlantic 2011-09-27
As airline mergers reduce flights, Chiquita considers relocating from Cincinnati; airport's once-global access had lured P&G, Kroger to situate there, too
By Mike Ramsey
The Wall Street Journal. (may require subscription) 2011-09-28
Opinion: Agricultural policies still dominated by farm-state legislators openly hostile to reform; until big-state and urban legislators decide to serve on panels, little change likely
By Michael Pollan
The Nation 2011-09-14
PepsiCo to work with Ethiopian farmers to grow more chickpeas; increased crop will satisfy hummus market, with leftovers for Wawa Mum, an anti-famine product
By Stephanie Strom
The New York Times 2011-09-20
Opinion: Convenience, addiction-like responses to hyperprocessed items have drowned out home cooking; we can counter by educating children and tearing down the food carnival
By Mark Bittman
The New York Times 2011-09-24
U.S. spending billions of dollars to subsidize producers and others in business of corn syrup, high fructose corn syrup, corn starch, soy oils - junk food ingredients
By P.J. Huffstutter
Los Angeles Times 2011-09-22
As climate change takes hold, sections of Rio Grande, Yellow, Colorado and Tigris rivers are now drying out each summer; geographers fear disappearance of such landmarks
By John Vidal
The Guardian (UK) 2011-09-15
NJ, RI senators want list of risky health, environment chemicals from EPA; it includes BPA, phthalates, polybrominated diphenyl ethers
By Cheryl Hogue
Chemical & Engineering News 2011-09-12
Opinion: When killing animals for food, scale, density of production severs the emotional bond between farmers and animals - essential for factory farming
By James E. McWilliams
The Atlantic 2011-08-24
Glyphosate, in Monsanto's Roundup herbicide, now commonly found in rain, rivers, air in agricultural areas of Mississippi River watershed; 88,000 tons used in 2007
By Paul Capel
U.S. Geological Survey 2011-08-29
Monsanto's corn, genetically modified to resist biotech giant's glyphosate-based Roundup, falling victim to rootworms in northwestern Illinois fields
By Jack Kaskey
Bloomberg 2011-09-02
With $15,000 from Chesapeake Energy, Pennsylvania's game lands planted in chicory, buckwheat, oats, field corn to attract deer, turkey
By Tom Venesky
The Times Leader (Wilkes-Barre, Scranton PA) 2011-09-04
Government inspectors continue to find unsanitary conditions and inadequate protections against salmonella on Iowa's egg farms - a year after 1,900 sickened from bacteria
By Clark Kauffman
The Des Moines Register 2011-08-28
Opinion: New school nutrition law meant to improve food, but final rules aren't due until December 2013, and House is looking to cut funding of extra 6 cents per meal
By Marion Nestle
San Francisco Chronicle 2011-09-04
For some immigrants, McDonald's is path to steady work, wages that can help children, families back home
By Bill Donahue
The Washington Post 2011-09-01
As Texas faces worst single-year drought ever and drinking wells fail, natural gas industry has unlimited water use; fracking taints water, removing it from hydrologic cycle
By Josh Harkinson
Mother Jones 2011-09-01
Sugary drinks add 300 calories daily to youths' diets; sodas, sports drinks are No. 1 single source of calories in American diet, accounting for half of all added sugars consumed
By Nanci Hellmich
USA Today 2011-08-31
After intense lobbying campaign by industry, administration abandons plan to cut ozone limits; toxin contributes to heart problems, asthma, other lung disorders
By John M. Broder
The New York Times 2011-09-02
Without investment, water supply crises will become increasingly common, UN says; recycling, new dams, desalination plants, water policy reforms needed
The Associated Press; The New York Times 2011-08-26
Paul Hawken eulogizes Ray Anderson as businessman who viewed reimagining the world as responsibility, something owed our children's children, a gift to a future begging for selflessness, vision
By Andrew C. Revkin
The New York Times 2011-08-12
Preliminary research from USDA shows that many vegetables have lost significant amounts of nutritional value since 1950s; scientist blames selective breeding
By Natalie Jones
Grist 2011-08-02
As low supply, high demand from China push corn prices up, Tyson Foods and Pilgrim's Pride, which together process 3.7 billion chickens yearly, add wheat to chicken feed
By Carolyn Cui
The Wall Street Journal. (may require subscription) 2011-08-09
Concurrent national outbreak of Salmonella Heidelberg, discovery of clone of Salmonella Kentucky, underline rising danger of drug-resistant organisms in food supply
By Maryn McKenna
Wired 2011-08-03
Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), used to make oil-resistant paper packaging, Teflon, other nonstick products, may affect function of thyroid gland; study called "clinically disturbing"
By Ken Ward Jr.
Gazette-Mail (Charleston, WV) 2011-08-06
Opinion: In D.C., fewer dinners means polite conversation that may lead to beginnings of camaraderie is lost, and with it mutual trust essential to governance by two parties
By Lea Berman
The Washington Post 2011-08-05
Algae growth suspected in wild boar deaths along French coast; some point to nitrate buildup from fertilizer used by region's farmers
By Kim Willsher
Los Angeles Times 2011-07-28
Opinion: Rather than subsidizing unhealthful foods with tax dollars, we should tax them, then use income to make good food affordable, ubiquitous
By Mark Bittman
The New York Times 2011-07-24
At moment when both parties seem to agree that spending is out of control, free peanut storage, little-used airports illustrate political chore of cutting even smallest projects
By Ron Nixon
The New York Times 2011-07-15
Citing harm to business, House Republicans push ahead on plans to hamstring air, water, soil protections
By Tennille Tracy
Dow Jones Newswires 2011-07-13
Bush-era EPA mischaracterized science on sensitivity of various age groups to perchlorate, a rocket fuel component tainting soil and drinking water, report says
By Bettina Boxall
Los Angeles Times 2011-07-12
Biggest food makers, fast-food chains, media companies and Chamber of Commerce lobby to derail voluntary nutrition standards on salt, sugar, fat in kid-targeted products
By Lyndsey Layton and Dan Eggen
The Washington Post 2011-07-09
Feds could begin battling obesity with financial policies that make healthy foods cost less, by changing agricultural subsidies, and by restricting marketing, says expert
By Melissa Healy
Los Angeles Times 2011-07-07
Obesity rate climbs in all states, disproportionately affecting those with poor education and income, and minorities; report emphasizes need for affordable healthy foods
By Melissa Healy
Los Angeles Times 2011-07-07
House moves to kill only national program that routinely screens our fruits, vegetables for deadly e. coli, but tracking pathogens in meat, dairy has $9 million budget
By Monica Eng
Chicago Tribune 2011-07-04
Opinion: Paul Ryan's draconian budget plan might not be best way to tackle federal deficit, but approach could help solve nation's obesity crisis
By Hank Cardello
The Atlantic magazine 2011-07-01
Reduce food production dry northern plains or face dire water levels, groundwater expert warns China; agriculture accounts for 60 percent of demand on water table
By Jonathan Watts
The Guardian (UK) 2011-06-28
As EPA tightens on emissions of mercury, sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides, coal-heavy utility lobbies Congress on clean water, clean air rules
The Associated Press; Bloomberg Businessweek 2011-06-27
Opinion: Global security challenges - food, water, energy - are inextricably linked, so need for systemic thinking and action is inescapable
By John Elkington
The Guardian (UK) 2011-06-29
Graphic footage shows workers tossing piglets, smashing their skulls on concrete at nation's fourth-largest pork producer, but it may qualify as "standard practice"
By Alexandra Silver
Time magazine 2011-06-29
SEC investigating Monsanto over use of cash to persuade distributors to use its herbicides; firm already subject of probe by DOJ into potential anti-competitive practices
By Hal Weitzman
Financial Times 2011-06-29
As global food prices hit historic highs, Monsanto grows third-quarter profits 77 percent; its genetically engineered seeds and related traits business is up 12 percent
By Agustino Fontevecchia
Forbes 2011-06-29
Year-in, year-out price tag of our increasingly volatile weather is $485 billion per year in the U.S. alone, up to 3.4 percent of our GDP
By Tara Thean
Time magazine 2011-06-27
Opinion: Bribery memo set off an ethics scandal that reached Tyson's executives, raises questions about who, if anyone, is held accountable for high-level corporate crime
By James B. Stewart
The New York Times 2011-06-24
Opinion: Fracking for natural gas from shale has potential to transform U.S. energy production if risks to water supply, environment and human health are managed
The editors
The Wall Street Journal. (may require subscription) 2011-06-25
Radioactive tritium has leaked from at least 48 of all 65 U.S. nuclear power stations, raising fears of water tainting; regulators, industry loosen standards to keep plants operating
By Jeff Donn
The Associated Press; MSNBC.com 2011-06-21
Opinion: As commodity prices show, it will be economic impact of climate change and resource limits that will motivate sweeping changes necessary to avert catastrophe
By Paul Gilding
CNN 2011-06-21
U.S. will push for more transparent food production and open markets to reduce food price volatility with G-20 agricultural ministers
By Sebastian Moffett
The Wall Street Journal. (may require subscription) 2011-06-22
Opinion: As supplies of fruits, vegetables remain steady due to work of pollinators, we pay homage to resilience of honeybees and perseverance of their keepers
By Randal R. Rucker and Walter N. Thurman
The Wall Street Journal. (may require subscription) 2011-06-22
Ethanol industry likely would continue using one-third of U.S. corn crop (keeping prices high for livestock producers) and would be fine without $5 billion-a-year federal subsidy
By David Mercer
The Associated Press; San Francisco Chronicle 2011-06-21
Opinion: U.S. is transforming Afghanistan's fragile agrarian society into a consumer-oriented, mechanized, fossil-fuel-based economy
By Patricia McArdle
The New York Times 2011-06-19
Opinion: True cost of the 1 billion pounds of tomatoes Florida ships is told in detail and with insight and compassion by Barry Estabrook in his new book, "Tomatoland"
By Mark Bittman
The New York Times 2011-06-14
Food prices in China surge as torrential rain across south and east kills more than 100, triggers evacuation of half a million and leaves farmland devastated
Reuters 2011-06-19
Obama administration's new health strategy emphasizes prevention, asks country to think of health care as including cleaner water, easier access to good food
By Juliana Schatz and Don Sapatkin
The Philadelphia Inquirer 2011-06-17
McDonald's to certify as sustainable the catch used for its 100 million fish sandwiches sold in Europe every year; Wal-Mart requiring similar certification for farmed fish
By David Jolly
The New York Times 2011-06-08
As rapid growth in food production slows and global appetite for meat, dairy increases demand, researchers point to climate change and sound alarm over adequate food supply
By Justin Gillis
The New York Times 2011-06-05
Opinion: USDA's plate-plus message works better than anything presented before, so now it's time for Congress to fix agricultural policies so they support the recommendations
By Marion Nestle
San Francisco Chronicle 2011-06-05
Severe water shortage along Yangtze River dries lakes, brings farming to standstill, leaves some thirsty - and refocuses attention on mistakes around dam construction
By William Wan
The Washington Post 2011-06-04
Sustainability, linked by some to higher costs, government regulation, means reducing waste, which saves money, author writes in book detailing the greening of Wal-Mart
By Bryan Burrough
The New York Times 2011-05-14
Opinion: Middle Eastern dictators use food to maintain power, from Saddam Hussein's use of UN oil-for-food program to food subsidies that helped prop up Hosni Mubarak
By Annia Ciezadlo
Foreign Policy 2011-05-01
EPA orders ambitious cleanup of Chicago River, urban waterway treated as little more than industrialized sewage canal for 100+ years
By Michael Hawthorne
Chicago Tribune 2011-05-12
Opinion: We need to support sweeping regulatory change to our main chemical safety law, and make chemical companies demonstrate their products are safe before sale to us
By Dominique Browning
The New York Times 2011-05-09
Opinion: We need legal action, not voluntary guidelines that request compliance from a blame-the-victim industry that pushes ultra-processed, unhealthful junk food-like products
By Mark Bittman
The New York Times 2011-05-03
Opinion: U.S. food production system depends upon widespread ignorance, but poor and working people most need new food system; they are sold unhealthiest foods and can least afford resulting medical problems
By Eric Schlosser
The Washington Post 2011-04-29
Opinion: Nutrition professor says she now supports soda ban for $68 billion SNAP program and is impressed with WIC, which allows purchase of only restricted number of nutrient-rich foods
By Marion Nestle
San Francisco Chronicle 2011-05-01
Opinion: 1990s famine believed to have killed nearly one million North Koreans; no matter how much world despises Kim Jong-il regime, that can't be allowed to happen again
By the editors
The New York Times 2011-04-29
Opinion: Partnerships, alliances with food corporations put agriculture, food, nutrition, and public health advocacy groups in conflict of interest - latest is Oxfam America aiding Coca-Cola
By Marion Nestle
Food Politics 2011-04-20
Some 25 percent of Alabama poultry houses destroyed or damaged by tornadoes, likely killing millions of birds; state is No.3 chicken-producing state behind Arkansas, Georgia
By Scott Kilman
The Wall Street Journal. (may require subscription) 2011-04-28
Saying that laws to protect fragile ecosystem from harmful and unnecessary agricultural production are being ignored, National Wildlife Federation sues EPA
By Ken Anderson
Brownfield 2011-04-29
Expect peanut butter prices to increase as makers pass along cost hikes for peanuts, sweetener, plastic jars, analysts say; J.M. Smucker has suspended production of some Jif varieties
By David Wilson
Bloomberg 2011-04-26
Opinion: If you're raising and killing 10 billion animals every year, animal abuse is guaranteed, especially with standard inhumane factory-farming practices, lack of actual laws
By Mark Bittman
The New York Times 2011-04-26
Opinion: In IA, FL, MN, purpose of bills that make undercover investigations in factory farms a crime is to hide those conditions from a public that thinks about the way food is produced
The editors
The New York Times 2011-04-26
School food providers have come under scrutiny over the last year for big rebates from processed food companies; in D.C., Chartwells-Thompson made at last $1 million
By Monica Eng
Chicago Tribune 2011-04-21
Proposed rules in Central Valley would restrict fertilizer, other runoff based on likelihood of polluting groundwater; rules would affect 35,000 growers and 7 million irrigated acres
By Margot Roosevelt
Los Angeles Times; The Associated Press 2011-04-08
Risks to humans, environment from glyphosate, key ingredient in Monsanto's top-selling weed killer worldwide, to be re-evaluated by U.S., Canadian regulators; results due in 2015
By Carey Gillam
Reuters 2010-04-08
After LAPD reveals crime-fighting plans, Dodger officials rethink plan to serve half-price alcohol, vow to look at prices and serving sizes for alcohol, as well as when to stop serving
By Joel Rubin and Bill Shaikin
Los Angeles Times 2011-04-09
Milk tainted by nitrate, a meat-curing chemical, kills three, sickens 35 in latest Chinese dairy industry safety scandal; imports have doubled since 2008, pushing global prices up
By Guy Montague-Jones
Dairyreporter.com; Decision News Media 2011-04-08
In $2.35 billion deal with Diamond Foods, Procter & Gamble sells Pringles - rolled and fried dehydrated potato flakes - and its last food brand after shedding Jif, Folger's and Crisco
By Andrew Martin
The New York Times 2011-04-05
Opinion: For 2012 Farm Bill, eliminate corn subsidies and redirect $4 billion annually in federal funds to SNAP and other nutrition programs that target most vulnerable population
By Andrew Schiff Youli Lee
The Providence Journal 2011-03-28
Letter to USDA head intensifies fight between those who see biotech as only way to feed rising population and those who fear that it produces food that is nutritionally lacking, environmentally dangerous
By P.J. Huffstutter
Los Angeles Times 2011-04-02
Levels of bisphenol A detected in human urine dropped by 66 per cent in just three days after subjects eliminated their exposure to canned and plastic packaging, research shows
By Rory Harrington
Food Production Daily 2011-03-31
Opinion: FDA panel to review research on behavioral effects of artificial dyes; those colorings often found in items fueling obesity epidemic that costs U.S. $270 billion yearly
By David W. Schab and Michael F. Jacobson
The Washington Post 2011-03-25
Opinion: We are for savings, but GOP's proposed losses of $11 billion in meat and poultry production over next seven months through furloughs of meat inspectors makes no sense
The editors
The New York Times 2011-03-06
EPA head vows to order testing for radioactivity at water treatment plants that receive fracking drilling wastewater as well as intake sites for drinking water downstream
By John Collins Rdolf
The New York Times 2011-03-03
Two firms agree to shut down fracking wastewater disposal wells near fault in Arkansas; geologists see correlation between use of wells to state's many earthquakes since last fall
By Campbell Robertson
The New York Times 2011-03-04
Years of efforts by some lawmakers and regulators to force feds to better police natural gas industry thwarted; now lobbyists point to fuel independence, fewer emissions
By Ian Urbina
The New York Times 2011-03-04
Opinion: Reform subsidies so they encourage small- and medium-size farms producing food we can touch, see, buy and eat -- apples and carrots -- and shrink handouts to agribusiness
By Mark Bittman
The New York Times 2011-03-01
Opinion: Start cutting government fat by combining 15 federal agencies dealing with food safety - the same ones cited 10 years ago in report to Congress
The editors
Mercury News (San Jose, CA) 2011-03-01
Opinion: Might not a government aware of links between poor diets, obesity and diabetes yet stubbornly beholden to beef, sugar lobbies be accused of obfuscation, corruption?
