News on Health and Nutrition from the Americas

August 19, 2013

Obesity rates in the United States steady but high

After three decades of increases, adult obesity rates remained level in every US state except for one, Arkansas, in the past year, according to F as in Fat: How Obesity Threatens America's Future 2013.

August 19, 2013

Solid Sales Value Growth in US Savory Snacks Market

Sweet and savory snacks experienced a 4% current value growth in the United States in 2012, according to research from Euromonitor International.

August 19, 2013

How often do Americans eat fast food?

Eight in 10 Americans report eating at fast-food restaurants at least monthly, with almost half saying they eat fast food at least weekly.

August 02, 2013

Snack Food Company LesserEvil now operates factory in Danbury, CT

Snack Food Company LesserEvil has set up a new factory in Danbury, Connecticut where it now produces kettle corn and Popcorn made from chia seeds.

August 02, 2013

“Gluten-Free” defined by US Food and Drug Administration

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today published a new regulation defining the term "gluten-free"for voluntary food labeling. This will provide a uniform standard definition to help the up to 3 million Americans who have celiac disease.

July 24, 2013

The hard question: Pesticides or GMO's

De Jong, a potato breeder and geneticist at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York, hopes that at least one of the plants will yield a best seller, but it’s far more likely that they’ll amount to compost.

July 24, 2013

Reversal of WIC's White Potato Ban Approved by House Committee

Recently, the House Appropriations Committee approved an amendment offered by Rep. Mike Simpson (R-Idaho) to require USDA to include fresh white potatoes as part of its Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program.

July 22, 2013

Potatoes good for your heart

A new scientific review suggests that eating potatoes may be good for your heart.

Mix de imágenes alusivas al Día Nacional de la Papa en Perú

July 10, 2013

Cómo relacionar la nutrición con el boom de la gastronomía peruana?

A partir del auge que ha cobrado la comida peruana en los últimos años, una pregunta que surge es como se puede relacionar la nutrición con el boom de la gastronomía peruana.

June 30, 2013

Portion size & size label affect how much we eat

Portions (8, 12 or 16 ounces) are given different labels – small, medium or large – at different restaurants. Research shows consumers use such labels to dictate how much food they think is a “normal” portion, and then adjust their intake accordingly.

June 27, 2013

USDA announces 'Smart Snacks in School' nutrition standards

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that under USDA's new "Smart Snacks in School"nutrition standards, America's students will be offered healthier food options during the school day.

June 25, 2013

Woman says she found snake in bag of potatoes

A Pennsylvania woman received quite a surprise in a bag of potatoes she purchased from a local Walmart store. Bonnie Raygor said that what she thought was a bad potato turned out to be a live, 3 1/2-foot snake.

May 21, 2013

Simplot hopes to avoid Monsanto's mistakes with biotech potato

A dozen years after a customer revolt forced Monsanto to ditch its genetically engineered potato, an Idaho company aims to resurrect high-tech spuds.

May 21, 2013

Snack Food Association responds to (IOM) Report: Sodium Intake in Populations: Assessment of Evidence

The Snack Food Association (SFA) and the American Bakers Association (ABA) believe the findings from the Institute of Medicine’s (IOM) Report: Sodium Intake in Populations: Assessment of Evidence add a vital new perspective to the national discussion o...

May 08, 2013

Inventure Foods Receives Gluten-Free Certification For Boulder Canyon Products & Manufacturing Facilities

Inventure Foods, Inc. has received certification from the Gluten-Free Certification Organization (GFCO) for its Boulder Canyon™ Natural Foods products and manufacturing facilities in Bluffton, Indiana. and Goodyear, Arizona.

April 23, 2013

Las patatas blancas aumentan la ingesta de potasio

El consumo de patatas blancas está vinculado a una mayor ingesta de potasio, según un estudio hecho público en la Reunión Anual de Biología Experimental. Por cada kilocaloría adicional de este alimento consumida, se produce un aumento de 1,6 mg en el c...

April 23, 2013

Don't judge by its color: white vegetables offer key nutrients too

When it comes to nutrient content, don't judge a veggie by its color alone, said a panel of leading food and nutrition scientists yesterday at an American Society for Nutrition (ASN) pre-annual meeting session.

April 23, 2013

Potato consumption linked to increased intake of potassium

Consumption of white potatoes is linked to increased intake of potassium, according to a new study released today at the Experimental Biology 2013 Annual Meeting.