Study Links Processed Foods With Depression

Coke Unveils Mini Can: Adorable or Abominable?

In December, Coca-Cola will debut the Coke "mini can," a smaller, sleeker container that will hold 7.5 ounces rather than the standard 12. The formula of the soda will go unchanged, but the smaller can will only contain 90 calories -- sort of like those "100 calorie" packs of snack foods that are so popular.

While a press release for the mini cans pitches the new packaging as supporting "moderation" and "healthy, active lifestyles," Slate is less sanguine, finding that it eerily echoes how tobacco companies marketed light cigarettes. Writer William Saletan argues, "You'll feel better about yourself, because now you're practicing 'portion control' and 'a healthy lifestyle.' Just like you felt better about smoking light cigarettes."

food swamp

food swamp (noun): A geographic area where the overabundance of high-energy foods (for example, caloric snacks sold at convenience stores) inundate healthy food options.

The Rand Corporation recently published a study finding that a ban on the addition of fast-food outlets to the neighborhood of South L.A. was unlikely to reduce obesity rates so long as there was a large concentration of convenience and small grocery stores where "high-energy" snacks are plentiful.

UK Anti-Junk Food Campaign Incorporates "The Simpsons "

Innovations in Public Relations: The Oyster "Flu Shot"

With a press release promoting "Tasty Flu Shots You Won’t Mind Injecting," Queens seafood restaurant London Lennies is seeking to capitalize on flu season by "administering flu shots orally" beginning next week.

Mind you, there's no actual vaccine being given. Just a chef mixing you a mouthful of oysters, gazpacho, and tequila.

Smoking Correlated with Culinary Careers

A new study finds that workers in food preparation and service jobs are more likely to smoke cigarettes than any other profession.

Is Organic Healthier? French Study Says Oui

A new French study has concluded that there are nutritional benefits to eating organic produce, a finding that contradicts a recent, highly-publicized UK study.

Fat Duck Poisoning: Sewage Tainted Shellfish

An official investigation has concluded that the massive food poisoning that took place at Heston Blumenthal's the Fat Duck restaurant was caused by shellfish contaminated with sewage.

New Food Safety Website for Consumers

The Obama administration (HHS and USDA) has released a new consumer website on food safety: foodsafety.gov.

Record Numbers on Food Stamps

For the first time, more than 34 million Americans received food stamps in May.