By Jocelyn C. Zuckerman
The Atlantic magazine 2011-02-25
Lawmakers launch investigation into health risks of drilling for natural gas on public lands; critics of practice cite potential for drinking-water pollution, environmental damage
By Andrew Restuccia
The Hill 2011-02-28
Click on this link to vote on whether genetically modified foods, or foods containing those ingredients, should require labels
MSNBC 2011-02-25
Despite dangers of hydrofracking to health and environment, including radioactive contamination of drinking water sources for 6,800,000 people, EPA has not intervened
By Ian Urbina
The New York Times 2011-02-26
USDA reports attempted fraud from Chinese firm using fake certificate to represent non-organic crops as organic; reliance on cheaper imported organics has undermined U.S. farmers
By Bart King
Sustainable Life Media; Reuters 2011-02-22
Food security fears, rising prices for corn, budget cuts by Congress among obstacles to growth of U.S. ethanol; nation leads world in production with 204 bio-refineries in 29 states
By Carey Gillam
Reuters 2011-02-21
Opinion: The very politicians who are so worried about public debt -- and who want deep spending cuts now to save our future - dismiss climate, resource crisis and natural debt
By Bryan Walsh
Time magazine 2011-02-22
Return of fast-food outlets is latest sign of changes made by U.S. Gen. David Petraeus, who took over command of U.S., coalition forces from Gen. Stanley McChrystal
By Matthew Rosenberg
The Wall Street Journal. (may require subscription) 2011-02-21
PepsiCo's buy-local plan with Mexican corn farmers cuts company's transportation costs, and in community, stabilizes local crop prices and raises incomes, improving health, education
By Stephanie Strom
The New York Times 2011-02-21
After years of resistance, European Union policy-makers to vote on allowing traces of genetically modified material in animal feed imports; move would be victory for GM lobby
By Caroline Henshaw
The Wall Street Journal. (may require subscription) 2011-02-21
Opinion: Republicans' drive to weaken U.S. environmental protections leaves them little time to mull protecting farmland, wild lands from commercial development seen as essential to nation's health
The editors
The New York Times 2011-02-21
Opinion: The students at Chicago Public Schools are right - in healthier lunches, they get cardboardy crusts, chalky macaroni salad, formaldehyde-scented lettuce, canned pears that taste like wet toilet paper
By Monica Eng
Chicago Tribune 2011-02-20
Campbell Soup to spend $10 million to fight childhood obesity, hunger in Camden, N.J., site of headquarters and where nearly 40 percent of town's children are obese
By Geoff Mulvihill
The Associated Press; Bloomberg Businessweek 2011-02-15
House flies, roaches may be conduit for superbugs ingested from feces at commercial hog farms; public health specialists look to block human interaction at nearby homes, businesses
By Mick Kulikowski
The Abstract (North Carolina State University) 2011-02-16
Opinion: Possibility of taint from genetically modified alfalfa is low; farmers often cut hay before it flowers, and even if a cow producing organic milk ate GM alfalfa, impact would be benign
By James E. McWilliams
The Atlantic 2011-02-16
Opinion: With Monsanto's Roundup Ready Alfalfa, new kind of pollution is forced on us; it now affects majority of food produced in U.S., without our consent. We've said "No," but is anybody listening?
By Barbara Damrosch
The Washington Post 2011-02-16
Opinion: Government's unwillingness to label genetically modified foods and products that contain them is demeaning, undemocratic; without labeling, we have no say
By Mark Bittman
The New York Times 2011-02-17
Citing decades-long concealment of mining-related pollution to drinking water and environment, neighbors of abandoned copper mine file class-action suit against BP America, Atlantic Richfield Co.
The Associated Press; The New York Times 2011-02-15
India struggles to feed its 1.1 billion people; it needs to hike investment in irrigation, spur competition in wholesale and retail markets, provide targeted food subsidies to poor
By Vikas Bajaj
The New York Times 2011-02-12
Opinion: GOP budget eats America's seed corn to placate base, focusing cuts on programs that pay off in future, like providing extra nutrition to pregnant mothers, infants, and young children
By Paul Krugman
The New York Times 2011-02-14
Ecuadorean plaintiffs, citing higher incidence of cancer in communities and water supplies polluted with oil, say that $8.6 billion ruling against Chevron isn't enough compensation
By Victor Gomez
Reuters 2011-02-15
Opinion: Agribusiness giants Monsanto and Syngenta restrict independent research on their genetically engineered corn, soybeans, canola, cotton, legally limiting research options
By Doug Gurian-Sherman
Los Angeles Times 2011-02-13
Opinion: Demand for biofuels is almost doubling challenge of producing more food, but economic studies imply that food prices should come down if we can limit biofuel growth
By Tim Searchinger
The Washington Post 2011-02-11
USDA OKs ethanol-only biotech corn; food industry giants warn of crumbly corn chips, soggy cereal, soupy-centered bread if it enters food chain but Syngenta touts water, energy, chemical savings
By Andrew Pollack
The New York Times 2011-02-11
Veteran CIA officer says feds covered up negligence associated with his family's stay at environmentally troubled Camp Stanley, where house oozed toxic mold and aquifer was tainted
By Charlie Savage
The New York Times 2011-02-11
Daily consumption of diet soda linked to higher risks for stroke, heart attack versus no soda; other studies link diet and regular soda to risk of diabetes, metabolic syndrome
The Associated Press; National Public Radio 2011-02-09
Kerala villagers join campaign to ban Endosulfan pesticide, but Indian government, the world's largest producer, exporter and user, says negative health reports are limited and ban would risk food security
By Rama Lakshmi
The Washington Post 2011-02-07
Opinion: The poorest, as fastest growing sector of global economy, are new frontier for corporate food regime, but taxpayers can say no to subsidizing juggernaut that undermines small farmers who grow half the world's food
By Eric Holt Gimenez
The Huffington Post 2011-02-07
As use of ethanol expands, nation's supply of corn at lowest in 15 years; escalating price of food has led to widespread protests in several nations
By Sam Nelson
Reuters 2011-02-07
Books: In "Hot," author Mark Hertsgaard presents strong case that there is still time to keep planet livable despite climate change; technology exists, but we must act now
By Wen Stephenson
The New York Times 2011-02-04
Defying court ban, USDA to allow commercial planting of Roundup Ready biotech beets days after OK of Monsanto alfalfa; critics cite herbicide resistant weeds, tainting of other crops
By Carey Gillam and Chuck Abbott
Reuters 2011-02-04
EPA moves to control perchlorate, 16 other toxins in drinking water; rocket testing ingredient thought to stunt normal growth of fetuses, infants, children
By John M. Broder
The New York Times 2011-02-03
Opinion: Food and everything surrounding it is a crucial matter of personal and public health, of national and global security; at stake is health of humans and that of earth
By Mark Bittman
The New York Times 2011-02-01
Enjoy food, but eat less; fill half your plate with fruits and vegetables, switch to fat-free or low-fat milk, choose low-salt foods, drink water instead of sugary drinks, new USDA Dietary Guidelines say
By Monica Eng
Chicago Tribune 2011-01-31
American Crystal Sugar, co-op of 3,000 sugar beet farmers, spends millions on lobbying, political campaigns in hopes that feds maintain price guarantees for its sugar and limits foreign competition
By Curtis Gilbert
Minnesota Public Radio 2011-01-25
After biotech, farm groups object, USDA changes course, OKs GMO alfalfa, pulling back from proposal that would have restricted its growth to protect conventional plants from cross-pollination
By Andrew Pollack
The New York Times 2011-01-27
2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans to be released on Monday, Jan. 31 at 10 a.m. EST; to watch the live webcast, visit www.usda.gov/live, and to read them, visit www.DietaryGuidelines.gov
By Marion Nestle
marionnestle.com 2011-01-27
Multinational corporations often keep quiet about their ethical brands, survey shows; consumers feel misled, say companies should be clearer about ownership
By Rebecca Smithers
The Guardian (UK) 2011-01-26
FDA, dairy industry fight over testing for antibiotics in milk from farms that had repeatedly sold for slaughter cows tainted by drug residue; antibiotics overuse a question
By William Neuman
The New York Times 2011-01-26
New York state agencies following policy urging them to avoid products, equipment containing any of 85 toxic chemicals whenever safer, cost-effective options available
By Olga Naidenko
Environmental Working Group 2011-01-01
In first cuts plan, Republican Study Committee leaves $5 billion in corn, soy, rice, wheat subsidies untouched, targets organic farmers, export promotion program, sugar growers
By Philip Brasher
The Des Moines Register 2011-01-25
New businesses spurred by food safety law requiring that all players in food supply chain maintain digital records of where they bought all processed food and/or produce and where they sent it
By Lyndsey Layton
The Washington Post 2011-01-23
Political unrest disrupts cocoa supplies from Ivory Coast, world's biggest producer; Cargill suspends purchases, ADM assesses and State Department backs temporary import ban
By Debarati Roy
Bloomberg 2011-01-25
In move that could influence entire grocery industry, Walmart to eliminate industrial trans fats in all packaged food items, cut added sugars in some foods, cut sodium in others
By Ariel Schwartz
Fast Company 2011-01-25
Law firm says that Taco Bell uses false advertising when it refers to using "seasoned ground beef" or "seasoned beef"; mixture doesn't meet USDA standards for labeling, suit says
The Associated Press; MSNBC.com 2011-01-24
Economists find link between Walmart Supercenters, weight gain in people living nearby; arrival of Walmart has been shown to drop prices by between eight and 27 percent
By Shannon Proudfoot
The Gazette (Montreal) 2011-01-18
Cargill to give up majority stake in potash, phosphate fertilizer company Mosaic; such firms are takeover targets in light of increasing food demand, constraints on food supplies
By Gina Chon, Anupreeta Das and Scott Kilman
The Wall Street Journal. (may require subscription) 2011-01-19
Opinion: Over 10 years, ending farm subsidies would save nearly $290 billion; ending subsidies to ethanol and unproven energy technology saves $170 billion, Cato Institute says
By By Dick Armey and Matt Kibbe
The Wall Street Journal. (may require subscription) 2010-01-19
Opinion: Extra 6 cents won't help school districts deliver better food for lunch; feds can't burden schools with making up the difference or allow them to wiggle out of restrictions
The editors
San Francisco Chronicle 2011-01-15
New school lunch rules would cut sodium, limit starchy vegetables, ban most trans fats, require lowfat milk, increase whole grains, add more fruits, vegetables, limit calories
By Tim Carman
The Washington Post 2010-01-13
Citing Clean Water Act, EPA revokes largest mountaintop removal mining permit in West Virginia history; selenium pollution, stream burial, fish death, watershed degradation noted
By Bryan Walsh
Time 2011-01-13
Opinion: To cut $100 billion, first replace subsidies to big agriculture with government matching funds for farmers' deposits into savings accounts; then tax carbon
By Kevin Hassett
Bloomberg Businessweek 2011-01-09
Bid for Danisco by DuPont, maker of Teflon, is company's bet on food additives and biofuels market; already, 32 percent of firm's 2009 revenue mostly came from Pioneer seed sales
By Ernest Scheyder and Jon Acher
Reuters 2011-01-10
Farm groups, biotechnology industry skeptical of USDA head's "co-existence" proposal to allow Monsanto's biotech alfalfa near conventional plants; biotech sugar beet case in court
By Charles Abbott
Reuters 2011-01-10
In challenge to 1922 law, food service giant Sodexo files suit against egg trade group that controls 95 percent of all laying hens, claiming conspiracy to limit supply, hike prices
By P.J. Huffstutter
Los Angeles Times 2011-01-11
Adults with family history of alcoholism 30 to 40 percent more likely to be obese than those with no alcoholism in family, likely due to obesity-inducing food environment, study shows
By Roni Caryn Rabin
The New York Times 2011-01-05
Top nutritional scientists say cutting carbs is key to reversing obesity, heart disease, Type 2 diabetes and hypertension; amount of carbs in diet appears to be potent contributor to fat in blood
By Marni Jameson
Los Angeles Times 2010-12-20
FDA sets hearing on whether petroleum-based food dyes can adversely affect human health; European Parliament requires warning labels on products containing synthetic dyes
By Julie Deardorff
Chicago Tribune 2011-01-01
In UK, firms whose products have been blamed for increasing obesity will be involved in providing vouchers to families who swap unhealthy habits for healthy ones
By S.A. Mathieson
The Guardian (UK) 2011-01-04
Beyond funding fight for food safety bill, other provisions likely to draw scrutiny include safety plans, risk-based inspections and standards guarantees from food importers
By Julian Pecquet
The Hill 2011-01-03
New dietary guidelines, fights over funding of food safety bill, initial salvos over 2012 farm bill, school meals, and food firms co-opting critics predicted to make 2011 headlines
By Marion Nestle
San Francisco Chronicle 2011-01-02
Conflicts of interest between food companies, academics rampant but rarely recognized; food makers try to smother criticism, control public opinion and food system, says nutrition professor
By Cat Warren
Academe Online 2010-11-01
Farm lobby says China's probe into tide of imports of U.S. distiller's dried grains - leftovers from making ethanol - could be disruptive; salvo is latest in tit-for-tat import taxes
By Chuin-Wei Yap
The Wall Street Journal. (may require subpscription) 2010-12-31
Opinion: With annual cost of treating obesity, diet-related ills at $168 billion, adults are obliged to teach children how to live; Sarah Palin should make distinctions among policies worth opposing
The editors
The Wall Street Journal. (may require subscription) 2010-12-27
Opinion: There is no corporate right to privacy; Congress should require that all significant donations from corporations that might affect elections, legislative debates or public policy be fully and promptly disclosed
By Alan B. Morrison
Politico 2010-12-30
Japanese firm with major investments in diabetes and obesity research partners with nonprofit biomedical research facility and hospital in Florida on fat-burning mechanisms
By Linda Shrieves
Orlando Sentinel 2010-12-27
Coal-fired power plant operating in Texas for nearly 30 years mostly without SO2 filters thought to have laid waste to former pecan groves; situation repeated across nation
By Ramit Plushnick-Masti
The Associated Press; Star Tribune 2010-12-28
PepsiCo links to Yale through food lab near campus and with $250,000 fellowship for an MD-PhD student researching nutrition and obesity-related diseases
By William Weir
The Hartford Courant 2010-12-28
Opinion: President Obama must support EPA efforts in reducing emissions so we can breathe cleaner air and fish in our waterways will contain less mercury
The editors
The New York Times 2010-12-25
Lawmaker with a say in FDA budget says "we don't have the funding" for $1 billion over five years for food safety bill, but grocery lobby says what of $6 billion a year for corn ethanol subsidies?
