Researchers at NTU Singapore have discovered a natural plant-based food preservative using flavonoids, showing strong anti-microbial and anti-oxidant properties. The organic preservative effectively kept meat and fruit juice samples fresh for two days without refrigeration.
A proposed four-pillar strategy aims to drastically change consumption patterns, ensuring agricultural production and supply chains play a greater role in sustainable development. The transformation hinges on renewing food system governance, prioritizing human development, food security, and rational resource management.
A group of international researchers calls for a comprehensive transformation of food systems to meet the Sustainable Development Goals and Paris Agreement on climate. The proposed four-pillar strategy prioritizes nutritious food access, sustainable agriculture, climate change mitigation, and rural renaissance.
A group of 12 University of Michigan faculty members propose a new analytical framework for studying the global food system, focusing on ecology, equity, culture, and human health. This shift in focus is needed to address the unsustainable nature of current approaches to solving the global food crisis.
A study found that children who have a stronger brain response to food rewards are more likely to overeat, even when not hungry. The research suggests a way to identify brain responses that can predict obesity development and may help prevent overeating at an earlier age.
A new study from the University of Waterloo found that fewer than 50% of recommended food-handling practices were followed by Ontario high school students. The researchers observed significant improvements in thermometer use after a training program, but many students continued to engage in risky behaviors.
A new study found that nearly three-quarters of adults on probation in Rhode Island experience food insecurity, with almost half having very low food security. The prevalence is substantially higher than the statewide average, highlighting a critical need for targeted interventions and policies to mitigate health disparities.
A new study suggests that altering US food consumption patterns could significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Households spending more on beef, chicken, and other meats generate higher emissions, while lower-emission diets may disproportionately benefit wealthier households.
A nationwide survey of 3,105 adults found that poor sleep quality was associated with increased likelihood of nighttime snacking and junk food cravings. Junk food cravings were linked to higher risks of obesity, diabetes, and other health problems.
Chinese consumers mistrust domestic food supply chains, seeking safer imported EU products with clear country of origin labels. To capitalize on this demand, European producers can enhance product safety and authenticity through third-party certifications and tamperproof seals.
New research suggests that reducing food product portion sizes can recalibrate perceptions of normal food intake, leading to decreased consumption. The study found that participants who were served smaller portions chose to eat less in future experiments.
The European Academies' Science Advisory Council calls for a 'food systems approach' to address negative impacts of climate change on food systems. The report highlights the need for policy coherence, consumer behavior changes, and technological innovations to improve food sustainability.
Researchers have developed a platform for 3-D printing food with customized texture and body absorption characteristics, enabling personalized nutrition. The technology has the potential to reduce food waste and meet the increasing demands of a growing world population.
A study by the University of Waterloo found that young athletes prefer healthy protein options and value performance and recovery over unhealthy foods. The research suggests that marketing strategies can influence food choices, highlighting the need for nutrition guidelines in recreation facilities.
A new study finds that Americans waste nearly a pound of food per person each day, with the amount of wasted food corresponding to harvests produced using 780 million pounds of pesticide and 1.8 billion pounds of nitrogen fertilizer annually. The study also found that higher quality diets were associated with higher levels of food waste.
A US study found that approximately one pound of food per person was wasted daily from 2007-2014, resulting in significant environmental impacts. The research also showed a paradoxical relationship between diet quality and food waste, highlighting the need for simultaneous efforts to improve diet quality and reduce waste.
A new study found that children are exposed to over 800 junk food ads per year, with unhealthy food ads being 2.3 times more frequent than healthy food ads during peak viewing times. The research, led by the University of Adelaide, used a bespoke TV monitoring system to capture an entire year's worth of television and ads.
A Northwestern University study links infant skin exposure and genetics to food allergy development, providing potential ways to intervene early. Limiting use of infant wipes with soap and washing hands before handling babies may help avoid developing food allergy.
The USDA's National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) has awarded $4.7 million to support food safety education for producers and processors affected by the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA). The funding will provide customized training to small and mid-sized farms, beginning farmers, and socially-disadvantaged farmers.
A new study suggests that adopting plant-based diets could increase global food production by 50-200 times, making it a game-changer for addressing hunger and food waste. By replacing animal-based foods with edible crops, researchers estimate that 350 million more people could be fed with the same land resources.
