Reading List: Peanut Allergy Solution, the Raw Milk Ban & Choke-Proof Hot Dogs

In this week’s nutrition news: Restaurants are serving up lower-calorie fare, an artificial food coloring controversy and the cure for peanut allergy might be near.
peanut

118190318

Peanut Butter

Photo by: James McQuillan

James McQuillan

In this week’s nutrition news: Restaurants are serving lower-calorie fare, an artificial food coloring controversy and the cure for peanut allergy might be near.

Quest to Cure Peanut Allergy

Peanut allergies are so dangerous that many schools and offices have gone peanut-free. At some schools, kids with the allergy are separated from the rest of the group during lunchtime — a solution many criticize. But there may be a resolution soon. A recent British study examined 23 young peanut allergy sufferers to see if they could build a peanut tolerance. Over time, the test subjects ate increasing amounts of peanut flour a day. Twenty were able to eat more than 30 peanuts safely after the study ended. Now a larger study is going to try the same thing with more than 100 kids ages seven to 17.

Restaurants Offer Lighter Choices
Despite the economy, Americans still love to eat out. In many cities around the country, large chains now have to display their calorie info for each dish; this means more healthy options are popping up on menus. Applebee’s now has a selections of items “Under 550 Calories” and Starbucks has “skinny” drinks under 100 calories. Even Cheesecake Factory has whittled down portions — they’ve recently introduced small plates and snack menus. But will consumers use the information to make healthier choices? Will you?
Push to the End Raw Milk Ban

You won’t find raw milk in most markets -- it's against the law to sell it in 23 states. Supporters of raw milk are asking legislators to call off the ban because they believe pasteurization kills off helpful nutrients and enzymes. Public health officials disagree — raw milk contains potentially dangerous bacteria, which can be deadly to the very young and old (they have weaker immune systems). According to data from the CDC (Center For Disease Control and Prevention), more than 1,500 people got sick from drinking raw milk between 1996 and 2006. As a food safety advocate, I’m not a fan of the widespread sale of raw milk; lifting the ban could potentially be disastrous.

Choke-Proof Hot Dogs?

Most non-fatal choking hazards (60% of them) are related to food. Yikes! The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) now wants warning labels on foods that pose a choking hazard — just like the ones on small toys that alert parents with toddlers. But wait, the AAP also wants foods like hot dogs to be “re-designed” so they’re less likely to get lodged in a small throat. The Food and Drug Administration plans to review the recommendations released by the AAP — we’ll keep you updated.

Warning for Food Colorings
Besides adding those fake bright colors to food, synthetic food colorings such as Red 40, Yellow 5, Blue 1, Blue 2, Green 3, Orange B and Red 3 have been linked to hyperactivity and behavioral issues in kids. Maryland officials are actually looking to ban artificial coloring in school foods and to demand that packaged foods with these dyes carry warning labels. The Center for Science in the Public Interest is backing Maryland; they maintain that, although these artificial dyes are cheaper than using real food ingredients, we shouldn’t be taking risks when it comes to our children. What do you think?

Next Up

Reading List: Foods of the Future, Breast Milk Cheese & Raw Food Safety

In this week’s nutrition news: Soda taxes help shed pounds, how to choose the right nutrition expert and cheese made from breast milk -- would you eat it?

Reading List: Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution, Bake Sale Ban & Kombucha Madness

In this week’s nutrition news: Jamie Oliver's new TV show takes on fat America, stay fit by moving an hour a day and baby food is the latest snack trend.

Reading List: Better School Lunches, "Normal" Food Allergies & Overcoming Picky Palates

In this week’s nutrition headlines: how parents are contributing to the obesity epidemic, kids with eclectic palates and a disturbing new video game that stars a "Fat Princess."

Reading List: Better In-Flight Foods, Contaminated Beef and Proposed HFCS Ban

In this week’s nutrition news: Home cooking makes a comeback, General Mills pledges to reduce salt levels in its products and a potato chip stand-in takes snackers by storm.

Reading List: San Fran’s Meatless Mondays, Apps for Allergies & Mealtime Photo Sharing

In this week’s nutrition news: A new iPhone app helps allergy-prone eaters, study links trans fat with sudden heart attacks and San Francisco jumps on the Meatless Mondays bandwagon.

Reading List: Beef Recall Alert, Bio-Alfalfa Ban Lifted and Happy Meals Without Toys

In this week’s nutrition news: The link between depression and obesity, another beef recall and CSPI threatens to sue the golden arches over Happy Meal toys

Reading List: Candy Tax in Washington, Misleading Food Allergies Info and Rachel Ray’s Food Fight

In this week’s nutrition news: Check Twitter and Facebook before your next visit to the farmers market, food allergy testing to be standardized and meet the White House pastry chef

Reading List: Soda Linked To Early Death, BPA Ban Faces Resistance and More People Going Organic

In this week’s nutrition news: Study finds high mercury levels in restaurant sushi, organic produce sales rise and food companies voluntarily cut salt before government sets standards

Reading List: Hot Trends For 2010, Controversial Anti-Soda Video & A Caffeine-Alcohol Warning

In this week’s nutrition news: Check out how airline food stacks up, a wellness supermarket tour, and hot food trends for 2010.