By Philip Brasher
The Des Moines Register 2010-12-22
In effort to clean air, EPA proposes earlier deadlines for limiting amount of CO2 a power plant or refinery can emit; efforts will harm Texas agriculture, energy producers, governor says
By Ana Campoy and Stephen Power
The Wall Street Journal. (may require subscription) 2010-12-23
Decade after bill to revive Everglades, water still doesn't flow correctly and isn't clean enough; price tag for the restoration is up to $13.5 billion
By Michael Grunwald
Time 2010-12-11
Opinion: This year's salmonella outbreak in eggs, which are governed by separate rules than those of new food safety bill, is reminder of broader work that was left undone
The editors
The Washington Post 2010-12-22
EPA head vows to review hexavalent chromium by summer and to consider ordering cities to start testing for toxic metal in tap water; industry has fought limits for years
By Michael Hawthorne
Chicago Tribune 2010-12-21
FDA trying to persuade pharmaceutical firms to stop providing antibiotics to promote livestock growth; companies sold 29 million pounds of antibiotics in 2009 for use in food animals
By Philip Brasher
Des Moines Register 2010-12-19
FDA's ability to enforce new food safety law will depend on funds available to pay inspectors and staff; Republicans in House have vowed to slash spending
By William Neuman
The New York Times 2010-12-21
Beer, wine wholesalers seeking co-sponsors for bill gave at least $1.3 million in campaign cash to House lawmakers who signed on, focusing questions on timing of contributions in relation to official actions
By Chris Frates
Politico 2010-12-21
Opinion: It would be easier for parents to supervise their children's diet if they didn't have to push back against relentless tide of marketing aimed at children
The editors
The New York Times 2010-12-20
Opinion: Emerging cultural divide tearing at military; in 2008, 634 military personnel were discharged for "don't ask, don't tell" violations, 4,555 were discharged for obesity and overweight
By David Frum
CNN.com 2010-12-06
Drinking water in most of 35 cities across U.S. contains hexavalent chromium, a probable carcinogen made famous by film "Erin Brockovich," EWG study shows
By Lyndsey Layton
The Washington Post 2010-12-18
Opinion: Now that tax-cut deal is done, Obama must rebut calls for premature spending cuts; if required, first cuts must include subsidies for corn ethanol, other farm products
The editors
The New York Times 2010-12-19
Opinion: Life-saving strategy brings green revolution to Navy, Marines; armed forces using biofuels - minus corn-based ethanol or any fuels that compete with food
By Thomas L. Friedman
The New York Times 2010-12-19
Territorial, bureaucratic atmosphere of Chicago public school meals program forces top chefs to scale back desires to make simple, real food, done well at reasonable prices
By Monica Eng
Chicago Tribune 2010-12-03
Food safety bill looks dead after its host, omnibus spending legislation, fails; bill would give FDA ability to recall tainted food, set quarantines, access food producers' records
By Jason Millman
The Hill 2010-12-17
Opinion: PepsiCo acquisition of Wimm-Bill-Dann dairy is big news for food industry and for American-Russian relations, but WikiLeaks reports corruption, virtual mafia state there
By Guy Montague-Jones
nutraingredients.com/ Decision News Media 2010-12-08
Shale gas production linked to tainted drinking water; in Texas, EPA warns of risk of explosion, and in Pennsylvania, firm will pay residents $4.1 million and install water-treatment systems
By Ana Campoy and Daniel Gilbert
The Wall Street Journal. (may require subscription) 2010-12-17
General Mills, looking to offset 4-5 percent increase in commodity prices, switches to rice source closer to its Rice Chex cereal plant to lower transportation costs
By Paul Ziobro
The Wall Street Journal. (may require subscription) 2010-12-17
Citing higher commodity costs, General Mills plans to hike prices of processed items, hot snacks, frozen vegetables; industry expects hikes will tamp aggressive competition
By Paul Ziobro
The Wall Street Journal. (may require subscription) 2010-12-17
USDA mulls OK for biotech alfalfa that would allow crop to be grown with rules aimed at protecting non-GMO crops; alfalfa is pollinated by honeybees, which makes it tough to isolate
By Carey Gillam
Reuters 2010-12-16
Taxes on soft drinks, sports drinks, fruit drinks would generate about $1.5 billion to $2.5 billion in annual tax revenue and result in small weight loss for consumers, study shows
By Nanci Hellmich
USA Today 2010-12-14
Save the Children nonprofit, in talks with Coca-Cola for funding anti-obesity work, drops soda tax campaign; CEO says events - and $5 million grant from PepsiCo - are unrelated
By William Neuman
The New York Times 2010-12-15
Government has long been deeply involved in regulation of food and what we eat, policy experts say in response to right-wing voices critical of child nutrition bill, food safety bill
By Sherisse Pham
ABC News 2010-12-15
American livestock consumed about 29 million pounds of antibiotics last year, FDA says; such widespread use makes them less effective in fighting off disease in humans
By Melissa Healy
Los Angeles Times 2010-12-14
Opinion: In tax bill, lawmakers serving agribusiness and ethanol illustrates public choice school of economics, where government, special interests collude against public good
The editors
The Wall Street Journal. (may require subscription) 2010-12-13
Government's failure to act linked to recent egg woes; resistance to regulating business, fractured oversight between 15 agencies and 71 interagency accords weakens food safety efforts
By Lyndsey Layton
The Washington Post 2010-12-11
Opinion: Free-range meat only slightly better than factory farmed; better lives for animals doesn't equal acceptable and killing an animal for seduction of taste perpetuates harm
By James E. McWilliams
The Atlantic 2010-12-07
Butters in Dallas supermarket contaminated with flame retardants; researchers say either electronic devices in butter processing plant or packaging likely culprit but call for stricter scrutiny
By Rory Harrington
Food Production Daily 2010-12-07
Lawmakers from some agricultural states say they will vote against food-safety bill because of amendment that exempts small, local farms from some regulations
By Elizabeth Weise
USA Today 2010-12-03
Food security, marine diversity at stake as rapidly increasing acidification of oceans shrinks minerals needed for skeletons of shellfish, coral; 1 billion humas rely on fish as protein source
By Matthew Knight
CNN 2010-12-02
Judge orders uprooting of hundreds of acres of genetically modified sugar-beet plants in Arizona, Oregon; Monsanto says it will appeal
By Scott Kilman and Bill Tomson
The Wall Street Journal. (may require subscription) 2010-12-01
Push to promote sustainable palm oil from Western consumers becoming test case for green consumerism, could sway Nestle, others, and future of rainforests in Asia, Africa
By Fred Pearce
Yale Environment 360; Reuters 2010-11-29
Opinion: For true advancements in food safety - unlike the bill that just passed the Senate - use inspections to help employees become more successful and to solve problems
By Aubrey C. Daniels
The Washington Post 2010-11-30
Opinion: FDA food safety bill, scheduled for Senate vote, only expands ineffective bureaucracy, offers no common-sense reforms; free market drives innovation, safety
By Tom Coburn
USA Today 2010-11-22
Corn-based ethanol support wasn't good policy, says former VP Gore; subsidies reached $7.7 billion last year and industry will use 41 percent of the U.S. corn crop this year
By Gerard Wynn
Reuters 2010-11-22
NYC role in food system is subject of report for City Council; Food Works' contributors have high hopes for environmental, economic, legislative and health goals
By Elizabeth A. Harris
The New York Times 2010-11-22
South African government's efforts to redress apartheid by buying farms from white owners and giving them to blacks with little experience in farming has failed, stirred racial tensions
By Robyn Dixon
Los Angeles Times 2010-11-21
Houston businessman to pay $15 million to settle allegations of selling old potato flakes, salad dressing, produce, peanut butter, lobster, hamburger to U.S. military for combat troops
By P.J. Huffstutter and Andrew Blankstein
Los Angeles Times 2010-11-20
In landmark deal, tomato lobby, Florida farmworkers' group agree to raise in pickers' wages, working conditions; industry hopes deal will play well with buy-local supporters
By Laura Wides-Munoz
The Associated Press; ABC News 2010-11-16
As obesity epidemic grew, Cathleen Black, now NYC schools' chancellor in waiting, sat on Coke board and panel with focus on obesity and selling soda to children; she holds $3.3 million in company stock
By Michael Barbaro ad Anemona Hartocollis
The New York Times 2010-11-16
Unilever plans to halve environmental footprint of its products and source all agricultural raw materials sustainably over the next decade; water reduction is key part of plan
By Elaine Watson
nutraingredients.com/ Decision News Media 2010-11-15
Opinion: Lame-duck Congress needs to approve child nutrition bill and House food safety bill that would significantly strengthen FDA ability to combat food-borne illnesses
The editors
The New York Times 2010-11-16
Incoming legislators' vow to cut spending brings farm subsidies into focus - they have brought money and jobs to districts, benefited some GOP lawmakers, families
By Mary Clare Jalonick
The Associated Press; salon.com 2010-11-14
Fast-food lobbyists fight L.A. plan to tighten restrictions on allowing new eateries in obesity-prone areas by arguing that McDonald's, Burger King bring jobs, opportunities to disadvantaged people
By Sharon Bernstein
Los Angeles Times 2010-11-11
Tyson, Syntroleum now making diesel and jet fuel from chicken fat, beef tallow but, like other alternative energy projects, say their new venture needs tax break restored to survive
By Jeffrey Ball
The Wall Street Journal. (may require subscription) 2010-11-08
288,000 eggs from Ohio farm recalled over salmonella fears in latest high-profile woe for nation's food-safety system
By P.J. Huffstutter
Los Angeles Times 2010-11-09
Spurred by diabetes epidemic, fewer transplants, better cardiac care, dialysis becomes lifeline for many, but treatment often compromised by sanitation woes, inadequate staffing
By Robin Fields
Propublica 2010-11-09
Oil from BP leak in Gulf of Mexico that disappeared was eaten, and made its way up the food chain to fish, whales, researchers learn; study did not look for toxicity in food web
By Campbell Robertson
The New York Times 2010-11-08
Fast-food industry has increased ads aimed at children, study shows; of 3,039 likely meal combinations, 12 met nutrition standards for preschoolers, 15 met criteria for older children
By Jeannine Stein
Los Angeles Times 2010-11-08
Walmart says it wants to improve soil quality, conserve water and fossil fuels and sell more locally grown food; farmers wary of company's power to force changes without pay
By Philip Brasher
The Des Moines Register 2010-11-07
As U.S. mulls paying drug makers to develop antibiotics, critics urge conserving effectiveness of existing antibiotics by banning their unnecessary use in livestock, people
By Andrew Pollack
The New York Times 2010-11-05
Urged on by feds' warnings about saturated fat, Americans have been moving toward low-fat milk for decades, yet USDA program pushes extra cheese in fast food
By Michael Moss
The New York Times 2010-11-06
Republican majority in House may cool interest in food safety initiatives; Frank Lucas, new Ag Committee chair, has degree in Ag Economics, represents wide band of Ag interests
By Dan Flynn
Food Safety News 2010-11-03
Nestle, other firms take advantage of confusing regulations that allow food to be marketed as medicine or to be sold on dubious health claims, risking FDA, FTC attention
By Dan Mitchell
Fortune; CNN 2010-10-27
Citing obesity epidemic, prominent physicians take out ad in The New York Times asking why Congress subsidizes corn starch but not cauliflower
By Mike Lillis
The Hill 2010-10-26
Nutritional education system so politically influenced that it is ineffective, critics charge as government prepares to unveil its new Dietary Guidelines for Americans
By Jane Black
The Washington Post 2010-10-02
Despite problem of herbicide-resistant weeds in crop fields, there are no plans to restrict farmers' use of biotech crops linked to problem
By Philip Brasher
The Des Moines Register 2010-10-09
McDonald's says it has no plans to drop health plans for 30,000 employees, but is in talks about small-business franchisees required to carry plans that use 80 percent of premiums for medical costs
By Bruce Japsen
Chicago Tribune 2010-09-30
In pursuit of next big trend, Unilever assembles team of archaeologists, anthropologists, evolutionary geneticists, food scientists, botanists to probe diets from Palaeolithic era
By Jess Halliday
nutraingredients.com/ Decision News Media 2010-09-20
Costs not calculated in consumer price of meat, other animal products include health, food safety, tax dollars to corn, soy farmers, environment, farm consolidation, animal welfare
By Monica Eng
Chicago Tribune 2010-09-23
Blackwater, through company owned by owner/founder, offered infiltration of activist groups to Monsanto; biotech firm paid Total Intelligence $127,000 in 2008, $105,000 in 2009, documents show
By Jeremy Scahill
The Nation. 2010-09-15
D.C.-aimed television ad targets McDonald's, links fast food to high cholesterol, high blood pressure, heart attacks, heart disease, death in nation's capital
By Julie Jargon
The Wall Street Journal. (may require subscription) 2010-09-14
San Francisco supervisors OK alcohol fee to help cover costs to care for inebriants, but mayor vows veto; fee idea has drawn wrath of alcohol, hospitality industries
By Rachel Gordon
San Francisco Chronicle 2010-09-15
Opinion: Process surrounding AquaBounty GE salmon illustrates FDA's perverted process; study flaws include small sample size, non-random samples, setting detection limits too high
By Tom Laskawy
Grist 2010-09-14
Food industry withholds information, forces agencies to withdraw or modify policy or action designed to increase food safety, survey shows
By Christopher Doering
Reuters 2013-09-13
Increasing fears over obesity links to high-fructose corn syrup drive sales down; manufacturers respond by petitioning to change name of product to corn sugar
By Emily Fredrix
The Associated Press; The Washington Post 2010-09-15
Hershey, with its 42.5 percent share of US chocolate market, isn't doing enough to ensure sustainability, elimination of child trafficking and labor in its cocoa purchasing, group says
By Jane Byrne
nutraingredients.com/Decision News Media 2010-09-15
Mars, Hershey battle for credit on DNA sequencing of cocoa tree that could quintuple output; 70 percent of crop grown in West Africa, and supports several million small farmers
By Andrew Pollack
The New York Times 2010-09-15
EPA asks Halliburton Co., others, to disclose lists of chemicals they use in fracking for natural gas for study on potential threats to drinking water
By Jim Efstathiou Jr.
Bloomberg.com 2010-09-09
Group sues USDA, challenging agency's recent decision to allow planting of Monsanto's genetically altered sugar beet seeds after court ruling banned farmers from planting them
By P.J. Huffstutter
Los Angeles Times 2010-09-09
Opinion: Current system of food safety is wasteful, ineffecient; one agency should oversee food safety; advertising US agriculture should fall under another agency altogether
The editors
Los Angeles Times 2010-09-11
7-Eleven bids for Iowa-based Casey's, which operates a chain of convenience stores in Midwest
By Gina Chon
The Wall Street Journal. (may require subscription) 2010-09-09
In humanitarian aid world, peanut product offers rare and fantastic efficacy for starving children, but who should profit from it and spinoffs for $6 billion malnutrition prevention market?
By Andrew Rice
The New York Times 2010-09-02
Opinion: With next farm bill, it's time to prevent giant meatpackers from owning animals before time for slaughter, to restore open markets and let small farmers back into game
The editors
The New York Times 2010-09-08
Adding fuel to meat safety debate, public health officials link ground beef to illnesses from a rare strain of E. coli; likely source was Cargill, which recalled 8,500 pounds of hamburger
By William Neuman
The New York Times 2010-09-02
Shoppers Food Warehouse execs, Maryland senator indicted in bribery scheme; in separate case, grocery agrees to pay $2.5 million penalty
Federal Bureau of Investigation 2010-09-01
Analysis: Evolution of potash, phosphate, nitrogen to hunted, strategic commodities illustrates growing links between globalization, demographics, agriculture, food security
By Javier Blas and Leslie Hook
Financial Times (London) (may require registration) 2010-08-27
Opinion: If fish can be bred commercially and marine life can be saved through scientific technique, it will help stave off food-scarcity crisis larger than any we have known
By Josh Ozersky
Time magazine 2010-09-01
Opinion: Industrial meat, egg factories excel at manufacturing cheap food, but evidence shows model is economically viable only because it passes on health costs to public
By Nicholas D. Kristof
The New York Times 2010-09-02
Washington wheat growers, fearful that Japan won't buy Monsanto's GM wheat, may start new petition drive seeking labeling of any GM foods sold in US
By Dan Wheat
Capital Press 2010-08-26
California-sponsored program greatly reduces salmonella in hen houses but adds pennies to egg costs; regulatory confusion, public's desire for cheap eggs undermine safety efforts
By P.J. Huffstutter
Los Angeles Times 2010-09-01
Opinion: Industrial agriculture has reduced cost of food but at steep cost to public health, as salmonella outbreak shows; lawmakers must resist Big Ag to pass food safety bill
The editors
Los Angeles Times 2010-09-01
Federal investigators find manure piles, live mice, pigeons, other birds inside Iowa hen houses at egg farms suspected in salmonella outbreak; farms had never been inspected
By Lyndsey Layton
The Washington Post 2010-08-31
Opinion: Biotech salmon is just starter protein in GM food revolution, but before using Frankenfish label, note that there are few aspects of food industry that remain "natural"
By Robin McKie
The Guardian (UK) 2010-08-27
Opinion: Senate, balking at cost of House food safety bill, must weigh inspections' price against 5,000 annual deaths, $152 billion annual costs of food-borne ills, and adopt bill
The editors
The Philadelphia Inquirer 2010-08-26
Opinion: With her plan to pay Arkansas farmers retroactive disaster assistance - with the most money going to the richest - Blanche Lincoln is example of spending problem
The editors
The Wall Street Journal. (may require subscription) 2010-08-27
Meat processing giant Cargill says multi-million dollar scheme to overhaul its waste water system at Australia slaughterhouse could slash facility's carbon footprint by 17 percent
By Rory Harrington
nutraingredients.com/Decision News Media 2010-08-27
As FDA links salmonella outbreak to farms and chicken feed, fault line reopens in Iowa: Those who detest industrial farms vs those who see such operations as economic savior
By Monica Davey
The New York Times 2010-08-26
Big food companies spend millions of dollars lobbying lawmakers on pending legislation regarding child nutrition, water, pesticides, food safety, recycling, BPA, immigration
By Laurel Curran
Food Safety News 2010-08-11
Opinion: Beyond Blanche Lincoln's back-door plan to nearly double Arkansas agriculture subsidies is funding source: raiding Section 32, used for feeding needy children
The editors
The Washington Post 2010-08-25
Review: In "The Coming Famine," terrifying facts make book gripping, but author's solutions inspire: mandate food and waste composting, fund research, educate on costs of food
By Mark Bittman
The New York Times 2010-08-25
Egg prices increase 38 percent on continuing news of salmonella-linked recall
By Philip Brasher
The Des Moines Register 2010-08-24
Absence of mandatory salmonella vaccine for hens - which has virtually eliminated illness in Britain and would cost less than a penny per dozen eggs - weakens FDA safety rules, experts say
By William Neuman
The New York Times 2010-08-24
Chicago, Walgreens partner to bring fresh produce to city's food deserts; redesigned store will also sell frozen meat and fish, pasta, rice, beans, eggs, whole-grain cereals
By John Byrne
Chicago Tribune 2010-08-11
USDA allows two-month sugar imports increase after sugar users lobby over predicted shortage; it's sugar users vs farmers in long-running battle over federal sugar supports
By Carolyn Cui and Bill Tomson
The Wall Street Journal. (may require subscription) 2010-08-21
After judge bans planting of Monsanto's genetically modified sugar beets, which supply half of nation's sugar, growers fret over availability of conventional seed varieties
By Michael J. Crumb
The Associated Press; The Washington Post 2010-08-20
Analysis: As Mexico battles weather-related losses on sugar cane, it doubles consumption of high-fructose corn syrup, buoying industry that battles negative image in US
By Mica Rosenberg
Reuters; Forexpros.com 2010-08-23
FDA head says agency hasn't had authority to help prevent outbreaks like the 1,000-plus cases of salmonella poisoning linked to eggs from two Iowa farms
By Mary Clare Jalonick
The Associated Press; The Boston Globe 2010-08-24
In Australia, Monsanto's patent applications for enhancement of meat, including pork with omega-3s, spur debate over ethics, legalities of claiming intellectual property over food
By Anna Salleh
Australian Broadcasting Corporation 2010-08-19
Opinion: Despite its noise and din of criticism in social media about that noise, biodegradable packaging for FritoLay's processed SunChips is important innovation
By Caroline Scott-Thomas
nutraingredients.com/Decision News Media 2010-08-23
Farm behind about a thousand salmonella cases, recall of more than half a billion eggs fell short on safety, FDA says
By Don Lemon, Sandra Endo and Matt Smith
CNN 2010-08-22
Opinion: Home cooking, storage account for 32 percent of all energy use in food system; energy budget spent on modern farming is one of wisest energy investments we can make
By Stephen Budiansky
The New York Times 2010-08-19
Equalizing food pricing, food access, stress reduction and better food choices at workplace said critical in obesity fight; IBM spends double on medical claims for obese
By Natasha Singer
The New York Times 2010-08-22
In aggressive bet that developing economies will drive up demand for global food supply, world's largest mining company makes bid for potash fertilizer producer
By Anupreeta Das, Scott Kilman and Liam Pleven
The Wall Street Journal. (may require subscription) 2010-08-18
McDonald's shareholders vote against proposal to buy at least 5 percent of fast-food chain's eggs from cage-free suppliers; board had recommended voting no
By Ken Anderson
Brownfield 2010-08-16
Judge revokes USDA's OK of GE sugar beets, citing inadequate assessment of consequences of transferring traits to other sugar beets, related Swiss chard, table beets
By Andrew Pollack
The New York Times 2010-08-13
Sodium, excess of which raises risk for diet-related disease, lurks in processed and restaurant foods; to cut intake, eat fresh produce instead, consume smaller portions
By Betsy McKay
The Wall Street Journal. (may require subscription) 2010-08-03
Opinion: As Senate cuts SNAP (with every $1 spent creating $1.70 of economic activity) by $6.7 billion to get less Medicaid, teacher funding than needed, pols push tax cuts for rich
By Ezra Klein
The Washington Post 2010-07-30
Kellogg cereal recall hints at huge gaps in government's knowledge about risks of the 80,000 chemicals in everyday products, from food to furniture to clothing
By Lyndsey Layton
The Washington Post 2010-08-02
Land O'Lakes commends lawmakers who support deregulation of Monsanto's GM alfalfa
landolakesinc.com 2010-07-25
Farmers, impoverished rural residents pay for China's breakneck economic boom with water and air pollution, livestock ills, increasing levels of human disease
By Jonathan Watts
The Guardian (UK) 2010-06-07
Spread of superweeds, legacy of herbicide-resistant genetically modified seeds, shows need to regulate biotech, and to protect farming environment, House panel told
By Philip Brasher
The Des Moines Register 2010-07-28
Gulf of Mexico, like no other American body of water, bears environmental consequences of country's economic pursuits and appetites, including oil, corn
By Campbell Robertson
The New York Times 2010-07-30
Perdue, Tyson, Pilgrim's Pride fight over whether injections of salt, water maintain "natural" label on chickens; USDA promises new proposed rules
By Juliana Barbassa
The Associated Press; kaaltv.com 2010-07-30
Group representing GM crop farmers in U.S. urges sanctions against EU for its moratorium on new biotech; many Europeans concerned over safety of technology
By Doug Palmer
Reuters 2010-07-27
Furor erupts over provision in energy bill requiring disclosure of chemicals used in fracking for natural gas; process currently is mostly exempt from Safe Drinking Water Act
CQ Politics 2010-07-28
Federal judge denies bid by Eastern Shore farmers, Perdue to dismiss Chesapeake Bay tributary pollution lawsuit - the first to target Maryland's chicken industry
By Timothy B. Wheeler
The Baltimore Sun 2010-07-23
Opinion: Lacking in diet-related disease talk is time-focus model, where public, stakeholders engage along with policy makers every few years to renew, reform programs
By Marc Ambinder
The Atlantic 2010-07-23
General David Petraeus may rescind McChrystal order that booted 57 eateries and shops - among them Burger King, Pizza Hut and Subway - on U.S. bases in Afghanistan
By Karen Jowers
Army Times 2010-07-24
Anthony Ward, aka "Chocolate Finger," all but corners market on cocoa; some see his actions as bet on cocoa prices, others say he created shortage to drive up price
By Julia Werdigier and Julie Creswell
The New York Times 2010-07-24
Regulators, guns drawn, raid organic grocer, seize raw milk in latest salvo against consumers who eschew industrialized food sector with its legacy of food-borne illnesses
By P.J. Huffstutter
Los Angeles Times 2010-07-25
Opinion: Food safety legislation seeks protection for weakest and restraint on unchecked corporate power; no one should lose a child because Senate lacks will, leadership
By Eric Schlosser
The New York Times 2010-07-24
Sugar-heavy cereals continues to rule kids' TV as industry opposes effort to limit ads targeting children and regulators disagree on approach
By William Neuman
The New York Times 2010-07-23
Serving of American McNuggets contains petroleum byproduc tertiary butylhydroquinone and dimethylpolysiloxane, also used in Silly Putty
By Sanjay Gupta, M.D.