A study by Ron Milo and colleagues reveals that plant-based diets offer a significant reduction in food loss and an increase in food production. Replacing animal-based products with plant-based alternatives could produce up to 20-fold more protein per acre, enough to feed approximately 350 million additional people.
A study by Montana State University researchers found lower fruit and vegetable desirability in more rural areas of Montana, affecting daily food choices. This can lead to long-term health implications due to the quality of available fruits and vegetables.
A Canadian study found that mothers living in households with food insecurity are less likely to breastfeed their infants exclusively for six months. The research, published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal, highlights the negative impact of food insecurity on breastfeeding duration.
Researchers at University of Toronto found that women with food insecurity are less able to sustain breastfeeding than those who are food-secure. By the age of two months, half of the food-insecure women had stopped breastfeeding exclusively, compared to most food-secure women who continued for four months or longer.
The USDA's National Institute of Food and Agriculture has awarded grants totaling $2.6 million to support innovative ideas in agriculture and food production through the Exploratory Research Grants (ERG) program. The grants aim to develop proof of concept for untested ideas that will lead to positive disruption of the agricultural norm.
A study found that food insecurity occurs in 9.2% of older adults, with higher rates among women, people without a spouse, and those with certain health conditions. The researchers highlight the need for combined methods to identify food insecurity and connect older adults with community-based resources.
A new study by University at Buffalo social work researcher Elizabeth Bowen found that food assistance programs often fail to provide reliable access to nutritious food for homeless young adults. The research highlights the need for policy changes, such as revising SNAP eligibility guidelines and providing more flexible support structu...
Researchers found that pets consuming parabens through their diet have increased exposure to diseases, such as diabetes and kidney disease. The study analyzed commercial pet food and urine samples from dogs and cats, revealing high concentrations of methyl paraben and its metabolite in both food and urine.
A study published in the American Journal of Agricultural Economics refutes the idea that climate change leads to civil war in Africa due to food scarcity. Instead, conflicts are driven by competition over abundant food resources, with most armed groups unable to sustain themselves and instead seeking control over local food supplies.
A study published in Frontiers in Psychology found that adults with food allergies face unique challenges in daily life, including anxiety and social exclusion. Openness to experience was the biggest predictor of these issues, highlighting the importance of personality traits in coping with a food allergy.
Researchers developed two models to optimize food bank operations, accounting for uncertainty in capacity and demand. The models aim to distribute food efficiently and equitably while minimizing waste.
A new study from Ohio State University found that nearly a third of households in Columbus struggled with food insecurity, exceeding previous estimates. The research highlighted disparities in access to healthful foods, particularly in low-income and racially diverse neighborhoods.
A study led by Temple University and the University of Houston aims to boost academic performance and persistence in college among low-income students through a food scholarship program. The program, which provides direct access to food, has shown promise in improving student outcomes and closing the gap on college completion rates.
Researchers at NYU College of Global Public Health and Tufts' Friedman School examine options for categorizing and taxing junk food. A federal excise tax on manufacturers appears feasible, with potential benefits in reducing disease burden from unhealthy food consumption.
A new study by University of Adelaide scientists demonstrates how climate change drives the collapse of marine food webs, potentially leading to decreased food availability for top predators and negative impacts on marine species.
A new study demonstrates how climate change can drive the collapse of marine food webs by altering trophic flows and promoting cyanobacterial proliferation. This can lead to reduced food availability for top predators, negatively impacting marine species diversity and fisheries productivity.
A new study from the University of Illinois reveals that people who are juggling bills and using financial coping strategies may be at risk for food insecurity. The researchers used data from the Hunger in America 2014 survey to show that these strategies can help identify individuals who are very food insecure or at risk.
A Penn State research group extended its food safety training program to Armenia, showing significant improvements in students' knowledge, behavior, and attitudes towards food safety. The project aims to replicate the program in Ukraine, Africa, and Latin America to combat global foodborne illness.
A clinical trial found that combining an antibody drug with food desensitization treatment improved allergy relief for children with multiple food allergies. The treatment, omalizumab, showed promising results in reducing allergic reactions when introducing small amounts of trigger foods into their diet.
NIFA's Agriculture and Food Research Initiative program supports research, education, and extension projects that promote a safe, nutritious food supply. The funding enables scientists to investigate innovative approaches to detect and control contaminants in food, contributing to the production of high-quality, nourishing food.
