U. S. Agencies Want To Ban Some Kid Food Ads

WASHINGTON/REUTERS In a bid to tackle rising youth obesity, U. S. companies would be prohibited from advertising to children foods that contain large amounts of sugar or salt, or even low levels of trans fats, under a proposal released Dec. 15 by a working group from several U. S. agencies. The working group made up

Minimal U. S. Food, Drink Price Hikes Seen In 2010

The days of big price increases for U. S. food and drinks makers are likely over due to easing ingredient costs and high unemployment levels that weigh on consumer spending, credit rating agency Fitch Ratings said. For food companies, 2010 sales should increase by low single digits, in line with long-term forecasts, Fitch said, noting


Policy Shifts Can Be Penny-Wise But Dollar Foolish

The 1996 Farm Bill’s elimination of the grain storage program, coupled with the elimination of an acreage management program, increased the cost to taxpayers for farm programs by an average of $5.7 billion a year. During the debate over the 1996 Farm Bill, the proponents for eliminating a government stock program argued that the traditional

Salmonella outbreak may spur U. S. food safety

The latest U. S. salmonella outbreak could spur food safety reform in the U. S. Congress, but the process will be slow and consumers will remain at risk until the shattered regulatory regime can be fixed. “Congress is poised to take early action on food safety legislation,” said Caroline Smith DeWall, a director of food