CNN 2010-06-25
Opinion: Nation's 8 million acres of public rangeland should be regulated according to intensive grazing principles to turn grasslands verdant and to increase soil health
By Sara Rubin
The Atlantic 2010-06-22
Opinion: Policies that protect our health are fully American - when a bottle of soda costs less than a bag of oranges, we can't experience our full range of choices
By Larry Cohen
The Huffington Post 2010-07-08
Opinion: Exploring contradiction of organic farming and deal with Wal-Mart through Sun Maid - am I married, divorced, or sinning?
By David Mas Masumoto
The Atlantic 2010-06-28
Judge throws out $2.3 million award to six Nicaraguan men in suit against Dole; banana workers' case had become political movement in poverty-stricken country
By Victoria Kim
Los Angeles Times 2010-07-16
Opinion: Food security comes through revitalized food economy, but Wal-Mart, with its low wages and food desert strategy, is more about free public money
By Eric Holt Gimenez
The Huffington Post 2010-07-14
Competing interests - jobs, drinking water safety, water depletion - push Delaware River group to reconsider rules on fracking; drilling firm names chemicals it uses
By Geoff Mulvhill and Marc Levy
The Associated Press; Chicago Tribune 2010-07-14
Opinion: We need class war to halt subsidies, tax breaks for agribusiness disguised as family farms; Obama's export plan will mostly benefit the likes of ADM
By Ross Douthat
The New York Times 2010-07-12
McDonald's fights criticism of placing toys in children's meals; in 2006, fast-food restaurants sold 1.2 billion-plus such meals to little kids
By Monica Eng and Alejandra Cancino
Chicago Tribune 2010-07-08
Despite hopes of local-food advocates, administration continues to cycle vast public funds to conventional growers, which then go to big seed and chemical firms, and on to agribusiness as cheap grain
By Heather Rogers
The American Prospect 2010-07-06
In Chicago, retailing giant Wal-Mart sends warning to competitors and beverage companies alike with bold $5-per-case price for Coca-Cola
By Julie Wernau
Chicago Tribune 2010-07-04
Monsanto's biotech dominance began with early bet on technology that then was backed with seed business, stock of traits, licensing those traits and $1 billion for R&D
By Ken Stier
Time magazine 2010-06-28
Despite reports of Roundup-resistant weeds with Monsanto's GM crops, U.S. farmers continue increase in acreage of biotech corn, soybeans
By Philip Brasher
The Des Moines Register 2010-07-02
With its 350-farmer Heritage Agriculture project and 6 percent of its produce now grown in the same state it's sold, Wal-Mart hones its shop-local strategies
By Kelly MacNeil
National Public Radio/Morning Edition 2010-06-18
Bluefin tuna - all tuna - are living representation of ocean's limits; their global decline warns us that we might destroy our last wild food
By Paul Greenberg
The New York Times 2010-06-21
Citing untenable delay, environmental group sues FDA to force ban on controversial chemical BPA in food and beverage packaging
By Elana Schor
Greenwire/The New York Times 2010-06-29
Fears over dwindling fish stocks, risk of pollutants from oily fish push BASF, Monsanto exploration of omega-3s in rapeseed, soybeans, other sources
By Stephen Daniells
nutraingredients.com/Decision News Media 2008-12-19
Chemical giant BASF buys Cognis, gaining foothold in human nutrition market, access to raw materials
By Shane Starling
nutraingredients.com/Decision News Media 2010-06-23
Opinion: Women's success as CEOs in food business illustrates expanding role of females in workplace, principal influence in evolution of American food industry
By Morton Sosland
MeatPoultry.com 2010-06-23
Opinion: Reporter at The New York Times is relentlessly negative, sometimes almost apocalyptic in tone toward GE, says former FDA biotechnology head
By Henry I. Miller
Forbes 2010-06-30
Exploding obesity rates, need for funds to repair earthquake damage give rise to unpopular talk of taxing junk food, warnings on fatty foods in Chile
By Pascale Bonnefoy
Global Post 2010-06-04
Opinion: As oil fouls Gulf at rate of one Exxon Valdez every week, BP's responsibility for havoc on one of most productive ecosystems on planet - and many thousands of livelihoods - is only issue
The editors
The New York Times 2010-06-12
Despite challenges of poor funding and inadequate equipment, D.C.'s top chefs adopt schools to improve food served to children
By Jane Black
The Washington Post 2010-06-04
Oklahoma Army National Guard members plow with mules, slaughter chickens, milk goats, make cheese, tend bees before deployment to Afghanistan
By Jessica Dyer
Albuquerque Journal 2010-05-30
As FDA mulls antibiotic rules, ethanol industry frets over residue left in distillers grains, a lucrative byproduct of industry and major source of feed for beef, dairy cattle
By Philip Brasher
The Des Moines Register 2010-05-30
Processed food industry using "delay and divert" strategy to defend salt, its low-cost way to create tastes, textures that work with fat and sugar to achieve flavors that grip consumers and do not let go
By Michael Moss
The New York Times 2010-05-30
As processed food firms ratchet up lab-generated umami - savory experience of protein-heavy foods - natural tastes could pale for extreme flavor junkies
By Miriam Gottfried
The Wall Street Journal. (may require subscription) 2010-05-26
Though cheap food is pillar of economy, it is increasingly contested by groups citing its costs to society, environment, public health, animal welfare and gastronomy
By Michael Pollan
The New York Review of Books 2010-06-10
Outreach to farmers, transparency reflects revolution at Cargill, the world's largest grain trader, and attempt to show company's usefulness
By Javier Blas and Gregory Meyer
Financial Times (London) (may require registration) 2010-05-19
Radioactive water from oldest US nuclear plant reaches NJ drinking water aquifer; pipe leaks were found days after plant granted new 20-year license in 2009
By Wayne Parry
The Associated Press; The Philadelphia Inquirer 2010-05-07
Wal-Mart and Bayer CropScience seek to apply hyperefficient business tactics to Gordian knots that hamper Indian agriculture
By Vikas Bajaj
The New York Times 2010-04-12
Ex-tomato magnate pleads not guilty to antitrust charges; case is part of far-reaching governmental scrutiny of country's food sector
By P.J. Huffstutter
Los Angeles Times 2010-05-05
Industrial beef, pork, poultry groups tell lawmakers to end, not extend ethanol subsidies, due to expire at end of 2010
By Philip Brasher
The Des Moines Register 2010-04-29
Industrial agriculture conference attendees urged to unite in message against Humane Society, which is winning ballot measures on animal treatment
By Philip Brasher
The Des Moines Register 2010-05-01
Opinion: Sugar lobby to blame for overly sweet school meals and snacks; children will eat healthier foods when served them
By Marion Nestle
San Francisco Chronicle 2010-05-02
Feds probe whether major meatpackers illegally or unfairly driving down cattle prices; sweeping antitrust rules expected this spring
By Nate Jenkins
The Associated Press; Los Angeles Times 2010-05-03
Senate struggles over how to regulate small and organic growers without ruining them while upping food safety, but ignores industrial animal industry where food pathogens breed
By Carolyn Lochhead
San Francisco Chronicle 2010-04-25
In sign that community-supported agriculture ventures have reached mainstream, large-scale institutions become drop-off sites for boxes of fresh produce
By Monica Eng
Chicago Tribune 2010-04-24
Former residents of Illinois town develop serious illnesses in middle age, suspect link to illegal toxic dump used by Kraft Foods, Mobil Oil, others in '70s
By Joel Hood
Chicago Tribune 2010-04-25
Government does more to promote global acceptance of biotech crops and companion glyphosate weedkiller than to protect public from possible harmful consequences, experts say
By Carey Gillam
Reuters 2010-04-13
Environmental concerns stop plans for 8,100-cow dairy farm in UK, but developers vow to return, and to "do whatever is best for the cows"
By Guy Montague-Jones
nutraingredients.com/Decision News Media 2010-04-14
Opinion: Biggest bang for our taxpayer dollars is childhood obesity prevention; Let's Move starts process of making children's food healthier
By David Wallinga, M.D.
The Huffington Post 2010-04-09
Beef trade group joins coal, mining interests in asking federal appeals court to review EPA policy on timing of regulating greenhouse gases
By Robin Bravender
Greenwire; The New York Times 2010-04-05
Opinion: Tax junk food to provide school health education under Michigan Model for healthier kids, savings in medical costs
By Lotus Yu
Detroit Free Press 2010-04-05
Opinion: Evidence of industry's attempt to induce addictive behavior with continuous access to enticing junk food bait - and resulting obesity ills of Americans - requires broad-based shift in attitudes
The editors
USA Today 2010-03-31
Electric utilities lobby furiously against new EPA rules on coal ash, which is spread on crop fields and leaks cancer-causing toxins into drinking water
By Jeff Goodell
Rolling Stone 2010-03-17
Agricultural biotech firms may be affected by judge's ruling that invalidates genetic patents; Supreme Court has chance to set new standards on what is patentable in upcoming Bilski case
By Andrew Pollack
The New York Times 2010-03-30
Opinion: Limp regulations on toxins, corporate secrecy on internal safety data leave consumers closer to Wild West than nanny state
By David Leonhardt
The New York Times 2010-03-30
EPA designates BPA, an endocrine disruptor found in linings of most food and beverage cans, as "chemical of concern"
By Meg Kissinger
Journal Sentinel (Milwaukee, WI) 2010-03-30
Trader Joe's vows to sell only sustainably sourced seafood by end of 2012
By Jane Black
The Washington Post 2010-03-29
As Jamie Oliver's "Food Revolution" shows, subject is political - from soda taxes to corn subsidies, it's about health care costs, environmentalism, education, agriculture, class, culture
By James Poniewozik
Time magazine 2010-04-05
Lawmakers move to fund school meal improvements by cutting anti-pollution programs rather than crop subsidies linked to obesity epidemic
By Carolyn Lochhead
San Francisco Chronicle 2010-03-25
UN specialists will re-examine contribution of meat production to climate change after researcher says 2006 report exaggerated link
By Richard Black
BBC News 2010-03-24
High-fructose corn syrup linked to significant weight gain, abnormal increases in body fat (especially in abdomen), triglycerides rise in rat study
By Hilary Parker
Princeton University 2010-03-22
EPA will study effect of "fracking" for natural gas on drinking-water supplies; technique requires millions of gallons of water, leaves some tainted
By Juliet Eilperin
The Washington Post 2010-03-19
Essay: Nation's economic drivers - farmers, entrepreneurs, scientists, venture capitalists - know how monopolistic power is used against them, and what freedoms they require to hire fellow Americans
By Barry C. Lynn and Phillip Longman
Washington Monthly 2010-03-04
Opinion: It's time to abolish sugar protectionism which is a wasteful government policy, a burden on consumers and a job-killer
The editors
The Washington Post 2010-03-21
Judge denies request to ban planting of Monsanto's GM sugar beets, but says ruling isn't indicative of views on a permanent injunction
By Kelsey Volkmann
St. Louis Business Journal 2010-03-16
Continental, cites market, consumer preferences in decision to begin charging for meals previously served free to economy customers
By Susan Carey
The Wall Street Journal. (may require subscription) 2010-03-15
Stung by record gap between U.S. and global sugar prices, processors, confectioners urge hike in import limits meant to support American farmers
By Carolyn Cui
The Wall Street Journal. (may require subscription) 2010-03-15
At first public meeting to probe links between food sector consolidation, food prices, feds vow to push for more transparency in business practices
By P.J. Huffstutter
Los Angeles Times 2010-03-12
Justice department offers farmers, activists, competitors opportunity to cite problems they see with Monsanto, subject of formal antitrust investigation
By Scott Kilman
The Wall Street Journal. (may require subscription) 2010-03-11
Food, water needs are accelerating rich countries' 21st-century land grab in Africa, one of hungriest continents
By John Vidal
The Guardian (UK) 2010-03-07
Deal to save Everglades more about benefits for U.S. Sugar after state officials make decisions against needs of Everglades, taxpayers
By Don Van Natta Jr. and Damien Cave
The New York Times 2010-03-07
Opinion: With 70 percent of antibiotics fed to healthy livestock, they're ineffective for sick people; we are brewing a perfect pandemic
By Nicholas D. Kristof
The New York Times 2010-03-07
Industrial agriculture fights as rural Americans band together, use "local control" ordinances, historic designations to limit big pig farms
By Lauren Etter
The Wall Street Journal. (may require subscription) 2010-03-03
Hope rises for endangered bluefin tuna with Obama's support of ban on international trade, but Japan is against measure
By Bryan Walsh
Time magazine 2010-03-04
USDA allowed suspect slaughterhouse operations to continue despite public health risks, vet says
By Peter Eisler
USA Today 2010-03-04
Growing number of national chain restaurants add chicken wings to menu, driving prices up
By Matthew Daneman
USA Today 2010-02-28
EPA signals tighter rules on traditionally lax approach to megafarms' manure, which smothers waterways, taints air
By David A. Fahrenthold
The Washington Post 2010-03-01
NY education panel OKs student sales of Pop-Tarts, Doritos for fund-raisers but bans most bake sales
By Jennifer Medina
The New York Times 2010-02-26
Insurance company pairs with artisan-quality produce farm to provide fresh vegetables to policy holders
By Robert Higgs
The Plain Dealer (Cleveland) 2009-05-11
UN report may urge banning of billions in subsidies to agriculture, energy, transport since one-third of biggest companies' profits needed to clean up their pollution
By Juliette Jowit
The Guardian (UK) 2010-02-18
Opinion: Visitors at hospital's cardiac wing can eventually become patients by eating fatty/salty/sweet snacks from vending machines
By Bernadette Dryden
Columbia Daily Tribune (MO) 2010-02-21
Opinion: Starbucks should pay attention to thousands signing petitions against allowing gun-flaunting customers in its stores
The editors
The New York Times 2010-02-20
After Denmark bans livestock antibiotics to protect human health, its pork imports grow by 43 percent; US farmer group cites higher costs
By Katie Couric
CBS News 2010-02-10
Pentagon-backed researchers create device that uses bacteria to first filter tainted water, and to eat sludge, a byproduct of waste treatment
By Katie Drummond
Wired magazine 2010-02-10
USDA's new rules say organic dairy cows must graze on pasture for full length of local grazing season
By William Neuman
The New York Times 2010-02-12
Debate over genetically modified food, long settled in U.S. with GM corn, soybeans, begins in India with halt of Monsanto's GM eggplant
By Erika Kinetz
The Associated Press; Los Angeles Times 2010-02-15
Opinion: In biofuels computations, EPA wisely includes calculations of land-clearing for food crops elsewhere when fuel crops displace those for food in U.S.