A new report by the University of Liverpool finds that nearly six in ten food and drink adverts shown during family programmes are for 'junk food', such as fast food and confectionery. The study highlights the need to extend existing regulations to restrict junk food advertising on TV until after the 9pm watershed.
The number of laboratory services associated with diagnoses of anaphylactic food reaction increased by 871 percent from 2007 to 2016, and billed charges for those services rose even more. Milk product allergy was the most expensive food allergy in terms of average costs and services per patient.
A new study suggests that understanding rainfall patterns is key to effectively addressing food insecurity among smallholder farms in Africa and Asia. Financial supports, such as cash or loans, were more frequently correlated with improved food security for drier farms, while agricultural inputs and practices were more effective for we...
A University of Michigan study found that food-related cues stimulate brain activity, leading to overeating among some participants. The study revealed that such cues have little impact on liking or pleasure derived from eating.
A new study from Boston Children's Hospital suggests that eating allergenic foods during pregnancy can protect children from food allergies when breastfed. The research found that antibodies in breast milk transferred to offspring helped induce food tolerance, and the findings support recent guidelines rejecting advice to avoid highly ...
A new study estimates that between 0.9% and 1.3% of UK adults used emergency food banks in 2013-2015, equating to approximately 850,000 people annually. Repeat visits indicate that distributing emergency food is not a long-term solution to food poverty.
A new study by the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology found that almost half of adult food allergies occur in adulthood, with shellfish allergy prevalence increasing by 44% among US adults. The risk of developing a food allergy to certain foods is higher among black, Asian, and Hispanic adults compared to whites.
A study by Johns Hopkins University found that pictures of junk food are almost twice as distracting as healthy food images, even when people are focused on a task. The researchers tested this theory with participants who ate candy before completing a computer task.
A study published in Nature Communications has identified five genetic risk loci associated with food allergies in children, highlighting the importance of skin and mucous membrane barriers. The research, involving over 1,500 participants, also found that four of the five risk loci are linked to other chronic inflammatory diseases.
A new study reveals that extreme marine conditions can significantly alter food chain dynamics in the California Current ecosystem. Dolphin diets suggest shorter food chains due to changes in prey availability and nitrogen cycling, potentially threatening ecosystem resilience.
A new article introduces the concept of food justice to address infant feeding disparities and environmental injustices in breast milk access. The authors propose activism strategies to advance food justice, emphasizing the importance of breast milk as a basis for infants' immune response.
New research suggests that reducing deforestation and increasing soil carbon sequestration in agriculture can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions while maintaining or improving food security. This approach has the potential to bring benefits for climate change mitigation while minimizing trade-offs with food security.
Research finds that individuals living in low-income neighborhoods with poor food access have a higher risk of cardiovascular disease, regardless of their access to healthy food. Personal income is the most significant driver of this risk.
According to a recent report, 8.1% of seniors in the US are food insecure, with some states experiencing significantly higher rates. The top 10 states for senior food insecurity rates include those in the South and Northeast, highlighting regional disparities in access to nutritious food.
New Indiana University research suggests that limiting access to fast-food restaurants will not reduce obesity. Instead, the study found that changes in the availability of healthy food options, such as supermarkets and nutritious food outlets, may make it easier for people to access healthy foods.
A recent study by the University of Illinois reveals that food insecurity exists in rural areas, and Feeding America's food banks are effectively reaching these communities. Despite the presence of food assistance programs, the social and economic conditions in rural areas have not improved significantly.
A study published in Frontiers analyzed traditional cuisines' flavor networks to develop a new principle behind cooking, called food-bridging. The research found regional clusters with distinct flavor patterns, and its mathematical representation, semi-metricity, may be applied to predict successful ingredient combinations.
Researchers at Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health studied the link between food allergy and childhood anxiety and depression. Children with a food allergy had a significantly higher prevalence of childhood anxiety, while symptoms of depression were not linked to food allergies.
A team of researchers led by David Julian McClements aims to quantify the ability of food nanoemulsions to increase pesticide bioavailability, posing a risk to human health. The study will investigate how nanoemulsion composition and structure impact pesticide absorption in fruits and vegetables.
The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) is part of a leading EU-China food safety project, tackling global food fraud worth $52 billion annually. The partnership aims to reduce food fraud and improve safety through innovative technologies and collaborative research.