Food Industry

BPA is a chemical that’s used in plastics, food and drink containers, cans, pizza boxes, shopping receipts, baby bottles, and much more. Scientists and public health advocates have been sounding the alarm on BPA for years, pointing out that it may be linked to reproductive health problems, diabetes, asthma, obesity, and harming fetal neurodevelopment. But its health effects may be further reaching than expected, and BPA substitutes may not be any better. Discover the latest research on BPA and similar chemicals — and what you can do about limiting your exposure.

Craving something sweet in the summertime? Skip the unhealthy processed desserts made with refined sugars or artificial sweeteners. Instead, try one (or all!) of these refreshingly healthy summer desserts. (Hint: You can enjoy many of them in fall, winter, and spring, too!)

As the earth’s human population tops eight billion, we need to figure out how to feed all those people without destroying the planet itself. In recent years, pea protein has emerged as a promising alternative to animal sources of protein, like meat and dairy. But is pea protein, a processed food, really better for us and the environment?

Olive oil gets a lot of great press as a health food. And olives are popular staples of Mediterranean cuisine, which is considered by many to be the world’s healthiest way of eating. But olives are very salty, and olive oil is basically 100% fat. So what’s the truth about this savory fruit? How can we separate fact from myth?

More and more kids are suffering from food allergies, gastrointestinal disorders, mood imbalances, ADHD, obesity, and a host of other conditions that are profoundly linked to the health of their gut microbiome. This can set them up for a lifetime of compromised health. But there’s also a lot we can do to improve the gut health of the children in our lives. And the sooner we start, the better.

There’s a new environmental trend in the food industry, with a funny name: upcycling. Basically, it means taking ingredients that would otherwise have been thrown out, and turning them into or using them in new food products. But are upcycled foods safe? Are they healthy? Can you actually make good food out of those scraps and byproducts? And can it really help save the planet?

We hear about superfoods all the time — amazing, exotic berries harvested from over 17,000 feet up in the Himalayas, or rare roots found only on Tuesdays three days before a full moon. I’m exaggerating, of course, but the functional food industry loves to sell us extremely expensive products that they claim contain health-promoting powers that don’t exist in “ordinary” foods. It turns out, though, that many of the inexpensive, readily available foods right under our noses are unappreciated “superfoods” in their own right.

The words and images on packaged foods are there for one of two reasons — to sell or to inform. Food manufacturers want to present their products in as positive a light as possible and may sometimes make questionable claims about them. Regulators want the labels to include clear and honest data about quality, nutrients, and ingredients. The result is often a confusing mash-up that leaves consumers scratching their heads or giving up. In this comprehensive guide, you’ll discover how to read food labels like a pro, so you can make the best choices for yourself and your loved ones.

Pumpkins are known for their association with the fall holidays. Once September comes around, fall decor and Halloween decorations have already hit stores. And it’s officially “pumpkin spice season.” But pumpkins are so much more than a seasonal decoration or a flavoring for processed and packaged foods. In this article, we’ll explore the health benefits and nutrition of pumpkins and their seeds. And we’ll look at some of the best and healthiest ways to use them in recipes.

The restaurant industry has some big problems. The pandemic, inflation, and a shortage of workers have all taken their toll. But a growing number of restaurants are taking bold and innovative steps to not only stay afloat — but to also contribute to healthy people and a healthy planet. Here’s what you need to know about sustainable and socially responsible restaurants, and how you can enjoy a night out (or a night of takeout), with a clean conscience and a happy tummy.

GMOs — or genetically modified organisms — are a lightning-rod issue. For some, GMO crops represent the height of human ingenuity, and anyone who says otherwise is a science denier. For others, GMOs represent an unprecedented and irreversible experiment on the entirety of life on earth, as we place the power to create life into the hands of transnational corporations whose agenda is monopolistic control of the global food supply. But what is a GMO, where are they found, and how concerned should you be?

When millions of people suffer from malnutrition, either due to insufficient calories or a lack of access to affordable, wholesome food, their health, wealth, resilience, and even their mental clarity are impacted. If we want to create a just and sustainable world, we must tackle the twin issues of food inequality and food insecurity.