The editors
The New York Times 2010-02-10
As fracking in oil, gas drilling continues, complaints of tainted drinking water build; Ohio bill would tighten rules
By Michael Scott
The Plain Dealer (Cleveland) 2010-02-14
California county food stamps program allows homeless, disabled and elderly participants to buy fast food
By Vanessa Romo
Marketplace 2010-02-17
In imperfect world, it's Wal-Mart that brings fruits, vegetables back to land, delivers them to those who most need them
By Corby Kummer
The Atlantic 2010-02-11
Opinion: Costs of upgrading school meals are minimal when compared with benefits and savings in long-term health care costs
By Bonnie Erbe
Scripps Howard News Service 2010-02-09
High-powered childhood obesity task force to review every program, policy relating to child nutrition, physical activity
By Jane Black
The Washington Post 2010-02-09
With public-private coalition, First Lady aims to end childhood obesity in a generation
By Mimi Hall and Nanci Hellmich
USA Today 2010-02-09
New federal cafeteria contracts will encourage healthier food, organic and locally procured food, advanced recycling and waste management programs
By Jane Black
The Washington Post 2010-02-09
Despite health, environmental concerns, Chicago public schools create daily river of school meal waste that will sit for centuries in landfills
By Monica Eng
Chicago Tribune 2010-02-07
India to rule on allowing eggplant as first GM food; broad coalition, citing biodiversity, health, consolidation concerns, mobilizes against Monsanto
By Jason Burke
The Guardian (UK) 2010-02-08
With tomato bribery case, feds ramp up scrutiny of food sector amid its growing consolidation
By P.J. Huffstutter
Los Angeles Times 2010-02-08
Administration wants to improve school meals by dumping junk food, raising enrollment in school meals, linking local farmers with cafeterias and improving parent and student nutrition education
By Henry C. Jackson
The Associated Press; The Washington Post 2010-02-08
USDA announces new school meal safety measures, including tightening requirements on ground beef companies, more frequent testing, better communications within agency
By Blake Morrison and Peter Eisler
USA Today 2010-02-04
Foul byproduct of fracking, a drilling technique for natural gas, pollutes water supplies
By Marc Levy and Vicki Smith
The Associated Press; Charleston Daily Mail (SC) 2010-02-02
Review: Flaming tap water, fracking and other dirty water, air tales from natural-gas drilling in "GasLand," a new documentary
By Robert Koehler
Variety 2010-01-25
Blog: 19,000-cow dairy lobbies to change pending grazing requirements for organic milk certification
By Barry Estabrook
Politics of the Plate 2010-01-27
Feds plan bold vertical garden with vegetated fins, eye rainwater, gray water as irrigation possibilities
By William Yardley
The New York Times 2010-01-30
Opinion: Strengthening Child Nutrition Act will improve nation's fiscal health, national security
By Debra Eschmeyer
The Huffington Post 2010-01-27
To balance budget, Colorado governor targets tax exemption for junk food that would bring in $3.5 million this year, $18 million next year
By Steven K. Paulson
The Associated Press; Business Week 2010-01-28
Opinion: Raising alcohol tax would close Maryland's budget shortfall, improve services and save lives by cutting liquor consumption
The editors
The Washington Post 2010-01-29
Farm subsidies likely unaffected by proposed spending freeze, but conservation, nutrition programs, rural development vulnerable, says politician
By Chuck Haga
Grand Forks Herald/Agweek 2010-01-26
Opinion: Congress should expand and improve quality of school meals program
The editors
San Jose Mercury News 2010-01-25
Citing environment, Target switches from farmed salmon to wild-caught in its fresh, frozen, smoked seafood; sushi to follow
The Associated Press; San Francisco Chronicle 2010-01-26
D.C. school lunch purveyor Chartwells questioned on quality, food safety
By Jeffrey Anderson
The Washington Times 2010-01-26
In one week, Iowa's meatpacking industry loses 1,450 jobs at Smithfield plant, 480 at Tyson plant
By Philip Brasher
The Des Moines Register 2010-01-23
Cut dietary salt (mostly from processed foods) to prevent heart attacks, strokes, death, study says
By Shirley S. Wang
The Wall Street Journal. (may require subscription) 2010-01-21
Opinion: EPA's coal ash dispute should be resolved publicly, in favor of environment, clean water, public safety
The editors
The New York Times 2010-01-19
Lawmakers urge Vilsack to enact curbs on antibiotic use in livestock to reduce threat to human health
By Philip Brasher
The Des Moines Register 2010-01-20
Opinion: Push by Monsanto, others for more biotech, more industrial farming to feed 9 billion by 2050 ignores 2008 crop yields - enough to feed 11 billion
By Josh Viertel
The Atlantic 2010-01-20
Supreme Court's upcoming rule on ban of Monsanto's Roundup alfalfa could affect ruling on GM sugar beets - and half of U.S. sugar crop
By Jeffrey Tomich
St. Louis Post-Dispatch 2010-01-16
BPA, used in food can linings, bottles, of "some concern" for children, infants, FDA now says
By Jennifer Corbett Dooren and Alicia Mundy
Dow Jones Newswire/The Wall Street Journal. (may require subscription) 2010-01-15
Ethiopia, where land ownership is illegal, leases swaths to big firms for commercial agriculture
By Xan Rice
The Guardian (UK) 2010-01-15
Justice Department opens antitrust inquiry on Monsanto
By Scott Kilman and Thomas Catan
The Wall Street Journal. (may require subscription) 2010-01-15
After finding E. coli again in cookie dough, Nestle switches to heat-treated flour
By Rory Harrington
nutraingredients.com/Decision News Media 2010-01-14
U.S. military food contracts in Middle East worth billions, but private security is sticking point
By Walter Pincus
The Washington Post 2010-01-11
NYC mayor plans initiative urging food makers, chain restaurants to cut salt
By William Neuman
The New York Times 2010-01-11
Food makers slowly sneaking salt out of popcorn, soup, other items
By Ilan Brat and Maurice Tamman
The Wall Street Journal. (may require subscription) 2010-01-11
Opinion: Food safety lapses give urgency to term 'mystery meat'
The editors
The Philadelphia Inquirer 2010-01-05
Opinion: Ammonia-injected meat mess shows need for better communication, higher priorities than price, vigilance on food safety
The editors
The New York Times 2010-01-10
Books: Simultaneously promoting obesity and hunger in school lunches
By Michael O’Donnell
Washington Monthly 2010-01-07
Films: Bluefin tuna, extinction and "The End of the Line'
By Nathan Lee
The New York Times 2009-06-19
Wal-Mart plans to cut some suppliers, buy groceries, some other goods directly
By Jonathan Birchall
Financial Times (London) 2010-01-03
Top 10 issues in 2010: Hunger, childhood obesity, food safety rules, food ads and labels, meat, sustainable agriculture, GM, chemicals, salt and Dietary Guidelines
By Marion Nestle
San Francisco Chronicle 2010-01-03
Chemical trade group blasts feds' action plan on controversial compounds
By Rory Harrington
nutraingredients.com/Decision News Media 2010-01-06
Restaurant trade group finds influence with Democrats
By Tom Hamburger
Los Angeles Times 2010-01-06
Slow pace, bureacracy of school lunch reform frustrate parents
By Monica Eng
Chicago Tribune 2010-01-05
Biotech giant Monsanto finds public adulation elusive
By Robert Langreth and Matthew Herper
Forbes magazine 2010-01-18
McDonald's, Burger King, Cargill defend products after report that ammonia-treated beef may harbor germs
By Christopher Leonard and Mae Anderson
The Associated Press; ABC 2010-01-01
Opinion: Coal investors fuel long-term wealth destruction for short-term gains, climate change
By Jeremy Leggett
The Guardian (UK) 2009-12-30
Overuse of antibiotics in livestock causes plague of drug-resistant infections, researchers say
By Margie Mason and Martha Mendoza
The Associated Press; San Francisco Chronicle 2009-12-28
School, partially funded by Hershey, complicates Cadbury bid
By Sean Scully
Time magazine 2009-12-15
Monsanto protecting dominance of genetically modified seeds, secret documents show
By Christopher Leonard
The Associated Press; Seattle PI 2009-12-14
Looking to rehab school lunch image, USDA sets tasting for Congress
By Jane Black
The Washington Post 2009-12-11
Study links can-lining chemical BPA to male sexual dysfunction
High exposure to BPA, a synthetic estrogen commonly used in linings of food, beverage cans, appears to cause erectile dysfunction, other sexual problems in men, study shows. Findings raise questions about whether exposure at lesser levels can affect sexual function, researcher says. FDA has maintained chemical is safe, but research links BPA in lab animals to infertility, weight gain, behavioral changes, early-onset puberty, cancer, diabetes. And: 2 billion pounds of BPA manufactured each year, and endocrine disruptor is in 92 percent of us (click 'See also').
By Lyndsey Layton
The Washington Post 2009-11-11
Protocol proposed for buying farmland in poor countries
New global protocol proposed to temper African farmland buying frenzy caused by growing population, scarce water supplies, climate change. South Korea bought huge areas of Madagascar recently while Chinese interests bought up large plots of Senegal to supply it with sesame. Accord could include ensuring pre-sale consent is given by local people as well as ensuring that smallholders do not lose out. First draft is expected to be released next spring. And: Analyst predicts civil unrest, with investing countries leaving trail of food scarcity for poor countries' local populations (click 'See also').
By Nick Mathiason
The Guardian (UK) 2009-11-02
With eyes on future food, biofuel profits, fertilizer titans fight
Trio of fertilizer titans, banking that burgeoning global demand for food, biofuel will feed profits, jockey for position with hostile takeover bids. Agrium, of Calgary, Alberta (click 'See also'), is North America's largest agricultural products retailer; CF Industries Holdings is based in Deerfield, IL; Terra Industries is in Sioux City, IA. Personalities and strategies aside, some doubt that either deal will succeed and argue that premiums offered aren't deal clinchers. Likely outcome? Bankers win, shareholders lose, says analyst.
By Michael Erman and Euan Rocha
Reuters 2009-11-09
Pupils' free breakfast choices often sugary processed items
Nutrition experts warn that sugary processed foods Chicago Public Schools provides to children eating free breakfast make them sleepy and relaxed, and because such foods are digested quickly, children feel hungry well before lunchtime, making concentration difficult. Visits to schools show students pairing doughnuts with Frosted Flakes, syrupy French toast and juice. Health advocates say that's what happens when adults allow children as young as 5 to choose between oatmeal or Kellogg's Froot Loops. Chartwells-Thompson, city schools main caterer, defended brand promotion. And: Cut calories, add vegetables to school lunches, panel says (click 'See also')
By Monica Eng
Chicago Tribune 2009-11-05
Opinion: Health care new battlefront for more food industry rules
Agriculture under siege from unrelenting campaign bent on denigrating our mission to feed the world; new front of battle is personal and global connotations (or lack thereof) for all types of food - McDonald's hamburgers, bean sprouts - and/or production systems. Anti-agriculture activists, food police potentially have new venue - health care - for uniting; convergence enables them to leverage ideology, impose new regulation. Agriculture, entire food industry has as much, if not more, stake in this debate than any other industry. We better get with it.
By Nevil C. Speer
Cattle Network 2009-11-04
Opinion: Nominee's pesticides position, experience don't match Obama's agriculture interest
Resume of Islam Siddiqui, nominated for chief agricultural negotiator, doesn't seem to square with administration's professed interest in more sustainable, less chemically dependent approaches to agriculture. His current job representing coalition of major pesticide players is to increase exports of agricultural chemicals; resume also includes Clinton-era draft of organic standards notoriously loose about allowing genetically engineered crops and use of sewage-sludge fertilizers to be labeled as 'organic.' And: Candidate worked previously for California Department of Food and Agriculture (click 'See also').
The editors
The New York Times 2009-11-04
BPA found in green beans, tuna and other canned foods
In analysis, bisphenol A, a plastic hardener, found in range of canned foods - among them Del Monte Fresh Cut Blue Lake Green Beans and 'BPA-free' cans of tuna sold by Vital Choice, advocacy group reports. Findings bolster case for banning BPA from materials that come in contact with food and beverages - can linings, baby bottles and sippy cups- group said in letter to FDA. Some studies link chemical to reproductive abnormalities, higher risk of cancer, diabetes. And: Canned juice is of particular concern, since small children may drink a lot of it, says Consumer Reports (click 'See also').
By Andrew Zajac
Los Angeles Times 2009-11-02
Cocoa Krispies 'child's immunity' support claims challenged
San Francisco city attorney demands substantiation from Kellogg for claim on boxes of Cocoa Krispies that cereal 'now helps support your child's immunity.' And: Growing number of health and nutrition experts, fed up with misleading marketing ploys, say health claims on foods should be banned (click 'See also').
By Heather Knight
San Francisco Chronicle 2009-10-28
Opinion: Avoid processed foods, factory-farmed meat to cut warming
Twenty percent of food system's energy use is farm-related; half of food's greenhouse impact linked to farms. The rest comes from processing, transportation, storage, retailing, food preparation. Prevailing method of producing meat - crowding animals in factory farms, storing their waste in giant lagoons, cutting down forests to grow crops to feed them - cause substantial greenhouse emissions of carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxides. Eaters can lower their global warming contribution by avoiding processed foods and those from industrialized farms; reducing food waste; and buying local and in season. And: Livestock's long shadow (click 'See also' for UN report).
By Nicolette Hahn Niman
The New York Times 2009-10-31
Ban cow parts, chicken litter from cattle feed, coalition demands
Stop feeding poultry litter to cattle or face lawsuit and/or federal legislation effort, coalition of food and consumer groups tells FDA. Litter includes feces, spilled chicken feed, feathers, farm detritus. Chicken feed, feces contain tissue from cows, other mammals; feeding mammals to cows (which are herbivores) increases risk of mad cow, says expert. Chicken feed also can contain bacteria, antibiotics. McDonald's, nation's largest restaurant user of beef, also wants ban. And: For decades, farmers have used chicken litter as cheap fertilizer for other crops (click 'See also'). In court, Oklahoma says Tyson, Cargill, other poultry producers polluted million-acre watershed with runoff.
By Jerry Hirsch
Los Angeles Times 2009-10-31
Opinion: We have two choices - cheap meat or health
Factory farming of animals is chief cause of global warming, animal suffering, a decisive factor in diseases like bird and swine flu, cause of food-borne illness. Beyond illnesses linked to them, factory farms foster growth of drug-resistant germs, contribute to risk of pandemics like H1N1 swine flu, avian flu. Factory farm industry has more power than public health professionals because we fund industry by eating factory-farmed animal products. Perhaps, in deafening silence about this problem, we understand that something terribly wrong is happening. And: Factory farming's 335 million tons of manure annually hold infectious microbes that infiltrate air, soil, water, and are transported by houseflies, farm trucks, farm workers (click 'See also').
By Jonathan Safran Foer
CNN 2009-10-28
Opinion: Time for hard look at behavior of dominant seed businesses
Agriculture is at frontier of technological progress; its innovations will largely determine whether and at what cost world will feed its growing population. No company should dominate such an essential business. Good place to probe potentially anticompetitive behavior is Monsanto, which is trying to block DuPont from adding its own genetic traits to Monsanto's Roundup Ready technology to produce soybeans that would be resistant to multiple pesticides. Monsanto genes, which resist Roundup weedkiller, present in 97 percent of soybean crops, 79 percent of corn.
The editors
The New York Times 2009-10-22
Opinion: Feds must fill safety gaps in beef, other food production
Eating a hamburger should not be a death-defying experience. Too often it is (click 'See also'). Ground beef is major part of American diet. Government needs to quickly fill safety gaps in food production. Congress, USDA should make it illegal to discourage additional testing for pathogens, must give USDA more authority to recall foods or to shut down plants that keep sending out contaminated products. Administration should nominate strong undersecretary for food safety. That vacancy leaves a huge gap.
The editors
The New York Times 2009-10-10
Toxins at Cold War-era missile sites threaten water supplies
Cleanup continues at dozens of former nuclear missile sites tainted with trichloroethylene, or TCE. In Colorado, one site is near Poudre River, where planned reservoir would partly submerge site and could contaminate river, municipal water supplies. In '90s, chemical was discovered in Cheyenne city wells, which are within eight-mile-long plume of TCE within Ogallala Aquifer. Cleanup is part of work at 9,000-plus sites projected to cost $17.8 billion. And: Pentagon, nation's biggest polluter, has about 25,000 contaminated properties across U.S. (click 'See also').
By Mead Gruver
The Associated Press; The Washington Post 2009-10-11
Lawmakers want pork bailout; dietitician says school children pay with their health
Lawmakers ask USDA to buy $100 million more pork - beyond the $30 million already announced - to protect industry from its economic troubles. Lawmakers say purchase could go for federal food assistance programs. And: Feds should be improving food served to children, not loading school meals with more pork and its saturated fat, cholesterol and sodium, writes dietitian and nutrition director of activist group (click 'See also'). 'We've got to stop using school lunches as a dumping ground for high-fat meat products,' she says.
By Barbara Barrett
The News & Observer (NC) 2009-10-09
Monsanto probed as part of inquiry into seed industry consolidation
Justice Department is investigating whether Monsanto violated antitrust rules in attempt to expand its market dominance of genetically engineered crops. In U.S., its patented genes are in majority of corn, soybeans. Probe is part of inquiry into consolidation in seed industry. And: From its origins as saccharin manufacturer, Monsanto has grown to global giant, dominating commodity seed stocks, buying seed companies and suing farmers it suspects of saving its seed from last year (click 'See also').
By Christopher Leonard
The Associated Press; ABC 2009-10-08
Accord allows Costco to test Tyson beef for e.coli
Costco will begin buying beef trimmings for making hamburger from Tyson, one of the largest beef producers, after agreement reached that allows Costco to test Tyson trimmings for e.coli before being mixed with those from other suppliers. Some of largest slaughterhouses have resisted added scrutiny for fear that one grinder's discovery of E. coli will lead to expanded recalls of beef, The New York Times reported Sunday (click 'See also'). Critics in Congress say USDA has irreconcilable conflict between protecting public health and at same time promoting agricultural products.
