News on Health and Nutrition from the Americas

April 26, 2012

Potato consumption not associated with obesity, Type 2 diabetes or systemic inflammation, concludes new study

Preliminary Research presented today at The Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology (FASEB) Conference in San Diego demonstrates that habitual consumption of white potatoes (baked, boiled and mashed) is not associated with obesity, ty...

April 23, 2012

Only 3% of calories in US diet come from potatoes and french fries

Calorie intake from white potatoes is surprisingly modest for adults and school-aged children, according to a new study released today at the Experimental Biology 2012 Annual Meeting.

Rice University Business Plan Competition

April 22, 2012

Invention promising healthier processed potato products scores in Business Plan competition

A University of Idaho food scientist’s invention that could promise healthier processed potato products helped a student business plan team finish fifth among more than 1,600 worldwide entries in the Rice University Business Plan Competition.

April 20, 2012

CIP y socios promueven Seguridad Alimentaria y nutrición con feria de innovaciones y tecnología de papa en Ecuador

El Centro Internacional de la Papa (CIP) y el Instituto Nacional Autónomo de Investigaciones Agropecuarias (INIAP), exponen hoy innovaciones y tecnologías que aumentan la producción y calidad de la papa en la “ I Feria de Oferta Tecnológica Disponible ...

April 16, 2012

Canada has saltiest fries, sandwiches and salads, study finds

French fries sold at major fast-food chains in Canada contain more than double the amount of salt of those sold at U.S. locations, according to a new international study

April 13, 2012

Improved potato varieties ensure Peruvian communities have enough to eat

Excessive rains and the increased presence of late blight disease devastated Peru’s Cusco region in 2010, prompting the government to declare a national emergency.

April 13, 2012

US watchdog group pushes to get Big Macs and fries out of hospitals

A US watchdog group is demanding that the nation’s hospitals kick McDonald’s restaurants off their campuses to “to help curb the epidemic of diet-related disease and to stop fostering a food environment that promotes harm, not health.”

April 12, 2012

'Net Positive Attitudes Metric' introduced at 2012 USPB Annual Meeting

A new United States Potato Board (USPB) demand metric was introduced by President and CEO Tim O’Connor at the USPB’s 40th Annual Meeting.

April 09, 2012

McDonald’s, Taco Bell and Wendy’s customers most unhappy with their health

A recent analysis of fast food patrons reveals that McDonald’s, Taco Bell and Wendy’s customers are the most unhappy with their health.

April 01, 2012

Idaho Potato Commission renewed Heart Check mark contract

An official with the American Heart Association believes Idaho potato shippers aren't fully tapping the right to use his organization's iconic heart check mark. For a registration fee of $5,000 per variety, the Idaho Potato Commission renewed a 12-mon...

April 01, 2012

Idaho Potato Commission launches new website

Hungry for more information on how to perfect your potato dishes? Consider your cravings satisfied with the Idaho Potato Commission’s (IPC) new website Potato 101, an all-you-can-eat buffet of knowledge on America’s Favorite Vegetable. Contents inclu...

April 01, 2012

Top 10 Functional Food Trends in 2012: Consumers Want Nutrients from Food, Not Supplements

The Top 10 Functional Food Trends of 2012 point to more consumers favor getting their vitamins and minerals from the foods they eat and beverages they drink instead of supplements, according to research presented Wednesday at the Institute of Food Tech...

March 30, 2012

Five Potato Varieties planted in White House Kitchen Garden

First Lady Michelle Obama welcomed children from five schools across the country to join her yesterday for the fourth annual spring planting of the White House Kitchen Garden. During the day, the kids planted five varieties of seed potatoes: Sangre, Pu...

March 20, 2012

State of the Snack Food Industry Report Presented at SNAXPO

The rocky road to economic recovery is paved with opportunity, but navigating that road is complex, as nearly one-quarter of consumers struggle to make ends meet. Still, snack frequency is up, and snacks are playing an important role in both wellness-...

March 19, 2012

School menu success gives potatoes another chance at WIC

The National Potato Council’s successful fight to return potatoes to school menu guidelines in the US was a victory for the industry, but executive vice-president and chief executive officer John Keeling isn’t stopping there.

March 16, 2012

Undeclared milk and soy in Frito-Lay Cheetos products leads to recall

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and PK Trading Inc. are warning people with allergies to milk or soy not to consume the Frito Lay Cheetos products described below. The affected products contain milk and soy which are not declared on the labe...

March 15, 2012

Snacking trend an opportunity for restaurants

Consumers in the United States are snacking significantly more now than they were just two years ago. Almost half (48 percent) of consumers polled say they’re now snacking at least twice a day, compared to 25 percent in 2010.

March 12, 2012

Pepsi, Coca-Cola change caramel colouring affected by Proposition 65

Coca-Cola and Pepsi are changing how they make an ingredient in their drinks to avoid being legally obliged to put a cancer warning label on the bottle. The new recipe for caramel colouring in the drinks has less 4-methylimidazole (4-MEI) - a chemical...