Todays Newsbites

Calorie Counts Coming to Chains

It will soon be harder to ignore the caloric carnage of that fast-food burger, fries and shake youre ordering. A new FDA proposal, an outgrowth of last years health overhaul, will mandate calorie counts on menus at 280,000 establishments nationwide

1 in 3 Low in Vitamin D

One-third of Americans are at risk for vitamin D inadequacy or deficient in vitamin D, according to a new report from the CDC. Using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 2001-2008 on more than 24,000 people, the report said 24% of adults and children over age 1 were at risk of inadequacy

Resistant Hypertension? Maybe Its the Doctors Office

So-called white-coat hypertension, where blood-pressure readings are higher in the doctors office than elsewhere, may be responsible for more than a third of cases classified as resistant hypertension

Global Growth Fuels Emphasis on Whole Grains

If you had any doubt that whole grains are hot, count up the number of products sporting the black-and-gold Whole Grain Stamp. That total recently passed the 5,000 milestone

Leisurely Meal Doesnt Deter Snacking

A long, leisurely meal may not discourage snacking, despite increased satiety and lower levels of hormones associated with hunger. The availability of sweet and salty snacks, Dutch researchers report, seems to override the bodys internal messages to stop eating

Even Organic Cookies and Chips Enjoy Health Halo

People think organic means healthier and lower in calories-even for processed foods such as cookies and potato chips, a new study reports. Cornell researchers wanted to test the widespread perception that organic foods are healthier

Food-Borne Illnesses Cost Billions

Pathogens in meat and poultry cost the US economy more than any other sources of food-borne illnesses, according to a new study, and the top 10 most damaging pathogens take an annual toll of $8.1 billion

Most Fooled by Sea Salt, Wrong About Sodium Sources

Makers of TV commercials about fries and other products seasoned with sea salt know their audience: According to a new American Heart Association survey, 61% of Americans erroneously think that sea salt is a healthier

Sweden Eyes BPA Can-Lining Ban

Sweden is poised to become the first in the world to phase out the use of the controversial chemical bisphenol A (BPA) in food and beverage can linings, following a European Union ban on BPA in baby bottles

Only Half in US Judge Themselves as Overweight

Worried about your weight? Soon you may be in the minority, even as Americans grow ever fatter. A new survey by the International Food Information Council (IFIC) reports that only 50% of Americans consider themselves overweight