By Michael Moss
The New York Times 2009-10-08
Federal agencies directed to conserve water, reduce waste
With executive order, Obama requires federal agencies to measure greenhouse-gas emissions, then meet series of environmental targets over next decade. They include 50 percent recycling and waste diversion by 2015; 30 percent reduction in vehicle-fleet petroleum use by 2020; and a 26 percent improvement in water efficiency by 2020.
By Juliet Eilperin
The Washington Post 2009-10-06
Leafy greens top risk list for foods overseen by FDA
Ten riskiest foods overseen by FDA, which regulates 80 percent of food supply, are leafy greens, eggs, tuna, oysters, potatoes, cheese, ice cream, tomatoes, sprouts and berries, consumer watchdog study shows (click 'See also' for report). Meats, poultry, some egg products not considered because they're regulated by USDA. Tainted foods contained bacteria, from E.coli O157:H7 in spinach to scombrotoxin in tuna; victims suffered range of illnesses, from mild stomach cramps to death. One in four Americans sickened by foodborne illnesses and 5,000 die each year, says CDC.
By Lyndsey Layton
The Washington Post 2009-10-06
Flawed safety system makes eating ground beef a gamble
Tens of thousands of people sickened annually by e. coli O157:H7, mostly through hamburger. Ground beef blamed for 16 outbreaks in last three years, including one from Cargill that left 22-year-old children's dance teacher paralyzed from waist down. Hamburger patty her mother grilled for her was mix of slaughterhouse trimmings plus scraps from Nebraska, Texas, Uruguay and from company that processes fatty trimmings and adds ammonia to kill bacteria. In weeks before teacher's patty was made, records show Cargill was violating its own ground beef handling procedures. Cargill, which supplies beef for school lunches, has revenue of $116.6 billion last year and is country's largest company.
By Michael Moss
The New York Times 2009-10-04
Farm groups endorse Monsanto phosphorous mine
Idaho's Farm Bureau Federation, Grain Producers Association, Sugarbeet Growers Association endorse Monsanto's proposed Blackfoot Bridge mine to replace its existing mine, which is leaking selenium, heavy metals into Blackfoot River tributaries. Other mines in region blamed for killing livestock poisoned by selenium. New mine would allow for continued domestic production of agribusiness giant's Roundup, a weed killer that generates more than $1 billion in gross profits annually (click 'See also).
Idaho Statesman 2009-09-19
Palau takes steps to protect sharks from extinction
Palau creates world's first shark sanctuary to protect more than 135 Western Pacific species of sharks and rays considered endangered or vulnerable, but has only one boat to patrol waters the size of Texas. President also calls for moratorium on 'finning' - the practice of hacking off shark fins (for shark-fin soup popular in China) and throwing the body back into sea - and an end to unregulated and destructive bottom trawling. Shark steaks are increasingly served in restaurants, replacing swordfish.
By John Heilprin
The Associated Press; The Washington Post 2009-09-24
Palau takes steps to protect sharks from extinction
Palau creates world's first shark sanctuary to protect more than 135 Western Pacific species of sharks and rays considered endangered or vulnerable, but has only one boat to patrol waters the size of Texas. President also calls for moratorium on 'finning' - the practice of hacking off shark fins (for shark-fin soup popular in China) and throwing the body back into sea - and an end to unregulated and destructive bottom trawling. Shark steaks are increasingly served in restaurants, replacing swordfish.
By John Heilprin
The Associated Press; The Washington Post 2009-09-24
U.S. farm politics, food aid policies undermine anti-hunger efforts
Despite Norman Borlaug's accomplishments in plant breeding that created bumper crops in once poor countries, hunger prevails because of American farm politics, African corruption, war, poverty, climate change, drought. Years of grain surpluses fostered complacency. Farm programs, subsidies in U.S., plus nation's habit of shipping grain to poor undermines markets elsewhere. 'World peace will not be built on empty stomachs or human misery,' said Borlaug, Nobel winner. 'It is within America's technical and financial power to help end this human tragedy and injustice, if we set our hearts and minds to the task.'
By Andrew Martin
The New York TImes 2009-09-20
Opinion: Waiting for substance from USDA on sustainability
USDA's new farm-to-community initiative is mostly symbol. Backbone of program is a new website for agency's existing 20-odd local-food support programs, plus extra $50 million to get more local produce into school cafeterias, as well as relaxing of rules on shipping meat, poultry across state lines. But most programs were made law in 2008 Farm Bill, which will dole out $35 billion in subsidies to agribusinesses for corn, wheat, soybeans. Until that changes, this is just talk.
By Barry Estabrook
Gourmet.com/Politics of the Plate 2009-09-17
Focus on health care may delay Senate's food safety bill
Senator Tom Harkin says he hopes his committee can get food safety bill done this fall, but observers note that Senate is distracted by health care, financial services. Senate's bill likely to give FDA more authority over the 80 percent of food supply - everything but meat, poultry - that agency regulates. FDA moved ahead recently with rules for egg safety; last week, it revealed online registry where food processors are to report tainted ingredients. Administration also is creating a deputy administrator's position at FDA to oversee food safety.
By Philip Brasher
The Des Moines Register 2009-09-13
Violations of Clean Water Act rampant across nation
One in 10 Americans exposed to drinking water tainted with dangerous chemicals or that fails federal standards. Clean Water Act has been violated more than 506,000 times since 2004 by 23,000-plus firms, facilities. Fewer than 3 percent of violations resulted in fines or other significant punishments. Enforcement lapses were particularly bad under George W. Bush, EPA employees said. Farm pollution, livestock runoff largely unregulated. Best solution is for Congress to hold EPA, states accountable, lawmakers, activists say; others say public outrage is required. And: Interactive database of hundreds of thousands of water pollution records from every state and EPA (click 'See also').
By Charles Duhigg
The New York TImes 2009-09-13
Dark comedy probes scandal at agribusiness giant
New film starring Matt Damon as informant at agribusiness giant Archer Daniels Midland is dark comedy based on true story. Actor gained 30 pounds, wore mustache to play Mark Whitacre, who turns from corporate golden boy to FBI source to uncover price-fixing practices in industry. And: In 'The Informant,' (click 'See also') Kurt Eichenwald, author, poses unlikely question: What happens when government informant at heart of global criminal conspiracy is a bipolar, serial-lying embezzler?
By Silvia Aloisi
Reuters 2009-09-07
Donor disclosure rule upheld for lobbying groups
Public has right to know names of donors to trade groups lobbying on bills before Congress, federal appeals panel rules. And: Congress due to update, reauthorize Child Nutrition Act, which includes $9.3 billion National School Lunch Program and sets school food policy (click 'See also').
By Bart Jansen
CQ Politics 2009-09-08
Proponent of agribusiness now leads senate Agriculture Committee
After death of Ted Kennedy, Sen. Blanche Lincoln (D-AR) takes chairmanship of Agriculture Committee as Tom Harkin (D-IA) moves to chair Health, Education, Labor and Pensions panel, which is responsible for major food-safety bill pending in Congress. And: Lincoln is proponent for large farms, livestock interests - Tyson Foods is based in Arkansas (click 'See also'). Pair her with panel's senior Republican, Saxby Chambliss of Georgia, and it's one-two punch for southern perspective on agricultural policy.
By Paul Kane and Ben Pershing
The Washington Post 2009-09-09
Regulators struggle to keep up with supplements industry
Nearly two-thirds of American adults take dietary supplements, mostly multivitamins, calcium, omega-3, says trade group. Supplements aren't regulated as drugs; study showed 9 percent of 300 drug-induced liver injuries potentially were linked to supplements. Senate subcommittee plans hearing on safety. Since last December, FDA has warned about 70-plus weight-loss supplements; agency urges consumer vigilance.
By Anna Wilde Mathews
The Wall Street Journal. (may require subscription) 2009-09-07
Food safety lapses leave families bereft, lawmakers scrambling
Linda Rivera, once teachers' aide and always in motion, now in a mute state; 4-year-old girl partially paralyzed are among 80 people sickened by eating e.coli-tainted raw cookie dough, feds believe. As recalls cause public to lose confidence in food safety, lawmakers scramble; Nestlé resumes supplying chilled dough to supermarkets. And: Cargill slaughterhouse that just recalled 826,000 pounds of beef was slapped with animal handling citations last year after review of processors that supply USDA National School Lunch Program (click 'See also').
By Lyndsey Layton
The Washington Post 2009-09-01
Cut sugar intake for optimum health, says heart group
Citing links to diet-related diseases, American Heart Association sets suggested limits on sugar intake for men, women. Soft drinks, ketchup, barbecue sauce, 'reduced' salad dressings, granola bars, flavored popcorn among processed, packaged items packing extra sugar calories. And: Our brains aren't fooled by sugar substitutes, fMRI study shows (click 'See also').
By Sarah Baldauf
U.S. News & World Report 2009-08-24
Monsanto plans price hike for GMO corn, soybean seed
Monsanto plans to increase cost of genetically modified corn, soybean seed as much as 42 percent, effectively splitting expected profits of increased yields. New biotech SmartStax corn seed expected to be planted on up to 4 million acres in 2010, with national potential for 65 million acres; Roundup Ready 2 Yield soybean seeds were planted on 1.5 million acres this year, with potential of 55 million acres, Monsanto said. And: After residents' opposition, Boulder county postpones decision on whether to allow farmers to grow Monsanto GMO beets on county open space; GMO corn has been permitted since 2003 (click 'See also').
By Jack Kaskey
Bloomberg.com 2009-09-13
Spiking weedkiller in drinking water OK, says EPA; critics disagree
EPA says Americans aren't exposed to unsafe levels of atrazine, a weedkiller used on cornfields, gardens, lawns, golf courses that washes into drinking water, particularly in summer. Others say EPA rules are insufficient, that local water systems must monitor atrazine more often, issue alerts of spikes. 43 water systems sue Syngenta, other chemical companies to force them to pay for removing poison from water. Studies suggest link of small amounts of atrazine to birth defects, premature births, menstrual woes. Home filtration system can avoid exposure. And: Atrazine linked to frog decline, egg production in male fish, and found in Washington, D.C.'s Potomac River (click 'See also').
By Charles Duhigg
The New York Times 2009-08-22
Solving U.S. food crisis begins with awakening the public
Industrial food system is based on selective forgetting and hidden costs: erosion of farmland, dead zones in the Gulf of Mexico, cages for egg-laying chickens so packed that birds can't raise their wings, rise of antibiotic-resistant bacteria among farm animals, acceleration of global warming, lapses in food safety, obesity epidemic that cost us extra $147 billion in doctor bills last year, the $50 billion-plus of taxpayer money poured into corn industry in last 10 years that makes fatty, sugary foods cheap and funds factory-farming of meat. With those price supports, a dollar buys 875 calories of soda, 250 calories of vegetables or 170 calories of fresh fruit. Consequences of food choices can no longer be ignored.
By Bryan Walsh
Time magazine 2009-08-20
Window opens wide for school meals reform efforts
School food reform efforts, pushed by diet-related disease epidemic and nurtured by Obama administration, take root. USDA focusing on improving student health through better food, expected to upgrade nutrition standards this year. Agency also is studying farm-to-school, urban school food programs. NY senator's bill would ban trans fats, allow USDA to set tougher standards for a la carte items sold alongside subsidized school lunches. And: School lunch program, part of Child Nutrition Act that Congress takes up this fall, is focused path to food policy reform (click 'See also').
By Kim Severson
The New York Times 2009-08-19
Pollution history shouldn't stop more mining, Monsanto says
Monsanto's history of polluting Idaho shouldn't stop more mining for Roundup ingredient, company says. Three of firm's previous mines in region now under federal Superfund authority; a fourth is now violating federal clean water laws (click 'See also'). Two fertilizer makers J.R. Simplot, Agrium also linked to pollution there. Roundup will generate $1 billion-plus in gross profits annually; in one county in mining region where 7,000 people live, Monsanto pays more than $29 million in wages, benefits.
By John Miller
The Associated Press; The Spokesman-Review 2009-08-09
Council says no to biotech sugar beets on public open space
After 47 of 58 speakers show opposition, Colorado county's food policy council considers that it represents taxpayers, votes against recommending GMO sugar beets for planting in open space land. Dilemma for group was balancing economic well-being of six farmers with community. Genetically modified corn already is allowed on public land. And: Because public acceptance of biotechnology in Europe is lower than in U.S., all Kellogg products sold in Europe are free of any biotech ingredients (click 'See also').
By Laura Snider
Daily Camera (CO) 2009-07-31
Mountaintop removal battle tests Obama's clean energy vow
Battle over mountaintop removal coal mining will test Barack Obama, who vowed clean energy economy but in May oversaw EPA's OK of 42 permits for mining method that devastates landscapes, uproots hundreds of communities. Peak shearing of up to 1,000 feet buries streams, damages water systems. It deposits selenium, which can cause reproductive ills in humans and is deforming fish, downstream from mine fill sites. Meanwhile, Senate takes up bill (click 'See also') to prohibit mining companies from dumping debris in streams. Almost half of America's electricity is coal-powered.
By Suzanne Goldenberg
The Guardian (UK) 2009-08-04
Obesity epidemic ignored in health-care reform bills
Most health-care reform legislators ignore obesity epidemic. Expert says society uncomfortable with, or hasn't determined, reasons behind fat. She says it's a health care issue; conservative districts with most obese populations see fat as personal willpower/responsibility issue. Political danger alarms ring over data showing that obesity disproportionately affects poor and minority communities. Soda tax proposal seen as radical; food and beverage lobby spent $20 million-plus in Washington lobbying in 2008, contributed $15 million-plus to political campaigns in 2008 cycle. And: Obesity causing diseases that cost $147 billion last year, nearly 10 percent of all medical spending in nation (click 'See also').
By Lisa Lerer
Politico 2009-07-30
High-profit stakes rise for agrichemical companies
Chemical industry, hit by lack of interest in consumer products, relies increasingly on the sale of high-tech seeds, fertilizer, weedkillers. High-stakes fights break out between leaders - Monsanto claims DuPont broke licensing agreement; Germany-based BASF and DuPont have asked court to invalidate the other's patents for lines of herbicides.
By Ernest Scheyder
The Associated Press; The Washington Post 2009-07-22
Finding parallels in strategy of food industry, Big Tobacco
As diet-related disease epidemic continues, food industry strategy following page from Big Tobacco's playbook: Focus on personal responsibility as cause of nation's unhealthy diet, raise fears that government action usurps personal freedom, vilify critics with totalitarian language, criticize studies that hurt industry as 'junk science,' emphasize physical activity over diet, say there are no good or bad foods, and plant doubt when concerns are raised about industry.
By Kelly D. Brownell and Kenneth E. Warner
Milbank Quarterly 2009-03-01
Cargill cuts plant's production of hydrogenated oil
Cargill ends production of hydrogenated oil at Kansas plant. Demand has declined by 75 percent over last five years. Oil has been linked to artery clogging, heart disease; in 2006, FDA began requiring its presence listed on nutrition labels. Artificially created trans fats have been banned in New York City, Philadelphia and in California. And: FDA rules that allow up to 0.49g of trans fat per serving to be rounded to zero dupes shoppers (click 'See also').
By Caroline Scott-Thomas
nutraingredients.com/Decision News Media 2009-07-21
First Lady, staff focusing on children's food issues
Challenge for Michelle Obama and staff is to craft strategy that uses her clout to make how we eat an integral part of national health-care debate. In September, during Congressional debate over funding for child nutrition programs including school meals, staffers say First Lady will continue to link personal to political by gardening and by cooking - and by eating with her family and with students.
By Jane Black
The Washington Post 2009-07-15
Wal-Mart to label sustainability of every product
Wal-Mart developing fiendishly complex plan to measure, label sustainability (life cycle assessment) of its every product. Company's grand plan will require manufacturers to dig deep into supply chains, measure environmental impact, and compete on those terms for favorable treatment from retailer. Faculty at University of Arkansas, Arizona State University, Duke, Harvard, Stanford, UC Berkeley, University of Michigan have been involved in planning sustainability index (click 'See also') led by Sustainability Consortium.
By Marc Gunther
Slate/The Big Money 2009-07-13
Opinion: Changing the food system, one meal at a time
Solutions to myriad problems with industrial food system aren't simple, and they may mean paying more for what we eat. But that could mean costs savings for fewer cases of diabetes, other diet-related diseases. We have power, the film, 'Food, Inc.' points out: 'You can vote to change the system three times a day.'
By Nicholas D. Kristof
The New York Times 2009-06-20
Concern grows over farmland investments in poor countries
Concern for equitable resource allocation grows as rich countries and world's largest food, financial and car companies invest $20 billion to $30 billion annually on farmland in developing countries (click 'See also'). UN says investment has doubled to nearly 20 million hectares (50 million acres) since last year. Analyst predicts civil unrest, with investing countries leaving trail of food scarcity for local populations, as well as devastated soils, dry aquifers and ruined ecology from highly intensive, chemical-based farming.
By John Vidal
The Guardian (UK) 2009-07-03
USDA organic certification erodes as market share grows
As processed, packaged food makers increase market share of organics - now a $23 billion annual business - USDA bows to lobbying pressure, relaxes stringent standards to allow non-organic ingredients, additives, processing agents. National Organic Program, by not issuing growing, treatment, production standards, has created haphazard system that leaves private certifiers to set organic standards. And: USDA seeking replacement for Barbara Robinson, program's acting director (click 'See also').
By Kimberly Kindy and Lyndsey Layton
The Washington Post 2009-07-03
Analysis: Brazil's big beef firms tighten deforestation oversight
Brazil's cattle industry bends to demands to curb destruction of Amazon after Greenpeace report links JBS, other meatpackers to illegal deforestation (click 'See also'). After report, World Bank withdrew $90 million loan to one firm; Wal-Mart, other supermarkets vowed to stop buying beef from 11 producers. Bertin, JBS, Marfrig, Minerva make up 70 percent of Brazil's beef export market but account for 30 percent of domestic cattle purchases; it is unclear whether thousands of smaller processors, ranchers will change their ways.
