Flavor trends favor novel tastes and unique combinations

"Americans are always interested in new flavors as long as they are not 'too far out,' and will pay attention to edgy flavor combinations as long as they taste as good as they sound interesting."

Food Contamination Fears Could Harm Japanese Brands

"The Japanese Health Ministry said Saturday that it had detected elevated levels of radiation in spinach and milk at farms up to 90 miles from Japan’s crippled nuclear reactors. The ministry did not make reference to any contaminated farm animals, seafood or fishing grounds in Japan. And no food exports from Japan have failed quality tests being done by other countries. 

"But even the perception of contamination, one Japanese agriculture expert said, could cause long-lasting “brand damage,” especially if there was evidence of radiation spreading across Japan."

Indian Haute Cuisine at D.C.'s Kennedy Center by Chef Hemant Oberoi

"Washington, D.C., is in the midst of a celebration of all things Indian: A three-week festival at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts called maximum INDIA, has imported a slice of the country's rich sights, sounds, dances and dishes. For a taste of India, the festival turned to the country's top chef, Hemant Oberoi."

Mexico Puts Its Children on a Diet

Mexico's children are among the world's fattest, with one in three children overweight or obese.  Last year the country's education and health officials attempted to limit what schools could sell at recess, but snack food companies fought back through the Ministry of the Economy.  Nevertheless, the new rules have removed 90 percent of fried foods and all soft drinks from elementary schools.  Mexican schools do not serve lunch.

Kiwi Dairy Producer Eyes Expansion in China

The growing middle class in the world’s fastest growing nations is fueling demand and prices for milk.  New Zealand’s Fonterra Co-Operative Group Ltd. produces about a third of all internationally traded dairy products.  Fonterra is now building a second dairy farm in China and plans to be involved in multiple Chinese farms to meet the demand for safe, healthy milk.  

Its strategy faltered during the 2008 contaminated milk scandal, because the New Zealand dairy producer had a 43% stake in one of the companies responsible for the tainted milk.  Fonterra wants to help Chinese dairymen back on their feet and simultaneously take advantage of growth opportunities.   

India, another key player, has traditionally been self sufficient in dairy, but trends show that their consumption is growing faster than they can produce it.

France puts rising food prices at top of G-20 Agenda

President Nicolas Sarkozy made food a priority at a meeting of Group of 20 industrialized and developing nations last week.  As Western Europe's largest grain producer, France addressed rising world food prices by proposing to improve transparency in commodities markets.  Some agricultural nations such as the U.S., Canada and Brazil oppose greater regulation, saying that it would make markets a less-effective reflection of supply and demand.  

Insects as Future Source of Meat?

Most of the developing world already eats insects.  They are high in protein, B vitamins, and they are low-fat.  Their taste is nutty.  Insects need less feed than beef or pork and produce less waste.  What's not to love?

Dutch entomologists started promoting insects as food in the 1990's.  This year their festival, "Wageningen--City of Insects," attracted 20,000 visitors.  It's possible that one day in the not-too-distant future, crispy crickets will be as popular as sushi or kiwis.  After all, both kiwis and sushi have been relatively new additions to the Western menu.

Food prices pushing millions into poverty

The World Bank released new data showing that the cost of grain and other staples is just 3 percent below its historic high in 2008 -- a level that touched off food riots in several countries.  World Bank President Robert Zoellick urged major nations to find ways to stabilize world food prices.

Chef Sam Kass to open IACP's New York regional conference Feb. 18

 Chef Sam Kass, First Lady Michelle Obama's Senior Policy Advisor for Healthy Food Initiatives, will kick off the two-day conference at a plenary session at 2:00 pm., discussing how professional chefs can join the Let's Move! campaign to "change the way our children eat."

Mrs. Obama celebrates first anniversary of Let's Move! in NPR interview

"There is no way that the first lady can or should go into someone's house and tell them what to eat — it doesn't work. It wouldn't work in my household — in fact, I would resent it. But what I do know that parents want is they want help."  --Michelle Obama

Listen to the story on National Public Radio's All Things Considered.

Slow Food USA sponsors TEDx Manhattan event with live streaming on Feb. 12

Slow Food USA President Josh Viertel and more than twenty speakers will discuss how to shift the food system to provide good, clean and fair food for everyone.  Tune in at 10:30 a.m. ET, or find a viewing party (or host your own) in your area.

Modernized Food Labels Educate Consumers to Avoid Overweight

In response to a request from First Lady Michelle Obama last year, the Grocery Manufacturers' Association and the Food Marketing Institute announced a voluntary front-of-pack labeling system that will give consumers the information they need to choose healthy foods for themselves and their families.  Unfortunately, GMA's "Nutrition Keys" system preempts work by the Food and Drug Administration, which has been developing labeling guidelines.  Public health experts fear that focus on "positive" nutrients can make junk food seem nutritious.

U.S. Congress passes sweeping child nutrition bill

Today the House of Representatives passed a bill supported by Mrs. Obama that will fund child nutrition measures with $4.5 billion dollars.  Part of the funding will come from a cut in the federal food stamp program.  If President Obama signs the bill into law, the federal government will soon have more power to set school food standards.

Senate approves overhaul of food safety laws

By a vote of 73 to 25, the Senate today approved the biggest overhaul to the United States' food safety laws since the 1930s.

The House has already passed a similar version of the legislation.

Marilyn Monroe's Stuffing Recipe

Was Marilyn Monroe a competent home cook?  There is some evidence that she was, including a delightfully detailed, hand-written recipe for poultry stuffing published in yesterday's New York Times.  Sensuousness and cuisine--a natural pairing.