News on Health and Nutrition from the Americas

December 16, 2012

USDA changes school lunch requirements

Under pressure from lawmakers, the Department of Agriculture (USDA) has changed its school lunch requirements to allow more meats and grains. Several farm-state senators from both parties had been pushing USDA to change its school lunch requirements...

December 04, 2012

Prevenir el cáncer de colon con fécula de papa

El almidón resistente tiene una enzima que puede ayudar a reducir los tumores en las células del colon, según un estudio realizado por el National Cancer Institute.

November 28, 2012

Technomic finds strong consumer support for nutritional disclosure at restaurants

In a recently completed survey of restaurant user attitudes, Technomic found that 65 percent favor nutritional labeling in restaurants, with the strongest demand for listing of calories and sodium content.

November 27, 2012

Senadores en Uruguay discuten impuesto a la “papa chip” para bajar consumo

Con los cigarrillos y los autos de alta cilindrada pasó lo mismo. La intención fue desestimular su consumo con medidas que, además de educar, afecten directamente al bolsillo. Por eso algunos legisladores coinciden en la idea de aplicar un nuevo impue...

November 07, 2012

Every meal high in saturated fats is bad for your arteries

A single meal high in saturated fat is detrimental to the health of the arteries, while no damage occurs after consuming a Mediterranean meal rich in good fats such as mono-and polyunsaturated fatty acids, according to researchers at the University of ...

November 07, 2012

No GM Food labeling in California: Proposition 37 voted down

California voters have decided they can live without labels on genetically modified food. This means the state will not be at odds with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)’s policy of not labelling GM foods, which goes back more than two decade...

November 06, 2012

USDA makes first purchase of dehydrated granules for a US global feeding program

On October 24, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced the purchase of 240 metric tons of dehydrated potato granules and 320 metric tons of dehydrated potato flakes under the McGovern-Dole Food for Education and Child Nutrition Pro...

October 25, 2012

Canadian doctors call for junk-food tax, warning labels

Doctors in the Canadian province Ontario are calling for a heightened tax and graphic warning labels on junk food to combat childhood obesity.

October 24, 2012

Investigadores desarrollan papas que contienen niveles más altos de carotenoides

Papas que contienen niveles más altos de los carotenoides beneficiosos son el resultado de estudios por científicos del Servicio de Investigación Agrícola (ARS) para mejorar una de las hortalizas más populares en EE.UU.

October 24, 2012

La papa y la seguridad alimentaria y nutricional en los Andes

IssAndes, cuyas siglas significan Innovación para la seguridad y la soberanía alimentaria en la región andina, es un proyecto financiado y apoyado técnicamente por la Unión Europea (UE) y el Centro Internacional de la Papa (CIP), cuyo objetivo principa...

October 24, 2012

Investigan sobre raíces, tubérculos y banano para impulsar la seguridad alimentaria

El Consorcio del CGIAR, una alianza global de investigación agrícola para asegurar un futuro de seguridad alimentaria, ha incluido al programa de raíces, tubérculos y banano (RTBs) en su portafolio de trabajo para los próximos cinco años. En total son ...

October 24, 2012

Potatoes with higher levels of carotenoids developed by ARS scientists

Potatoes with higher levels of beneficial carotenoids are the result of U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) studies to improve one of America's most popular vegetables.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)

October 23, 2012

Consuming wide variety of produce more important than organic, say pediatrics

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Weighs In For the First Time on Organic Foods for Children. In its report, the AAP cites lower pesticides in organic produce and potentially lower risk of exposure to drug-resistant bacteria, but says the most i...

October 04, 2012

Popcorn Indiana recall expanded to Canada

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is warning the public not to consume Popcorn Indiana brand popcorn products described below because these products may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. The following Popcorn Indiana brand popcorn ...

October 02, 2012

Indiana-brand Popcorn recalled due to Listeria concerns

Dale and Thomas Popcorn is voluntarily recalling a limited number of ready-to-eat bags of select flavors of Popcorn, Indiana-brand popcorn products because of possible contamination by Listeria monocytogenes.

October 01, 2012

Reducing acrylamide levels in french fries

The process for preparing frozen, par-fried potato strips — distributed to some food outlets for making french fries — can influence the formation of acrylamide in the fries that people eat, a new study has found. Published in ACS’ Journal of Agricult...

September 20, 2012

Popcorn Consumer awarded $7.2 million in diacetyl flavouring lawsuit

A U.S. federal court jury on Wednesday awarded a Colorado man $7.2 million in damages for developing a chronic condition known as popcorn lung from a chemical used in flavouring microwave popcorn. Jurors agreed with the claims by Wayne Watson, 59, tha...

September 17, 2012

Why Soda Ban Will Work In Fight Against Obesity

On Thursday, New York City’s Board of Health voted near unanimously to cap the size of sugary drinks to no more that 16-ounces at movie theaters, restaurants, mobile food carts, and sports arenas. The ban, which will take effect from March 12 and won’...