By Reese Ewing and Stuart Grudgings
Reuters 2009-06-29
Physicians, others ask Obama for anti-obesity commission
Group of physicians, health organizations, nutrition experts ask Obama to create presidential commission to fight obesity. Commission would stimulate, coordinate agencies involved in food and health policy. Obesity costs $95 billion annually in medical expenditures, half of which are paid through Medicare and Medicaid; obesity rates have increased by 50 percent in 20 years. And: Previous corn-based public health crisis was not obesity but alcoholism, in early 19th century (click 'See also').
Center for Science in the Public Interest 2009-06-24
'Inert' ingredient in herbicide kills human cells, researchers say
Monsanto's weedkiller Roundup, commonly used on food crops, contains ingredient listed as inert but is potentially toxic, says French research group. The chemical, POEA, helps main ingredient, glyphosate, penetrate cells. In tests, PEOA killed human cells. Monsanto questions methods. Product, derived from animal fat, is allowed in certified organic products. And: EPA decision due in fall on petition of 250-plus environmental, health, labor organizations to change rules for identifying pesticides' inert ingredients (click 'See also').
By Crystal Gammon
Environmental Health News 2009-06-22
Review: Serving up a horror film for the dinner table
"Food, Inc.," a mind-boggling, heart-rending, stomach-churning expose on food industry, makes case with methodical, relentless urgency of muckrakers trying to radicalize - or rouse - a dozing populace. And: Film shows we're living in a simulacrum, fed by machines run by larger machines with names like Monsanto, Perdue, Tyson that make everything (click 'See also'). We humans can win, but we should hurry, before Monsanto makes a time machine and sends back a Terminator to get rid of Eric Schlosser, Michael Pollan.
By Amy Biancolli
San Francisco Chronicle 2009-06-12
Under pressure, McDonald's to study alternative hen housing
Humane Society asks McDonald's shareholders to mandate phased-in use of eggs from cage-free hens, but fast-food giant tells them to reject resolution. Firm announces 2-year hen housing study - a delay, says Humane Society. Burger King, Hardee's, Quizno's, Carl's Jr., Denny's have agreed that up to 5 percent of egg purchases from U.S. suppliers will come from cage-free hens. And: Chain uses 3 billion eggs and 290 million chickens a year (click 'See also').
By Mike Hughlett
Chicago Tribune 2009-05-21
With eye on profits, food firms push health, wellness products
Health, wellness food products leap past other processed foods as economic downturn settles in. Major processors use sector as strategic pillar. Nestle, says expert, seeks to 'transform itself into a nutrition, health and wellness company' to sell more products.
By Shane Starling
nutraingredients.com/ Decision News Media 2009-05-20
Costco takes NYC tax credits, but not food stamps from neighbors
With eligibility for millions in tax credits and New York city pension funds holding about $65 million of company's stock, Costco sets up shop in city, wins permission for its tractor-trailers to drive on residential streets in East Harlem between midnight and 5 a.m. But its no-food-stamp policy cuts off 30,000-plus of those neighbors in East Harlem, as well as the rest of the 1.4 million city residents who received the aid in April.
By Jim Dwyer
The New York TImes 2009-05-12
Senate mulls soda 'sin tax' to fund health care reform
Senate leaders consider watchdog group's proposed tax on soda, some fruit drinks, energy drinks, sports drinks and ready-to-drink teas to help pay for health care reform. Proponents cite research linking consumption to diet-related disease, say tax would cut consumption, health problems, medical costs. Soda lobbyists say tax would hit lower-income Americans and wouldn't deter consumption. And: Amount of decline in smoking directly tied to size of state tax increase on cigarettes, analysis shows (click 'See also').
By Janet Adamy
The Wall Street Journal. (may require subscription) 2009-05-12
Smithfield accused of hogging European markets
The number of hog farmers in Romania fell 90 percent in four years as Smithfield Farms swept into Eastern Europe with factory farming methods that drove down pork prices. Political influence, aggressive business strategy opened huge markets but also raised environmental and health complaints and has has displaced hundreds of thousands of small farmers. Poland had 56 percent drop in hog farmers in 12 years.
By Doreen Carvajal and Stephen Castle
The New York Times 2009-05-05
In Mexico, flu focuses complaints about Smithfield farms
Flu outbreak focuses complaints in poor neighborhoods near industrial pig farm owned by Smithfield subsidiary in Mexico. Overpowering stench, dogs feasting on pig carcasses, massive manure lagoons among neighbors' concerns. Conglomerate says it has funded reforestation, irrigation and has bought computer equipment for schools. It says it has built clinics and provides free medical care, and that Mexican health officials attribute persistent illness in area to temperature changes, malnutrition, unsafe drinking water.
By Steve Fainaru
The Washington Post 2009-05-10
Opinion: Pork is bacon, and 'the other white meat,' not a virus
American pig farmers probably are on to something when they complain that some countries are happy for excuse to enact emergency trade barriers that benefit their own farmers. It's time we stop dragging pig's reputation through the mud.
The editors
Chicago Tribune 2009-05-03
Opinion: Obama's pick for HHS should veto milk disclaimer bill
As Obama's pick for Health, Human Services which oversees FDA, Governor Kathleen Sibelius should veto biotech milk disclaimer bill as 29 groups have requested. Kansas bill would require that milk labeled hormone-free include disclaimer saying that FDA sees no 'significant difference' between milk products with or without it. Bill will become law unless she vetoes it by Thursday.
By Barry Estabrook
Gourmet.com/Politics of the Plate 2009-04-21
Pesticide makers must test for endocrine disruption, EPA says
EPA will require pesticide manufacturers to test 67 chemicals in products to determine whether they disrupt endocrine system, which regulates growth, metabolism, reproduction. Researchers cite male fish in Potomac River bearing eggs. Tests eventually will encompass all pesticide chemicals. And: Cornfield weedkiller linked to frog deaths (click 'See also').
By Juliet Eilperin
The Washington Post 2009-04-16
Opinion: Siphoning spectacular profits from Florida's aquifers
Despite water shortage, Florida state water managers allow Nestle, Coca-Cola, PepsiCo and the like to siphon and bottle nearly two billion gallons annually from fresh springs, aquifers for puny fee, then sell it for a huge per-unit profit. Although agriculture draws billions of gallons from the same sources, few ranches or farms enjoy spectacular profits that water bottlers do. And: Bottling cash in Florida (click 'See also').
By Carl Hiaasen
The Miami Herald 2009-03-08
Perchlorate found in baby formula, CDC reports
Fifteen of 15 powdered infant formulas contain perchlorate, a component of rocket fuel linked to thyroid disease, says CDC study, but scientists haven't named brands tested. Legislator calls on EPA to set safe drinking water standard for perchlorate, water testing. And: Pasadena begins construction of perchlorate-removing water treatment plant near Superfund site. Wells nearby have been shut down (click 'See also').
By Liz Szabo
USA Today 2009-04-02
Industry works to polish peanut's tarnished image
The peanut - an American icon - has been pounded by years of allergy fears and, more recently, an ongoing salmonella outbreak linked to a peanut manufacturing plant (click 'See also'). Now the peanut industry is fighting back at NASCAR events and beyond, trying to regain its wholesome, all-American image.
By Ted Anthony
The Associated Press; Houston Chronicle (TX) 2009-03-22
Activists seek food/agriculture policy reform - beyond Obama garden
As Americans flock to farmers' markets and buy local at Wal-Mart, sustainable-food activists, who see cheap, processed, subsidized food as profiting agribusiness, causing (and deferring costs of) diet-related disease, ruined environment, seek fundamental change. Chef/gardener Alice Waters urges tripling of budget for school lunches (with costs shared by Department of Education - click 'See also'); author Michael Pollan wants diversified, regional food networks. But he worries about movement's lack of infrastructure.
By Andrew Martin
The New York Times 2009-03-21
Opinion: One cost of cheap bacon may be fiery saucer-sized lesions in people
Doctor in tiny town sees link to hog farms and fiery, saucer-sized lesions of MRSA (superbugs, or flesh-eating bacteria) in too many patients. Infections likely came from routine overuse of antibiotics in feed. Our model of agriculture produces cheap bacon but evidence is building that shows it risks our health. And: Factory-farm pigs are infused with huge range of antibiotics and vaccines and doused with insecticides so they can survive in confined spaces; they are in state of dying until they're slaughtered (click 'See also').
By Nicholas D. Kristof
The New York Times 2009-03-12
Factory farms would report emissions under new rule
EPA's revived system for reporting methane, carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions would apply to confined animal feeding operations and other large industrial sources. The 25,000-metric-ton threshold is roughly equal to emissions of 4,500-plus passenger cars. Coal-fired power plant spokesperson warns that including schools, hospitals sets 'dangerous precedent.'
By Juliet Eilperin
The Washington Post 2009-03-11
Banana firm wants wrongful death suits dismissed
Chiquita asks judge to dismiss wrongful death suits associated with payments it made to rival Colombian paramilitary groups in region that encompassed 200 of its banana farms (click 'See also'). Suits argue that payments aided terrorist groups, which pacified region with murders, kidnappings and improved Chiquita's profits; banana company says payments were extortion.
By Jane Musgrave
Palm Beach Post 2009-02-27
Tomato graft cultivating pricier sauce?
Graft could be boosting consumer prices for ketchup, salsa and sauces according to charges in a federal price-fixing case. Kraft Foods, Frito-Lay purchasing managers admitted taking bribes from broker for central California company that processes 15 percent of nation's bulk tomato paste. The broker pleaded guilty of soliciting bribes.
By Bob Egelko
The San Francisco Chronicle 2009-01-28
Selling water conservation to 200 million customers a year
Shoved into reforms, Wal-Mart vowed in 2005 to go green. Now, among tens of thousands of products, it has made some progress, dragging suppliers along. Example: It sells only concentrated laundry detergent, which, company says, saves 400 million-plus gallons of water, 95 million pounds of plastic resin, 125 million pounds of cardboard, 520,000 gallons of diesel fuel over three years. Sustainability efforts have saved Wal-Mart hundreds of millions of dollars, experts say. And: Price hikes in grocery, health, wellness categories drove majority of Wal-Mart's sales growth in 2008 (click 'See also').
By Stephanie Rosenbloom and Michael Barbaro
The New York Times 2009-01-24
Salmonella-tainted peanut products linked to six deaths, 485 illnesses
With six dead, nearly 500 ill from suspected salmonella outbreak, U.S. says to avoid cookies, cakes, ice cream, crackers made with peanut butter or peanut paste. Major-label peanut butter not included in recall. Food makers call for robust food inspection program to reduce outbreaks, restore consumer confidence. And: Ongoing list of recalled products (click 'See also').
By Lyndsey Layton
The Washington Post 2009-01-21
Profits top estimates for agri-biotech giant
Profit more than doubles for biotech giant Monsanto, world's biggest seed maker. Boost came from sales of seeds for genetically modified soybeans, corn, and accompanying Roundup weedkiller. U.S. farmers will plant about 90 million acres of corn this year; up to 35 million with Monsanto's triple-stack seeds, up 20 percent from last year, company head predicts.
By Jack Kaskey
Bloomberg 2009-01-07
Economic ills may cut processed food prices
Prices may head lower in 2009, as processed food makers look to stimulate demand in weak economy. Long-term trends pushing food prices higher - growing global demand, increasing flow of grains to fuel production - may hibernate as world's economy slows. Economist predicts food inflation rate will fall to about 4 percent.
By Mike Hughlett
Chicago Tribune 2008-12-26
Soft drink makers roll out stevia-sweetened beverages
With FDA OK of herb stevia as a zero-calorie sweetener, Coca-Cola introduces Sprite Green and Pepsi launches three flavors of a zero-calorie SoBe Lifewater, plans March launch of Trop50, an orange-juice drink. And: Such sweeteners are key in reversing sales decline of carbonated soft drinks, says Pepsi head (click 'See also').
By Betsy McKay
The Wall Street Journal. (may require subscription) 2008-12-18
Food system unspoken in Obama's USDA pick
Tom Vilsack's selection as Obama's USDA secretary may be 'agribusiness as usual,' since words 'food' or 'eaters' unspoken in news conference, says Michael Pollan, author. Food system responsible for one-third greenhouse gases, 'catastrophic' diet that causes chronic disease in half the U.S. population and drives up health care costs (click 'See also'). Food must be included in plan to address climate change, energy independence, health care.
By Renee Montagne
National Public Radio/Morning Edition 2008-12-18
Chapter 11 for nation's biggest chicken producer
Pilgrim's Pride seeks protection of bankruptcy court after battling year of volatile feed, fuel costs, low poultry prices, and drop in demand from restaurants. And: Tyson, Perdue, Sanderson, Wayne are other big poultry players (click 'See also').
By Miriam Marcus
Forbes.com 2008-12-01
Palm oil feeds population surge at environment's expense
Palm oil production surges with population; one in 10 processed food items contains it and it's a source of biodiesel. Plantations planned in Brazil; S. Korea owns rights to half the available farmland of Madagascar, much of it rainforest, and plans corn, palm plantations. Slash-and-burn expansion of Cargill crop spews carbon, replaces tribal homelands, displaces orangutans, destroys rainforests - and raises farmers' living standards. And: 'Our Hungry Planet' series (click 'See also).
By Matt McKinney
Star-Tribune (MN) (may require registration) 2008-11-30
Opinion: Melamine links industrial waste to U.S. food production
Melamine has pervaded U.S. food system. It's added to fertilizer and accumulates in the farm fields. Last year, millions ate chicken that had been fed tainted gluten from China; Tyson Foods butchered hogs that had eaten tainted feed too. Meat was not recalled. China melamine scandal is opportunity for U.S. to pass fertilizer standards and to test for chemical.
By James E. McWilliams
The New York Times 2008-11-17
Corn powers $100 billion fast-food industry
Corn was sole food for all chicken, 93 percent of beef in 486 servings of food from McDonald's, Burger King and Wendy's in six states, study shows. Environmentalist predicts that corn-based biofuels mandate could push industrial farmers to soy-based feeds. And: 'King Corn' documentary follows myriad paths of corn into food supply (click 'See also').
By Catherine Brahic
New Scientist 2008-11-10
New ethical, environmental rules for Wal-Mart suppliers
Equating water pollution, other lapses with cheating on customers, Wal-Mart announces new supplier standards, including ban on child labor, forced labor and pay below local minimum wage. New rules also will include audits of factories for working conditions and compliance with standards regarding water, air, land pollution and waste disposal. Critic says incentives to cheat include pressure to offer low prices, plus lucrative, long-term contracts.
By Stephanie Rosenbloom
International Herald Tribune 2008-10-22
Opinion: EPA water protection would be welcome in coal-mining region
Government's dash to effectively repeal key water protections during mountaintop removal coal mining likely a response to presidential candidates' opposition to environmentally ruinous practice. In 2002, EPA rewrote rules that had prohibited use of mining waste as 'fill' in streams, wetlands. And: Rubble from mountaintop removal fouls drinking water, kills fish (click 'See also').
The editors
The New York Times 2008-10-21
Profits of biotech agribusiness giant continue to rise
Monsanto reports increased profits of $2 billion; seed revenues rose from $4.9 billion in 2007 to $6.4 billion in 2008. Sales of Roundup, other glyphosate herbicides climbed from $2.6 billion last year to $4.1 billion in latest year. Greater grain demand drives need for more yield, more yield requires more innovation and companies that innovate will grow, says chairman.
By Dan Piller
The Des Moines Register 2008-10-08
A sweet deal for Big Sugar?
Florida's celebrated decision (click 'See also') to buy U.S. Sugar to restore Everglades may help Fanjul family's Florida Crystals. Critics say $1.7 billion deal is bailout to replace federal props as foreign sugar moves in. Fanjuls control Domino, C&H and other brands, put sugar in everything from packaged foods to pharmaceuticals.
By Mary Williams Walsh
The New York Times 2008-09-13
Pork producer drops NASCAR sponsorship
Smithfield Foods pulls NASCAR sponsorship, citing rising corn and oil prices. The pork producer had supported Bobby Hamilton Jr. and his No. 25 Ford in the Nationwide Series, but, like other meat businesses, it faces high input costs, sagging demand and an oversupply that is keeping meat prices low (click 'See also').
By Tom Kreager
The Tennessean (Nashville, TN) 2008-09-19
Food firms turn to lab to woo health-conscious shoppers
Food processing firms plug one food into another, claim health benefits of both. But new 'functional foods' don't have rigorous studies behind them, unlike those that added vitamin B to flour (reduced rates of pellagra), added vitamin D to milk (eliminated rickets). Benefit to eating fish might not be omega-3 fatty acids, but that you're eating less steak, says nutritionist.
By Julia Moskin
The New York Times 2008-09-16
Kraft takes insurance giant's place on stock market listing
Kraft to become first food producer on Dow Jones Industrial Average when it replaces American International Group. Stocks added to DJIA index are considered leaders in their industries. And: Kraft's new green initiative includes biomethane plant, which turns methane waste from cheese production into energy at New York site (click 'See also').
The Associated Press; Chicago Tribune 2008-09-18
Grain boom lifts biotech agribusiness profits
Monsanto raises earnings outlook after aggressively raising prices of genetically modified corn seed and its matching weedkiller. Agribusiness firm's stock is up 48 percent from a year ago. Lower net income projection reflects settlement with chemical maker Solutia Inc., and writeoffs after buying De Ruiter Seeds. And: Monsanto breaks ground for a new GMO corn seed plant in Iowa (click 'See also').
By Lauren Etter
The Wall Street Journal. (may require subscription) 2008-09-17
Food no longer included in price of many United Airlines tickets
United Airlines plans October price hike to $9 for boxes containing salads and sandwiches on longer flights and won't offer free snacks on flights of two to three hours. Airline also will charge for meals on most flights to Europe. Price of jet fuel has jumped 52 percent during the past year; industry's combined losses could reach $10 billion this year.
