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Are Rejected Melons the Next Form of Renewable Energy?
A colossal food fight is one way to use up the season's supply of subpar produce. But scientists have discovered another: convert rejected fruits into biofuel. The study, conducted by USDA researchers and published in the journal Biotechnology For Biofuels, found that the 360,000 tons of fruit rejected by US retailers each year could be converted into roughly two million gallons of biofuel.
Could America Be Facing a Sugar Shortage?
If you've got a sweet tooth, you may be forced to reckon with a bitter truth. In a letter sent to US Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, several of the country's largest food companies, including General Mills, Kraft, Hershey, and Mars, said the United States could "virtually run out of sugar" if the government doesn't let up on sugar import limits.
To keep prices within reason for domestic sugar farmers, the government only allows unlimited sugar imports from the Mexican market without paying tariffs.
Produce and Meat's COOL Move
America is moving one more step closer to awareness of where its food comes from.
The US Department of Agriculture has mandated that all produce as well as meat, fish, and poultry sold in US retail stores will be required to have country of origin labels (COOL) beginning next Tuesday, Sept. 30.
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Burning Question: At What Temperature Is a Turkey Cooked?
No matter what kind of turkey you'll be having this year, there's one question you'll need the answer to: What temperature does a turkey need to reach in order be considered "done"?
Until last year, the USDA recommended cooking turkey to an internal temperature of 180ºF. But based on the fact that bacteria threat salmonella cannot withstand temperatures of 160ºF after 30 seconds, the FDA now suggests a minimum internal temperature of 165ºF as measured by a food thermometer in the innermost part of the thigh and wing and the thickest part of the breast.
USDA Orders Audit of National Organic Program
In the wake of the economic downturn, not only has the organics industry lost a significant share of customers, but it's been plagued by scandal as well. The natural foods industry was also the subject of debate when a recent UK study found that organic food is no healthier than conventional. Now, the US Department of Agriculture, hoping to address the ongoing organics problems, has ordered an audit of its National Organic Program (NOP), the organization that sets standards for organic products in America.
Food Section Sampler — Sept. 23, 2009
- Turns out the rest of the world has taken a liking to the American cupcake trend. — New York Times
- Seemingly slight factors — not the economy — may be to blame for the bulk of this year's restaurant closures. — Boston Globe
- Is food art?
Poor Economy Spawns "Recession Flexitarians"
With cost increases, the economic downturn and a focus on all things green, could meatless meals be poised to become the next great food trend? Last month, Ghent, Belgium, made headlines when it became the first city to go meatless once a week. Then a recent vegetarianism poll generated surprising results: more than 25 percent of you said you're vegetarians, and nearly another quarter of you eat fish and not meat.
US Drops Proposed Tariffs on Roquefort Cheese
If you've been preparing to mourn the loss of Roquefort cheese, we've got good news for you: Yesterday, the United States struck a deal with the European Union, agreeing to drop its proposed tariff on Roquefort cheese, and products like Spanish ham and Italian mineral water.
The stink over taxes first began 10 years ago with a European Union ban on hormone-treated American beef, yet over the last few months, the controversy has heated back up. Before leaving office, President Bush proposed a 300 percent tariff on the pungent blue cheese from France.
What's Cooking at Slashfood
We love Slashfood so much that every Thursday we round up their most delicious stories. Here are this week's finds:
- In the wake of the recession, family-owned pizza parlors may be among the last bastion of thriving businesses.
- Cheez-It introduces the new Scrabble Junior Cracker.
- The USDA hires sustainable agriculture expert Kathleen Merrigan to take the post of deputy secretary.
- Get to know sciacchetrà, Cinque Terre's most notable dessert wine.
- Michigan is providing a tax credit to help a local brewery with production of a proposed Kid Rock-branded beer.
- What parameters exist for food that's labeled "all natural"?
Burning Question: Can You Refreeze Raw Meat After Thawing?
Yes, you can— but you may not want to. According to the USDA, when raw meat is thawed in the refrigerator, it is safe to refreeze it without cooking. For this reason, it's perfectly OK to purchase, say, a previously frozen piece of salmon from Trader Joe's, and then put it in your freezer when you get home.
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