“First lady’s legacy fighting obesity may be short-lived,” says The Washington Post. The Trump administration “could undo substantial public health and nutrition changes accomplished with the urging of Michelle Obama,” says the Post, describing potential alterations to school meals and reversal of requirements to put calorie counts on menus.
“Sheep’s milk cheeses in U.S. earn ribbons but little profit,” says The New York Times. “Although consumers in the United States have a sizable appetite for European sheep cheeses … comparably priced domestic alternatives remain scarce.” Besides imports, there’s competition from lower-priced goat cheese. “People don’t understand the rareness of sheep’s milk,” says Tess McNamara of Lucy’s Whey.
“FDA efforts to redefine ‘healthy’ could hit a roadblock under Trump,” says CNBC. The agency extends for three months, to April 26, the comment period on use of the word “healthy” on food packaging. “The delay in the comment period comes as President-elect Donald Trump has vowed to reduce business regulations. In September, Trump made a speech lashing out at the cost of regulations; one area his campaign has targeted is the FDA.”
“Scientists loved and loathed by an agrochemical giant,” says The New York Times. The story, which looks at corporate funding of scientific research, says, “Scientists deliver outcomes favorable to companies, while university research departments court corporate support. Universities and regulators sacrifice full autonomy by signing confidentiality agreements. And academics sometimes double as paid consultants … Scientists who cross agrochemical companies can find themselves at odds with the industry for years.”
“117 organizations to watch in 2017,” says Foodtank. “Efforts to increase access to healthy and local foods, support farmers’ livelihoods, and improve the overall sustainability of the global food system are ongoing and continuously evolving thanks to businesses, organizations, and individuals committed to building a better food future.”
“Hipsters’ insatiable appetite for superfoods is starving India’s ancient indigenous people,” says Quartz. “Many of the superfoods traditionally consumed by forest-dwellers across the world are being pushed into the elite market by the health and wellness food industry.”