Nutrition from the United States

November 06, 2013

Gallup: US obesity rate climbing in 2013 for almost all demographic groups

The adult obesity rate in the United States so far in 2013 is 27.2%, up from 26.2% in 2012, and is on pace to surpass all annual average obesity rates since Gallup-Healthways began tracking in 2008.

November 06, 2013

FDA takes step to further reduce trans fats in processed foods

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced its preliminary determination that partially hydrogenated oils (PHOs), the primary dietary source of artificial trans fat in processed foods, are not “generally recognized as safe” for use in food.

November 03, 2013

Study finds restaurant industry takes one step forward, one step back in menu nutrition

Although a number of chain restaurants have announced healthy menu changes over the years, the overall calorie and sodium levels in main entrees offered by top U.S. chain restaurants assessed from 2010 to 2011 have remained the same, shows a study.

October 21, 2013

Higher volume foods may offer potential strategy to avoid overeating

Two new studies presented by ConAgra Foods at the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics' 2013 Food &Nutrition Conference &Expo™ show that choosing foods with more volume, like egg whites and popcorn, can be an effective strategy to avoid excess ca...

September 18, 2013

End Potato Prejudice: 10 Reasons Why You Should Eat Potatoes

It's easy to forget the health benefits of the potato. The humble tuber has acquired a bad rap over the past decade, and it's high time for a tater comeback.

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 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

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.

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.

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...

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.

April 22, 2013

Potassium could become 'hot' nutrient and potato farmers may benefit

Purdue University nutrition researcher Berdine Martin sees potential for potassium to be the next "really hot"nutrient emphasized in food science.

April 12, 2013

Why you can't stop after eating one potato chip: research

The scientific secrets underpinning that awful reality about potato chips — eat one and you're apt to scarf 'em all down — began coming out of the bag today in research presented at the 245th National Meeting &Exposition of the American Chemical So...

March 19, 2013

Health and Nutrition claims on new food products increasing

A U.S. Dept. of Agriculture’s Economic Research Service (USDA ERS) study shows that 43% of new food products in 2010 carried at least one health- and nutrition-related claim, compared to 25% of new products in 2001.

March 11, 2013

Recall: MikeSell's Honey BBQ Potato Chips, incorrectly labeled 'gluten free'.

Mikesell’s Snack Food Company is recalling all sizes of its Honey Barbecue Potato Chips due to mislabeling of gluten free claim.

Whole Foods Market GMO labeling announcement

March 08, 2013

Whole Foods Market makes GMO labeling mandatory as of 2018

Whole Foods Market announced today at Natural Products Expo West that, by 2018, all products in its U.S. and Canadian stores must be labeled to indicate if they contain genetically modified organisms (GMOs).