By Mary Schlangenstein
bloomberg.com 2008-08-19
Pay cut for uneven performance at ConAgra Foods
ConAgra Foods CEO compensation down 41 percent to $7.9 million in 2008 fiscal year. Board cites uneven performance and blames commodity costs and two recalls: pot pie and peanut butter. Company shifting focus to packaged items, including Healthy Choice, Chef Boyardee and Egg Beaters.
By Christopher Leonard
The Associated Press; The Boston Globe 2008-08-15
Rice farmers' suits against biotech firm denied class-action status
Rice farmers' suits against maker of biotech rice too dissimilar to consolidate into class-action, judge rules. After Bayer CropScience's Liberty Link rice contaminated public food supply in 2006, mostly likely from plot at Louisiana State University, some countries temporarily banned U.S. rice exports, drying up foreign markets and causing drop in U.S. rice price.
The Associated Press; International Herald Tribune 2008-08-14
Opinion/Blog: Monsanto dairy hormone business for sale
After shoppers and businesses shun biotech hormone that increases milk yields, agribusiness giant Monsanto looks to sell its Posilac business. Company says it will focus on its genetically modified seed. And: Sale of business means sale of Georgia facility, which employs 200 (click 'See also').
By David Biello
Scientific American 2008-08-07
Review: 'Eat Your Heart Out'
In her latest book, journalist Felicity Lawrence takes an engaging, restless look at Cargill, Unilever and others who decide what we eat and how they persuade us to buy in the name of choice, health and, increasingly, the environment. If there is a flaw in the book, it's not getting close enough to genius of capitalism - how it makes us want what it has to sell.
By Fred Pearce
The Guardian (UK) 2008-07-05
Grain costs hound world's largest meat processor
Tyson wrestles with costs of grain in chicken farming and ingredients for processed and pre-cooked items. Tyson has raised prices, closed a Kansas factory, cut 1,500 jobs. It also faced bird-flu scare, floods in Midwest and was required by USDA to pull a 'raised without antibiotics' label off some chickens (Tyson is suing over decision). And: corn price was 69 percent higher on average during the quarter than a year earlier (click 'See also').
By David Benoit
The Wall Street Journal. (may require subscription) 2008-07-28
Corn, soybean seed sales push DuPont earnings up
Strong demand for corn, soybeans (click 'See also'), pushes DuPont quarterly earnings higher than expected. Its $9 billion revenue aided by global agriculture boom, which offset weak performance in housing, automotive markets. Delaware-based chemical company sells genetically modified seeds, other agriculture products.
By Euan Rocha
Reuters 2008-07-22
Opinion: Icing on the cake
Farm/food bill will protect sugar industry from free trade. Bill also will require government to buy sugar at inflated rates and sell it cheaply for ethanol production. Sugar policy estimated to cost taxpayers $1.9 billion a year in high prices, plus another $1 billion-plus in the next decade for other programs used to prop up prices.
By Jay Hancock
The Baltimore Sun 2008-05-16
Food crisis and agribusiness windfall
As UN faces $755 million shortfall for World Food Program, Archer Daniels Midland and other agribusiness giants report record profits. Other winners: Monsanto, which makes genetically modified seed and complementary weedkiller; Deere & Co., which makes tractors; and Mosaic Co., a fertilizer maker. And: Spot shortages and prices of fertilizer, worldwide, threaten progress in battle against malnutrition and hunger (click 'See also').
By David Kesmodel, Lauren Etter and Aaron O. Patrick
The Wall Street Journal. (may require subscription) 2008-04-30
Cargill gets bigger
With growth of its Polish wheat processing factory, Cargill completes three-pronged push after last month's new wheat processing plant in Manchester, UK, and a $60 million investment in Russian operations in 2006. The Wroclow site will produce sweeteners such as glucose and fructose and wheat gluten for U.S. food, animal feed industries.
By Charlotte Eyre
Confectionery News 2008-04-24
Candy company drops coloring
Cadbury Schweppes to drop use of six artificial colors by end of 2008. Action comes after Southampton study (click 'See also') suggests links of behavioral problems in children to additives. Major step by leading confectionery company in Western Europe could spur others into action as pressure mounts on manufacturers to reformulate their products.
By Laura Crowley
Confectionery News 2008-04-14
Owning the food supply
From its origins as a saccharin manufacturer, Monsanto has grown to global giant, dominating commodity seed stocks, buying seed companies and suing farmers it suspects of saving seed from last year. It is potentially responsible for more than 40 EPA Superfund pollution sites after longtime production of chemicals and byproducts, including PCBs and dioxins, and is fighting the labeling of milk that isn't from cows injected with its artificial milk-increasing hormone. And: 'The World According to Monsanto' (click 'See also' to view video).
By Donald L. Barlett and James B. Steele
Vanity Fair 2008-05-01
Betting on grains
Facing unprecedented costs for ingredients, some food makers manage surges by buying long-term contracts for delivery from grain giants Cargill or Archer Daniels-Midland. But some producers don't, for fear of being locked into high prices. Milk costs can't be hedged - there's only so much cold storage available.
By Matt Andrejczak
The Wall Street Journal (may require subscription) 2008-03-24
Fire levels meat packing plant
Cargill meat packing plant in Arkansas burns after welding work on Easter Sunday afternoon; no injuries reported. Plant employed about 800 and was Booneville's largest employer. It produced more than two million pounds of ground beef and steak per week and had just undergone a $40 million expansion.
By Tom Parsons
The Associated Press; Chicago Tribune 2008-03-23
Cereal thriller
General Mills boosts profit, sales despite skyrocketing grain prices. Maker of Cheerios, Nature Valley, Progresso soups and Yoplait spends more on advertising and sampling; CEO says company will raise prices when necessary, and continue reducing costs and introducing higher-margin products.
By Julie Jargon
The Wall Street Journal (may require subscription) 2008-03-20
Opinion/blog: Keeping up with the Greenses
Click 'See also' to see the changing landscape of organics as existing companies are gobbled by bigger food companies and multinational conglomerates make their own versions of popular foods. Here's the key: organic brands are green; multinational food processors, yellow; investment firms, blue; organic versions of mainstream brands, red.
By Tara Parker-Pope
The New York Times 2008-03-19
Rising up against biotech sugar beets
Faith-based investors' group launches web campaign (click 'See also') to boycott genetically modified sugar beets, citing 'weak governmental review and oversight, and the lack of long-term, independent and peer-reviewed safety studies.' Pre-written letter for visitors to send to food companies urges public opposition to unlabeled GM sugar from Monsanto's Roundup Ready sugar beets. Environmental groups have filed lawsuit to prevent spring planting.
By Chris Jones
Food Navigator 2008-03-05
Building industry
World's largest beef processor in talks to buy third U.S. beef firm in a year. If deals go through, Brazil's JBS would become the largest U.S. meat packer, with ability to kill more than 42,500 cows daily. Second is Cargill Meat Solutions, with capacity to kill 29,000 cattle per day. News comes amid concerns about meat safety after Hallmark/Westland beef recall.
By Matthew Karnitschnig
The Wall Street Journal (may require subscription) 2008-03-05
Tracking food to its source
Massive beef recall tests food companies' ability to track supplies. Heinz learns by its own sleuthing that its Boston Market lasagna with meat sauce contained recalled beef; General Mills put a team on the question to learn of five days in which Hallmark/Westland beef was added to canned soup. After 9/11 attacks, new laws to block bioterrorism required companies to trace their production forward and back.
By Julie Jargon
The Wall Street Journal (may require subscription) 2008-03-04
Littlest seed pickers
Though agribusiness giants have strict policy against child labor, children in India often found working in pesticide-treated vegetable and cotton fields for Monsanto, Syngenta and Bayer to produce genetically modified seeds. UN International Labor Organization estimates 218 million child laborers worldwide, 7 in 10 of them in agriculture.
By Megha Bahree
Forbes magazine 2008-03-10
Cruelty to chickens?
Tyson Foods fires several workers in two plants after animal rights group goes undercover and films what appears to be abuse of chickens in slaughterhouses. Group reported concerns to USDA in mid-January, then posted video online. USDA spokesperson says there is no rule for humane handling of poultry, as there is for cows and pigs.
By Elizabeth Lee
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution (may require subscription) 2008-02-16
Not quite ready
Sugar industry, banking on customers' diminished resistance to genetically modified foods, plans big crop of Monsanto's Roundup Ready sugar beets engineered to tolerate the company's weedkiller. Food safety groups sue, pointing out risks of cross-pollination with table beets and Swiss chard. A similar lawsuit, using similar arguments, stopped the planting of Roundup Ready alfalfa last year.
By Dan Charles
National Public Radio 2008-02-14
Commodities cachet
Stock strategists see sunny future for corn, wheat and soybeans, as well as for agribusiness giants Monsanto, Potash Corporation and Archer Daniels Midland. Reasons include rise in crop prices, diversion of land for growing biofuels crops, and increase in food consumption in emerging markets, particularly in Asia - a 'fight between feeding people, cattle and cars.'
By J. Alex Tarquinio
The New York Times 2008-02-10
Opinion: What's the message?
With integrated North American market finally in place, domestic sugar growers scheme instead to rewrite trade treaty and create continent-wide cartel. Sugar lobby, one of world's richest and most destructive special interests, wants fixed prices, limited exports and imports, U.S.-Mexico oversight commission, and limit on sugar from third countries - at taxpayer expense.
The editors
The Wall Street Journal 2008-01-23
New at Starbucks
As McDonald's adds baristas and coffee bars, new CEO takes over at Starbucks and plans to refocus, concentrating on expanding overseas, closing poor-performing stores domestically, improving the customer experience and maintaining quality of coffee and ethics of purchasing.
By Janet Adamy
The Wall Street Journal 2008-01-07
Seeding the future
Demand in Brazil and Argentina for Roundup herbicide and genetically modified seed pushes Monsanto stock to all-time high, and company considers expanding production. Its cash flow shows that U.S. farmers are buying corn seed early for springtime planting.
By Christopher Hinton
Marketwatch 2008-01-03
Sweets fix?
Hershey, Cadbury and Nestle investigated for alleged "anti-competitive practices in the chocolate-confectionary industry" in Canada. Hershey, based in Pennsylvania, makes Hershey's bars and Skor; Cadbury, of London, makes Dairy Milk and Fruit & Nut; Nestle, of Vevey, Switzerland, makes KitKat and Coffee Crisp candies.
By Kevin Bell
Bloomberg News 2007-11-28
Take and give
After filling politicians' coffers and nurturing alliances with Democratic-leaning labor unions, sugar lobby sees Congressional legislation that would keep our sugar prices well above world levels and sugar subsidies that would cost taxpayers tens of millions of dollars a year.
By Dan Morgan
Daily Globe (MN) 2007-11-06
Opinion: Treating symptoms
Slashing commodities subsidies addresses only a symptom, not the problem of the farm/food bill. Real reform in federal farm policy will come from changing the message to farmers, which, since the early '70s has increasingly been: Produce as much as you can."
By Tom Philpott
Grist 2007-11-08
Reforming food
China approves, in principle, new food safety law designed to standardize production, processing, sale and supervision; law also requires better release of information about food safety, higher fines and punishments and public's right to sue.
By Ben Blanchard
Reuters 2007-10-31
Iraq rip-off?
Federal investigators suspect large American food companies, including Sara Lee and ConAgra, may have overcharged for supplies to troops in Iraq. The investigation also questions whether Agility Logistics, the firm that distributes the food, took improper payments from food companies.
By Eric Schmitt, Andrew Martin
International Herald Tribune 2007-10-18
Biotech future
Despite strong community opposition, European Union OKs imports of genetically modified corn and sugar beet for human and animal food; varieties were developed by subsidiary of DuPont, a unit of Dow Chemical, Monsanto and a German plant breeding company, KWS SAAT and taps into the $6 billion biotech crop market.
Bloomberg News; Reuters; International Herald Tribune 2007-10-24
Chemical connection:
Monsanto and Dow agree to stack designer-modified bug-killing, herbicide-resisting genes in corn seed, with eye on maximum yields; with 93 million acres dedicated to crop in U.S., critics worry about unintended deaths of insects beneficial to ecosystem and soil.
By Ana Campoy
Wall Street Journal 0000-00-00
What's organic?
Keeping the organic label pure may be tough to do as Wal-Mart and other behemoths are ramping up; already the industry is split between true ideals (localism and sustainability, in addition to no pesticides) and those willing to sacrifice for growth.
By Jake Whitney
San Francisco Chronicle 2007-01-28
Review: Bittersweet
"The Price of Sugar" focuses documentary lens on Dominican Republic and horrific conditions of mostly Haitian illegal immigrant sugar cane workers there, then tells story of Catholic priest who sets out to improve their lot.
By Stephen Farber
The Hollywood Reporter 2007-08-23
No dumping:
Grand Forks city council says sugar beet residue won't smell so sweet, and bans its dumping on rented land west of the city; American Crystal Sugar Co., disagrees, saying that the sugar, which causes odor as it decays, will be gone.
The Associated Press; The Bismarck Tribune 0000-00-00
Modified sugar:
Genetically modified sugar beet seed designed to resist Monsanto herbicide is gaining popularity among growers and processors, including American Crystal Sugar Co.; Wyoming Sugar Co., and Minn-Dak Farmers Cooperative; farmers must pay $60 premium per acre, and GMO sugar won't carry special label.
Associated Press; CNN 2007-08-22
Call for change:
In groundbreaking presidential report, cancer panel calls down governmental polices that have made fruits and vegetables more expensive and less available, have limited physical education in schools and created an environment that discourages physical activity; food industry with its unhealthy food sales implicated as well.
MSNBC; Reuters 2007-08-16
Orphan organics?
Though customers spend more than $14 billion a year on organics and depend on USDA label even for imports, USDA infrastructure, with nine staffers and a $1.5 million budget, languishes; other departments spend about $28 million a year on organic research, data collection and farmer assistance, but the department spent $37 million subsidizing farmers who grew dry peas, an $83 million crop, in 2005.
By Andrew Martin
The New York Times (may require subscription) 0000-00-00
Review: No time
Judging from plastic bottles clogging the landfills and SUVs clogging the highways, the news that we're killing ourselves and our world hasn't kicked in, so that makes "The 11th Hour," an unnerving, surprisingly affecting documentary, essential viewing.
By Manohla Dargis
The New York Times 2007-08-17
Harvest worries:
Bush administration's plan for fines, sanctions against growers whose workers have improper documentation could be devastating to the coming fall harvest, and could encourage an underground economy, California farmers say.
By Ashley Gebb
Appeal-Democrat (CA) 2007-08-14
No, thank you
CARE turns down $45 million in food aid from U.S., citing practice of selling tons of often heavily subsidized American farm products in African countries that compete with the crops of local farmers; other charities disagree.
By Celia W. Dugger
The New York Times (may require subscription)
Ad attack
Humane Society targets Wendy's for its egg-buying choices, comparing it unfavorably to Burger King, which is phasing in cage-free policy; company responds that its interests are focused on welfare of chickens and pigs, the meat of which they buy in larger quantities.
By Monique Curet and Tracy Turner
The Columbus Dispatch
Disappearing aquifer
To irrigate crops, farmers have pumped billions of gallons annually from the Ogallala Aquifer, a lake under parts of Great Plains states, but now, water table has dropped steeply, forcing new "dryland" methods of farming for conservation.
By Debbie Elliott
National Public Radio
Wal-Mart's adventure:
When discount superstore partnership enters India through wholesale stores, obstacles will include supply chain made up of mostly small shopkeepers, long chains of middlemen, each of whom takes a cut, and up to 60 percent waste during food transport.
Wall Street Journal (may require subscription)
Fast-food kids?
With growing rates of obesity in mind, FTC issues 44 subpoenas to food and beverage companies to learn how they advertise their wares to children; similar studies undertaken in the past with alcohol and tobacco companies.
By Mary Jane Credeur and Chris Burritt
bloomberg.com 2007-08-11
Review:
In "Twinkie, Deconstructed," Steve Ettlinger describes the work of making unnecessarily complicated snacks; the book is the polar opposite (complete with smiley face) of "The Omnivore's Dilemma," Michael Pollan's frowny faced take on simplifying food.
By Chelsea Martinez
Los Angeles Times
Wheat increase:
With ethanol craze and escalating corn prices taking all the attention, worldwide drought has gone almost unnoticed, but it is driving wheat prices up; breadmakers are paying more for flour and weak dollar makes U.S. wheat attractive.
By Jeff Cox
CNNMoney.com
Food/Farm bill:
Bush administration's buy-local request for emergency food aid could help Kenyans, some of the world's poorest people, advocates say, but U.S. is mired in domestic farm subsidies and lobbies of shipping interests; aid for agricultural projects lags as well.
By Celia W. Dugger
The New York times (may require subscription)
OPINION
New interactive map allows users to tract proliferation of factory farms by state and county - even number of animals - and it raises questions of whether we pursue the logic of industrialism to its limits, and how badly will it harm the landscape, the people who live in it and democracy itself?
The editors
The New York Times (may require subscription)
Saving water
Coca-Cola, Nestle, and Läckeby Water Group join other food, drink producers in UN agreement to use water more efficiently; lack of access to clean water and sanitation undermines humanitarian, social, environmental, and economic goals.
By Ahmed ElAmin
foodproductiondaily.com
Supplement setback:
Cargill's attempt to add Regenasure, a vegetarian version of shellfish-derived glucosamine, to European list of food products for addition in mostly beverages and fermented milk products, hits snag with questions of safety for diabetics.
By Alex McNally
nutraingredients.com
Opinion: Proud of rBST:
Despite activists' efforts to bamboozle public, price-conscious customers appear happy buying milk containing synthetic hormone, and squeezing more milk from cows via drugs saves natural resources, reduces corn prices, greenhouse gas emissions and manure production; in a more rational world, customers would choose milk so labeled.
By Henry I. Miller
The New York Times (may require subscription) 2007-06-29