Photo courtesy of the University of Minnesota

Big news out of the University of Minnesota today. Researchers at the University say a food additive found in ice cream could help stop the spread of HIV when used in a sexual lubricant.
Scientists were able to prevent infection in female monkeys when they were treated with a gel containing glycerol monolaurate (GML) before they were exposed to the primate version of HIV, known as SIV. The details were reported today in the journal Nature.

While the study was small and only tried on animals, …

China’s poor track record in food production led to death and illness, pushing the need for new laws

China’s track record with health and safety surrounding agriculture, food and production industries has been less than stellar, particularly this past year.
With milk scandals killing 13 children and leaving somewhere around 300,000 ill, and with tainted pork making 70 sick and causing many other health-related calamities, adjustments to laws surrounding food production were imperative.
In light of recent events, a law was enacted on Saturday by China’s top legislative body that includes tougher penalties …

MINNEAPOLIS — Scientists at the University of Minnesota reported Wednesday that they found a way to block transmission of the virus that causes AIDS in animals, raising hopes of a potential breakthrough in the battle against the worldwide epidemic.
The scientists were able to prevent infection in a group of female monkeys by treating them with a gel containing a common food additive, known as glycerol monolaurate or GML, before they were exposed to the virus.
The discovery, reported Wednesday in the journal Nature, could lead to a novel and effective way …

When food industry giants like Kellogg want to ensure that American consumers are being protected from contaminated products, they rely on private inspectors like Eugene A. Hatfield. So last spring Mr. Hatfield headed to the Peanut Corporation of America plant in southwest Georgia to make sure its chopped nuts, paste and peanut butter were safe to use in things as diverse as granola bars and ice cream.
The peanut company, though, knew in advance that Mr. Hatfield was coming. He had less than a day to check the entire plant, which …

The search for immortality has an ancient pedigree. From the opulent courts of Chinese emperors to the austere cells of Indian sages, from the drafty northern European chambers of medieval alchemists to Ponce de Leon’s legendary — and probably falsely attributed — quest for the Fountain of Youth in the steaming jungles of the New World, the elixir of life has been sought for millennia.
Now, say some longevity experts, it may be within reach of scientists working in air-conditioned labs to unravel the genetic code, map the hidden processes of …

Irish Food group Glanbia today reported pre-tax profits of over €100m for 2008, which included one-off charges linked to restructuring costs and the company’s exit from the pigmeat business. Excluding exceptional items, pre-tax profits showed an increase of almost 21% to €120.3m. Revenue was almost flat at just over €2.2 billion and adjusted earnings per share increased by 18.5% to 35.86 cent.
Glanbia also announced today, that Geoff Meagher, Deputy Group Managing Director and Group Finance Director, will retire from his executive roles and from the Board of Glanbia on 30 …

March 4 (Bloomberg) — General Mills Inc., Kraft Foods Inc. and Kellogg Co. have reversed past opposition to increased food safety regulation and support U.S. legislation designed to prevent tainted food such as the contaminated peanut butter that killed nine people, the companies’ trade group said.
A bill introduced in the Senate yesterday by Dick Durbin, an Illinois Democrat, and Judd Gregg, a New Hampshire Republican, would give the Food and Drug Administration new authority to recall products, require food-safety plans from manufacturers and impose regulations on fruits and vegetables most …

If you like to brew your own beer then chances are that you will have some potassium sorbate lying around the house. And if you don’t, you can always find some quite easily in places that sell home brewing products. Most of us think about getting our annual flu shots. Of course you can also find it in natural food stores, but it is definitely more colorful to be able to tell someone to get there potassium sorbate from a home brewing supply store!
Anyway the whole reason that you want …

In the middle of winter at Weaver’s Orchard Farm Market, Robeson Township, cool, crisp apples, kept in 33- to 34-degree F storage from last fall’s harvest are jauntily jostled along an old wooden-roller conveyor belt.
The apples – in differing varieties, shapes, sizes and hues – almost appear eager to be ground, crushed, pressed and then pumped through ultraviolet processing equipment to become all-natural apple cider.
With no sugar and no preservatives added, it’s the No. 1 Mid-Atlantic apple cider, so judged by the Mid-Atlantic Fruit and Vegetable Convention.
Ontelaunee Orchard’s cider, pasteurized …

“According to Chinese medicine, diet is the most effective way to relieve many symptoms. All heat-producing foods and substances should be eliminated. Caffeine, alcohol, refined sugar, food colouring, preservatives, and additives(including antibiotics and hormones fed to animals during the production of most meat, chicken and eggs) will cause excess heat and yin depletion. Red meat should be consumed in small quantities, but being a complete vegetarian (vegan) is not recommended. You should eat at least 2-4 ounces of meat or fish every week or two, depending upon your size and …